Scottish History and Culture

Our Living Monument
The Queensland Scottish Story

Contributed by Brian Rough of the Queensland Scottish Association (Inc.)

Looking every bit like soldiers of Queen Victoria, the men of the Queensland Scottish
parade for inspection, Click for Larger ImageWhen Thomas Moir shrugs into his scarlet doublet, buckles on his swordbelt, and walks onto the parade ground, there are not too many who would argue that this Scots-born Queenslander doesn't appear ten-foot tall!

As Quarter Master-Sergeant of the Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps, Tom takes his role seriously, and he seriously looks the part of a senior non-commissioned officer in a nineteenth century Scottish regiment. But how can this be so? Well let me share with you the story of some of Queensland's finest Scots, and the people who keep their memory alive.

Scotland has an undeniably strong military tradition, and in the late half of the nineteenth century the memory of these traditions had travelled far and wide as Scots emigrated across the world. Some of these emigrants settled in what was then the British colony of Queensland, on the eastern coast of Australia. The nineteenth century was a time of expansion for the British Empire, and as it pushed at its boundaries it often resolved the subsequent disputes with its military might.

The Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps charge the ramparts at Fort Lytton., Click for Larger ImageIn early 1885, it appeared as though the Empires of Russia and Britain would clash over Russian territorial expansion into Afghanistan. Every British colony peered to the sea, anticipating a pre-emptive strike from Russia's powerful fleets. Recruitment into the colonial military forces expanded rapidly. New corps were formed, uniforms hastily put together, and weapons were issued.

Queensland was no different in this regard and here, as in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and other colonies on the Australian continent, Scotsmen poured into the rank's to defend their new homelands. Some were not happy to simply join other regiments or corps, and sought to be united with their own countrymen. Thus was formed, in early May 1885, the Queensland's Scottish Volunteer Corps, with companies in Brisbane, Ipswich, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.

To maintain their affinity with the military traditions of the Scottish Regiments, the Queensland Scottish adopted the uniform of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, retaining a white helmet in deference to the sub-tropical climate, and changing buttons and badges for a local pattern.

Officer and NCOs of the original Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps pose for
posterity in 1894, Click for Larger Image So who were these Scotsmen who volunteered to fight side by side with fellow Scots to defend the colony? The officers were generally businessmen of local note. The first Colonel was Ayrshire-born Sir Thomas McIlwraith, engineer, entrepreneur and politician. He was succeeded by Major John Stevenson, formerly of Auchterarder, a politician, squatter and businessman. Other officers were generally professional men.

In the ranks many of the men were labourers, some were tradesmen and artisans, and some operated small businesses. One such man, William Kidston, a Rock-hampton bookseller who was dismissed from the Corps for failing to turn out with his company during the Shearer's Strike of 1891, later became a labour premier of Queensland.

War with Russia obviously did not eventuate in 1885, but the Queensland Scottish continued to serve as volunteers within the Queensland Defence Force. At its peak the Corps boasted six companies and a band spread across the colony. The economic depression of the early 1890s however, had a dramatic effect on both the personnel and on government defence spending. In face of this the companies sadly began to fade and in 1896 the last three remaining companies of the Queensland Scottish merged into another Queensland infantry regiment. The time of the Queensland Scottish was over... or was it?

Quarter Master- Sergeant Tom Moir by his
tent. Lieutenant Rough in the background, Click for Larger Image One hundred years later the Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps was revived. From 1996 a small band of dedicated volunteers began work to produce a living monument to the Scots who stood ready to defend their adopted homeland. This monument takes the form of an historical re-enactment group, formed under the auspices of the Queensland Scottish Association (Inc).

We depict the original Queensland Scottish as it was in 1888, at the peak of its development. Historical accuracy and authenticity in uniform, equipment, weapons and drill have been driving forces in the development of the group, and the results are showing in the number of requests to appear at functions around south-east Queensland. The Queensland Scottish perform at Highland Gatherings, festivals, commemorative services, and will feature, with other re-enactment groups, in the Brisbane International Tattoo in October 2000.

For Thomas Moir and other re-enactors of the Queensland Scottish, the preservation and presentation of our Scottish heritage, and our local history, is very important. In re-enacting we have found a way to do this an in interesting and novel manner that publicises, but neither trivialises nor mythologises our past.

You can see more of the Queensland Scottish at our website, which can be found at Queensland Scottish

Contact Brian Rough by E-Mail at jabiru@ecn.net.au

Thursday, December 26th, 2019

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