Guildford 1874-1901
The precursor to the eventual creation of a dedicated infantry unit in Guildford, was a sub-section of the Metropolitan Rifles numbering some 20 men created in 1872. By 1874 this section became autonomous and eventually independent creating the Guildford Rifle Volunteers under the command of Lieutenant Hamersley. Throughout the 1870s it was a well disciplined and skilled unit that undertook many training and ceremonial events. In 1878 command passed to Captain Gardiner (pictured below) who would lead the unit for the next 2 decades.
In 1881 a small Mounted Infantry section was formed and soon after a cadet corps as well. The 1880s saw a large growth in numbers for the unit.
1886 | 1 Captain (Gardiner), 2 Lieutenants (Read & Allpike), | 49 Men |
1889 | 1 Major (Gardiner), 1 Lieutenant (Redi), 2 2nd Lieutenants (Munday & Hamersley) | 76 Men |
From 1890-1893 the unit rose dramatically to 215 men but fell back down dramatically shortly after. In 1893 the unit became part of the 1st Infantry Volunteer Regiment and consisted of 2 companies, (E Coy – Guildford) and (F Coy – Northam and Toodyay). During mid-late 1890s the unit lost more numbers due to many people moving from Guildford to Midland with the opening of the new railway, this included many experienced officers including Major Gardiner. The 2 companies merged back together.
1894 | 1 Major (Gardiner), 2 Captains (Read & Mitchell), 1 Lieutenant (Munday), 4 2nd Lieutenant (H Hamersley & H E Hamersley, Piesse & Throssel) | 122 Men |
1897 | 1 Captain (Munday), 1 Lieutenant (Hamersley), 2 2nd Lieutenants (Piesse & Throssel) | 45 Men |
Throughout the 1890s, the unit was less then stellar when it came to marksmanship. It took part in the Flemming Cup in 1898,1899,1901 & 1902. It came last 3 times and only in 1902 did it achieve an okay result of being 7/14.
During the 2nd Boer War at least 10 members of the Guildford Infantry served in South Africa though the number was probably higher. 2 Served in the 1st WAMI, 3 in the 2nd WAMI, 2 in the 4th WAMI, 1 5th WAMI, 2 6th WAMI. 1 Guildford Soldier was wounded while on campaign. The 10 members consisted of 1 Lieutenant and 9 Privates.
In 1900 The unit was renamed A Company, 3rd Battalion, Infantry Brigade. It grew back to a full company size of around 100 men when it transferred to federal control and became part of the new 11th Australian infantry Regiment. Today its lineage is continued by the 11th/28th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment.
During the 2nd Boer War at least 10 members of the Guildford Infantry served in South Africa though the number was probably higher. 2 Served in the 1st WAMI, 3 in the 2nd WAMI, 2 in the 4th WAMI, 1 5th WAMI, 2 6th WAMI. 1 Guildford Soldier was wounded while on campaign. The 10 members consisted of 1 Lieutenant and 9 Privates.
1st WAMI
Name | Rank | Birthplace | Job | Age | Service Notes | Campaign Notes |
47. Malcolm McSwain | Pte | VIC | Labourer | 22 Years 8 Months | 6 Months in the Guildford Infantry | |
77. John Dunn | Pte | VIC | Labourer | 28 | Previous Service Victorian Mounted Rifles (1 Year) 1 Year in the Guilford Infantry |
2nd WAMI
8. Frederick J Doig | Pte | WA | Farm Labourer | 22 | 5 Months in the Guildford Infantry | Severely wounded at the Belfast engagement 2/8/00 |
43. James Hardie | Pte | VIC | Locomotive Engine Driver | 22 | 9 Months in the Guildford Infantry | |
60. James de B Morrison | Pte | WA | Farmer | 23 | 3 Months in the Guildford Infantry |
4th WAMI
38. Alfred S Saunders | Pte | VIC | Butcher in Greenbushes | 21 | 6 Months in the Guildford Infantry | |
Charles A Barnes | Lt | London | ? | 20 | 2 Years 6 Months in the Guildford Infantry |
5th WAMI
52.James C Kennedy | Pte | Perth | Farmer in Perth | 22 | 3 months in Guildford Infantry |
6th WAMI
111. James Pollard | Pte | Guildford | Labourer in Perth | 20 | 6 Months in the Guildford Infantry | |
104. James J Powell | Pte | England | Boundary Rider in Perth | 21 | 3 Months in the Guildford Infantry |
COMMANDING OFFICERS
Lt Samuel R Hamersley (22/1/74-31/8/78) (4 Years)
Maj Stephen Gardiner (31/8/78-24/5/97) (19 Years)
Maj James H Munday (24/5/97-1/10/00) (3 Years)
CPT Compton/ CPT Abbott (1/10/00-1/7/03) (3 Years)
LIST OF OFFICERS
Majors
Stephen Gardiner (20/11/74-24/5/97)
Previously served as an enlisted in the Fremantle and Perth Infantry from 1861-1874 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Sub-Lieutenant from 1874-1878, as a Lieutenant from 1878-1879, as a Captain from 1879-1888, and as a Major from 1888-1897. He later served as the CO of the 1st Infantry Regiment from 1897-1901 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He received 1 Long Service Medal.
James H Munday (21/8/88-1/10/00)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1887-1888. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1888-1895, as a Lieutenant from 1895-1896, as a Captain from 1896-1899 and as a Major from 1899-1900. Received 1 Long Service Medal
Captains
Frederick J Read (11/12/84-29/1/96)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1880-1884 rising to the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant. Served as a Lieutenant from 1884-1893 and as a Captain from 1893-1896. Received 1 Long Service Medal.
J. Mitchell (10/7/90-23/1/96)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1890-1893 then served as a Captain from 1893-1896.
Edward A F Compton (8/6/98-1/7/03)
Previously served in the Fremantle Infantry as an enlisted from 1884-1885. Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1897-1898. Served as 2nd Lieutenant from 1898-1899, as a Lieutenant from 1899-1900 and as Captain from 1900-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the 11th Infantry Regiment. Retired in 1907. Returned in 1914 in the 88th Infantry Regiment.
In 1915 he became a Lieutenant in the 28th Battalion AIF to serve in the Great War. From 1916-1917 serving as a Captain in the 7th & 8th Training Battalions. Retired in 1917. In 1927 he was made an honorary Major. He received 1 Long Service Medal and 3 War Medals.
Walter E Abbott (13/1/99-1/4/03)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1899, as Lieutenant from 1899-1900 and as Captain from 1900-1903.
Lieutenants
Samuel R Hamersley (22/1/74-31/8/78)
Previously served as an enlisted in the Metropolitan Rifles from 1873-1874 rising to the rank of Corporal. Served as 2nd Lieutenant in 1874 and as full Lieutenant from 1874-1878.
John Allpike (1/6/79-4/4/88)
Previously served as an enlisted in the Metropolitan Rifles from 1873-1874 with the rank of Corporal. Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1874-1879 rising to the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant.
Hugh Hamersley (30/5/90-2/3/98)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1890-1895 and as Lieutenant from 1895-1898.
James E F Stewart (15/12/99-16/6/02)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1887-1899. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1899-1901 and Served as a Lieutenant from 1901-1902. Retired in 1902. Returned in 1908, serving in the Australian Army Medical Corps as a Captain. Retired again in 1914. Returned again 4 months later as a Major in the 4th Field Ambulance AIF for service in the Great War.
In 1916 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and made CO of the 6th Field Ambulance and later the 10th Field Ambulance and after that the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital. He was made the Area Medical Officer for the 3rd Brigade in 1922 before retiring in 1926. Received 1 Long Service Medal and 3 War Medals.
2nd Lieutenants
Hugh E Hamersley (20/7/88-7/3/94)
John M Y Stewart (7/3/94-16/2/99)
Read More About His Story In The Guildford Infantry Page.
Alfred Piesse (13/4/94-30/8/99)
Lionel Throssell (13/4/94-30/8/99)
Charles A Barnes (9/5/00-15/3/01)
Previously served as an enlisted in the unit from 1897-1899 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served with the 4th WAMI in the 2nd Boer War with the rank of Lieutenant. Retired in 1902. Returned in 1904 as a Captain in the 11th Infantry Regiment. Retired again in 1907. Returned again in 1909 as the Orderly Officer for the Western Australian Brigade. In 1914 he joined the 88th Infantry Regiment and shortly after joined the 11th Battalion AIF for service in the Great War. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 28th April 1915.
During the 2nd Boer War he was one of the very few West Australians that saw action at Eland’s River. He received 4 War Medals.
