Early Australians at Arms

 

 

Neville Lindsay

 

(c) 1982

Contents

 

Synopsis

Most accounts of early Australian military activity begin with the Soudan expedition. However there were several earlier fights involving Australian forces - in compact with or against imperial forces.

First, we have to acknowledge the legitimacy of forces of a non-traditional nature, rather than manufacture excuses not to do so. Then we have to delve into what really happened, and go beyond the traditional superficial accounts, to recognise the settlers appearing in the ranks at Norfolk Island, Castle Hill, Eureka and New Zealand.

This account is deficient in not including the Aboriginal inter-tribal wars and resistance fighters: this will be added subsequently.