Adelaide Regiment of Volunteer Rifles
The Adelaide Regiment of Volunteer Rifles was formed in 1860 after the formation of a number of volunteer rifle companies in 1859. These companies were raised for the same reasons and in the same fashion as the Volunteer Force in Great Britain, but with a South Australian twist. The initial Act upon which formation of the Regiment was based was Act No. 2 of 1854, entitled "An Act to organize and establish a Volunteer Military Force in South Australia".
![](../I/m/Eastern_Suburban_Rifle_Company%2C_1860(GN02283).jpg)
In May 1860, the Regiment was raised, to consist of the following 20 individual rifle companies:
- - Port Adelaide Rifles
- - First Adelaide Rifles
- - Glenelg Rifles
- - Glen Osmond Rifles
- - Mitcham Rifles
- - Adelaide Rifles
- - Adelaide Marksmen
- - West Adelaide Rifles
- - Sturt and Brighton Rifles
- - Edward's Town Rifles
- - Eastern Suburban Rifles
- - Kent Rifles
- - Alberton and Queenstown Rifles
- - Kensington and Norwood Rifles
- - Brighton Rifles
- - Munno Para East Rifles
- - First Gawler Rifles
- - Second Gawler Rifles
- - Salisbury Rifles and
- - Smithfield Rifles[1]
In February 1865 the Hindmarsh Rifle company was added to the Regiment.[2]
Under Act No. 18 of 1865, the "Volunteer Act 1865-66", the Regiment was re-organised. Companies, although still organised by location, were numbered.
Commanders
May 1860 Lieutenant-Colonel B. T. Finniss
August 1863 Lieutenant-Colonel George Mayo
Today, this Regiment is portrayed by a reenactment group as it appeared between 1862 and 1865: www.facebook.com/adelaiderifles
References
- The South Australian Register, 2 May 1861
- The South Australian Register, 17 February 1865