Nelson, Marlborough & West Coast Districts

At the outbreak of the New Zealand Land Wars in 1845, two military companies were formed in Nelson.

H Battery, NZ Field Artillery Corps was organised in Nelson in 1873.

First Battalion Nelson Mounted Rifle Volunteers had its headquarters in Nelson and comprised A Company, Marlborough Mounted Rifles; B Company, Wakatu Mounted Rifles; C Company, Takaka Mounted Rifles; and D Company, Motueka Mounted Rifles

First Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers comprised A Company, Stoke Rifles; B Company, Blenheim Rifles; C Company, Waimea Rifles; D Company, Nelson Rifles; E Company, Waiohi Rifles; and the Nelson College Volunteer Cycling Corps

Nelson Rifle Corps (formerly the Naval Brigade) is one of the oldest volunteer companies in the district, and dates back to 1875. In January of that year a few enthusiasts resolved to form a corps, ostensibly for the purpose of establishing a battery to protect Nelson at the entrance of the harbour. In 1876 the government provided a boat for the corps, which was christened the Aurora, and also placed, on Haul-a-Shore Island two 24-pounder iron guns for the use of the Brigade.

Owing to a regrettable disagreement in the brigade, in 1881 the government disbanded the corps, but in October the same year it was reformed. In 1897, at the request of the government, the brigade was changed into an infantry corps, and the corps was renamed the Nelson Coast Guards.

Twenty-eight members of the corps served in the South African war, and five died in service of their country

 

Nelson College Volunteer Cycle Corps was accepted by the government on 24 May, 1902. It was attached to the 1st Nelson Infantry Battalion. Each member provided his own bicycle, and the special work of the corps consisted of signalling and scouting.

Second Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers was established on 1 October 1901 and had its headquarters in Greymouth. The corps forming the battalion were A Company, 1st Westland Rifles (Hokitika); B Company, Greymouth Rifles; C Company, Denniston Rifles; D Company, Reefton Rifles; E Company, Brunner Rifles, (Bunnerton); F Company, Millerton Rifles.

 

Nelson College Rifles Corps, which comprised three companies, was composed of boys attending the college, and together with the Nelson Rifle Cadets, formed the cadet Battalion of the City Volunteers.

Nelson Rifle Cadet Corps was established in 1901 and attached to the Cadet Battalion, which included three companies of College Cadets.

Nelson Garrison Band was formed in 1873 and was the first important band in Nelson. It was originally known as the Artillery Band, and continued to play until 1888, when it was disbanded. Another garrison band was formed in 1890.