Corporal NSW Railway Volunteer Rifles, 1896.jpg

In the mid 1890s the Australian colonies experienced a wave of martial spirit that led to the raising of various volunteer units. In NSW this resulted in units of Australian Horsemen, Irishmen, Englishmen, veterans (the National Guard), and Railwaymen.

The Railways Volunteers were established to provide professional railway support to the NSW Military Forces, although it also trained as infantry.

Their uniform was the colonial sun helmet with a red and white puggaree, and white metal fittings. The jacket has white facings and red piping. On the collar is a white gorget patch with central line of white braid. Twisted shoulder cords, of red and white, are worn.

The equipment is whatever was available at the time. Here a white leather Slade-Wallace belt and ammunition pouch.

The blue trousers have two thick white stripes down each outer seam.

This Corporal is armed with a 0.450in Martini Henry single shot rifle and socket bayonet.

Due to internal conflicts within the unit and with the Colonial Rail authorities, the unit dissolved after one years service. It officially disbanded in 1899.

More information on the uniforms of NSW Military Forces can be found on the CD Uniforms of Colonial Australia, Volume 1, New South Wales