The Dunedin City Guards was the first volunteer corps formed in Otago. [gap — reason: illegible] the end of 1859 a meeting to consider the advisability of forming a volunteer corps was called by Major Richardson in the old Supreme Court House. There was a large and enthusiastic attendance, and volunteers were soon enrolled to the required number. The new corps was named the “Otago Volunteers,” and the members were drilled where First Church now stands, by the late Lieutenant Junor, an officer of the Imperial Light Brigade, and the late Mr. John Wilson, an old Seventy-ninth man. In 1861 the Government asked the corps to nominate officers, as previously they had been both drilled and commanded by their only officer, Lieutenant Junor. Accordingly Mr Frederick Moss was appointed captain, with Lieutenant Leggatt and Ensign Jackson as juniors, and the company was renamed “Number One Company Otago Volunteers,” In 1865 it amalgamated with the “City Guards,” a corps formed a year previously, and the amalgamated company page 132 took the name of the Dunedin City Guards. The present officers of the corps are Captain Robert Crawford, V.D., and Lieutenants James Jack and James Sandilands Douglas.

Captain Robert Crawford , V.D., was born in Scotland, and accompanied his parents to Dunedin in 1860. He was educated at Green Island and Caversham, and in 1877 joined his present company, then known as No. 1 Company Dunedin City Guards. He became lieutenant in 1886, and captain in 1899. In recognition of his length of service Captain Crawford received the Volunteer Decoration in 1902. He is known as a most successful shot, and has gained numerous prizes in the rifle matches of his company.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Captain R. Crawford.

Lieutenant James Jack , of the Dunedin City Guards, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and came with his parents to Dunedin in 1872, by the ship “City of Dunedin.” He first joined the Dunedin Naval Brigade in 1879; ten years later he was transferred to the City Guards, and was elected lieutenant in 1892. Lieutenant Jack is a good shot and held his company's belt for seven years. He holds the Imperial medal for twenty years' service.

Lieutenant James Sandilands Douglas , of the Dunedin City Guards, was born in Dunedin, in 1872. He first joined his corps as a private in 1891, and, after passing through the various grades, was appointed lieutenant in 1899. Lieutenant Douglas is the winner of several prizes in shooting competitions, and was secretary of the shooting committee in connection with the City Guards, and also acted as range officer at the Otago Rifle Association's matches, and won the [gap — reason: illegible] badge in 1898. He was at one time a member of the Alhambra Football Club. As a Freemason he is connected with Lodge Maori, New Zealand Constitution, and has been a member of the Order of Foresters since 1897.