Military Pensioners Unit

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The Regiments
Known as (nickname)................................................... None Given
Facings............................................................................ DARK BLUE
Braided Lace.................................................................. None worn
Service in Australia ....................................................... 1st unit 24th December 1849 " Eliza " 2nd unit 3rd October 1850 ship Nile, . 3rd 28 Nov 1850 ship "Rodney"

This unit has some times been confused with the Royal New South Wales Veterans Regiment. This unit did exist as a separate unit to the veterans. Mainly served in Tasmania & Victoria. another unit to serve was the Vandiemenian Police. This unit was made up of members of the Military Pensioners Unit.
During the period 1830 to 1850 it was the policy of the English government to use military detachments and later military pensioners as guards on convict ships. The pensioners were promised 5 acres of land, a house, a well and ample supplies of wood in return for 12 days military service a year and the liability of being called out to defend the colony in the event of an invasion or civil uprising. Some were called to serve at the Eureka uprising. The pensioners were bound to occupy the land grant for 7 years. After this time, many left the Westbury area. Rising costs and little work in the area forced many pensioners off the land. During this period, convict labour was still available which meant that unskilled pensioners were unable to find paid work. Inflation, partially as a result of the Victorian gold rush, pushed material prices high.

References
Family Members, Military records ,Pay rolls, Pay Musters, Cemetery Records, Church Records & General Muster Records, Mitchell Library ,Sydney Australia

The information is intended for short Historical value only,

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Last revised: August 28, 2008.