Military
Background
Two regiments of the British Army were involved in the Eureka Stockade. They were the 12th Regiment and the 40th Regiment.
Military reinforcements from the 12th and 40th Regiments were sent to Ballarat. The 40th Regiment marched into Ballarat led by Captain Christopher Wise, with a full show of force and with bayonets drawn. In comparison to what occurred later that day they encountered no resistance or problems.[1]
On 28 November 1854 a detachment of the 12th Regiment entered Ballarat between nine and ten o’clock at night, and marched through the Eureka Diggings accompanied by some transport waggons. An incident ensued which resulted in injuries to the Drummer Boy, John Egan; the publican, Benden Hassell; and the carter, Young. [2] The shouting and hooting of the people intimated that something unusual had taken place, and accordingly in a few minutes afterwards was seen a detachment of the 40th Regiment marching towards the camp with fixed bayonets, and the officers with drawn swords. [3]
12th Regiment
The 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment
Robert Adair, George Arden, William Bird, Felix Boyle, John Egan, Henry Goddard, Henry Goddard, Richard Hargreaves, William Hustable, John Kempt, George Littlehales, William Queade, William Revell, Garret Shanahan, John Thomas, William Webb, George Wood
40th Regiment
The 40th (2nd Somersetshire Regiment)
After Eureka some of the 40th Regiment were posted to New Zealand.
Josiah Bigsby, Denis Brien, John Broadhurst, Martin Cusack, Thomas Fitzgerald, Charles Hall, Thomas Reed, Cornelius Sorrell, Thomas Valiant, Joseph Wall, Henry Wise
"Sacred to the memory of Henry Christopher Wise Esq, captain in H.M. 40th 2nd Somerset Regiment. Eldest son of Henry Christopher and Harriett Wise of Woodcote, who died on the 21st of December 1854 at Mt Ballarat, Victoria, South Australia, or wounds received on the third of the same month, while gallantly leading his company to the assembly of the rebel stockade at Eureka, Ballarat. This tablet is erected by the officers of the 40th Regiment."
