Peter Egerton-Warburton

Colonel Peter Egerton-Warburton (16 August 1813 – 5 November 1889), often referred to as Major Warburton,

He was then seconded to the Indian Army and served in India from 1831 until 1853, before retiring as Deputy Adjutant-General with the rank of Major. He was in 1856 the instrument of Governor MacDonnell's sacking of Superintendent of Police Tolmer, by all events a zealous and efficient officer, and the hero of the Gold Escort, while promoting less diligent but more sociable officers. A well-attended public meeting at Green's Exchange called for his reinstatement.

Following an internal police force inquiry in 1867, to which evidence was given against Egerton-Warburton but not disclosed, it was suggested that "... other employment in the Government Service, more congenial to his habits and tastes, should be found for him". Warburton's case divided the community. The allegations against him were never substantiated and he staunchly refused to resign. He was dismissed from his post early in 1867. A subsequent Legislative Council inquiry then recommended his reinstatement; however, on 24 March 1869, he accepted appointment as Chief Staff Officer and Colonel of the Volunteer Military Force of South Australia. In 1860 he explored Streaky Bay with three mounted police, reporting that the area was unfavourable for farm use.

After 106 days of meandering through arid country, they pitched camp at a waterhole on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert and remained there for another 56 days. They endured long periods of extreme heat with little water and had to kill some of their camels for meat. Warburton's method of finding water was to capture an Aboriginal person and force them to lead the group to a waterhole. The captured aborigines were tied to trees to prevent them from escaping. Other honours include: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (1875) Major Warburton's Explorations in 1866 Letter from Warburton re Exploration around Lake Torrens (1858).