Regular Colonial Forces

Small regular colonial forces were first raised in Victoria in 1870, and in New South Wales in the following year, to fill the vacuum caused by the departure of the Royal Artillery which had been manning the coastal defences of New South Wales from 1856 and Victoria from 1861. Two regular infantry companies were also raised in New South Wales in 1871, but were disbanded in the following year.²⁰ Except for a small detachment, the Victorian regular artillery was disbanded in 1880, but was re-established two years later.

REGULAR COLONIAL FORCES
The Colonial Armies	Towards Federation: 1870-1900
Small regular colonial forces were first raised in Victoria in 1870, and in New South Wales in the following year, to fill the vacuum caused by the departure of the Royal Artillery which had been manning the coastal defences of New South Wales from 1856 and Victoria from 1861. Two regular infantry companies were also raised in New South Wales in 1871, but were disbanded in the following year.²⁰ Except for a small detachment, the Victorian regular artillery was disbanded in 1880, but was re-established two years later.