Australian Colonial Military

[Stuart Bates]

Here is a rather nice photo of the South Australian Militia Cavalry 1896. The uniform is described as brown with a red plastron, piping and facings. The helmet is also described as being brown and has a three sided spike like the lance point. I think this was called the "hogspear" style.

The helmet plate was an eight pointed rayed star with the garter belt, to the centre of which was the cypher of Queen Victoria. On the strap of the belt was inscribed "SOUTH AUSTRALIA MILITIA CAVALRY." Unusually the plate was not surmounted by the Queen Victoria Crown.

Stuart

Photo courtesy www.youroldbooksandmaps.co.uk

Edited May 23, 2010 by Stuart Bates