Battle of Richmond Hill | |||||||
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Part of Hawkesbury and Nepean Wars | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
![]() | Darug Warriors | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() ![]() | Pemulwuy | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
60 marines | Unknown number, possibly more than 50 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Several dozen killed |
The Battle of Richmond Hill also known as the Battle of the Hawkesbury, was a major battle of the Hawkesbury and Nepean Wars which was fought between the native Darug people and the New South Wales Corps which also included several armed settlers. It is considered to be the first recorded battle between Aboriginals and settlers.[1]
Clearance of the farm land by white settlers in the late 1700s depleted the food supplies of the Aboriginal people, who found themselves driven from their traditional hunting grounds. Poor relations reached a peak in 1795 when British troops were sent from Sydney with the specific intent of destroying the local Aboriginal population. Known as the Battle of Richmond Hill this event is remembered today in local events held during Reconciliation Week.
In 2010 a memorial garden was unveiled to commemorate the incident.[2]
References[]
- ↑ "Richmond". About NSW. NSW Government. 2006. http://about.nsw.gov.au/view/suburb/Richmond/. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ↑ "Battle of Richmond Hill". Monument Australia. http://monumentaustralia.org.au/monument_display.php?id=93434&image=0. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
The original article can be found at Battle of Richmond Hill and the edit history here.