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Gate remnant of the pensioner barracks building
The Pensioner Guards were English military personnel who served on convict transportation ships en route to the Swan River Colony between 1850 and 1868, and were given employment and grants of land on arrival.[2][3] Their initial employment lasted for six months, or the duration of the voyage, whichever was the longer time. After this they became "pensioners" and had to serve 12 days per year as well as whenever called upon.[4] They paraded annually in Perth at the Pensioner Barracks. Part of their purpose was to fulfil a promise by the British government to send free settlers to the colony to dilute the convicts, and to maintain law and order in the colony.[5]
Inquirer (Perth, WA : 1840 - 1855), Wednesday 20 March 1850, page 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65740046
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