Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Photograph of Regimental Colour - Fremantle Rifle Volunteers, 1862

« Prev Item Next Item »

Subcollections

Honourable Insignia - Regimental Colours, Guidons, and Royal Banners

Overview

Photograph of the Regimental Colour of the Fremantle Infantry Volunteers originally commissioned by Mr RA Fiveash, presented to the unit on 14 February 1862 and now laid up in St John's Church, Fremantle. The "Inquirer and Commercial News" of 19 February 1862 reported that the Colour was consecrated by Rev R Alderson, Chaplain of the Corps with members of the Perth Rifle Volunteers also in attendance."

Historical information

The initial Fremantle Rifle Volunteers was formed following a meeting held in Fremantle in September 1861. Training and organisation proceeded under the direction of Captain C Finnerty, Staff Officer of the Enrolled Pensioners at Fremantle. The official gazetting occured on 6 August 1862 when Mr RS Price was formally appointed Captain Commanding the Fremantle Company on 6 August 1862. Due to dwindling numbers, the Fremantle Rifle Volunteers were disbanded on 8 February 1870 only to be reactivated as a new corps by Mr George Bland Humble on 5 October 1872. The existing Colour continued to be used by this new raising being the only Colour presented to a local volunteer unit in the colony at that time. It is recorded as being trooped at the Queen's Birthday Parade on 24 May 1886 and in subsequent years.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-53-240

Inscriptions and markings

The Colour was described in "The Inquirer and Commercial News" of 15 January 1862 as "a St George's ensign [Red cross of St George with Union flag in the canton] made of silk and ornamented in the centre with a beautifully embroidered black swan on a white field, and mounted with rose, shamrock and thistle. Surrounding the swan are the words Fremantle Rifle Volunteers."

Contextual Information

It is assumed that the Colour was presented to St John's Church by the family of Captain John Alfred Ernest Humble [son of Major George Humble], the last Commanding Officer of the Fremantle Rifle Volunteers but here is no date recorded. Oral history notes repairs being undertaken by the nuns of Mountmellick in Ireland and later by members of the St John's Church Guild. The embroidered designs appear to have been restored on only one side of the Colour.

Links to additional resources

Linege - Fremantle Rifle Volunteers

Mount Mellick embroidery

Perth Gazette 21 February 1862

Inquirer and Commercial News 19 February 1862

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback