South Australian Military Forces (GRG149)

This record group includes records of the Volunteer Military Force, and records relating to South Australian military participation in the South African War (Boer War) and World War One.

For records of South Australian participation in the response to the Boxer Rebellion see GRG24/64.

Records of HMCS 'Protector' are mainly to be found in the Chief Secretary's Office records and the despatches of the Governor's Office.

The South Australian Almanacks and the South Australian Parliamentary Papers give details of senior military personnel of both the local Volunteer Force and visiting Imperial Regiments.

VOLUNTEER MILITARY FORCE:

The first body of South Australian Volunteers was raised by Governor Gawler in 1840, and consisted of 77 officers and men. Activity, however, was restricted owing to the severe economic conditions of the time.

With the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854 enthusiasm was rekindled and the
Volunteer Military Force Act was passed in September, 1854. The Force consisted of 1 troop of mounted rifles, 2 companies of artillery, and 2 battalions of infantry.

In 1882 the Permanent Military Force came into existence (Artillery), and was based at Forts Glanville and Largs, and transferred to the Commonwealth in 1903.

In 1886 the Volunteer Military Force became the South Australian Militia and was finally dissolved in 1895 upon the formation of the South Australian Military Forces in 1896.

The South Australian Military Forces were transferred to the Commonwealth in 1903.

For further details see Research Note 25 in Research Centres.