Perth 1861-1901
This unit was officially raised on the 6th August 1862 but had existed unofficially since December 1861. It was named the Metropolitan Volunteer Rifle Corps under the command of Captain Leake. Throughout the 1860’s and early 1870’s the unit operated very well and numbered around 100 men as well as a band, which was well funded. It was armed with Enfield rifles. In early 1872 there was a controversy due to the government not paying the capitation grant. Captain Leake protested this decision unsuccessfully and then resigned on the 17th February. Captain Burke of the Enrolled Pensioner Force was placed in command which upset the company, as it contradicted their right to appoint their own officers. The officers and men of the unit held a meeting but when Captain Burke found out about this, he called it seditious and recommended the disbandment of the company which went into effect on the 22nd February.
The disbandment of the unit was soon reconsidered as it left the colonial defence force with just 50 mounted infantry. As such, talks to revive the unit were held in June and it was officially gazzetted on the 1st October 1872 as the Metropolitan Rifle Volunteers under the command of Major Hillman. In 1877 the unit received Snider rifles.
In 1883 the unit was divided into 2 companies and the next year command passed to Major Sherwood after Hillman died. In the 1880s the unit had a strength of:
1886 | 3 Captains (Strickland, Sherwood & R Sholl), 1 Lieutenant (E Sholl), 1 2nd Lieutenant (Dean) | 120 Men |
1889 | 3 Captains (Strickland, Sherwood & R Sholl), 1 2nd Lieutenant (Shaw) | 146 Men |
Throughout the 1890s the unit took part in all of the Flemming Cup competitions. It did well coming second in 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898. Coming third in 1895 & 1901 and coming in the top 5 for 1899, 1900 & 1902 but failing to ever win the cup.
In 1893 the unit was renamed to A & B Companies (Perth Infantry), 1st Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which seems to have caused the unit to lose 1/3 of its strength. In 1899 it raised G Company for the 1st Vol Reg. In 1900 the unit became fully independent again and became the 1st (Perth) Battalion, Infantry Brigade having raised a 4th company known for a short time as the Subiaco Rifles.
1894 | 1 Major (Sherwood), 1 Captain (Strickland), 1 Lieutenant (Shaw) | 93 Men |
1897 | 1 Major (Strickland), 2 Lieutenants (Shaw & McMasters), | 105 Men |
1901 | 1 Major (Strickland), 4 Captains (Bastow, Gent, Collett & Doyle), 1 Lieutenant (Bryan), 5 2nd Lieutenants (Johnstone, Pretty, McClenaghan, Teague & Christie) | 400 Men |
In 1901 the unit passed to federal control and by 1903 became part of the 11th Infantry Regiment. In 1912 it became part of the 88th Infantry Regiment before becoming part of the 11th again in 1918. The unit’s lineage is continued today by the 11th/28th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment.
5 Officers and 35 Men of the Perth Infantry took part in the 2nd Boer War. They made up the largest contingent of professional soldiers. With 24 men in the 1st WAMI, 2 Officers & 2 men in the 2nd WAMI, 1 Officer in the 3rd WAMI, 1 Officer & 2 men in the 4th WAMI, 1 Officer and 4 men in the 5th WAMI and 5 men in the 6th WAMI. 5 Soldiers served 2 Tours. Perth Infantry members of the WAMI received 3 DCMs and 1 MID. Additionally 2 Members of the Perth Infantry were killed, Private H. Force DCM, Pte M W Collett, 4 Wounded, 1 Injured and 1 Captured.
They were
1st WAMI
Name | Rank | Birthplace | Job | Age | Service Notes | Campaign Notes |
4. Johnston Burley DCM | Pte Lcpl (Jan 1901) | Ireland | Carpenter | 26 | 2 Years in the Perth Inf. | Awarded the DCM. |
7. Adam Mountjoy | Pte | WA | Farmer | 33 | 16 Years in the Perth Inf. | Captured in the Vaal River Engagement 29/5/00 and released in the Battle of Pretoria 7/6/00 |
9. Arthur Robinson | Pte | London | Labourer | 23 | 4 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
13. Harold Force DCM (DOW) | Pte | SA | Labourer | 20 | 5 Months in the Perth Inf. | Awarded the DCM for actions in the Battle of Waterval Onder 3/9/00 where he died of wounds 14/9/00 |
15. Joseph S Attwood | Pte | Fremantle | Labourer | 24 Years 8 Months | 2 Years 10 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
17. Harry Eckert | Pte | NSW | Labourer | 27 Years 5 Months | 1 Year 3 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
20. Frederick Williams | Pte | VIC | Carter | 24 Years 7 Months | 14 Months in the Perth Infantry | |
30. Murray W Collett | Pte | Guernsey | Clerk | 21 | 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth Infantry | Killed in action in the battle of Palmietfontein 19/7/00 |
38. Philip Allen | Pte | VIC | Labourer | 26 Years 6 Months | 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | Served again in the 6th WAMI as a Cpl promoted to Sgt May 1901, promoted to Regimental Sgt Maj Feb 1902. |
44. Albert C Bowden | Pte | VIC | Grocer | 21 Years 6 Months | 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
48. Stephen Kenny | Pte | VIC | Bookbinder | 22 | Previous service in 2nd Victorian Inf. (4 Years) 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth inf. | |
53. Herbert Loughton | Pte | VIC | Engineer | 22 | 4 Months in the Perth Inf. | Served again in the 6th WAMI as a Sgt |
54. Charles Dickman | Pte | VIC | Labourer | 22 Years 7 Months | 5 Months in the Perth Inf. | Slightly wounded in the Battle of Palmietfontein 19/7/00 Served again in the 6th WAMI as a Sgt |
55. George Wheeler | Pte | VIC | Painter | 21 | Previous service in Victorian Field Artillery (9 Months) 5 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
80. Thomas Hamilton | LCpl Cpl (Oct 1900) | WA | Talleyman | 25 Years 5 Months | 6 Years in the Perth Inf. | Injured in horse accident at Wagenfontein 20/8/00 and invalided back to Australia. |
81. Thomas Ashmore | Pte | WA | Labourer | 23 | 2 Years in the Perth Inf. | Slightly wounded in the Battle of Palmietfontein 19/7/00 |
82. Joseph H Minchin | Pte | WA | Farm Labourer | 20 | 10 Months in the Perth Inf. | Served again in the 6th WAMI as a Cpl |
84. Philip J Jones | Pte | WA | Carpenter | 21 Years 5 Months | 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
86. William R White | LCpl | WA | Bootmaker | 23 | 5 Years in the Perth Inf. | Served again in the 6th WAMI as a Company Sgt Maj |
88. William Callicott | Cpl | England | Labourer | 33 | Previous service in Devonshire Regiment (1 Year) and in the Burmese War 1888 1 Year 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
89. Alexander Sweeney | Pte | WA | Draper | 21 | 6 Years in the Perth Inf. | |
90. Charles Mitchell | LCpl | London | Plumber | 26 Years 11 Months | 6 Years in the Perth Inf. | |
91. Arthur W Groser | Pte | Canada | Clerk | 22 | 10 Months in the Perth Inf. |
2nd WAMI
57. John A Bullock | Pte Cpl (Mar 1901) | Scotland | Carpenter | 32 | Previous service in NSW Infantry (2 Years) 2 Years 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
95. Charles E Abbott | LCpl | VIC | Warehouse man | 22 | 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
R T McMaster | Lt Cpt (Mar 1900) | Scotland | Architect | 36 | Previous service in the Victorian Artillery (5 Years) 5 Years in the Perth Infantry | |
S Harris | Lt Cpt (Mar 1900) | VIC | Officer | 24 | Previous Service in the Victorian Cadets (9 Years) 5 Years in the Perth Infantry | Awarded MID |
3rd WAMI
S J Chipper | Sgt Maj Lt (Jun 1900) | WA | WATC | 36 | Previous Service in the Perth Mounted Rifles (5 Years) 12 Years in the Perth Infantry | |
21. Arthur Benjamin | England | Contractor | 35 | 3 Years in the Perth Mounted Rifles |
4th WAMI
15. William Atkinson | Pte | Northam | Farmer in Bayswater | 26 | 9 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
57. George L Williams | Pte | Victoria | Butcher in Ferguson | 23 | 6 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
James Rose | Cpt Maj (Mar 1900) | Bunbury | ? | ? | C.O. Of the 4th WAMI and the first WA born WAMI commander. 18 Years in the Perth Infantry | Slightly wounded in the Battle of Bethlehem 8/7/00 |
5th WAMI
6. John N D Harris | Pte | SA | Warehouse man in Perth | 20 | 9 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
26. John Delaney | Pte | NSW | Policeman in Perth | 29 | ||
John S Scott | Lt | ? | ? | ? | 1 Year in the Perth Inf. |
6th WAMI
325. George Finmore | Pte | VIC | Barman | 21 | 3 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
340. Percy Skinner | LCpl Cpl (Dec 1901) | SA | Brass Finisher | 20 | Previous Service Perth Cadets (2 Years) 3 Years in the Perth Inf. | |
412. Alfred H Neale | Pte | VIC | Bank Clerk | 27 | 10 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
103. William Gardiner | Pte Lcpl (Dec 1901) | NSW | Storeman | 25 | 5 Months in the Perth Inf. | |
113. Hugh Hackett | Pte | Newcastle | Electrician | 21 | 1 Year in the Perth Inf. | Severley Wounded in the Renshoogte Engagment 23/6/01 |
COMMANDING OFFICERS
Cpt Luke S Leake (6/8/62-17/2/72) (10 Years)
Cpt B H Burke (17/2/72-22/2/72) (5 Days)
TEMPORARY DISBANDMENT (17/2/72-1/10/72) (8 Months)
Maj Alfred J Hillman (1/10/72-27/5/84) (12 Years)
Maj Thomas Sherwood (27/5/84-1/7/95) (11 Years)
Col John C Strickland (1/7/95-13/3/03) (8 Years)
LIST OF OFFICERS
Colonels
John C Strickland (6/4/85-13/3/03)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1874-1882 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Lieutenant in 1885. Served as a Captain from 1885-1897, served as a Major from 1897-1903 before finally serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1903. He was then given the honorary rank of Colonel and then retired. He was awarded 2 Long Service Medals and 2 Ceremonial Medals.
Majors
Alfred J Hillman (1/10/72-27/5/84)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1861-1872 achieving the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Sub-Lieutenant from 1872-1874, Lieutenant from 1874-1875, Captain from 1875-1883 and finally as a Major from 1883-1884. Important to note that he died on the 27th May 1884 from old age at the age of 71.
Thomas Sherwood (24/5/75-1/7/95)
Served as a sub Lieutenant from 1875-1879, served as a Lieutenant from 1879-1883, served as a Captain 1883-1894 and finally served as a Major from 1894-1895. He was awarded 1 Long Service Medal.
Richard A Sholl (24/5/75-28/7/91)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1861-1875 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Lieutenant from 1875-1883, served as a captain from 1883-1891 and was given the rank of honorary Major when he retired. He was awarded 1 Long Service Medal.
Captains
Luke S Leake (6/8/62-17/2/72)
Charles Y Dean (18/9/82-22/8/89)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1873-1882 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Sub-Lieutenant from 1882-1888. Served as a Captain from 1888-1889.
James Rose (6/4/85-15/3/00)
Served in as an enlisted in the unit from 1882-1885 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Served as a Lieutenant in the unit from 1885-1890. He retired in 1890. He returned in 1893 and served as a Lieutenant until 1895 when he was promoted to Captain. He was appointed the instructor of musketry in 1898. Promoted to Major and given command of the 4th WAMI in the 2nd Boer War. He retired upon return from the war. He served with the 88th Infantry Regiment for a short period in 1915 before retiring again. He received 1 War Medal and 1 Long Service Medal.
Henry V B De Sagte (27/3/96-31/12/96)
Peter J Doyle (22/6/99-16/8/02)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1899-1900. Served as a Captain from 1900-1901.
Herbert B Collett (17/2/99-1/7/03)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1894-1899. Served as a Lieutenant in 1899. Served as a Captain from 1900-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the 11th Infantry Regiment until 1912 rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. CO of the 11th Infantry Regiment from 1908-1912. CO of the 88th Infantry Regiment from 1912-1915.
Served as CO of the 28th Battalion in the Great War from 1915-1916. Served as CO of the 4th Training Battalion in 1917. CO again of the 28th Battalion from 1917-1918. CO of the 2nd Command Depot 1918-1919. Made an Honorary Colonel of the 88th Regiment and the 11th Regiment after returning home from the war. CO of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment from 1918-1920. CO of the 22nd Infantry Brigade from 1920-1921. Served as chief of Infantry of the 13th Mixed Brigade from 1921 until his retirement in 1927. Appointed A.D.C. to the Governor General from 1922-1926. He was awarded the C.M.G., DSO, MID, 3 War Medals and 1 Long Service Medal.
Austin Bastow (1/12/00-1/11/01)
A B Gent (1/12/00-1901)
Lieutenants
Mark Dyett (16/12/61-6/1/64)
Served as an enlisted in the unit in 1861.
James B Roe (16/12/61-22/2/72)
Served as an enlisted in the unit in 1861. Served as an Ensign from 1861-1864. Served as a Lieutenant from 1864-1872.
William H Knight (7/1/64-13/4/75)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1861-1864. Served as an Ensign from 1864-1872. Served as a Lieutenant from 1872-1875.
Charles L Clifton (24/5/75-6/6/81)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1874-1875. Transferred to the Fremantle Infantry in 1881 where he remained until 1892 rising to the rank of Major.
Edward Sholl (18/9/82-3/10/89)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1875-1882.
John F Shaw (20/6/88-25/1/99)
Served as an enlisted in the unit for at least 8 years rising to the rank of sergeant. Served as 2nd Lieutenant from 1888-1890, then later served as a Lieutenant from 1890-1899. He was awarded 1 long service medal.
Robert T McMasters (13/8/95-20/12/99)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1895 and as Lieutenant from 1895-1899. Deployed to the 2nd Boer War with the 2nd WAMI rising to the rank of Captain. Reenlisted into the military in 1914, joining the 10th Light Horse Regiment and deploying to the Great War as part of the AIF. Killed in Action in the battle of the Nek 7/8/15. Received 4 war medals.
Herbert B Collett (17/2/99-1/7/03)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1894-1899. Served as a Lieutenant in 1899. Served as a Captain from 1900-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the 11th Infantry Regiment until 1912 rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. CO of the 11th Infantry Regiment from 1908-1912. CO of the 88th Infantry Regiment from 1912-1915.
Served as CO of the 28th Battalion in the Great War from 1915-1916. Served as CO of the 4th Training Battalion in 1917. CO again of the 28th Battalion from 1917-1918. CO of the 2nd Command Depot 1918-1919. Made an Honorary Colonel of the 88th Regiment and the 11th Regiment after returning home from the war. CO of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment from 1918-1920. CO of the 22nd Infantry Brigade from 1920-1921. Served as chief of Infantry of the 13th Mixed Brigade from 1921 until his retirement in 1927. Appointed A.D.C. to the Governor General from 1922-1926. He was awarded the C.M.G., DSO, MID, 3 War Medals and 1 Long Service Medal.
Samuel Harris (14/12/95-20/12/99)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1895-1896 and as a Lieutenant from 1896-1899. Went on to serve with the 1st WAMI in South Africa, being promoted to Captain. Awarded 1 war medal.
William T Bryan (21/5/00-1/7/03)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1899-1900. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the 11th Infantry Regiment until 1907 rising to the rank of Captain. Retired from 1907-1914. Joined the 88th Infantry Regiment from 1914-1916 with the rank of Captain. From 1916-1917 served with the 44th Battalion in the Great War with the rank of Captain. Killed in action at Messines 8/6/1917. He was awarded 2 war medals.
John S Stewart (21/5/00-11/12/00)
Served as an enlisted in the unit in 1900. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1900, and later as a Lieutenant in 1900. Served in the 2nd Boer War with the 5th WAMI. He was awarded 1 war medal.
Oscar E Johnstone (1/12/00-1/7/03)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1900-1902. Served as a Lieutenant from 1902-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became part of the 11th Infantry Regiment which he served in until 1904.
Edward P Pretty (19/2/01-1/7/03)
Previously served as an enlisted in the unit from 1900-1901. Had also been in the Brisbane Grammar School Cadets from 1892-1895. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1901-1902. Served as a Lieutenant from 1902-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became part of the 11th Regiment until 1907 rising to the rank of Captain.
William T Bryan (21/5/00-1/7/03)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1899-1900. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the 11th Infantry Regiment until 1907 rising to the rank of Captain. Retired from 1907-1914. Joined the 88th Infantry Regiment from 1914-1916 with the rank of Captain. From 1916-1917 served with the 44th Battalion in the Great War with the rank of Captain. Killed in action at Messines 8/6/1917. He was awarded 2 war medals.
John S Stewart (21/5/00-11/12/00)
Served as an enlisted in the unit in 1900. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1900, and later as a Lieutenant in 1900. Served in the 2nd Boer War with the 5th WAMI. He was awarded 1 war medal.
Oscar E Johnstone (1/12/00-1/7/03)
Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1900-1902. Served as a Lieutenant from 1902-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became part of the 11th Infantry Regiment which he served in until 1904.
Edward P Pretty (19/2/01-1/7/03)
Previously served as an enlisted in the unit from 1900-1901. Had also been in the Brisbane Grammar School Cadets from 1892-1895. Served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1901-1902. Served as a Lieutenant from 1902-1903. Continued to serve in the unit when it became part of the 11th Regiment until 1907 rising to the rank of Captain.
2nd Lieutenants
Samuel R Hamersley (22/1/74-20/11/74)
Served in the unit as an enlisted from 1873-1874 achieving the rank of Corporal. Transferred to the Guildford Infantry in 1874.
Charles L Clifton (24/5/75-6/6/81)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1874-1875. Transferred to the Fremantle Infantry in 1881.
A.O. McClenaghan (3/4/00-1901)
A.L.B. Lefroy (1/5/00-10/8/00)
Charles H Teague (1/12/00-1/3/03)
Alexander C Christie (19/2/01-1/4/02)
Served as an enlisted in the unit from 1900-1901.