Troopers of the South Australian Cavalry. (1896)

The Defense Forces of South Australia practically owe their origin to the Russian War Scare in Australia, of 1885, which compelled the various Colonial Governments to pay more attention than they had hitherto done to the efficiency of their local defenses.  In South Australia, the Governor in Council was authorized under the Defense Force Act of 1886, to raise an Active Militia of 1500 men with a reserve Militia of 1000 men, and a force of unpaid volunteers.  The Active Militia comprises two troops of cavalry - Lancers, of which we see here four typical troopers - one field battery of artillery, and one garrison battery, with three battalions of infantry, each of four companies, and ambulance and medical corps cadres.  The Active Militia are concentrated about Adelaide, are embodied every year for six weeks' training, and are under the orders of a Commandant, an Officer of the British Army who is assisted by a headquarters staff.