Adelaide Regiment of Volunteer Rifles

The Adelaide Regiment of Volunteer Rifles was formed in 1860 after the formation of a number of volunteer rifle companies in 1859. These companies were raised for the same reasons and in the same fashion as the Volunteer Force in Great Britain, but with a South Australian twist. The initial Act upon which formation of the Regiment was based was Act No. 2 of 1854, entitled "An Act to organize and establish a Volunteer Military Force in South Australia".

Eastern Suburban Rifle Company, 1860

In May 1860, the Regiment was raised, to consist of the following 20 individual rifle companies:

• - Port Adelaide Rifles
• - First Adelaide Rifles
• - Glenelg Rifles
• - Glen Osmond Rifles
• - Mitcham Rifles
• - Adelaide Rifles
• - Adelaide Marksmen
• - West Adelaide Rifles
• - Sturt and Brighton Rifles
• - Edward's Town Rifles
• - Eastern Suburban Rifles
• - Kent Rifles
• - Alberton and Queenstown Rifles
• - Kensington and Norwood Rifles
• - Brighton Rifles
• - Munno Para East Rifles
• - First Gawler Rifles
• - Second Gawler Rifles
• - Salisbury Rifles and
• - Smithfield Rifles[1]

In February 1865 the Hindmarsh Rifle company was added to the Regiment.[2]

Under Act No. 18 of 1865, the "Volunteer Act 1865-66", the Regiment was re-organised. Companies, although still organised by location, were numbered.

Commanders

May 1860 Lieutenant-Colonel B. T. Finniss

August 1863 Lieutenant-Colonel George Mayo

Today, this Regiment is portrayed by a reenactment group as it appeared between 1862 and 1865: www.facebook.com/adelaiderifles