From a handbook previously published by the Legion:

The Legion in Australia

Early in 1911, actual recruiting for the Legion commenced in Australia, although prior to that date one or two members who had joined in London were living in Australia.

Membership increased rapidly, and in a short period of time, as a fine body of handpicked men as could be found anywhere in the world had been attracted to the Legion, which was in a well organised state on the outbreak of war in 1914. The strength at that time was approximately 1,500. By 1916, there was a roll of 1,900, and of that number, 1,400 were on active service. The enlistment of Frontiersmen in the Australian Imperial Force drained the Legion of its strength. In many instances, 75 to 85 per cent of the members of some units joined up, in two cases 100 per cent enlistments were recorded. Only those who were over age, or suffering from physical infirmities, were left to carry on the work of their comrades, who where with the fighting forces.

In August 1914, prior to the rupture between Britain and Germany, an offer was made to the Australian Governement to have two squadrons of the Legion, fully equipped, available at 24 hours' notice. A further offer of some hundreds of Legionnaires with reserves, fully equipped, horsed and saddled, was forwarded to the government, which was to supply arms, ammunitions, and a ship to transport the troops; the Legion provided the ship's crew, from captain to greaser. While the offer was appreciated by the authorities, it did not coincide with Defence Department procedure, and a request was made that all Legionnaires wishing to enlist should do so individually. Although a great disappointment to the Legion, the request was immediately complied with, members dropped their grievances and enlisted individually and collectively. The fact that as many as 40 members entered camp in one group gives an indication of the response of the Legion. If the careers of all members of the Legion who passed through the camps could be written up, they would form a book telling thrilling stories of deed and heroism. Represented there were the Canadian North-West Mounted Police, Cape and Rhodesian and Australian Mounted Police, Imperial Light Horse, Kitchener's Scouts, Strathcona's Guides, Driscoll's Scouts, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, and Australian Bushmen Contingents. Also present was the French Foreign Legion, and many famous regiments of the British Army. Omdurman, Dargai, Somaliland, Matabeland, Zululand, Jamison Reid, Transvaal, Relief of the Legation Peking, and many other famous actions were household words among the members of the Legion assembled.

The war exacted a dreadful toll and the Legion as a body almost disappeared in Australia. It was left to a faithful few to carry on the work commenced by their comrades who had given their lives for the Empire. Never were their efforts relaxed; gradually, and at times painfully, the Legion gained strength, units being established far and wide throughout the country. There were those who saw that a second war with Germany was inevitable, and they directed all their efforts towards organising the Legion and preaching the gospel of preparedness. Consequently, when the call came, the response was adequate, though different in manner to that of WWI, and events proved the value of the training undertaken by conflict, aspects of it remained unchanged. The man with the rifle played an important part, complete justification of the attention given by practically every unit in the command to shooting.

Nevertheless, the Legion had kept abreast of times. Gas warfare had been studied by some units, particularly its application to a civilian population. The organisation had its radio experts, technicians of every description, and men fully conversant with many aspects of military and civil administration. It is no exaggeration to state that a man could have been produced to fill almost any position named by the authorities.

Although not so spectacular as that played in WWI, the part performed by the Legion was no less effective. The Legion was well represented in the 2nd AIF. Serving overseas, they were to be found in all of the many and various branches of the service demanded by modern warfare. They acquitted themselves as became members of the organisation to which they belonged, and many gained distinction. There is also the notable fact that quite a number of those men had served in the first great conflict - by means known only to themselves, they had been accepted for service a second time.

Let it be known, that those men kept alive the spirit of the Legion in the War Zones. Meetings and reunions of members were held in the Western Desert, and new candidates admitted to membership as a result, proof of the great bond of brotherhood existing among those whose allegiance the movement claims.

In New Zealand, it is fitting to mention that the first troops to move into position on the outbreak of war, were actual units of the Legion, who had been posted to coast guard duties.

Meanwhile, the war situation deteriorated, and preparations went ahead to met eventualities, with the Legion giving invaluable assistance in the different emergency organisations. Particularly in the Home Guard we the Legion prominent, and in many instances complete troops were enrolled. The record of appointment of instructors was a lengthy one, as was the list of those receiving commissions. In the Air Raid Service, which made provision for any calamity that might befall as a result of the war, the Legion was fully represented. The Legion proved its worth unobtrusively.

Grievous losses were suffered overseas, and many grand comreades gave their lives. They were men whose names will ever be remembered with pride and gratitude.

Remembering what was owed to those who were serving with the fighting forces, those who were unable to proceed overseas directed their efforts towards ensuring that, when their comrades did return, they would find the organisation reasonably intact and not, as after WWI, practically nonexistent, Colunteer Defnece Corps.

Regrettably, a similar situation occurred and the Legion progressively diminished in numbers until only a handful of old soldiers and patriots were left to keep the Legion alive in Australia.

At this stage, these are research notes provided to the adjutant by author and Fmn Geoff Blackburn. They are provided for the reader's interest.

The Legion of Frontiersmen in Australia (1st Draft - 1st August, 1998

According to Roger Pocock's later autobiography Chorus to Adventurers he writes (pages 76-78) about a West Australian friend of his, Evelyn ffrench, (aka "Jeffrey Silant" the stockwhip artist) who he describes as "Dearest of all to me . . .". Apparently ffrench was the "Organising officer for the Murchison District in West Australia" By Murchison district, I take it he means either Cue or Meekatharra. Pocock was writing of the period 1905-1907. Remarkable to think that the LoF had a branch here in WA way back then. Wonder what happened to it???? According to Western Australia's premier newspaper, the West Australian of Wednesday, July 31st, 1935, Roger Pocock, then at the age of 70 had just arrived per the Nestor on the previous Saturday. He was reported as saying "He (Pocock) said that as a result of his visit it was hoped that a "Regiment" of the Legion would be established in this State and during the liner's stay in port he occupied himself to that end." And later he said "Discussing plans for the formation a West Australian unit, he said that he wanted it named the Evelyn ffrench Command, after a notable West Australian frontiersman, Evelyn ffrench."

FRONTIERSMAN GEOFF BLACKBURN - GEOLOGIST/PROSPECTOR and AUTHOR Geoff Blackburn is a West Australian geologist and author. Books previously published are (1993) The Children's Friend Society- Juvenile Emigration to Western Australia, South Africa and Canada 1833-1841 and (1997) Calvert's Golden West - A bibliography and biography of Albert Frederick Calvert. Currently in press, and expected to be published before Christmas 1998, is Conquest and Settlement - The 21st Regiment, Royal North British Fusiliers in Western Australia 1833-1840. Currently being researched and written is a book on the exploits and experiences of Australians in Equatorial Africa during World War 1. While there was not any "official" Australian involvement in Equatorial Africa during World War 1 there seems to have been quite a deal of "Unofficial" activity. Part of this centres on the Legion of Frontiersmen who in 1915 raised the 25th Battalion of Royal Fusiliers in London from volunteers from within the ranks of the LoF. As it turns out a number (as yet unknown) of these men were Australian adventurers (variously described as bushmen, miners prospectors etc)? One of these men, Lieut. W. Dartnell, an actor from Melbourne, winning the VC. It seems to me that this little known aspect of Australian military history needs to be brought to light.

As part of my project on the Australians in Equatorial Africa, I am writing a short history of the LoF, which will probably form a short appendix to that book. It will also include short biographies of Roger Pocock and his sister, Lena Ashwell, the famous (notorious?) Edwardian actress. Roger Pocock wrote two autobiographies, the first published in 1903, Following the Frontier (American edition) or A Frontiersman (English edition) deals with his early life and the other Chorus to Adventurers published in 1936, deals with his later life. His sister, Lena Ashwell also wrote an autobiography, Myself a Player. Roger Pocock had several other sisters, one of which, Hilda, had something to do with Mafeking. More research needed here. Lena Ashwell apparently provided Roger Pocock with the necessary access to British Society to enable him to get the LoF up and running. It appears from the information I am getting it seems that she was quite a force to be reckoned with, and seems to have been largely behind Pocock's success.