The Battle of Pinjarra was a conflict that occurred in Pinjarra, Western Australia, between a group of 60-80 Australian Aborigines and a detachment of 25 soldiers and policemen led by Governor Stirling in 1834. The name 'battle' has recently been criticised by many Aboriginal activists who aim to rewrite Australian history as an invasion of an Aboriginal land. These people claim that the name disguises the true nature of the conflict, that of a massacre.^{[citation needed]} However, it has been counter-argued that this claim can not be substantiated by reliable primary sources and is tainted by political motives. October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Pinjarra is a small town in Western Australia Categories: Towns in Western Australia ... Admiral Sir James Stirling Admiral Sir James Stirling (January 28, 1791–April 23, 1865) was a British marine officer and colonial administrator. ... Calyute (fl. ... The townsite of Pinjarra is located in the south west agricultural region, 87 km south of Perth and 21 km south east of Mandurah. ... Aboriginal Flag Australian Aborigines is a name used to collectively describe most of the indigenous peoples of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. ...

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During the early years of British settlement around the Swan River colony, records suggest a policy of co-existence was encouraged by the settlers who had established the Swan River colony to protect the west coast of Australia from a perceived invasion by the French. However, this policy turned into one of containing the indigenous population as a result of increasing attacks on the property and stock of early pastoralists and on the settlers themselves. In response to increased hostilities by local Aborigines, and answering calls of settlers in the Pinjarra area for protection, Governor James Stirling, the Surveyor General Septimus Roe and the pastoralist Thomas Peel led an expedition to the area to improve security and attempt negotiations towards a peaceful co-existence. However, on October 28, 1834, an attachment of mounted police and soldiers were attacked by an estimated 60-80 Aboriginal people of the Pindjarep tribe on the banks of the Pinjarra River. Greatly outnumbered, and after the Police Superintendent Captain Theophilus Ellis was wounded by a spear, the troopers were ordered to shoot the aggressors to protect their own lives. The Pindjarep tribe had a reputation with other local Aboriginal tribes for their aggression and attacks on other Aborigines and the settlers. It is possible that their motives for attacking the local settlers were part of an attempt to assert their power amongst other local tribes and to take advantage of the political upheaval caused by the arrival of the British settlers. In recent years Aboriginal accounts have varied from this, however they have been tainted by political motives and these claims can not be substantiated by primary sources^{[citation needed]}. There are claims that the Pindjarep were attacked without provocation and they fled into the bush after sensing trouble. In this version of history, it is claimed that they were encircled at a river crossing and the settlers fired at them as they tried to break free. Estimates of the number of deaths vary widely: settler accounts say between 10 and 80 people were killed; Aboriginal oral history accounts suggest 150, although this is a figure which may include deaths over a longer time frame and include earlier and subsequent skirmishes. Captain Theophilus Ellis also later died of spear wounds and became the first Western Australian policeman to die in carrying out their duty. Surviving Aboriginal leaders were arrested, although they were released shortly afterwards in an attempt for reconciliation and peace. However, due to continuing misunderstandings, the local Aboriginal tribes continued to attack the settlers and this later led to incarceration of guerilla leaders on Rottnest and Carnac Islands. Stirling, a Royal Navy officer who had seen extensive action, declared the battle to be a fine victory in which his outnumbered forces reacted quickly and effectively to quell the attack and maintain security in the region.they where mounted on horse back. Admiral Sir James Stirling Admiral Sir James Stirling (January 28, 1791–April 23, 1865) was a British marine officer and colonial administrator. ... John Septimus Roe (May 8, 1797–28 May 1878) was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. ... Thomas Peel (1795-1864) was one of the very early settlers of Western Australia. ... October 28 is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 64 days remaining. ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ...