NSW Veterans/Royal Veterans.

Veteran, from http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/other/before-waterloo.htm

Men who were considered unfit for active service, but fit for garrison duties had been formed into Invalids companies since the 17th century.  From 1802 they were named Royal Veteran Battalions. The first formed in Australia, in 1811,  it consisted men of the 102nd (formerly NSW Corps) who had served in New South Wales for up to 30 years. Some had married locally and had received land grants. This company was dispersed in 1823.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 26th October 1811 page 2.

Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser, 1st November 1823 page 2.

Detachments were sent during 1826- 1833 to serve in roles such as mounted police and  convict overseers in NSW and Tasmania. After 2 years service, they were allowed to settle and take up a land grant.

Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart), 29th September 1826 page 3.

Ron Montague describes the uniform button as a garter inscribed ‘Royal Veterans Bttn’. Officers’ versions were gilt; other ranks (O.R.) pewter.  Some Veteran Crops have a number corresponding to the specific Veteran corps.

I have borrowed this from the book as I have found no other image.

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