Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"SERGEANT-MAJOR PRESS.

William Joseph Press, Sergeant-Major, who will have charge of the Colt automatic gun, has been in the Government employ for twenty years. He is a son of Mr. William Press, of North Adelaide, and has had a long military experience. After serving three years in the Adelaide Lancers he was transferred to D Company, 2nd Battalion Infantry, under Colonel Makin, and held every rank as a non-commissioned officer. He was appointed regimental sergeant major and warrant officer on the formation of the third battalion, under the command of Colonel Lovely. Having been transferred back to the lancers he worked for a commission, which he obtained in 1892, and held until the forces were disbanded. Sergeant-Major Press took first officer's prize two years following in sword exercise, and was always a marksman and a good revolver shot. He conducted two bayonet teams to Melbourne, and on one occasion his men obtained second prize for bayonet exercise and physical drill. Recently Mr. Press went to Melbourne in charge of the Locomotive Band, and scored the highest number of points for drill and general efficiency, competing against representatives from all the colonies. He held the cycling championship in 1882, and won the six-days' contest held in the Melbourne Exhibition in that year." - from the Adelaide Evening Journal 25 Jan 1900 (nla.gov.au)