| Photographs of the South Australian
Cavalry, during
the reign of Queen Victoria. |
|
|
Troopers of the South Australian Cavalry. (1896)
The Defence Forces of South Australia practically owe
their origin to the Russian War Scare in Australia, of 1885, which
compelled the various Colonial Governments to pay more attention than they
had hitherto done to the efficiency of their local defences. In
South Australia, the Governor in Council was authorized under the Defence
Force Act of 1886, to raise an Active Militia of 1500 men with a reserve
Militia of 1000 men, and a force of unpaid volunteers. The Active
Militia comprises two troops of cavalry - Lancers, of which we see here
four typical troopers - one field battery of artillery, and one garrison
battery, with three battalions of infantry, each of four companies, and
ambulance and medical corps cadres. The Active Militia are
concentrated about Adelaide, are embodied every year for six weeks'
training, and are under the orders of a Commandant, an Officer of the
British Army who is assisted by a headquarters staff. |
W. BELL
(Lieutenant) West Australian Mounted
Infantry
Like our other colonies, Australia sent her contingents of gallant sons
to sanwer the call of the mother country in time of need, a silent and grim
reminder to those who talk of England’s isolation.
Among the Australian contingent was Lieutenant Bell, and at Brakpan, on
May 16th 1901, he was with his company holding the right flank during
a sharp encounter withour mobile enemy. When
obliged to retire, Bell saw a trooper, dismounted and in imminent dangerm owing
to the heavy fire poured on all within range.
Turning back, he took the man up on his horse, but the double weight was
more than the poor jaded animal could bear, and, before it had carried them many
yards, it fell and thus left both men in jeopardy.
Without a thought for his own safety, Bell ordered the trooper to escape
as best he could, he meanwhile, keeping up a sharp fire on the enemy, held them
in check and covered the man’s retreat. H.R.H.
presented the Prince of Wales the Victoria Cross to him in London on July 1st
1902. |
