Introduction
In a Proclamation dated 6 October 1847 Governor Moody passed Ordinance No 3 the Militia Ordinance for the formation of a Militia Force within the Colony. He made known his intention to avail himself of the present dearth of employment to call out, organise and drill said Militia Force as easily as the terms of the ordinance will admit and the pay the Militia would receive while called out.
The Stanley Gazette of 30 December 1847 His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief hereby gives Notice that the Militia Force of the Falkland Islands will be divided into the following Corps formed by the undermentioned individuals. Her Majesty’s Militia Corps of Horse consisted of a cornet, a sergeant, two corporals and sixteen privates under Lieutenant R A Williams. The Artillery Corps consisted of one corporal and eleven privates under Sergeant Phillips. HM Militia Regiment of Foot consisted of an ensign, a sergeant, two corporals and forty privates. [E2; 145-150]
On 23 October 1848 it was gazetted that the Militia Force of the Falkland Islands were required to meet at the Flagstaff near Government House on Monday 6 November 1848 at 1.30pm precisely and to continue until 6pm and that the rate of pay for each private would be 2/6 for the half day. The officers were required to give their services gratuitously and no pay would be allowed to persons with permanent salaries from the Government Establishment. The captain, chaplain and surgeon were called out, along with four lieutenants, two ensigns, a colour sergeant, four sergeants, two corporals, and forty one privates. [E2; 188]
The Militia Ordinance No 1 of 1851 came into effect 1 February 1851
On 19 May 1854 due to the Crimean War a notice was issuing calling for every male Colonist above 16 years of age to meet the Governor on 20 May 1854 at 4.30pm to consider the best mode of protecting the Settlement. On Saturday 21 October 1854 the seamen and marines of the ss Sharpshooter met at 1pm and performed alongside the Stanley Volunteers and the Military Pensioners in various manoeuvres. The Crimean War ended early 1856. [E4; 90, 97]
In June 1891 the Chilean steamer Maipo belonging to the Chilean revolutionary party and with over 200 fully armed soldiers and sailors on board called at Port William to carry out repairs. Due to the perceived risk to the security of the Islands Governor Sir Roger Goldsworthy formed an armed body of volunteers called the Falkland Islands Volunteers with the first body of 37 sworn in at Government House on Monday 13 June 1892. An Ordinance to providing for the establishment of a Volunteer Force was enacted in 1893 as Ordinance No 5 of 1893. [FI Gazette 1893; 16, 24, 42]
In August 1914 under Section 12 of the Volunteer Ordinance 1893 Governor Allardyce called out for active service every officer and volunteer belonging to the Falkland Islands Volunteer Force. The FI Volunteers were mobilised to man military defensive outposts around Stanley during World War I. They reverted to normal peace conditions 1 August 1919. [FI Gazette 1914; 186, 194: 1919; 61]
Ordinance No 7 of 1920 an Ordinance to provide for the establishment of a Defence Force was issued 13 December 1920. [FI Gazette 1920; 138] The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is still active today.
These files form part of the collection of Government Files held under Defence - FI Volunteers and FI Defence Force. They have not been uploaded in any particular order but represent those scanned to date for researchers.
Government Files
DEF-FID-1-1. Volunteer inspection 1903. Remark of Col Defence Committee.pdf381.88 KB
DEF-FID-1-2. Ammunition. Only service pattern to be used.pdf187.18 KB
DEF-FID-1-3. Defence scheme to be prepared as to suitability of 2.5 inch RML guns.pdf708.78 KB
DEF-FID-1-4. Remarks by COC on annual report FI Volunteers.pdf641.63 KB
DEF-FID-1-7. Newnham F J Lieut. Selection of to be temporary commandant of FI Volunteers.pdf621.75 KB
DEF-FID-1-8. Newnham F J Capt. Payment of 33-6-8 as an advance on account of his salary.pdf196.02 KB
DEF-FID-1-10. Princess Marys gift. Information re.pdf168.64 KB
DEF-FID-1-11. Private McPhees remittance to his mother. Papers on the subject of.pdf268.41 KB
DEF-FID-1-12. Falkland Islands Volunteers. Regulations and ordinances question amending.pdf1.12 MB
DEF-FID-1-13. Allowance from Private Alex McPhee to his mother.pdf226.71 KB
DEF-FID-1-15. Field Day. HMS Kent and Falkland Islands Volunteers. Report on.pdf678.11 KB
DEF-FID-1-16. Volunteer Force. Regulations providing a scale of pay for.pdf164.15 KB
DEF-FID-1-19. Falkland Islands Defence Force Club. Formation of.pdf116.82 KB
DEF-FID-1-21. Ammunition. Requirements of small arm for 1917.pdf283.83 KB
DEF-FID-1-22. Colonial Surgeon. Sick leave for signaller S Summers. Recommending.pdf410.17 KB
DEF-FID-1-23. Army order of 14.9.18 amending conditions governing award of silver war badge.pdf333.05 KB
DEF-FID-1-29. Proclamation terminating active service of Volunteer Force.pdf389.77 KB
DEF-FID-1-30. Indent No 1000. Billiard table etc for Falkland Islands Defence Force Club.pdf2.4 MB
DEF-FID-1-31. Eligibility of members of Falkland Islands Volunteer Force for the 1914-15 Star.pdf420.46 KB
DEF-FID-1-34. Crown Agents. Advising placing of order for rifles for Volunteers.pdf894.93 KB
DEF-FID-1-35. Victory medal.pdf235.17 KB
DEF-FID-1-36. Sgt L T Barnes. Applies to draw 30 p.a. as instructor to Volunteer Force.pdf1.04 MB
DEF-FID-1-38. Falkland Islands Volunteer Force not eligible for 1914-15 Star.pdf137.63 KB
DEF-FID-1-40. Grant of the rank of major to Lieutenant F J Newnham.pdf141.41 KB
DEF-FID-1-45. G W Royle. Resignation of commission in the Falkland Islands Volunteers.pdf134.91 KB
DEF-FID-1-46. Secretary of State. Offer to issue free of charge rifles guns and ammunition.pdf578.45 KB
DEF-FID-1-48. Mrs McPhees enquiry respecting her son.pdf216.67 KB
DEF-FID-2-1. Pension to relative of late Private W J Shire.pdf1.34 MB
DEF-FID-2-3. Defence Force Ordinance No 7 of 1920. Non-disallowance.pdf28.27 MB
DEF-FID-2-4. F Is Defence Force. Issue of arms on special terms.pdf5.44 MB
DEF-FID-2-6. Amethyst Shield . Asks for his name to be inscribed on.pdf2.95 MB
DEF-FID-2-7. Applies for long service medal.pdf579.51 KB
DEF-FID-2-8. FI Defence Force. Resignation of Sergt Major J W Grierson from.pdf1.05 MB
DEF-FID-2-9. Returning confidential documents standing orders for defence of Stanley.pdf998.21 KB
DEF-FID-2-10. Military resources of Colony.pdf1.3 MB
DEF-FID-2-11. FI Defence Force headquarters. Alterations to.pdf6.18 MB
DEF-FID-2-12. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Appointment of Mr D R Watson as Lieutenant in.pdf10.16 MB
DEF-FID-2-13. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Miscellaneous letters etc respecting.pdf7.95 MB
DEF-FID-2-14. Defence Force Ordinance 1920. Regarding the interpretation of Section 12 1 of.pdf3.39 MB
DEF-FID-2-15. Asks respecting drill hall for volunteers.pdf3.72 MB
DEF-FID-2-16. Engineer Point hut and telephone line. Enquiry regarding.pdf447.55 KB
DEF-FID-2-17. Falkland Islands Defence Force Club. Application for loan from Government by.pdf816.88 KB
DEF-FID-2-18. Falkland Islands Defence Force Club. Draft rules for.pdf3.69 MB
DEF-FID-2-19. Report on condition of rifle range.pdf1.76 MB
DEF-FID-2-20. Asks regarding appointment of surgeon to Defence Force.pdf2.16 MB
DEF-FID-2-21. Suggested stock taking of ammunition stored in magazine.pdf2.15 MB
DEF-FID-2-22. Ammunition over ten years old stored in magazine.pdf2.17 MB
DEF-FID-2-23. Quotations for erection of new drill shed.pdf26.6 MB
DEF-FID-3-1. Application for approval of military funeral for J Lehen late private Defence Force.pdf907.39 KB
DEF-FID-3-3. Method of making promotions to non-commissioned rank.pdf315.45 KB
DEF-FID-3-6. Application by OC Defence Force for use of the Town Hall free of charge.pdf1.06 MB
DEF-FID-3-7. Defence Force headquarters.pdf12.71 MB
DEF-FID-3-8. Calls for report on Defence Force canteen.pdf6.52 MB
DEF-FID-3-9. Gymnastic and drill instructor. Appointment of.pdf1.46 MB
DEF-FID-3-10. Medals for the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf12.07 MB
DEF-FID-3-11. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Organisation of camp units.pdf18.42 MB
DEF-FID-3-12. Mr T N Goddard MBE applies for the award of the Falkland Islands War Medal.pdf2.44 MB
DEF-FID-3-13. Affiliation of Falkland Islands Defence Force to the Grenadier Guards.pdf737.2 KB
DEF-FID-3-15. Falkland Islands Defence Force examination of members for promotion in.pdf1.2 MB
DEF-FID-3-16. Gymnastic display given by members of the Defence Force on 31.7.29.pdf385.13 KB
DEF-FID-3-17. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Military funerals.pdf2.36 MB
DEF-FID-3-18. F Is Defence Force. General correspondence.pdf19.79 MB
DEF-FID-3-20. Equipment required for signal section.pdf777.84 KB
DEF-FID-3-21. Recruits Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf5.53 MB
DEF-FID-3-23. Proposed new head dress for FIS Defence Force.pdf2.39 MB
DEF-FID-3-24. FIDF. Proposed purchase of gymnastic gear for Defence Force.pdf908.04 KB
DEF-FID-3-25. Machine guns for Defence Force.pdf14.81 MB
DEF-FID-3-26. Defence Force class firing 1930.pdf6 MB
DEF-FID-3-27. F Is Defence Force. Arms ammunition for 1931.pdf764.99 KB
DEF-FID-4-1 Dress uniform for the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf(3.23 MB)
DEF-FID-4-2 Provision of machine gun shed at drill hall for equipment and machine guns etc.pdf425.25 KB
DEF-FID-4-3 Proposed formation of a brass band in the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf1.2 MB
DEF-FID-4-4 Falkland Islands Defence Force. Commissions in.pdf3.88 MB
DEF-FID-4-6 Erection of small lean to porch at outer door of FIDF drill hall.pdf96.93 KB
DEF-FID-4-7 Regimental Colours for the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf291.65 KB
DEF-FID-4-8 Falkland Islands Defence Force. Inspections.pdf173.72 KB
DEF-FID-4-9 Falkland Islands Defence Force. Programme of training.pdf2.95 MB
DEF-FID-4-10 Signal section F Is Defence Force. Strength and degree of training.pdf247.1 KB
DEF-FID-4-11 Defence Force headquarters. Inspections of.pdf152.52 KB
DEF-FID-4-13 Award of long service medals to members of FIDF.pdf1.53 MB
DEF-FID-4-14 Falkland Islands Defence Force. Courses in the United Kingdom.pdf2.32 MB
DEF-FID-5-1. Summer camp for the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf32.23 MB
DEF-FID-5-2. Provision of a ladies cloak room c at the Defence Force drill hall.pdf2.32 MB
DEF-FID-5-4. Free issue of uniform to officers in the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf3.61 MB
DEF-FID-5-5. Formation of mounted rifle units in the Camp.pdf17 MB
DEF-FID-5-7. Inspection of Defence Force by Commodore of South American squadron.pdf5.82 MB
DEF-FID-5-8. Rates of pay for members of the Defence Force on active service.pdf31.72 MB
DEF-FID-5-9. Persons arriving in the Colony to join the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf2.51 MB
DEF-FID-5-10. Contingent from the Argentine to reinforce the Falkland Islands Garrison in war.pdf14.65 MB
DEF-FID-5-11. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Release of members to return to civil employment.pdf11.35 MB
DEF-FID-5-12. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Formation of striking force.pdf12.98 MB
DEF-FID-5-14. Training camps for outside districts.pdf7.55 MB
DEF-FID-5-17. War diaries kept by Officer Commanding Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf5.35 MB
DEF-FID-6-1 Proposed conversion of old reservoir into an ammunition dump.pdf118.06 KB
DEF-FID-6-2 Requests nominal roll of European members of the Defence Force.pdf1.33 MB
DEF-FID-6-3 Falkland Islands Defence Force arrangements for officering of.pdf157.5 KB
DEF-FID-6-4 Falkland Islands Defence Force. General welfare grant made by the War Office.pdf464.89 KB
DEF-FID-6-5 Release of Government officials for military service.pdf346.82 KB
DEF-FID-6-6 Presentation of new standard to Falkland Islands Defence Force by citizens of Hull.pdf127.79 KB
DEF-FID-6-9. Proposed rifle range for use of Falkland Islands Force.pdf556.61 KB
DEF-FID-6-10. Supply of stores by Falkland Islands Force.pdf92.49 KB
DEF-FID-6-13. British Empire Service League.pdf760.61 KB
DEF-FID-6-14. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Disability arising from military service.pdf782.21 KB
DEF-FID-6-15. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Commissions in.pdf440.01 KB
DEF-FID-6-16. Demobilisation Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf1.64 MB
DEF-FID-6-17. Reversion of Falkland Islands Defence Force to peace time establishment.pdf996.8 KB
DEF-FID-6-18. Disposal of FI Defence Force buildings.pdf4.12 MB
DEF-FID-6-19. Barbed wire entanglements left in vicinity of Stanley by Falkland Islands Forces.pdf317.95 KB
DEF-FID-6-20. Appointment of temporary armourer and caretaker military department.pdf252.31 KB
DEF-FID-6-22. Re-barrelling of rifles.pdf548.08 KB
DEF-FID-6-23. F J Summers requests particulars of service with FIDF.pdf169.46 KB
DEF-FID-7-1. Appointment of officers in the Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf5.73 MB
DEF-FID-7-2. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Maintenance of buildings etc use of drill hall.pdf2.67 MB
DEF-FID-7-3. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Compulsory training in.pdf341.33 KB
DEF-FID-7-4. Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf6.22 MB
DEF-FID-7-5. Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf2.53 MB
DEF-FID-7-7. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Requests for certificates of service.pdf1.89 MB
DEF-FID-7-8. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Uniforms.pdf634.12 KB
DEF-FID-7-9. Falkland Islands Defence Force. Summer training camp.pdf4.92 MB
DEF-FID-7-10. FIDF equipment.pdf2.58 MB
DEF-FID-7-11. FIDF summer training camp.pdf5.68 MB
DEF-FID-7-12. FIDF Club.pdf2.42 MB
Reports
R-DEF-FID-1-1 Falkland Islands Defence Force Training Camp 1956 16th-28th March.pdf(1.2 MB)
R-DEF-FID-1-3 Falkland Islands Rifle Association 1992 - 2000 Compiled by J S Smith.pdf(1.62 MB)
R-DEF-FID-1-4 Guidance on Camp Security.pdf(84.29 KB)
R-DEF-FID-1-5 Standing Orders for Defence of Port Stanley 1916.pdf(3.17 MB)
R-DEF-FID-1-6 Falkland Islands Defence Force Club Rules.pdf(289.76 KB)
Maps and Plans
Falkland Islands Defence Force.pdf3.94 MB
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While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy the Jane Cameron National Archives does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in these records.
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