Victorian Mounted Rifles

The Victorian Mounted Rifles were formed in 1885 as an amalgamation of various mounted militia units then operating throughout the colony of Victoria. This photograph is believed to be of a volunteer brigade based at Geelong.

In the 1880s, motivated by the fear of a Russian sea-attack, artillery batteries along the Victorian coastline were bolstered with additional troops and artillery. In the centre of the photograph is a 32 pounder cannon. Guns such as these were designed primarily for use on naval vessels or along coastal fortifications to provide a deterrent against coastal attack. The troops in this photograph are possibly posing outside of a drill hall where they would have trained in the use of guns and artillery and practiced military drills.