| Date from | 01 January 1854 |
|---|---|
| Date to | 31 December 1900 |
| Collection type | Conflict |
| Scope note | Until 1854, British regular troops garrisoned in the Australian colonies were almost unaided by locally-recruited forces. In 1854 news of war between Britain and Russia led to the establishment of volunteer corps in some colonies. When the war ended in 1856 volunteer units faded only to be revived in 1859 when it was believed, that Napoleon was preparing to invade England. By 1860 most suburbs and towns in Australia supported a volunteer unit After the final British regiment left in 1870, the colonies were required to assume responsibility for their own defence. |