Some history regarding the formation of the New South Wales Corps

 Battle  of Vinegar Hill

Those recorded at Vinegar Hill 

Historical information regarding Soldiers who didn't stay but contributed vastly to settlement. Click on Their names

1789.............New South Wales Corps  four companies raised in Britain for service in New South Wales

1808 ............102nd Regiment of Foot

1810.............Left for England

1816 ............100th Regiment of Foot  Royal Dublin Fusiliers"

1818.............Disbanded 

The New South Wales Corps (  The Rum Corps) was formed in England in 1789 as permanent regiment to relieve the marines who had accompanied the First Fleet. The regiment, led by Major Francis Grose consisted of three companies to begin with and due to the remoteness and unpopularity of the posting they were comprised of officers on half pay, troublemakers, soldiers paroled from military prisons , soldiers enlisted from general prisons such as Savoy Prison, ex convicts in New South Wales and Marines (who wished to remain) commanded by Captain George Johnston ,Governor Phillip's aide-de-camp.  The regiment began arriving as guards on the Second Fleet in 1790. Major Grose arrived in Sydney in 1792 to take command and assume role of Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony.

The Corps only saw action once in NSW at the Battle of Vinegar Hill.  Late on the 4th of March 1804, 266 Irish rebels revolted on a government farm at Castle Hill, armed themselves with muskets and pikes, and planned to sack Parramatta. Major Johnston led 29 soldiers of the NSW Corps on a forced march overnight to Parramatta and then the following day, with 50 militia, they pursued the rebels who were now heading to Windsor. After catching the rebels, Johnston took the ringleaders hostage when they refused to surrender and the troops quickly put down the revolt. Major Johnston was highly commended for his actions by Governor King..