A 19th century invasion

What was and continues to be a peaceful spot saw some unruly action one May evening in 1882. Mosman’s growing population, the strategic position of Mosman’s fortified headlands and British military conflict in the Asia-Pacific region, resulted in increasing military activity in Mosman and a growing number of militias and troops establishing. However, with little active service opportunities, militias and troops contented themselves with practice shoots and Easter camps, where they would assemble at Middle Head, pitch rows of tents and engage in warlike manoeuvres.[1] During the 1882 camp in May, a group of one hundred men from the Volunteer Artillery Force marched into the bush on Balmoral slopes at 8pm to guard against an invading force of sixty artillerymen.[2] These men embarked from Cobblers Beach, landed at the Spit, and then worked their way through ‘by-paths, the Chinamen’s gardens, and the scrub’ towards the line of defending Volunteer Artillery Force men.[3] Later in the night, another permanent force hid their way through Chinamans and successfully managed to reach Military Road.[4]

[1] Souter, Mosman, p. 80.

[2] Souter, Mosman, p. 80.

[3] Souter, Mosman, p. 80.

[4] Souter, Mosman, p. 80.