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Army
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== Importance of the Garrison Artillery ==
By [[1864-1873 Events|1870]] the British imperial troops had left Victoria and the colony saw little need to replace them with a large force. As a result in the 1870s the defence of Victoria was largely staffed with a voluntary defence force. However there was a permanent artillery garrison. There was a continuing threat of invasion during this period. The French were thinking of making a move on the New Hebridies from their base in New Caledonia. The Germans, recently united under the King of Prussia, were becoming entrenched in Somoa and making eyes towards New Guinea. But while the Russians had no base in the area they were seen as a real threat. The Garrison Artillery had the task of protecting Port Phillip Bay and [[Melbourne|Melbourne]] from attack. They were commanded by Colonel '''Anderson'''
== Role of the Garrison Artillery in the story of the KellyGang ==
After the [[Euroa|Euroa]] robbery in December [[ev78-12--2Euroa Robbery|1878]] the Government decided that parties of 7 soldiers from the Garrison Artillery should be used to protect the towns in the area that had banks. They were initially sent to [[Avenel|Avenel]], [[Chiltern|Chiltern]], [[Euroa|Euroa]], [[Seymour|Seymour]], [[Violet Town|Violet Town]], [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]], and [[Wodonga (2)|Wodonga]]. Later they were sent to [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] and [[Shepparton|Shepparton]].
[[Standish|Standish]] did not support this policy. ([[Royal Commission report day 46 page 5|RC15859]]) See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878 (2)|Argus13/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/12/1878 (7)|Argus13/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878|Argus14/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878 (2)|Argus14/12/78]]) ([[Sydney Morning Herald (23)|SMH19/12/78]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/10/1879|Argus13/10/79]])
The men take their breechloader rifles with, them and they are also armed with revolvers which have been borrowed from the navy.([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1878 (3)|Argus16/12/78]])
Captains Bull and Stubbs were incharge of the men ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/12/1878 (4)|Argus16/12/78]])
12 solders from the artillery were stationed in Beechworth in early 1879 under '''Sergeant O'Neill'''. ([[The Ovens and Murray Advertiser 7/1/1879 (3)|OMA 7/1/1879]])
The artillery was withdrawn from most centres in about July 1879 ([[2nd Report of the Royal Commission|RC 2nd ReportXII]]), about 21 members ([[Royal Commission report day 3 page 16|RC915]])
They were finally withdrawn at the beginning of 1880. ([[Royal Commission report day 12 page 12|RC2473]])
== Glenrowan ==
During theafternoon Colonel Anderson received information from Captain Standish that in order to dislodge the two remaining members of the KellyGang without endangering any further life, [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|hotel]] would have to be blown down, and as the best means for accomplishing that object, a small cannon would probably be required.([[The Argus (12)|Argus29/6/1880]])
Col Anderson arranged for the supply of a twelve pound Armstrong gun.
A special train was soon in readiness, and at twenty minutes past two it departed, carrying the formidable looking weapon, a detachment of the Garrison Artillery under Lieutenant '''Nicholson''', and Col '''Anderson'''. The gun travelled no further north than Seymour ([[The Age (9)|Age29/6/80]])([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 13 page 5|FH]]) See also ([[Sydney Morning Herald (13)|Argus25/1/1934]])
places and sites where the '''KellyGang''' found fame and fortune and where their friends indulged in horse stealing and tried to make a life against the challenges of the squatters and banks. Let the '''KellyGang''' show you the places where they found safety from the law in the bush.
[[Category:Things]] [[Category:Politics & power things]] [[Category:Army]] [[Category:Garrison Artillery]] [[Category:Banks]] [[Category:Government]] [[Category:Kelly Gang]]
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