Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery

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Albany 1899-1901

This unit was first raised on the 10th October 1899 as the Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery. Its purpose was to support the Permanent Force artillery battery already stationed in Albany. It was armed with a few small Maxim guns. Unlike most units in the late era of the WADF it had its own cap badge, a black swan on a silver grenade. Its first and only commanding officer was Captain Meeks. Its strength was 1 Officer and 18 men of ranks. On the 1st July 1903 it fully passed to federal control and was renamed as the 1st Western Australian Company, Australian Garrison Artillery. In December 1911 it was changed again to the 12th Company, Australian Garrison Artillery.and in July 1912 it was changed for the final time to the 11th Garrison Artillery.

The Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery in 1900/01
The Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery in 1900/01
The Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery in 1902
The Albany Volunteer Garrison Artillery in 1902
No 1 Western Australian Company, A.G.A. at Tammin in 1909
No 1 Western Australian Company, A.G.A. at Tammin in 1909

During the 2nd Boer War 10 men were accepted to serve with the Western Australian Mounted Infantry, 7 in the 1st WAMI, 2 in the 5th WAMI and 1 in the 6th WAMI. The men consisted 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Lance Corporal and 7 Privates. One man of the Albany Artillery was injured while part of the WAMI. The men serving in the 1st WAMI from the Albany Artillery were used as gunners for the 2 Maxim Guns in the contingent.

1st WAMI

Name
Rank
Birthplace
Job
Age
Service Notes
Campaign Notes
118. Thomas Copeland
Sgt
 
 
 
 
 
119. McWhirter
Cpl
 
 
 
 
 
121. Alfred Geale
Pte
 
 
 
 
Injured by Horse in Aug 1900
122. George H Paul
Pte
 
 
 
 
 
? Reynolds
Pte
 
 
 
 
 
120. Treblecock
Pte
 
 
 
 
 
111. Frederick S C Brown
Pte
Kent
Clerk
26
Previous Service Plantagenet Rifles, Albany (1 Year) Fremantle Artillery (6 Months) ? time in the Albany Artillery
 

5th WAMI

147. Jeremiah Collins
Pte Lcpl (May 1901) Sgt (Dec 1901)
Ireland
Labourer in Perth
31
3 Years in the Albany Artillery
 
321. John B Gorrie
Pte
VIC
Carpenter
27
Previous service in the Victoria Militia (4 Years) 2 Years in the Albany Artillery
 

6th WAMI

Bruce E Bird
Pte
Canning
Clerk in Perth
21
5 months in Albany Artillery

LIST OF OFFICERS

Captain Philip H Meeks (31/8/00)

Had previously served in the 2nd Infantry Regiment (Victoria) for 8 years (1885-1893) rising to the rank of Captain. Originally served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the unit until 1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it passed to federal control all the way to 1917 reaching the rank of Major. He was awarded 1 Long Service Decoration.

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