The New South Wales Corps (aka The Rum Corps) was formed in England in 1789 as a permanent regiment to relieve the Royal Marines who had accompanied the First Fleet to Australia. The regiment, led by Major Francis Grose, consisted of three companies. Due to the remoteness and unpopularity of the posting they were composed of officers on half pay, troublemakers, soldiers paroled from military prisons and those with few prospects, who were gambling on making a life for themselves in the new colony. The regiment began arriving as guards on the Second Fleet in 1790. Major Grose arrived in Sydney in 1792 to take command and assume role of Lieutenant-Governor of the colony. A fourth company was raised from those marines wishing to remain in NSW under Captain George Johnston, who had been Governor Phillip's aide-de-camp.
Read more about New South Wales Corps: Commanding Officers
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