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Lot Essay
Captain John Campbell was commanding officer of No. 1 Company of the Duke of Edinburgh's Highland Volunteer Rifle Corps from 1868-1877.
The Highlanders were created in response to the New South Wales Volunteer Regulations Act 1867 in which inducement by means of land grants were offered to men for completion of five years efficient service.
Raised in 1868, the Highlanders formation coincided with the visit of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.
The Highlanders were very popular and received considerable support from the Scottish community. In 1870 they adopted Scottish dress including the Black Watch tartan of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. The officer's full dress was undoubtedly one of the most elaborate and expensive ever adopted in the N.S.W. forces. Captain Campbell's sword with its silver hilt and scabbard illustrates the extent of wealth and attention to detail of members of the corps.
Popularly called the Highland brigade, the corps consisted of two companies, both located in Sydney. Volunteer corps which adopted expensive uniforms usually had difficulty in retaining members. However, in 1874 when the first land grants were made to members for efficient service, 64 members were eligible. Among them was foundation member Captain John Campbell.
Captain John Campbell was highly regarded by his men but was suspended from command in 1877 due to four missing rifles. His superiors adopted a very heavy handed approach to the matter which ended with him resigning his commission.
The Highlanders did not survive the reorganisation of the Volunteers following the abandonment of the land grant scheme after 1878.
The Highlanders were created in response to the New South Wales Volunteer Regulations Act 1867 in which inducement by means of land grants were offered to men for completion of five years efficient service.
Raised in 1868, the Highlanders formation coincided with the visit of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria.
The Highlanders were very popular and received considerable support from the Scottish community. In 1870 they adopted Scottish dress including the Black Watch tartan of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. The officer's full dress was undoubtedly one of the most elaborate and expensive ever adopted in the N.S.W. forces. Captain Campbell's sword with its silver hilt and scabbard illustrates the extent of wealth and attention to detail of members of the corps.
Popularly called the Highland brigade, the corps consisted of two companies, both located in Sydney. Volunteer corps which adopted expensive uniforms usually had difficulty in retaining members. However, in 1874 when the first land grants were made to members for efficient service, 64 members were eligible. Among them was foundation member Captain John Campbell.
Captain John Campbell was highly regarded by his men but was suspended from command in 1877 due to four missing rifles. His superiors adopted a very heavy handed approach to the matter which ended with him resigning his commission.
The Highlanders did not survive the reorganisation of the Volunteers following the abandonment of the land grant scheme after 1878.