- Author
- Smith, John, Cmdr, RAN (RTD)
- Subjects
- History - pre-Federation
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2010 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
5. Each colony of Australia has its own military organisation. They are very much alike and consist generally of a permanent force, a partially paid force, and volunteers. Some of the officers have Royal commissions, and some hold only Colonial commissions issued by the Governor of the colony. Colonials, on the recommendation of the Governor of a colony, have the privilege of taking examinations for a Royal commission, provided they have seen active service in the field, or served more than 15 months in a local military organization.
6. The military organization of New South Wales, although more extensive than that of the other colonies, may be taken as a fair example. The whole military department is placed under the control of the Chief Secretary as Minister of Defence. The present establishment of the forces is as follows:
| Headquarters staff | 85 |
| Lancers | 499 |
| Mounted Rifles | 387 |
| Cavalry | 638 |
| Artillery | 1,174 |
| Engineers | 63 |
| Infantry-Permanent | 24 |
| Volunteers | 2,563 |
| Partially paid | 2,734 |
| Army Service Corps | 134 |
| Cadets | 10 |
| Total | 8,842 |
The distribution of the Artillery throughout the colony is as follows:
| Sydney | 834 |
| Northern District | 137 |
| South Coast District | 87 |
The distribution of Infantry throughout the colony is as follows:
| Sydney and suburbs | 2,456 |
| Southern District | 428 |
| Western District | 638 |
| Southwestern District | 60 |
| Northern District | 724 |
| South Coast District | 119 |
The Engineers, Cavalry, etc. are distributed throughout the colony in about the same proportions.
Very respectfully
J.K. Taussig
Naval Cadet, U.S. Navy
This journal was submitted for review to the commanding officer USS Culgoa. The reviewer commented and signed: “An excellent journal. Approved”
As Taussig’s report is dated 01 May 1901 and Australia was federated on 01 January 1901, the reference to separate colonies is in theory outdated, although the colonial organisation remained in force on a transitional basis until the passing of the Australian Defence Act in March 1904. (See No Pleasure Cruise by Tom Frame, p. 82).
The Author acknowledges the work edited by Evelyn M. Cherpak, Three Splendid Little Wars – The Diary of Joseph K Taussig, 1898 – 1901, Naval War College Press, Newport, R.I.