The enrolled pensioner force in Van Diemen's Land with special reference to the settlement at Spring Hill Bottom

The aims of this thesis are sevenfold. First, a brief description of the Enrolled Pensioner Force (EFP), the general principles of military recruitment in nineteenth century Britain, and the operation of the pension system for discharged soldiers will be given. Second, the use of enrolled pensioners in Britain and four colonies other than Van Diemen's Land, will be outlined. Third, the composition and background of the Vandemonian EPF will be given in detail. Fourth, a comparison will be made between the causes of death for pensioners and a matched sample of non-pensioners. Fifth, the overall experiences of the EPF in Van Diemen's Land will be described. Sixth, the activities of the force during temporary deployment in Victoria will be outlined. Seventh, the nineteenth century development of the pensioner settlement at Spring Hill Bottom will be described, including the employment of convicts and pensioners. My conclusions will be based on the main points of each section.