James Campbell Thom |
Photograph of officer's full dress tunic 2nd Infantry Regiment New South Wales (AWM).
Military badge of 2nd Infantry Regiment New South Wales (Digger History).
In 1893 James became Solicitor for Railways in New South Wales so when the New South Wales Railway Volunteer Corps was established in 1897, he was seconded from the 2nd Infantry Regiment to become the major commanding the new unit.
The Evening News 6 January 1897 described the formation of the new volunteer corps:
The Governor in Council has approved of the establishment of the N.S.W. Railway Volunteer Corps, to consist of two companies, each of one captain, two lieutenants, one color-sergeant, four sergeants, two drummers or buglers, four corporals, and eighty-six privates, being 100 in a company. There will also be an 'officer commanding,' and a staff-sergeant from the Permanent Staff as instructor.The New South Wales Railway Volunteer Corps disbanded in 1899. (Year Book of Australia 1909)
James was just one of many men involved in the variety of volunteer forces formed at this time in each state.
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