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Volunteers

In the period 1829-1868 successive detachments from various British Regiments were stationed in Western Australia, to resist foreign encroachment, protect settlements against attacks by Aboriginal people and provide local and internal security. In 1859 the British Government expressed its intention to withdraw its garrisons from Australia and suggested the various colonies should raise, at their own expense, volunteer forces to replace them (see E.S. & C.G.S. Whiteley's The military establishment in Western Australia 1829-1863 for a more detailed history).

By that time the need for protection from Aboriginal people had lessened, but the convict presence in Western Australia caused such apprehension for the safety of the community that the departure of regular troops was deferred until 1868, when convict transportation ceased.

In 1861 steps were taken to raise volunteer forces and from that time until the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, responsibility for defence rested with the various volunteer units, the members of which enrolled at their own expense. George Wieck's The volunteer movement in Western Australia 1861-1903 provides a good history of the volunteer forces. James Ritchie Grant’s Vigilans provides a good history of the various volunteer units raised in Western Australia, along with lists of men who served.

Our military ancestors: a guide to sources in the J S Battye Library of West Australian History by Glenda Oakley

Some records relating to volunteer forces are listed in Glenda Oakley's Our military ancestors and other information relating to volunteer units can be found in the Government Gazette of Western Australia
and the early editions of the Post Office Directories.

Records noted below generally show name, age, occupation, dates of joining and resignation. Records located which are not mentioned in Our military ancestors are:

Busselton

  • CONS 594/36: Resident Magistrate Busselton. Sussex Volunteer Rifles. Memorandum Book 1861-1862

Fremantle

  • ACC 1123/31: Fremantle Rifle Volunteer Corps. Enrolment Book 1888

Perth

  • ACC 1123/30: Metropolitan Rifle Volunteer Corps. Enrolment Book 1882
  • ACC 1123/33: Perth Infantry Regiment C Company. Enrolment Book 1900-1901

Civil Service

  • ACC 1123/34: Civil Service Volunteer Battalion D Company. Enrolment Book 1900-1902

Also see headings Military in Government Archival Records and Military and Volunteers in Private Archives.