British Army 1790-1856 in the Australian Penal Colonies: Kingston on Norfolk Island & Port Arthur in Tasmania
A photo collection of the gravesites of soldiers serving in the British Army 'Regiments of Foot' in the Penal Colonies of Norfolk Island, New South Wales and Tasmania; and of scenic Norfolk Island. Future planned references for parts of the First & Second Fleet presence from 1787 to follow progressively. It is hoped also to expand the site to include elements of the Pitcairn Islanders and their history from the HMS Bounty times.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION FROM 26TH OCTOBER 2007
The author and publisher is a former British Light Infantryman who served in 1953 - 1955 as a National Serviceman in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (an amalgamation in 1881 of the 32nd of Foot - formerly Fox's Marines - and the 46th of Foot). During a visit to Norfolk Island in October 2007, the editor initiated this photographic collection of old military graves that repose in a quiet corner of the Island Cemetery and other views of beautiful Norfolk; which in turn promoted further study of the recorded history published by many dedicated Authors over previous years. The editor is indebted to those Authors and Publishers who have made available extrapolations from their publications for this website and I urge any relative of the recorded dead to obtain copies of the referred books that are available. The proposed March 2008 visit by the editor to Port Arthur Convict Settlement in Tasmania will produce further Colonial Era British Army Military memorabilia that is inextricably linked to Norfolk Island Penal Colony of the 1790-1856 period. We have linked this site to 'Australia's Red Coat Settlers' webmastered by Barrie and Margaret Chapman, who themselves have traced their ancestors to this period and offer wide information to other relatives of those British soldiers who served in Australia and New Zealand.
Following are the chronological references to British Regiments of Foot shown in the publication illustrated in the right hand sidebar, "Colonial Era Cemetery of Norfolk Island". This publication lists recorded deaths from each British Regiment, Settlers, Freemen, Freewomen, Families and Convicts; where the grave is located and numbered on a site map, and in some cases a black and white photograph. The Appendix offers an Alphabetical and Numerical names reference with dates. A valuable research reference for genealogical studies. The editor plans more recent digital photos of some headstones, taken in 2007 as the site develops. The editor invites comments and queries that might assist others in their personal searches for long lost relatives.
The 4th Regiment of Foot (King's Own)
The 11th Regiment of Foot (The North Devonshires)
The 39th Regiment of Foot (The Dorsets)
The 50th Regiment of Foot (The Queen's Own Royal West Kents)
The 58th Regiment of Foot (The Rutlands)
The 59th Regiment of Foot
The 60th Regiment of Foot
The 96th Regiment of Foot
The 99th Regiment of Foot (The Lanarks)
The Royal Engineers
Photo immediately above and the 4 gravesite photos below speak for themselves if time is taken to read the inscriptions. Compare the stark contrast on the War Memorial further down where a name and an initial suffice to record the sacrifice in yet another 'war to end all wars'. Most photos open (sometimes!) in a larger window when clicked.
Old Kingston Town 2007 from Emily Bay, showing site of the wreck of HMS Sirius.
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Published by Pictorial Press Australia, PO Box 388, Corinda Qld 4075 Australia & Distributed exclusively by Trading Post Newsagency, Norfolk Island, PO Box 463, Norfolk Island 2899
AUD$15.80 plus postage anywhere
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Present Museum, formerly the Pier Store and Royal Engineers Office now the Kiosk and Cafe.
"At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them"
The Surgeons residence and hospital as seen in October 2007
A 2007 replicated photo similar to that taken by the Governor of NSW, Lord Loftus while visiting Norfolk Island on HMS Miranda in 1884 and shown in the publication displayed above.
Individual headstone close-ups will be published soon
Norfolk Island War Memorial commemorating those soldiers who died in WW1, WW2 and Korea. Click the photo to open in a larger window pane.
"Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears."
Ode from "For the Fallen"
by English poet and writer Laurence Binyon
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"But at length the feverish day/Like a passion died away,
And the night, serene and still,/Fell on village, vale, and hill."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "Daylight & Moonlight"
Quality Row in the foreground seen from Rooty Hill where HM Queen Elizabeth 2nd commemorated a plaque in 1974.
View of the old Pier Store, Boatshed and Royal Engineers Office in 2007, taken from Kingston Pier.
Captain James Cook and HMS Endeavour landed here in October 1774. A secluded inlet next to Duncombe Bay on the north side of Norfolk.
Looking north to Anson's Bay from Puppy's Point.
Not so dumb!! Everyone gives way to cows on Norfolk and there are no traffic lights!
Classically Norfolk Island, Point Blackbourne and Rocky Point
Underneath The Arches, former stables with ostler's quarters.
Tranquility base 2007?
Avenue of Moreton Bay figtrees, 100 Acres
Towards Nepean and Phillip Islands
Looking east and south from Murderer's Mound in Cemetery Bay
Eastern Norfolk Island, close to Bird Rock
View east from Flagstaff Hill overlooking the ruins of the Penal Colony, towards Emily Bay
Green Pool Stone & Cathedral Rock from Cook's Memorial and (right) just above the Blowhole, close to Bird Rock.
Over Anson Bay facing south to Jacobs Rock
Editor: djkl157@gmail.com
Elephant and Bird Rocks
From Rocky Point towards Point Ross
Classically forbidding Norfolk rocks
Individual gravestone section
L/Cpl John Duffy, HM 99th Regiment of Foot, died 29th January 1852, aged 84. An Old Soldier indeed!
GO TO: The Editor's Home page for "A" Company 1DCLI 1953-1957