Researched and written by Laurel Johnson
John Alexander and his wife Annie left their home in Montrose, Scotland 1853 for the goldfields of Ballarat. They were actively prospecting for alluvial gold during the time of the Eureka Stockade rebellion.
A stonemason by trade, John Alexander built one of the first miner's masonry cottages on the goldfields (c1856). It is a tribute to his skill that Montrose stands today - not more than nine hundred metres from the site of the original stockade - as the only remaining cottage of its kind. It has been awarded the highest classification by the National Trust of Australia and is included on the National Heritage listing.
Montrose Cottage at 111 Eureka Street, is a well-known point of interest for visitors to Ballarat. The former owners, Laurel and Graeme Johnson, gave guided tours of the cottage and the adjoining museum. Visitors to the cottage and museum experienced a rare insight into the life and often hard times of the men and women who forged the backbone of a new nation.
Women of Eureka was an integral part of an exhibition created to coincide with the 140th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade Rebellion. The unprecedented response to the Women of Eureka has brought forward many descendants who have shared letters, photographs, diary entries, family folklore and precious memories with us, so that we might cast a brighter lantern on the lives of the people who made our history golden.
who are named in the book
For information about the availability of this book please contact Sovereign Hill
The Eureka Centre Renamed Museum of Australian Democrary at Eureka (MADE) in 2013
The magnificent new Eureka Stockade centre, in Ballarat, stands on the site of one of the most significant events in Australian history - the Eureka Rebellion. In December 1854, Ballarat's miners took up arms against a corrupt and unjust goldfields administration. After years of oppression, the bloody battle that followed led to the birth of true democracy in Australia. Now, as Australia considers its political future, the new Eureka Stockade centre provides a dramatic focus for contemplation and reflection. Here the original Eureka flag is on display, on loan from the Art Gallery of Ballarat since 2013.
Eureka 157
December 2011 marked the 157th anniversary of the struggle at the Eureka Stockade. It is a story of a group of diggers from around the world who defended their rights and liberties, took concerted action and helped build Australian democracy. Eureka was a defining moment in Australia's history that left a legacy of freedom, social democracy and cultural diversity. It provided many of the foundations on which contemporary Australian society is built. Next to Gallipoli, Eureka is Australia's most talked about armed struggle.
American writer Mark Twain visited Ballarat in the mid 1890s and described Eureka in this way:
It was a revolution - small in size, but great politically; it was a strike for liberty, a struggle for principle, a stand against injustice and oppression ... it is another instance of a victory won by a lost battle.
It is timely for the Eureka Celebrations to commemorate the historic events of Eureka in a forward-looking, contemporary way, enabling us to reflect on its lasting and universal relevance as we build a contemporary Australia that is diverse, inclusive, tolerant and just. The program brought together here seeks to promote and inform discussion about Eureka and its legacy.
The Victorian State Government and City of Ballarat would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which the commemorative events of Eureka 157 take place.
Eureka Pages online at Public Record Office of Victoria
Eureka Pages on the Public Record Office of Victoria website.
Eureka on Defending Victoria Website
Eureka Page by Ian MacFarlane
State Library of Victoria
Go to the SLV website and search their online catalogue and databases for Eureka items.
Art Gallery of Ballarat
Certainly worth a visit. Past exhibitions include: S T Gill in the Goldfields, Ballarat in Pictures, The Last of England: emigration in prints, Colonial Portraits in the Collection
Ballarat Heritage Services > Articles
There are a number of significant items on the Ballarat Heritage Services website including: Eureka a Multicultural Affair, Eureka Drummer Boy, A Pre-Eureka Incident, as well as publications for sale.
List of 12th Regiment soldiers, from the Payroll AJCP 3714, who were stationed at Ballarat during Eureka.
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Biographical Details of Soldiers of the 12th Regiment who were stationed at Ballarat during the Eureka Rebellion |
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ADAIR Samuel, Private3329 Enlisted 19.12.1853. Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Wounded at Eureka. He was one of only sixteen Ballarat veterans to serve in both the 2nd and 3rd Maori Wars. Discharged on the 10.6.1866 NZ PRO3730 Adair was promoted through the ranks to Colour Sergeant on the 1st November 1863 and deposed of Colours (demoted to Sergeant) on the 14th July 1864. He was promoted back to Colors in October 1864. (PRO3727). He was one of only two soldiers at Ballarat to be promoted three ranks. |
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ADAMS B. T., Lieutenant Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Took leave and returned to England in late 1854 and did not participate at Eureka. PRO3714 |
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ADAMS William, Private 1533 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England in May 1861 from Sydney as an invalid. PRO3722 Nine invalids of the 12th Regiment, including Privates Adams and Finn who had been posted to Ballarat during Eureka, and eleven invalids from the 40th Regiment embarked from Sydney for England on the 1st May 1861 (PRO3722). |
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ALDERTON William, Sergeant 2929 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Alderton was stationed in Fremantle, then returned to Sydney in November 1858. Promoted to Colours, he was discharged on the 14.5.1863 from Hobart at the expiry of his limited service PRO3726 |
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ARCHER Edward, Private 3090 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. During the campaign, Private Archer was sentenced to have one penny (1d) deducted daily from his wages for 336 days commencing the 9th December 1860. Archer was killed in action (KIA) at No. 1 Redoubt Kairau on the 23rd January 1861. Archer was the only Ballarat veteran of the 12th to be killed in the Maori Wars. Soon after the occupation of No. 1 Redoubt, a great stir was observed for two days in and about the Te Arei position, and it was reported that large Maori reinforcements had arrived from Waikato. Shortly before 4am on the 23rd January, the enemy made a determined attempt to seize the redoubt, when they were repulsed with great loss. Born Essex, trade of labourer, Archer had enlisted on the 13th May 1852 (PRO3721). |
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ARDEN George Banks Floyer, Assistant Surgeon Arrived in Hobart on the ship Gloucester. Served in the 3rd Maori War. Transferred in 1866 to Army HQ in NZ PRO3730 Gave evidence to the Commission of Enquiry into the Eureka rebellion. Gave evidence of the fitness, at the Court Martial, of Captain Saunders in 1863. |
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ATKINSON Richard, Captain Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Atkinson was paid at the rate of Major during Lambing Flat (PRO3721 WO12/2980 page 169). Took leave and returned to England in June 1861 from Sydney PRO3722 |
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ATWELL William, Private 3248 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Promoted to Sergeant. While serving in NZ, Sergeant Atwell was attached to the 40th Regiment between October and December 1863. Discharged on the 17.7.1865 NZ PRO3729. |
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AUSTIN Frederick, Private 2949 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 16.1.1855 Ballarat Aged 21.8yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born Suffolk PRO3714 |
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BARDEN Joseph, Private 2997 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 12.12.1863 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3727. |
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BARROW John, Private 1654 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 21.3.1859 Sydney Aged 38.6yrs, 5’6"; fresh complexion, light brown hair, grey eyes; enlisted 24.3.1842, Blackburne; Cotton spinner; born Walton Lidal Lancashire; Remarks - marks on arms. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. PRO3729 |
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BERRY James, Private 2793 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Discharged on the 11.3.1862 in Sydney PRO3722 |
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BIRCH John, Private 3242 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted 13.1.1855 in Ballarat Aged 22.6yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes; brass founder; born Tyrone. PRO3715 John’s twin brother, James, was also in the 12th Regiment. |
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BIRD William, Private 3261 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Purchased his discharge for £20 on the 31st December 1856 Hobart PRO3716 Labourer, enlisted 16.3.1853. |
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BOURNE James, Drummer 3087 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Promoted to Private. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731. |
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BOYLE Felix, Private 3280 Died from wounds received at Eureka (KIA) on the 10.1.1855 Ballarat. Private (3280) Felix Boyle, born Fermanagh Ireland, trade of carpenter, enlisted originally with the 10th (North Lincolnshire) Regiment and served with that regiment for fourteen years, mainly campaigning in India. For this service he received the Sutlej campaign medal (1845-46) with the bar Sabraon and the Punjab campaign medal (1848-49) with the bars Mooltan and Goojerat. He was discharged from the 10th Regiment with a military pension. On returning to Ireland, he re-enlisted on the 26th August 1852 with the 12th Regiment that was stationed and recruiting in Belfast. He departed on the troopship Empress Eugenie and disembarked at Melbourne on the 6th November 1854. Boyle was aged thirty-two at time of death on the 10th January 1855. PRO3714 |
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BRADLEY Bartholomew. H., Private 3034 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 10.1.1855 Ballarat, labourer, enlisted 12.1.1852 at Cork PRO3714. |
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BRAGG William, Private 1010 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716. |
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BROKER Benjamin, Private 2924 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Discharged on the 5.3.1862 Sydney PRO3724 Enlisted on the 1.3.1851. |
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BROWN George, Private 3157 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 2.10.1855 Melbourne Aged 19yrs, 5’5", fair complexion, dark brown hair, brown eyes; enlisted Taunton; labourer; born Somerset; PRO3715. |
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BRYANT George, Private 3294 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 8.7.1856 Hobart PRO3716 labourer, enlisted 26.9.1853 Somerset. |
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BUTWELL William, Private 3307 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Wounded at Eureka. Transferred on the 1.12.1855 to the 40th Regiment while still posted at Ballarat and prior to the Regiment leaving Victoria (PRO3715). |
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CAMPBELL Charles, Private 3268 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Campbell was made prisoner after desertion in December 1863. The Army may have made him see sense for he took discharge on the 1st January 1864 at Sydney PRO3727. |
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CANTY Andrew, Private 3035 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England and came back to Australia again on the ship Duncan Mackay in 1861. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Died on the 1.5.1862 Yass, NSW after a long illness PRO3724. Enlisted on the 15.1.1852 |
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CANTY Timothy, Private 3348 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 17.8.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted on the 16.8.1853 |
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CARRIGAN Joseph, Corporal 3169 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 21.8.1865 NZ PRO3729. |
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CARTER Samuel, Armourer as Sergeant 2620 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 21.3.1859 Sydney PRO3719 Finisher, enlisted 4.8.1846 Birmingham |
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CASSERLY John, Color Sergeant 1512 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 1865 Sydney. |
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CHAMBERLAIN Charles, Sergeant 2981 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Chamberlain had been demoted from Sergeant to Private upon disembarkation in Melbourne 1854 and was posted to Ballarat during Eureka. He was stationed in Fremantle where he was promoted to Corporal on the 1st June 1857 (PRO3718). He was appointed Hospital Sergeant between October and December 1857. Discharged on the 1863 Perth PRO3725. |
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COLLINS Josiah, Private 3152 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England and came back on a second tour of duty to Sydney on the ship Duncan Mackay in 1861 Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 12.6.1865 NZ PRO3729 Enlisted 13.2.1852 |
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COLVIN William, Corporal 2767 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 5.1.1855 in Melbourne PRO3714 Enlisted 22.8.1849 Fermanough |
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COOMBS Richard, Private 1151 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 19.6.1859 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3719. |
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CORNISH Robert, Private 3052 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 27.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer 30.8.1852 Somerset. |
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CRESSWELL John, Private 3279 (3270) Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England in September 1865 NZ PRO3729. |
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CRIDGE John, Private 3298 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 16.8.1855 Ballarat Aged 19yrs, 5’5", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born Westhatch, Somerset; PRO3715. |
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CRUDE Hayman, Private 3150 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 3.1.1861 from Perth as an invalid PRO3722. |
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DALEY Martin, Private 3187 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 9.9.1865 NZ PRO3729 Aged 17yrs at Ballarat, enlisted 1.3.1853 in Ireland. Married Ellen Hansberry in Fremantle in October 1862. Ellen had arrived in Fremantle on the "brideship" Palestine. |
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DAVIDSON William, Private 2566 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Discharged on the 31.1.1860 Sydney PRO3720 |
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DAVIS Samuel, Private 930 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 26.1.1860 from Perth PRO3720 |
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DAWSON Thomas Henry, Sergeant 2870 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Discharged on the 31.1.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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DENNY Thomas, Private 2222 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Died on the 3.10.1856 Hobart PRO3716 labourer 16.3.1853 Cork |
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DONEGAN John, Private 3220 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 13.11.1858 Perth PRO3719 |
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DONOHOE John, Private 3223 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 17.3.1864 in Sydney Aged 27.6yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, light brown hair, blue eyes; born Blagh Galway; labourer; PRO3728 |
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DOW James, Private 3009 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 1.1.1864 NZ PRO3727 labourer, enlisted 11.10.1852 Essex |
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DOWARD John, Private 3308 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Wounded at Rangariri in December 1863. Returned to England in June 1864 from NZ as an invalid PRO3727. |
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DOWD Peter, Private 3190 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 28.11.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 Aged 23yrs labourer, enlisted 2.3.1853 Meath |
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DOWNS Thomas, Private 2077 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 1.3.1855 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 14.3.1843 Clare |
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DRURY John, Private 1124 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England in January 1858 from Hobart as an invalid PRO3718. |
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DUKE John, Private 3243 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 from NZ as an invalid PRO3731 |
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DUTTON Frederick, Private 2925 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Promoted to Sergeant. First soldier to die in the colony of Queensland. Died on the 4.3.1862 Brisbane PRO3722 Enlisted 19.7.1851 Death of Sergeant Dutton in Queensland: Dutton had been a Private when posted to Ballarat during Eureka in 1854. Promoted through the ranks, Sergeant (2925) Frederick Dutton served at Brisbane from January 1861 to March 1862. He died suddenly on the 4th March 1862 (PRO 3722 WO 12/2982 page 180) and the Brisbane Courier reported his military funeral on the 6th March 1862 - "The funeral of Sergeant Dutton, late of the detachment of the 12th Regiment stationed here, took place yesterday afternoon. The deceased, who was 33 years of age, had been suffering for some time from a complaint on the lungs, and his death, which took place on Tuesday evening last, was somewhat sudden. The funeral was the first of the kind which has taken place here, and hence attracted much attention, a large number of the inhabitants accompanying the cortege to the cemetery. The procession left the Barracks about five o'clock, and consisted of the officers and men of the detachment, the Volunteer Band, a few members of the Volunteer force and a number of the police. The female relatives and friends of the deceased were also present. The funeral service was read by the Rev. G. Bliss, and procession formed afterwards in the following order - the comrades of the deceased came first, in double file, with arms reversed; next followed the Volunteer Band playing 'Dead March in Saul'; then the Volunteers and police, and lastly the hearse. In this order the procession moved towards the burial ground, accompanied by a large number of citizens, the band playing at intervals throughout the route. At the grave, and at the conclusion of the burial service, three volleys were fired over the deceased by his comrades. The scene was solemn and imposing throughout." A letter from Captain Seymour appears in another column thanking the Volunteer Band and others who took part in the procession - "It is only justice to say that the service tendered by the band was well performed and effective, and reflected the highest credit on the skill of the master and the assiduity of the members, as this was their first appearance in public." |
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EARL William, Sergeant 3172 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Sergeant William Earl married Mary Ann Dongan in Sydney in 1859. Discharged in 1864 at Sydney. |
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EGAN John, Private 3059 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Wounded at Eureka . Died on the 8.9.1860 Sydney PRO3721 Aged 15yrs when at Ballarat, enlisted 10.2.1852 at Athlone. John Eagan died from "phystitis pulma" (probably a heart or lung condition) on the 8th September 1860 at Victoria Barracks Paddington Sydney NSW Australia and was interred in the Roman Catholic burial grounds. John Eagan was the first military casualty at the Eureka gold fields Ballarat where he was shot in the leg by a miner as a detachment of the 1st Battalion entered the gold fields on the evening of the 28th November 1854 after an exhausting forced march of two days from Melbourne. From his Death Certificate (NSW 1860 / 002463) and from the references in the Battalion's Pay Rolls and Musters (PRO3721 WO12/2980 pages 66 and 88), John was aged 21 years at the time of his death and he was single. He was born in Athlone Ireland in 1839 and enlisted as a Boy in the Regiment on the 10th February 1852 aged 13. He was a Drummer with the 1st Battalion when it arrived in Melbourne Australia in late 1854. Promoted to, Private shortly after the Eureka Rebellion, he was re-appointed Drummer in July 1859. (PRO 3719 WO12/2978 page 72) Between 1854 and 1860 John had been on Sick Report on several occasions (February 1860) and had also been confined to cells on a couple of occasions, most notably for the month of August in 1859. John was not sent to the Maori War in July 1860, probably because of his poor health. John Eagan, Drummer Boy of the 12th Regiment, has a gravestone in Ballarat's old cemetery. The grave itself is empty. John was never buried in this spot. It was Dorothy Wickham's research which proved that the Drummer Boy did not die at Eureka. |
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FERGUSON Adam, Private 3160 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 3.1.1862 Perth PRO3723 |
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FINN John, Private 1369 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England in May 1861 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3722. |
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FLYNN Patrick, Private 3101 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 21.1.1864 NZ PRO3727 labourer, enlisted 22.6.1854 Waterford |
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FLYNN John, Private 3032 (1332) Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 14.4.1858 Perth PRO3719. |
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FLYNN Daniel, Sergeant 1298 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716. |
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FORSYTHE Joseph, Private 3149 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716. |
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FRENCH William, Sergeant 2865 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Wounded at Eureka. French was promoted to Sergeant. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731. |
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FULLER George, Private 2945 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Discharged on the 8.4.1863 Sydney PRO3725 Enlisted 8.4.1851. |
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GALVIN Timothy, Private 3028 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Wounded at Eureka. Galvin was posted to Fremantle, Western Australia, from whence he returned to Sydney in March 1863. Galvin, born County Cork, aged thirty-six, died at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, on the 13th May 1863 (PRO3725). |
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GEATES Alfred, Private 3343 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 23.8.1855 Ballarat Aged 19yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, hazel eyes; enlisted Bury, St Edmunds; labourer; born Rougham, Suffolk; PRO3715. |
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GLADING George, Private 1006 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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GODDARD Henry, Private 2852 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 16.1.1855 Ballarat Aged 22.11yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born Hampshire; PRO3714. |
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GRANT Robert, Private 3208 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 24th June 1855 in Sandhurst, Victoria, and a second time on the 15.6.1859 in Sydney, Aged 19yrs in 1855, 5’6", fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes; born Bethnal Green, Middlesex; PRO3719. |
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GRIFFIN Robert, Sergeant 2553 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 17.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 Aged 20yrs at Ballarat. Corporal Robert Griffin re-enlisted and received a special bounty of £7. His re-enlistment states, enlisted aged 14 for ten years on the 28th April 1848 and re-enlisted aged 30 for nine years on the 28th April 1864 (PRO3727). Griffin was twenty when posted to Ballarat during Eureka. Corporal (2553) Griffin was promoted to Sergeant on the 10th June 1865 (PRO3729). |
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GRIMSTONE Bryan, Private 1194 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England in 1858 and Jan 1860 from Perth PRO3720 |
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GRIMWOOD William, Private 1020 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England in 1858 Perth PRO3719 |
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HADDON Charles, Private 3328 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 21.3.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 28.11.1853. Private (3328) Charles Haddon is the only soldier to have served in all three - Eureka, Lambing Flat and the 3rd Maori War. |
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HALL William, Private 3048 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 15.6.1855 at Sandhurst (Bendigo) labourer, enlisted 2.2.1852 Surrey PRO3715 |
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HALL Henry, Private 1173 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 1.1.1855 Ballarat Basket Maker, enlisted 27.8.1838 Suffolk PRO3714 |
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HALL John, Private 3295 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died from wounds received at Eureka (KIA) on the 31.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 3.10.1853 Kilkenny, Limerick |
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HARDING George, Private 3259 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 30.3.1866 NZ PRO3730 Weaver, enlisted 11.4.1853 Armagh |
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HARE John, Private 3097 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 10.5.1858 Perth PRO3719. |
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HARGRAVES Richard, Private 1531 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 28.2.1857 Hobart PRO3716 labourer, enlisted 30.6.1840 Burnsley |
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HAWTHORNE David Alexander, Private 3147 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged in 1864 Sydney |
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HAYMAN George, Private 3309 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 11.4.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 11.10.1853 |
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HEARN John, Private 3315 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 12.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlsited 18.10.1853 Cork |
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HOGAN Thomas, Corporal 3349 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 15.7.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 14.1.1852 |
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HURSTWAITE John, Private 3125 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 29.7.1855 Sandhurst Aged 22yrs, 5’7", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; labourer; born MacelI, Cambridge; PRO3715. |
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HUSBAND Thomas, Private 1326 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted in January 1860 Sydney PRO3720 |
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HUXLEY James, Private 3212 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 4.11.1858 Sydney Aged 23.7yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, brown hair, blue eyes; enlisted 16.3.1853 Westminster, labourer; born Spitalfields Middlesex; PRO3719 |
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HUXTABLE William, Private 3262 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 12.6.1865 NZ PRO3729 Enlisted 22.7.1853 |
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ING (JORG) Finniess, Private 3036 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 10.6.1856 Hobart PRO3716 labourer, enlisted 28.6.1852 Canterbury |
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JEFFREY James, Private 3292 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Member of detachment that departed Melbourne on ship Windsor for Fremantle in November 1855. Jeffrey drowned one year later in Perth on the 18th December 1856. PRO3717 |
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JEWELL William, Private 3297 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 10.6.1856 Hobart PRO3716 labourer, enlisted 3.10.1853 Taunton |
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JONES Robert, Corporal 2926 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Discharged on the 7.3.1862 Sydney PRO3724 Enlisted 24.5.1851. |
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KEEFE Francis, Private 3213 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 1.3.1856 Hobart PRO3715 labourer, enlisted 16.3.1853 Tipperary |
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KEEN Thomas, Private 2954 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 1.3.1863 Perth PRO3725 |
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KING Hugh, Private 3189 (1296) Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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KNIGHTS John, Private 1018 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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LACKEY John, Private 3164 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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LANG William, Sergeant 2617 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 30.11.1859 Sydney PRO3720 |
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LAWRENCE William, Sergeant 3281 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 18.3.1865 NZ PRO3727. |
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LEEKEY John, Private 3100 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted in Melbourne on the 31.10.1855, aged 22yrs, 5’7", fresh complexion, light brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born Brompton, Kent. Discharged on the 7.8.1863 Sydney PRO3727. |
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LEONARD James, Private 1457 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Died on the 9.1.1862 Sydney PRO3722 Enlisted 26.12.1839 |
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LUMBER William, Private 3069 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to Sydney on a second tour of duty on ship HMS Curacoa in 1860. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 15.4.1867 NZ PRO3723 |
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LYNESS Joseph, Private 3200 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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MANNING John, Private 3221 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 16.9.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 15.5.1853 |
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MARTIN William, Private 3117 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 10.9.1855 at Sandhurst Aged 21yrs, 5’7", fresh complexion, sandy hair, light blue eyes; enlisted Clonmel; labourer; born Cashel, Tipperary; PRO3715 |
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McARDLE John, Private 3174 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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McCORMISH Edward, Private 3179 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 30.12.1865 NZ PRO3729 |
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McDERMOTT Thomas, Private 1350 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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McGARVER (McGarry) John, Private 2063 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Returned to England in February 1862 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3722. |
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McGORRIGLE Peter, Private 3330 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 29.7.1855 Sandhurst Aged 20yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, light brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born Maryborough, Queen’s County; PRO3715 |
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McGRATH Patrick, Private 3113 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Died on the 21.1.1857 at Hobart PRO3716 labourer, enlisted 26.6.1852 Nenagh |
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MEDGLEY Edmund, Private 3112 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 10.9.1855 at Sandhurst Aged 21yrs, 5’7", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; enlisted Clonmel; shoemaker; born Dungarvan, Waterford; PRO3715 |
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MELTON John, Private 3296 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Deserted on the 26.12.1861 Sydney Aged 26yrs, 5’7", fair complexion; brown hair; grey eyes; enlisted 5.10.53 Westminster labourer; born Regsmanworth Hertfordshire. Remarks – branded with "D" twice under left arm. Scar on right hand. PRO3722 |
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MINER Charles, Private 2810 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 16.6.1862 Perth PRO3725. |
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MOORE Jacob, Private 954 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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MORAN Michael, Sergeant 2699 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Moran was in the Regimental hospital from June to August and died on the 17th September 1856. Moran, born Ballyhohan Ireland, labourer, had enlisted on the 21st December 1848. He left a will and bequeathed his effects to his wife, Jane, who was with the Regiment (PRO3716). |
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MURREY Alfred, Private 3010 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 21.11.1854 at Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 7.11.1851 Somerset |
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NEWELL (Navell) Jermiah, Private 3360 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 26.2.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 26.6.1853 |
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NORGROVE Richard, Corporal 3240 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Norgrove was wounded in the Battle of Rangiriri in December 1863 and later took his discharge on the 27.5.1865 NZ PRO3729. |
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NOWLAN (Newlan) James, Private 1009 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England in January 1858 from Hobart as an invalid PRO3718. |
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O’DONNELL Patrick, Private 1467 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England in February 1862 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3722. |
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PARKER Samuel, Private 1209 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted at Ballarat on the 21.2.1855, aged 33.8yrs, 5’6", light complexion, light hair, hazel eyes; labourer; born Charsfield, Suffolk. Discharged on the 31.1.1857 Hobart PRO3716. |
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PARKHOUSE John, Private 3342 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. One of seven Ballarat veterans to participate in the first Lambing Flat gold fields riot in March 1861. Discharged in 1864 Sydney. |
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PARRY James, Private 3288 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 21.7.1855 Castlemaine Aged 19.10yrs, 5’9", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes; labourer; born West Monckton, Somerset; PRO3715 |
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PAUL William Henry, Lieutenant Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Took leave and returned to England in January 1857 from Launceston PRO3716. |
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PAYNE Henry, Private 3065 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Discharged on the 13.4.1864 NZ PRO3727 Enlisted 16.7.1852 Private Payne was the only soldier, posted to Ballarat, who also claimed a remittance for land in New Zealand under the Naval and Military Settlers' and Volunteers Land Acts 1889, 1891 and 1892. |
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PERCY William, Private 1190 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 19.6.1859 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3719. |
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PINDER Michael, Private 3225 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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QUEADE William Henry, Captain Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Queade took leave in January 1858 and presumably returned to the Depot in England with Major Kempt and several invalids on the ship Derwent Water (PRO 3718). He returned to Sydney on the ship Nugget in 1860, served in the 2nd Maori War and returned to England in October 1860. He transferred into the 2nd Battalion in 1863 (PRO3724). |
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QUINN William, Private 3154 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 20.2.1855 Ballarat Aged 20yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; weaver; PRO3715 |
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REED (Reid) John, Private 2866 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged on the 16.6.1862 Perth PRO3725 |
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REID Robert, Private 3215 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 21.1.1855 at Ballarat aged 21.10yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes; servant; born Tyrone. Returned to England on the 23.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716. |
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REILLY James, Sergeant 3346 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Took furlough and returned to England in April 1865 NZ PRO3729. |
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REYNOLDS Samuel, Private 3183 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 4.7.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 2.3.1853 |
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SARGEANT John, Private 2784 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 26.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 17.10.1849 Suffolk |
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SHANAHAN Garret, Private 3219 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Discharged in 1865 from Queensland. |
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SHARKEY James, Private 3244 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 17.6.1866 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 6.4.1853 |
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SHARPE George, Private 3081 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 17.12.1855 Melbourne PRO3715 labourer, enlisted 12.4.1852 Suffolk |
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SHOVLIN John, Private 1142 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 2.5.1855 Ballarat aged 32yrs, 5’6", fresh complexion, red hair, grey eyes; born St. Helens Sligo Ireland; PRO3715 |
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SMITH Thomas, Private 3306 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Died on the 25.12.1855 Hobart PRO3715 labourer, enlisted 8.10.1853 Cork. |
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SMITH Robert, Private 942 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 from Hobart PRO3716. |
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SMITH John, Private 3335 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Wounded at Eureka. Private John Smith committed a civil offence in Melbourne, was discharged and transported back to England on the 3rd December 1855 (PRO3715). |
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SPALDING Jesse, Private 2976 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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SULLIVAN John, Private 1272 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Discharged on the 31.1.1860 in Sydney PRO3720 labourer, born Waterford. While several soldiers from the 40th Regiment were called, only one soldier from the 12th Regiment gave evidence at the Police enquiry to determine those who should be charged with high treason at Eureka. Private O’Sullivan gave evidence against a miner, named Campbell: Received orders to fix bayonets to charge. Saw Campbell run from one tent to another, cannot say whether he was armed. It was inside the stockade. Was close to Captain Wise, who had fallen. Took up his ground beside him. Then returned home. |
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SUTCLIFF William, Private 1401 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 3.1.1861 from Perth as an invalid PRO3722. |
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SWATMAN George, Private 959 Arrived in Hobart on ship Gloucester. Apart from Assistant Surgeon Arden, Swatman was the only soldier at Ballarat off the ship Gloucester. Took furlough and returned to England in October 1856 from Adelaide PRO3717. |
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THOMPSON Henry, Private 3198 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 24.12.1865 NZ PRO3729 |
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THOMPSON John, Hospital Sergeant 3217 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. And embarked on a second tour of duty and arrived in Sydney on the ship Duncan Mackay in 1860. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Returned to England on the 17.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 |
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TIMMONS Henry, Private 1985 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Discharged on the 30.11.1856 Hobart PRO3716 Servant, enlisted 11.9.1846 Salop |
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TURNER William, Private 3023 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 1864 NZ PRO3730 Enlisted 24.11.1851 |
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VAUGHAN Daniel, Corporal 2031 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Vaughan had embarked for the second Maori War in December 1860. Vaughan was demoted to private and returned to Sydney on the ship Henry F. Fernie in 1861. In December 1863, Vaughan was sentenced to two days in solitary confinement and spent the following month in hospital (PRO3727). He was again on Sick Report and in hospital during August 1864, and in the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum between September and October 1864 (PRO3729). Vaughan left Sydney on the 14th October 1864 and returned to England via Victoria with two other soldiers, Sergeant (2001) Frederick Hodgkins and Private (3057) John Barry (PRO3729). |
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UNDERWOOD William, Private 3306 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Returned to England on the 14.2.1863 from Sydney as an invalid PRO3724. The Southern Cross newspaper in New Zealand, reporting on the progress of the Maori War, wrote on Tuesday 31st July 1860 under Continuing Events - Monday last - Private William Underwood, 12th Regiment, one of the sentries at Fort Stapp last night, fell over the cliff in going to his post. In falling his rifle went off and the ball went through his hand. He is progressing favourably. He rejoined HQ in Sydney at the end of the War and returned to England as an invalid in February 1863. |
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WAGSTAFF James, Private 1874 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 17.5.1867 NZ PRO3731. Private Wagstaff was the only soldier, who was at Ballarat, and was still serving in 1869. After Ballarat, Private Wagstaff was posted to Fremantle, Western Australia, where he stayed until returning with the detachment to Sydney in 1863. He performed various garrison duties in Sydney and with the remainder of the Sydney detachment, rejoined HQ in New Zealand in November 1866 (PRO3730). After six months in New Zealand, he returned to England with the Regiment in May 1867. He took discharge on the 28th September 1869. (AJCP M973) |
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WALKER Andrew, Private 3216 (1293) Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Returned to England on the 3.5.1867 NZ PRO3731. |
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WARNER George, Private 3340 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 13.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 Brick Maker, enlisted 20.12.1853 Leicester |
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WATERS John, Private 3142 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 29.8.1855 Sandhurst Aged 21yrs, 5’8", dark complexion, dark brown hair, brown eyes; enlisted Newry; labourer; born Co Laugh; PRO3715 |
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WATSON Robert, Private 979 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Returned to England on the 24.3.1857 Hobart PRO3716 |
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WEBB William, Private 3301 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Died from wounds received at Eureka (KIA) on the 5.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 6.10.1853 Hartfordshire |
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WEND George, Private 3209 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 12.12.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 Painter, enlisted 16.3.1853 Surrey |
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WILKINSON William, Private 3162 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 9.5.1867 NZ PRO3731 labourer, enlisted 31.1.1853 Devon |
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WILLIAMS H. L, Lieutenant Arrived in Melbourne as an Ensign on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Lieutenant Williams was posted to Adelaide in June 1856. Took leave and returned to England on the 11.3.1858 from Adelaide PRO3718. |
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WILSON John, Private 2994 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Deserted on the 2.1.1855 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 30.10.1851 Wiltshire |
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WRIGHT James, Private 3194 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Discharged on the 13.4.1865 NZ PRO3729 Enlisted 12.3.1853 |
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WRIGHT John, Private 2935 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Empress Eugenie. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Discharged on the 6.5.1863 Sydney PRO3725 26.3.1837 |
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YALDEN Charles, Sergeant 3322 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Fought in the 2nd Maori War. Fought in the 3rd Maori War. Sergeant (3322) Yalden was ordered to England and left Sydney on the 7th January 1866. There he transferred into the 70th Regiment in 1866 PRO3729. |
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YOUNG Richard, Private 3284 Arrived in Melbourne on the transport ship Camperdown. Deserted on the 22.11.1854 Ballarat PRO3714 labourer, enlisted 7.8.1853 Lancaster |
A list of the casualties from the 12th Regiment of Foot and short biographies associated with those who were casualties at the Eureka Rebellion.
Killed
Wounded
Who were the Killed?
Private Felix Boyle, born Fermanagh Ireland, trade of carpenter, enlisted originally with the 10th (North Lincolnshire) Regiment and served with that Regiment for fourteen years, mainly campaigning in India. For this service he received the Sutlej campaign medal (1845-46) with the bar Sabraon and the Punjab campaign medal (1848-49) with the bars Mooltan and Goojerat. He was discharged from the 10th Regiment with a military pension. On returning to Ireland, he re-enlisted on the 26th August 1852 with the 12th Regiment in Belfast. Boyle arrived on troopship Empress Eugenie and disembarked at Melbourne on the 6th November 1854 and was stationed at Ballarat. Boyle was aged 32 at time of death on the 10th January 1855.
Private John Hall arrived on ship Camperdown and was stationed at Ballarat. Hall, labourer, born Kilkenny Limerick, had enlisted on the 3rd October 1853, and was aged 30 at time of death on the 31st December 1854.
Private William Webb arrived on ship Empress Eugenie and was stationed at Ballarat. Webb, labourer, born Hartfordshire England, had enlisted on the 6th October 1853, and was aged 19 at time of death on the 5th December 1854. (PRO3714)
What happened to the Wounded?
Lieutenant William Henry Paul took leave while posted in Launceston in June 1856 and returned to England.
Private Samuel Adair had enlisted on the 19th December 1853, one year before Eureka. He was promoted through the ranks to Colour Sergeant on the 1st November 1863, served in the second Maori war and took discharge in New Zealand on the 10th June 1866.
Private William Butwell transferred to the 40th Regiment on the 1st December 1855.
Drummer John Eagan, born Athlone Ireland in 1839, enlisted as a Boy on the 10th February 1852 aged thirteen. He was promoted to Private shortly after the Eureka Rebellion, but re-appointed Drummer in May 1856. Between 1854 and 1860, Eagan had been confined to cells on a couple of occasions and had also been on Sick Report in February 1860. Eagan was not sent to the Maori War in July 1860, probably because of his poor health. Eagan, aged 21 and single, died on the 8th September 1860 at Victoria Barracks Sydney and was interred in the Roman Catholic burial grounds. (NSW Death Certificate 1860 / 002463)
Private William French was promoted to Sergeant and served in the third Maori War. He returned to England with the Regiment on the 3rd May 1867.
Private Timothy Galvin was posted to Fremantle Western Australia in February 1856 from where he returned to Sydney in March 1863. Galvin, born County Cork, aged 36, died two months later at Victoria Barracks on the 13th May 1863.
Private John Smith committed a civil offence in Melbourne, was discharged and transported back to England on the 3rd December 1855.
Ken Larbalestier, Sydney : Email
Short profile on John BIRCH and his twin brother James BIRCH, also a member of the 12th Regiment.
John Hill Birch and his twin brother James Birch were born on July 5th 1833 and baptised two days later at the First Presbyterian Church in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. They were the first-born children of Samuel Birch and Emily (nee Hill), who were married in Belfast in August 1829. All that is known about their families is that Samuel’s father, James, was a farmer in Castledawson when Samuel enrolled in the Belfast Academical Institution (Belfast College) in 1824. After graduating in 1828, Samuel established an academy in Dungannon, which he ran as Master during the 1830s. Various family documents later refer to him as a Doctor of Laws and a Presbyterian Minister, but these titles are fabrications. His death is unrecorded, but he may have died in Dungannon between 1846 and 1851. By 1852, Emily and their six children had moved to Belfast, where she supported them by teaching. She was also closer to her own family, one of the Hill families of Carnmoney, near Belfast. No record of her birth can be found, but her parents were probably John and Margaret (nee McConnell) and she had at least five younger siblings.
The Birch twins trained as brass-founders in Belfast, before enlisting as privates in the 12th (Suffolk) Regiment of the British Army in April 1853. By then, James had married Mary Ann Stewart at St Anne’s church in Belfast, on 25th December 1852, and had fathered a son, Charles Stewart. Both John and James understated their ages by about three years in order to receive the £4 bonus for being under 18. In July 1854, they sailed from Cork, in a complement of 330 officers and men, 41 women and 37 children, aboard the Camperdown. The ship arrived in Port Phillip Bay on October 17th and promptly ran aground at Queenscliff. However it floated free and berthed at Queens Wharf, Melbourne, the next day.
On Saturday October 24th, Private John Birch (#3242) was amongst a detachment of 86 rank-and-file troops of the 12th Regiment that set off at dawn and marched to Ballarat. They were to reinforce the troops and police at Ballarat in the lead-up to the miners’ rebellion that would reach its climax in the Eureka Stockade on December 3rd 1854. It’s not known if John Birch was amongst the 65 bayonet-bearing troops from the 12th Regiment that took part in the storming of the stockade, but he would have been involved in some way and well aware of the consequences.
After things quietened down, John Birch was amongst those troops left on duty in Ballarat, but on January 12th 1855 he deserted, along with five other soldiers from his regiment. In the Victoria Police Gazette of 26th January 1855, John was described as 22 years and 6 months old, 5 foot 6 inches high, with fair complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. It also noted that he was wearing his regimental coat and hat at the time he absconded.
From then on, there are only vague reports of John Birch for the next 45 years. Tracking him is complicated by the existence of a number of men with this name. For example, there was a newspaper report of an assault on a John Birch at Guildford in April 1860, by a man named Dawson, but without more details it cannot be confirmed that this is the same John Birch. In 1864, a John Birch was a storekeeper and miner in Marong, on the outskirts of Bendigo, but there are considerable doubts that he is the right man. If it was him, his luck had changed for the worse by November the following year, when a John Birch was charged in the Ballarat District Court with desertion from the 12th Regiment. It seems he had given himself up to police on the night of Friday November 24th because he was destitute and had nothing to eat. According to a newspaper report, John produced an army discharge document in the name of Malony to defend himself, but was remanded for a week in the Ballarat Gaol so his story could be investigated. His record of admission to the gaol on November 25th shows that he used the alias of ‘John Donohue’, the name of a shipmate on the Camperdown and fellow private in the 12th Regiment, who had enlisted in Cork in March 1853. Said Donohue was also sent to Ballarat, but in the contingent which marched in late November 1854 and was attacked by miners at the Eureka diggings. John Birch also falsely gave his birth place as Galway and his religion as Roman Catholic, but his physical description tallies with that supplied in the notice of his desertion in 1855, with the added information that he weighed nine stone 12 lbs and was stout, and had ‘heavy brows, high cheekbones, thick lips and a long nose’. The record also notes ‘D on left’, indicating that he must have been charged earlier with being a deserter and had the letter D tattooed under his left arm, the practice of the time in the British Army. John was discharged on December 2nd, presumably into the custody of the court, which proceeded to remand him for a further week for the same reason, the seeking of more evidence. On December 2, Superintendent Nicholson of Ballarat wrote to the Chief Commissioner of Police and received a reply written two days later. All that is recorded of the correspondence is that the Commissioner stated that “Deserter Donoughue (sic) — discharge is genuine”. This is odd, because there is a record that Donohue deserted in Sydney in March 1864, so how the Commissioner could come up with his response in inexplicable. However, it appears to have been sufficient explanation for Superintendent Nicholson, because the gaol record shows that John Birch was discharged on December 5th and the final outcome of his case is not known. No record can be found of when he was arrested and branded as a deserter; in any event, desertion was abolished as a crime in 1871.
By 1878 John Birch was free and still in the Ballarat area, as he was admitted to the Ballarat Base Hospital between the 9th and 15th of December for an undisclosed illness. Two more admissions to the Ballarat Hospital took place when he was in the Carngham – Snake Valley district, firstly between 12th and 24th May 1880, and then again between the 25th April and 10th May 1881. He was an inpatient at the Creswick hospital, near Ballarat, from 12th July until 22nd August 1880, when his residence was given as Long Point. He was admitted with ‘hydatids of the liver’, a common illness at the time in Victoria, and was discharged seven weeks later. It’s likely that he was readmitted for another three weeks in May–June 1881, only a week or so after his discharge from Ballarat hospital; although the record states he was English, everything else matches well, even his residence of ‘Ascot’, which was close to Long Point on the western edge of the Creswick Goldfield. This time his condition was given as ‘pleurodynia’, a painful inflammation of the lungs, so he was clearly suffering from very poor health.
There are also records of a John Birch being admitted on several occasions to the Bendigo Hospital, firstly on April 5th, 1870, when the patient was living in Eaglehawk. Suffering hepatitis, he was admitted on the recommendation of the Eaglehawk Council, and was discharged a few weeks later, on the 25th April. It’s likely that this John Birch was the former store owner in Marong. The next admission record however fits our John Birch much better, as his residence was given as Carngham when he was admitted on July 25th, 1883, on the recommendation of a local Protestant clergyman. Alcoholism was the stated reason for his admission and he was said to be ‘cured’ on discharge a week or so later on August 3rd. He was readmitted to the Bendigo Hospital on December 27th 1895, suffering partial paralysis, and was referred to the Benevolent Asylum on December 31st. The hospital records show he had ‘no fixed address’ but the asylum records show his previous address as Milloo, a small settlement on the plains north of Bendigo. Upon his release on 24th April 1896 he went to live with ‘friends at Kamarooka, where he would be looked after.’ He was readmitted to hospital on 1st July the same year suffering urinary incontinence and was again, for the last time, referred to the Bendigo Asylum a week later. It seems John spent his last few years at the asylum, as he died there on 19th July 1900 of senile debility. He was buried on July 21st in a pauper’s grave in the White Hills Cemetery (Interment No. 014070). The exact site is not recorded, although it is within the Present Graves area, probably in either sections A4 or A4, but it is not possible to find these.
There is no evidence for John Birch ever marrying, so there are no family records or anecdotes to hint at what role he played, if any, at Eureka. As he died a pauper, he left nothing. But there’s no doubt he could have told many stories about the rebellion, his life on the Victorian goldfields and how he’d survived.
Bill Birch
10 January 2012
Notes
There were several other ‘John Birch’s’ around at the time who left records. Perhaps most confusing of all, there was another Private John Birch (#3311) in the 12th regiment on board the Camperdown in 1854. Formerly a painter from Herefordshire, he was in a small detachment posted to Castlemaine early in 1855. In September 1855 he was arrested and charged with ‘robbery in company’, after he and two women had forcibly stolen a watch and chain and several pound notes from a miner named Aaron Garlick at a sly-grog tent at Barkers Creek. This John Birch was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months hard labour on the roads, with the women receiving three months in Castlemaine gaol. Muster rolls for the 12th regiment show that he was ‘in custody of civil power’ during 1856, but he must eventually have returned to duty, as he was posted to New Zealand in 1860, along with Private James Birch, and seems to have been just as big a troublemaker.
Records checked: AJCP WO 12; at State Library of Victoria and Mitchell Library in Sydney. Muster rolls for First Battalion, 12th Regiment.
VPRS 30/P0/unit 47, case 2-134-4: Briefs of court cases Castlemaine.
Records of inmates of the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum were being indexed by David Lloyd in 2008 and revealed a few more details about what appear to be two inmates named John Birch. The first record was for a John Birch about the right age, born in Ireland, but a Roman Catholic and with hepatitis. In all the records for hospital admissions, our John Birch was distinguished from several others by consistency of his given age with his birth year (1833), birth place (given as Belfast or Ireland), marital status (single), religion (Presbyterian) and years in Colony (since 1854).
For his admissions to the Ballarat hospital, the ‘recommenders’ are given as W. J. Higgins (1878); B. Hepburn (1880) and J. Allender (1881). The relationship of these people to John is not known.
The volume of cases heard in the Ballarat District Court between 1861 and 1866 is held by the Ballarat Archives, but was not available for inspection due to its fragile condition. However, it was later (October 2011) checked by PROV staff and no record of John Birch’s case was listed. Record checked: VPRS 289/P0/unit 7: Ballarat District Court cases for 1865-66.
The Ballarat Gaol records (VPRS 10859/P00000, Unit 000005) provided useful information.
It seems strange that there is no evidence for the twin brothers ever seeing each other again after John’s march to Ballarat. The only possible communication methods would have been via their mother, Emily, in Belfast.