Boot and Saddle by JG GilberdMilitia and Volunteers
During the period 1845-90 there were a number of volunteer units, being mainly Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery. The Militia Act of 25 March 1845 gave official approval to train and arm the European population for the protection of Her Majesty's subjects living in the colony. This was a home-based force which limited service to within 25 miles of the nearest Police post, among the many clauses of the Act it was obligatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18-60 to hold themselves in readiness for 28 days' service each year. Militia.units were raised (mainly in the North Island) at Auckland and Wellington (1845), Taranaki (l855), Bay of Islands, Napier, Wanganui and Rangitikei (1860). The Government later aprproved the formation of a mobile force under the Act. These were volunteers and known as 'Special Militia and Military Settlers'. Men were encouraged to join the force with the promises of land grants after hostilities were over. These volunteers were mainly former British regulars now resident in the Colony. They were known locally as 'fencibles'. Land grants promised were:
This was confiscated Maori land. With the formation of the Armed Constabulary, all Militia men were released from service by 1872. Another Act, called the Volunteer Act 1866, gave some authority to the large number of volunteer units in being at this time. Counted units were in large numbers ranging in size from a troop (18 men) to a squadron of' about 125. At this time volunteer artillery units were based at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and later at Napier, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill. During this period the cavalryman provided his own mount, saddles and other items of horse furniture. Uniforms and arms came from Government sources. In the case of the artillery batteries, horses and harness were hired from livery stables and contractors as required. History records that horse-gunners received a pretty rough deal regarding the horses and harness provided by the 'horse-traders.' Harness was always a problem as it was designed for 'shaft' draught as used in horse-drawn coaches and carts at that time. Many years were to elapse before the Defence Department purchased military harness from the United Kingdom. About this time the Army acquired its own horses. It is recorded in the booklet 'Canterbury Gunners' that 'E' Bty volunteers were in Camp at Scarborough. Live firing was to be carried out. The hired horses had never seen an artillery piece before let alone heard the weapons fired. The battery paraded its four guns and moved off to the range area. The order 'Trot' was given, followed by a 'Gallop', then followed 'Halt action front' and the Gunners unlimbered and brought their 'little pets' into action, the Drivers taking their teams 20 yards to the rear of the gun positions. The fire orders were given, then the order 'Fire'. It was a Salvo! All hell broke loose at the horse-lines - horses with Drivers were scattered in all directions.
Jim Gilberd, 1989 |
