1ST BATT. WILTS VOLUNTEERS.

THE HISTORY

OF THE

1ST BATT. WILTS VOLUNTEERS,

FROM

1861 TO 1885.

BY

ROBERT DWARRIS GIBNEY,

MAJOR, INDIAN ARMY (Retired),

Late Adjutant 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers.

LONDON:

W.H. ALLEN & CO., 13 WATERLOO PLACE,

PALL MALL, S.W.

1888.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

WITH THE CONSENT OF HIS LORDSHIP,

AND

WITH THE HEARTY CONCURRENCE OF THE MAJORITY OF OFFICERS AND MEN, PAST AND PRESENT, COMPOSING THE 1ST WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,

I HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN

Dedicating this Work

TO

THE EARL PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY,

COMMANDING THE BATTALION.

ROBERT DWARRIS GIBNEY,

MAJOR, INDIAN ARMY (Retired),

Late Adjutant 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers.

PREFACE.

It may be asked, What can be the history of a battalion of infantry not thirty years old, which has never seen a shot fired in earnest or done garrison duty? None, would be the reply, were the said battalion raised, officered, instructed, and regulated for, as are all its predecessors; but when this battalion is one of many created suddenly, without any well-arranged system for its continuance, and left at a time of great emergency to make its own arrangements, and sink or swim as it might, it must have a history, and the history of it is the history of every corps or company of which it is composed.

Rifle corps were raised anywhere, everywhere, anyhow, and nohow. War was imminent; the country was unprepared, terribly vulnerable, and the army and navy far too weak to afford protection. Influential gentlemen proposed rifle clubs, others were for arming keepers, and not a few anxiously inquired into the system pursued by the Victoria and Devonshire Rifles. To arm the people was a leap in the dark, and yet it had to be faced; and by May, 1859, the Government saw the "propriety of permitting the formation of rifle volunteer corps," and issued a circular accordingly. Beyond this sanction no assistance was offered, and according to the patronage of people of influence, or the length of their subscription list, so did these rifle volunteer corps get into existence and continue to live. Arms, accoutrements, ammunition, uniform, drill sheds, practice grounds, armouries, magazines, &c., &c., everything had to be found by the corps, and to country corps, those afterwards forming part of an administrative battalion, the expense was ruinous; far more expensive than to companies raised in large town or cities. There they could hire sheds, &c., and men attending drills could do so without losing a day's work and perhaps having to hire a trap. At the end of some months arms were furnished by the Government, and as no harm had yet been done by this show of confidence, at the end of the year the little independent corps were further favoured by being made part of volunteer battalions, an attendance at the headquarters of these battalions for so many drills in the year being directed, and a travelling allowance, most mean and unjustly arranged, being offered to cover expenses. The battalion had for its officers a lieut.-colonel, a major, an adjutant, a surgeon, and perhaps half-a-dozen retired sergeants as drill instructors, the adjutant and drill instructors alone receiving pay.

It was a time of great difficulty and doubt, but of course chiefly so at the commencement of the movement. Indeed, had it not been for the patience and perseverance of men and officers of the force, and the grand generosity and confidence in them shown by noblemen, gentlemen, tradesmen, and especially by ladies, the whole would have fallen through. The Government Order, as given below, will show the amount of assistance received therefrom.

"War Office, Pall Mall,
"May, 1859.

"Her Majesty's Government having had under consideration the propriety of permitting the formation of volunteer rifle corps, under the provisions of the Act of 44 Geo. III. Cap. 54, as well as of artillery corps and companies in maritime towns in which there may be forts and batteries, I have the honour to inform —— that I shall be prepared to receive through you, and consider any proposal with that object which may emanate from the county under your charge.

"The principal and most important provisions of the Act are—

"That the corps be formed under officers bearing the commission of the lieutenant of the county.

"That its members must take the oath of allegiance before a deputy lieutenant, or justice of the peace, or a commissioned officer of the corps.

"That it be liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion arising out of either of those emergencies.

"That while thus under arms, its members are subject to military law, and entitled to be billeted, and to receive pay in like manner as the regular army.

"That all commissioned officers disabled in actual service are entitled to half-pay, and non-commissioned officers and privates to the benefits of Chelsea Hospital, and widows of commissioned officers killed in service to such pensions for life as are given to widows of officers of Her Majesty's Regular Forces.

"That members cannot quit the corps when on actual service, but may do so at any other time by giving fourteen days' notice.

"That members who have attended eight days in each four months, or a total of twenty-four days' drill and exercise in the year, are entitled to be returned as effectives.

"That members so returned are exempt from Militia ballot, or from being called upon to serve in any other levy.

"That all property of the corps is legally invested in the commanding officer, and subscriptions and fines under the rules and regulations are recoverable by him before a magistrate.

"The conditions on which Her Majesty's Government will recommend to Her Majesty the acceptance of any proposal are:—

"That the formation of the corps be recommended by the lord lieutenant of the county.

"That the corps be subject to the provisions of the Act already quoted.

"That its members undertake to provide their own arms and equipments, and to defray all expenses attending the corps, except in the event of its being assembled for actual service.

"That the rules and regulations which may be thought necessary, be submitted to me in accordance with the 56th section of the Act.

"The uniform and equipments of the corps may be settled by the members, subject to your approval; but the arms, though provided at the expense of the members, must be furnished under the superintendence, and according to the regulations of this department, in order to secure a perfect uniformity of gauge.

"The establishment of officers and non-commissioned officers will be fixed by me, and recorded in the books of this office; and in order that I may be enabled to determine the proportion, you will be pleased to specify the precise number of private men which you will recommend, and into how many companies you propose to divide them.

"I have only to add that I shall look to you, as Her Majesty's Lieutenant, for the nomination of proper persons to be appointed officers, subject to the Queen's approval.

"I have the honour to be, &c.,
   Your most obedient Servant,
      J. Peel.

"To Her Majesty's Lieutenant
for the County of ——."

Much less could not have been offered, or regulations made by which an useful force to be relied on in the event of invasion might turn out to be worthless. Members were to find their own arms, only the gauge to be equal, smooth bores or rifles; equipments, uniform, and quantity of drill to be at discretion of members, and all rules and regulations to be left to the decision of each lord lieutenant of a county, thereby certainly ensuring a variety of systems. Out of such confusion it is wonderful that the present disciplined and reliable force has come; and it speaks well for a nation, with such encouragement as is showed by this letter to the lord lieutenants of counties, that the volunteers held their own so long, and did not throw up in disgust.

The battalion of volunteers to which I was attached as adjutant on its first formation in 1861, and whose history I have been invited to write by the officer now in command, Lieut.-Colonel the Earl Pembroke and Montgomery, and the officers serving and served, laboured under many disadvantages. The corps composing it were much scattered, and communication with outposts or headquarters difficult. A wild county, with villages and towns few and far between, making attendances at squad drills, and much more battalion assemblies, not only very laborious to the majority of corps, but a great source of expense to officers and men.

Probably some eight or ten thousand of all ranks have passed through the hands of the author during the twenty years he served as adjutant, and chief drill and musketry instructor; and he here willingly bears testimony to the ever-ready obedience given by all to his directions, and the exhibition of a general desire to lessen troubles and difficulties. These were a little heavy in the beginning, and it was some time before all could be got to see that the wish of individuals must yield to the general welfare, and that such things as breaking up of companies or corps must be done if instruction in battalion drill was to be effectually imparted.

Robert Dwarris Gibney,
Major (Retired) Indian Army,
Late 1st Wilts Volunteer Battalion.

[Pg 1]

HISTORY

OF THE

1ST BATTALION WILTS VOLUNTEERS.

THE BATTALION.

According to the information received from officers connected with the corps or companies of which the battalion is or was composed, and also according to records kept of matters bearing on the earlier formation of these separate corps, is the account given. These corps may be said to have possessed an independent history for somewhat over one year; after that the battalion was called into existence, and with that individuality was lost. They were still termed corps as composing a part of an administrative battalion, and were numbered in the battalion as in the Army List, according to the date of their services being accepted by the War Office; but they could no longer attend reviews, or even mere local gatherings for mutual instruction in drill, unless with the authority of the officer commanding the whole, and were to submit to be instructed by the adjutant. Of course on the first amalgamation of corps into a battalion, and in the lessening of authority over them, hitherto entirely in the hands of captains, many difficulties presented themselves; and it required tact and temper in all concerned to carry out necessary discipline. A battalion drill, for instance, was often the cause of no little heartburning. One corps, after much expense and trouble, would bring to the place of muster probably two-thirds of its strength; but this very strength required its being partially broken up for the purpose of equalizing companies, and perhaps many of the[Pg 2] best drilled men being amalgamated with very ignorant volunteers detached from another corps. This did not help to render the captain of the corps, or the men transferred, in a state of satisfaction with the day's work. Some corps too were more clannish than others, clinging very vigorously together; and being of superior clay disliked such moulding. The men required were, of course, given over to the adjutant and sergeant-major, but they were a selected lot, chosen for their incompetence and quality, and came as ordered, but in the sulks.

Before the corps were formed into a battalion and designated the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, all of them, more or less frequently, had attended at various large reviews of the Volunteer Force. The Royal Review held in Hyde Park in 1860 was alone attended by the 2nd or Trowbridge Corps of this battalion, and for smartness of the men in marching, and altogether for its really soldier-like appearance, received the commendations of both military and civilians. On passing Her Majesty a prolonged shout of "Well done, Wiltshire; well done, Trowbridge!" from the crowd, proved that this determination to be present and show their loyalty was not lost on the multitude. Indeed they were worthy, for it had necessitated their leaving Trowbridge soon after midnight by horse breaks, so as to arrive in time to catch the train leaving Chippenham station at daybreak with passengers for London. Arriving in London they were at once marched to their position in the Park, and after passing, returned to Paddington to be off again by the rail, but this time homewards, not arriving there until about midnight. Again, at a review held in Clarendon Park, near Salisbury, with Major-General Lord William Paulet, C.B., in command, the various corps put in good musters; but the making up of the battalions consisted of rather a scratch lot collected from the various corps present; these being North and South Wilts, Hants, Dorset, Somerset, Oxford, Cambridge, and Middlesex. The whole were formed into two battalions and worked as a single brigade; but as these battalions were commanded by such men as Hume and Mansel, and the staff were not selected for their shouting or galloping powers, but knew their duties, the whole[Pg 3] was a complete success; and doubtless much more of the duties of a regiment, either acting alone or as portion of a brigade, was learnt by the volunteers on this occasion than is usually done. The 1st Wilts, Salisbury, attended as two companies of thirty file each. The 2nd Corps, Trowbridge, the 6th Maiden Bradley, the 8th Mere, the 9th Bradford-on-Avon, the 10th Warminster, and 14th Wilton were the corps attending from South Wilts, and this they all did in full numbers. Small reviews of this sort, where not only those commanding the whole were regulars, but where regulars took command for the time being of both brigades and battalions, were far more useful, more especially at this early stage of the Volunteer Force, in teaching officers and men what was expected from them, than when the command devolved on the officers of the force—new men, mere learners, if civilians, and if from the line, as a rule but retired captains, or even subalterns, whose knowledge of manœuvring extended not beyond company drill, and yet these were made brigadiers and lieutenant-colonels to command regiments.

There was yet another review of volunteers at which every corps of this battalion was represented, and which came off before the whole were formed into a battalion. The review took place on Durdham Down, near Bristol, and at the time was considered as one of some mark in the volunteer movement. The reviewing officer was Major-General Hutchinson, and in his somewhat laconic address to the troops at the conclusion of the manœuvres, he expressed himself willing to make a favourable report, as the day had been successful. He also observed that he gave them all credit for having taken much pains to become efficient, more especially as he was aware that many had had little battalion drill, and some none at all.

The day was showery, the ground cramped, and spectators here, there and everywhere, and little, if anything, was learned or gained by the volunteers in attendance. But it could not have been otherwise with so few on the staff who knew anything about manœuvring, and some thousands of volunteers commanded by learners only. Here, as elsewhere, beyond the volunteer inspectors, two[Pg 4] in number, the staff was composed of young gentlemen from the yeomanry, militia, or line, whose chief recommendation for the appointments of A.D.C., galloper, &c., consisted in their being able to ride fairly well and roar out orders in a loud tone of voice. The object of such orders was no affair of theirs, nor were they supposed to know the correct wording. It was a way we had in the army in those days, and did no great harm as long as playing at soldiers at Brighton, Salisbury, York, &c., was supposed to be lessons in real warfare; but the volunteers were in earnest, and putting away childish things gradually became nearer what soldiers could be; and by pressure on the authorities, and using common sense, helped very much to raise not only themselves to a higher standard of efficiency, but to make the regular army what it is now—a thoroughly useful force, second to none in Europe or elsewhere for scientific and well-taught officers, steady and smart non-commissioned officers, and men who do and know their work.

It is plain to a military man that a body of men so constituted, subsisting almost altogether on the liberality or length of purse of its officers and supporters, somewhat independent of authority, and held to duty by the provisions of the War Office letter to the Lord Lieutenants of Counties dated May, 1859, or by rules founded on the same, could have little stability; and that however much inspector-generals or assistant-inspectors might exert themselves, and endeavour to bring the force into forming an useful adjunct to the regular army, it would result in failure. It was impossible to have a single system pervading the whole, or indeed to make corps equally or even nearly equally fit to take their places in battalion or brigade drill. Enthusiasm was on the wane, and it was plain enough to any but those holding out for some Utopian idea of the advantages to be derived in having only well-to-do men for volunteers, that a diminishing subscription list and inability of officers to continue the constant drag on their purses was not only a serious factor in attendances at squad and company drills, but was undermining discipline, and eventually would bring the majority of corps into little else than shooting clubs; an organization not at all desirable or in any way meeting[Pg 5] the demand for which the volunteers were raised. The few officers on the volunteer staff worked with a will, never sparing themselves in any way; and to these, from the inspector-general to each assistant-inspector, the volunteer force is much indebted. They did not expect or demand impossibilities, or even an approach to the mobility and discipline of the regular army. They knew the officers and men; and, making allowances for the difficulties under which they laboured, offered them support and advice, combined with instruction; but the system was beyond their capabilities, and failure must have resulted had not the authorities suddenly awoke to facts, and besides organizing corps into battalions, with the proper complement of field officers to command and an adjutant to carry out a fixed system of drill and interior economy, agreed to meet some of the expenses incidental to clothing, attendances at drill, &c., by issuing a capitation grant, payable by results.

In Colonels Hume and Bruce the volunteers of Wiltshire had officers not only of known merit, but such as spared no pains in trying to make those under them learn their duties. Inspecting was no easy-going affair in these early times. It was no pompous parade in a park or in a comfortable camp, with a good luncheon and the best of the county for guests and spectators. It was far more of a reality than at present, and both officers and men felt that in the inspector they had almost a personal friend. To the inspecting officer visiting corps was often a matter of difficulty, and necessitated exposure in all weathers and at all hours. Meeting the adjutant at some railway station, the two started off across country roads or over wild downs and moors in a dog cart, or not improbably, a hired shandederan fast falling into firewood, with horses none of the steadiest, to the rendezvous, which might be a village, a hillside, or country inn, and there, in all the glories of a cocked hat and feathers, he is both instructor and inspector; probably not returning to his own residence until very late at night, and this frequently. To work under such officers as these made difficulties light, and not a little aided adjutants to persevere in what at times would appear to be an almost hopeless task. To Colonel Gustavus Hume—now Major-[Pg 6]General Sir Gustavus Hume, K.C.B.—and to Colonel Robert Bruce—now Lieut.-General R. Bruce, lately commanding the Northern Division—I hereby offer sincere thanks for support and timely advice; and in using these terms "support and advice" as being most kindly offered and willingly accepted, I believe I only echo the sentiments of most of the adjutants, on whom fell nearly all the brunt and difficulties in working volunteer battalions on their first formation.

The junction of a certain number of corps together and calling the whole a battalion, and giving some miserably inadequate sum towards meeting expenses, but with no alteration in regard to rules for the better observance of discipline, did not do much towards improving matters. The officers commanding these battalions were almost powerless, and their adjutants not only disgracefully underpaid, but left without any defined position or authority. In fact the amalgamation of corps into battalions did little, if anything, towards encouraging or improving squad or company drills, and added very much to the already very heavy expenses of officers and men in becoming efficient. The travelling expenses were doubled. The railway fares being the full conveyancing charges for soldiers, and as the usual daily train service on lines could be the only one obtainable for men coming to battalion drills, it often resulted in a day's work being lost. Besides this, to corps scattered all over a wild extent of country where no railroads existed, and waggons or carts had to be hired, attendance at the head quarters of the battalion for united drill was easier ordered than performed, and so gradually attendance at the same fell off, or was made up, or said to be made up, by an extra quantity of squad drills at home.

It must have been through complete ignorance of these facts, and of the true condition of volunteer corps, that the War Office, in granting a travelling allowance of four shillings per head, should have exempted all corps at the head quarters, or within five miles of the same, from any participation in the boon. The War Office could not possibly be expected to know anything about the fitness or accessibility of these head quarters as places for general assembly, of the strength of the companies there, or[Pg 7] within the five-mile radius, and of the costs incidental to corps few in numbers, much scattered, and far distant who would have to put in an appearance thereat. Applied to South Wilts it meant that the travelling allowance drawn for about three hundred and sixty men should cover the expenses of the whole battalion, then probably nearly seven hundred strong. It also meant that all corps within the five miles should give a whole day, walk the distance out and home, and do all that was required at the parade; besides all this, it supposed that the men composing these corps, whose head quarters were within five miles of the battalion head quarters, were all close at hand, instead of being nearly if not quite as much scattered as corps further away. Altogether, it was unworkable. The corps on the spot came in full strength, and others according to distances, and funds in hand; so that keeping men of the same companies together, and thus avoiding heartburnings and a motley appearance, was impossible, and did much to make battalion drills disliked and useless for instruction.

The punctual attendance of corps was not to be thought of, so the volunteers came and went as trains fitted in; hanging about the headquarter town until the assembly sounded, or marched on to the ground some time after the parade had begun: their train being late or time inconvenient; thus necessitating retelling off and confusion. Then, just as the object of a manœuvre was being understood, and some steadiness showing itself in the ranks, the commanding officer was reminded that "It is train time," and men of the corps about to leave were recalled from the various companies into which they had been numbered off for drill purposes, and the whole parade collapsed.

[Pg 8]It was in the year 1861 that the 1st Administrative Battalion of Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers was formed, at that time consisting of eight corps, and were thus designated in the Army List:—

Salisbury being the head quarters, and at the furthest removed point from any of the corps excepting Wilton: Lieutenant-General P. Buckley, M.P. for Salisbury, an officer of the Guards, and a subaltern at Waterloo, being appointed lieutenant-colonel; Captain J.H. Jacob, of the 1st Corps, major; and Captain R.D. Gibney, of the Indian army, as adjutant; Charles Bleeck, Esq., F.R.C.S., as surgeon; and William Fawcett Esq., quartermaster; the Marquis of Bath being honorary colonel.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Beverley Robinson, Captain Cmt.
E.D. Fisher, Lieut.
Geo. Smith, Lieut.
Wyndham Pain, Lieut.
James Brown, Ensign.
C. Brown, Ensign.
John M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. Robert G. Swayne, Chap.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

Thomas Clark, Captain.
W.P. Clark, Senior Lieut.
Graham Foley, Ensign.
E.P. Stancomb, Ensign.
W.J. Mann, Ensign.
G.C. Tayler, M.B., Assist. Surg.
Revd. J.D. Hastings, Hon. Chap.

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

Lord E. Percy St. Maur, Captain.
Henry B. Festing, Lieut.
Thomas K. Harding, Ensign.
W.N. Marshall, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R. Rowley, Chaplain.

8th Corps, Mere.

W. Chargin Grove, Captain.
E.A. Card, Lieut.
John White, Ensign.
, Assist. Surgeon.
, Hon. Chaplain.

9th Corps, Bradford.

W. Pickwick, Captain.
G. Forster, Lieut.
A. Beavan, Ensign.
William Adye, Hon. Surgeon.
Revd. W.H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

10th Corps, Warminster.

The Marquis of Bath, Captain-Commandant.
William Davis, Captain.
John Ravenhill, Lieut.
John Scott, Lieut.
Herbert Ingram, Ensign.
Philip Grubb, Ensign.
L. Flower, Assist. Surg.
Revd. Sir J. Erasmus Philipps, Hon. Chaplain.

[Pg 9]

13th Corps, Westbury.

H.G.G. Ludlow, Captain.
J.W. Gibbs, Lieut.
H.W. Pinniger, Ensign.

14th Corps, Wilton.

Charles Penruddocke, Captain.
Geo. Lapworth, Lieut.
Alex. Powell, Lieut.
I. Woodcock, Ensign.
A. Graham, Ensign.
Revd. R. Chermside, Hon. Chap.

Soon after being made into a battalion, all the corps were present at the reviews held at Bristol and Salisbury, and did not add much to their fame in the performance. The volley firing carried on by some battalions at the conclusion of the review at Bristol was joined in by the 1st and 2nd Administrative Battalion, Wilts, and drew upon them the terrible reproof of the staff. However, as hard words break no bones, no great evil or good resulted, and the mistake was not worth the fuss made about it. Each battalion declared that they were not the one commencing the fire, but simply took it up as supposing it to be part of the orders in three cheers for the Queen, and as loyal subjects blazed away, to the horror of the cocked hats, and their own everlasting shame. The next day the local papers were filled with letters from warriors of all countries, anxious to explain that they had nothing to do with it, refused the temptation to join in the "bad example set by their neighbours," and were assured that it began with a volunteer on the extreme right wearing a green uniform and plumed chaco. It was not long after being made into a battalion on the 24th of August, 1862, that Major Jacob of Salisbury was removed by death. A slight accident in stepping ashore from his boat produced a serious illness ending fatally; to the great grief of many friends, and to the whole of the volunteers, among whom he had become very popular, as knowing his work well, and doing it. The vacancy in the battalion was filled up by the promotion of Captain T. Clark of the 2nd Trowbridge Corps, who at once attached himself to the 55th Foot, so as to acquire a thorough knowledge of his new duties. There were various occasions in which the whole corps assembled beyond these reviews; such as inspections by district inspectors, or where anything of moment was[Pg 10] likely to draw a multitude to any place of note. Trains ran more conveniently on such occasions, and it was an opportunity to get off one of the required battalion drills. For example, there is an assembly of the battalion at the Earl of Pembroke's beautiful park at Wilton. It is a great occasion, and Lord Palmerston with no end of the quality are to be present; so the muster is good, and all are anxious that not only the Prime Minister, but all the multitude shall see, that neither time nor money has been spared in making the flamingo-coloured regiment assembling before their eyes, thoroughly efficient, and able defenders of their country.

There is the usual difficulty and delay in equalizing companies; as local corps have come in full strength, but the ones further away in lesser proportion. However, at last, the adjutant and sergeant-major between them have squared the circle, and all being ready, the same is reported to the lieutenant-colonel in command by the adjutant.

Lord Palmerston, with the Lady Herbert of Lea on his arm, followed by the future heir to Wilton House and the Earldom of Pembroke, move away to the saluting point, and the lieutenant-colonel directs the regiment to "march past in slow time."

A shuffle, a halt, and as the dressing of companies is deranged, the adjutant moves out to explain that "slow time" is not required to be performed by the volunteers, and that they only know "quick and double," passing always at the "quick."

The dressing corrected, another essay at starting is made, and the battalion is directed to pass in "the usual way."

This not being part of the drill instruction, was not well understood, and in a very unusual manner the battalion commenced the march past, the profanum vulgus offering advice and following with shouts. A few trees, and paths intervening, and concealing the wheeling points, did not add to the steadiness, but on the wheel of the leading two companies into the saluting base being completed, the climax was reached—the band ceased to play, and whilst the rear companies endeavoured to get themselves together, the cause of its sudden silence was briefly explained: "We've played our two companies[Pg 11] past." The band was the private property of the Salisbury corps. ("N.B.—A battalion band an absolute necessity, and the musicians attached to corps to appear at battalion drills as riflemen only.") A slight sprinkling of rain coming on hastened the fulfilment of the programme of manœuvres, and whilst my Lord Palmerston, Lady Herbert of Lea, and the spectators generally ran for shelter to the house or shrubberies, the volunteers, careless of consequences, deployed into line among the oak trees.

"Is no one going to dress the points?" asked the junior major, as the adjutant waited patiently at the distant point for orders, the rain meanwhile descending in torrents.

There was no one to dress. The companies on the right had been dismissed (where to was not known), and as no order was received, each company in turn took upon itself to seek shelter, and thus commenced and ended a battalion drill of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers at Wilton Park. Still it counted towards the required number. This was not learning battalion drill. There was no one in authority on the spot who could teach; moreover everything was against officers and non-commissioned officers willing and fairly able to instruct. The drill itself, subject to constant changes by circulars from the War Office, was patched, altered and amended until red books, were useless, and adjutants and sergeant instructors knew not what to teach; uniforms so varied in colours and cut, as to make a battalion, when equalized, appear ridiculous, and the whole drill hurried over and generally smashed up by corps having to leave in order to catch trains. The uniform was a matter that should have been arranged by the Lord Lieutenant, as was done after some delay, and no little correspondence between lieutenant-colonels, adjutants, captains of corps, and small authorities in which it was shown that each preferred his own colour to another's, considering such as exactly adapted for the battalion's adoption. The Marquis of Ailesbury, as Lord-Lieutenant, settled the matter by desiring the officers commanding both battalions of Wiltshire Volunteers (the 1st Administrative Battalion represented by the adjutant, and the 2nd Administrative Battalion by Lieut.-Colonel M.F. Ward) to meet him at the clothing depôt in London,[Pg 12] and there after consultation with the officer in charge, dark green with black lace, similar to that worn by the Rifle Brigade, was decided upon. It was a wise decision, necessitating a general change, and an expense which would be shared in by all; and though extinguishing the supposed utility of the very lengthy and somewhat Noah's Ark cut of tunic, much approved of by the Salisburian, or the glittering loveliness of the grey and silver of the Wiltonian, or the light blue and white lace, with the wondrous solar topee, a rough ill-shaped pith or coarse felt helmet, of the Bradleyan, yet helped very much in one way or another to overcome the clannishness of corps, and to make the battalion look better on parade, but also to cause them to drill and work together better.

Improvements were very gradual. At their respective head quarters, and drill grounds, corps certainly improved in squad and company drills, and in single ranks with ropes learnt something of the theory of combination movements; but the whole was unsatisfactory. There was a want of unanimity, discipline, and cohesion, and it was not until some time after Lieut.-Colonel Everett, late captain in the 25th King's Own Borderers, had assumed the command, that any change for the better was generally visible. Captain J.F. Everett, having resigned his commission in the Borderers and settled down on his property at Greenhill near Warminster, had been selected by the Lord Lieutenant of the county to succeed General E.P. Buckley in the command; and to his untiring energy, perseverance, and foresight, the battalion is very much indebted. It was a great trust to impose on so young and untried an officer, this command of a battalion, composed of a class of men totally different from those he had been accustomed to, and worked on a system certainly not to be found in the Queen's Regulations; but which nevertheless was authorized, was rather looked upon as a "valued right" by some officers and men, and was composed of corps, each having its own head quarters, its own officers and non-commissioned officers, and difficulties to contend with. Doubtless the lieutenant-colonel brought with him numerous line ideas, which he afterwards found to be unworkable; and an inspection of corps at their own[Pg 13] head quarters, with one or two general assemblies for battalion drill, revealed unsuspected facts. However, be all this as it may, the lieutenant-colonel set to work with a will, and by looking up single companies, interesting himself in prize shooting, commanding the battalion at autumn manœuvres, and establishing a regimental camp, gradually raised the whole tone of the battalion, causing both officers and men to see the necessity for greater punctuality, strict discipline, and the advantages to the service of cohesion and collective energy. To the diary kept by Lieut.-Colonel Everett of occurrences from the date of his joining to his resignation in 1885, I am indebted for much that is told about camps and incidental expenses, the remarks of inspecting officers, and other matters.

On the 20th April, 1866, John Frederic Everett, late a captain in the 25th King's Own Borderers, was gazetted as lieutenant-colonel, and on the 11th July following, the battalion was inspected by Colonel R. Bruce, lately commanding the 2nd Royals, and assistant inspector of the district at Salisbury. The drill was fairly well done, and met with the approval of the inspecting officer.

On the 25th July the battalion took part in a review held on the racecourse, Lansdown, Bath, but were under the command of the senior major, Major T. Clark, Lieut.-Colonel Everett commanding a brigade on the occasion.

The review was about as useful and successful as such gatherings usually were, or could be under the circumstances of their management. A few yeomanry collected together from the troops of adjacent counties, some local artillery, horsed from cabs and drays, and three or four brigades of infantry, under the command of volunteer officers. Bands very plentiful and manœuvring space limited. Each battalion on its arrival at Bath was marched away to the racecourse, and all felt that the beer and sandwich given by the citizens of Bath to each volunteer, was well earned as he reached the summit of the terrible Lansdown hill. It was a trial for many, unaccustomed to be dressed up in tight-fitting tunics, wabbling chacos with gaudy plumes, cross belts, and haversacks, to say nothing of a heavy rifle and some rounds of blank ammunition, toiling up that hot and[Pg 14] dusty road in the hottest part of a day in hot July; but few fell out, and panting upwards, they could afford to smile at the greetings offered in honour of their coming, "Welcome!" "Our brave defenders!" &c. &c., were civil and perhaps flattering; but when half way up was reached, and strangers asked how much further it might be, the answer "Excelsior," inscribed on a banner crossing the highway, said the end was not yet.

The corps attending from the 1st Administrative Battalion were as follows:—

2nd Brigade.

Lieut.-Colonel J.F. Everett, Commanding; Captain Max, Major
of Brigade.

1st A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

Major Clark (in command), Major Penruddocke, Captain and
Adjutant Gibney.

1st Corps, Salisbury.—Captains Pinckney and Smith; Lieuts. J. Brown and Payne; Ensigns Wilson and Kelsey; Sergeants, 7; Rank and File, 51; Band, 26. Total, 90.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.—Captain W.P. Clark; Lieut. Stancomb; Assist.-Surgeon Seale; Sergeants, 5; Rank and File, 76; Band, 16. Total, 100.

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.—Lieut. Festing; Ensign Harding; Sergeants, 4; Rank and File, 40. Total, 46.

9th Corps, Bradford-on-Avon.—Lieut. Beavan; Ensign Adye; Sergeants, 5; Rank and File, 46. Total, 53.

10th Corps, Warminster.—Lieuts. Scott and Ingram; Ensigns Grubb and Smith; Rank and File, 50. Total, 54.

13th Corps, Westbury.—Lieut. Gibbs; Ensign Pinniger; Sergeants, 4; Rank and File, 40. Total, 46.

14th Corps, Wilton.—Lieut. King; Ensign Powell, Sergeants, 3; Rank and File, 32. Total, 37.

Total of all ranks, 430.

The idea was that the enemy were advancing from Bristol on Bath, and in the defence of Kelson Round Hill, the Bath battalion, supported by some artillery, covered themselves with glory; and doubtless would have been annihilated had not the whole of the force, accompanied by several thousand spectators, moved forward to their assistance. It was late in the evening before the review ended, and still later ere many a corps reached its head quarters.

The annual prize-meeting of the Wilts Rifle Associa[Pg 15]tion was held this year at Warminster, and proved to be a great success. The excellent range and the more central situation of the town enabled competitors from both battalions to enter the lists in goodly numbers. The custom hitherto had been that the meetings should be held alternately at Salisbury and Devizes, but it was considered advisable to alter this arrangement, and owing to the judgment and decision of the local committee, consisting of Lieutenants Scott, Ingram, Smith, Quartermaster Toone, &c., all went off admirably.

The 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Volunteer Rifles possessed very many good shooting men, but in this respect were certainly inferior to their companions in No. 2 Administrative Battalion. One thing, the 2nd Administrative Battalion were several corps and many men stronger, and on the whole possessed greater facilities for target practice. The President's prize, a prize of thirty-five guineas given by the Marquis of Bath in certain portions at various distances to the best shots, was taken chiefly by competitors belonging to the second battalion; but Mr. Poynder's grand prize of a piece of plate value fifty guineas, open to all Wiltshire volunteers and yeomanry, was won by Colour-sergeant Jefferys of the 6th Maiden Bradley Corps, after making a tie with Private Martin of the 10th Warminster Corps, the scores being:—

The score at the longest distance deciding the prize.

Mr. R. Long, of Rood Ashton, M.P., offered a prize to be given to the best shot of either battalion: each corps sending one competitor, when Sergeant Baker, 7th Wilts, 2nd Administrative Battalion, was declared the winner. Lieut.-Colonel Everett and Major T. Clark gave prizes, but these went to the 2nd Administrative Battalion, as did similar prizes given by Lieut.-Colonel M.F. Ward and Major Perry Keene; but the prizes offered by Lieut.-General Buckley and Major Penruddocke fell to Sergeant Graham, 2nd Corps, Trowbridge. The challenge cup, value £50, with a piece of plate valued at £25, given by[Pg 16] the inhabitants of Warminster, was unfortunately lost (after tie shooting) to the 1st Battalion, being given to Corporal Nott, 5th Corps, 2nd Battalion, whose score of 41 was equalled by Lieutenant Wakeman of the 10th Corps and Corporal Purton of the 1st Corps, whilst Sergeant Butler of the 1st, and Sergeant Harris of the same corps, came next in order, and this out of eighty-one competitors.

The prizes were given away by the Marchioness of Bath, and the opportunity was taken advantage of to hold a battalion drill, but it was rather a failure—very few attended. The officers afterwards messed together at the "Bath Arms," and a plan was hastily sketched out for a camp to be held for the whole battalion in the coming year, it becoming only too evident that these spasmodic battalion drills were useless, and that each corps would be better for a continuous and systematic course of drilling and discipline, either at Aldershot or in a regimental camp. The usual annual prize-meeting between the officers of both battalions, to compete for a challenge cup of large value, and a very beautiful silver claret jug, to be retained by the winner, came off at Chippenham, and was won by an officer of the 1st Battalion. These valuable and most desirable prizes were given each year by Mr. Poynder, whose liberality in supporting the Rifle Corps and rifle movement generally was unbounded. Perhaps the terms on which this officers' prize was to be shot for did not encourage good shooting, or prove that the winner of a silver claret jug was in reality a terrible man at the targets. Each year saw the challenge cup held by a new officer, who was somewhat heavily handicapped for the next year's competition: so much so, indeed, as to render his chance, or the chances of his predecessors, in the prize holding from repeating themselves almost impossible. Under these circumstances, it appeared but a calculation of time as to how long it might be before each competing officer in the two battalions possessed an embossed silver claret jug.

These massive or fragile pieces of plate being offered as prizes for excellence in shooting, to the volunteers, were a mistake. To many of the men money prizes would have been much more acceptable, as these cups, mugs,[Pg 17] salvers, &c., were of small advantage to any but the silversmiths, who, seizing the occasion for emptying their shops of all the ill-shaped rubbish accumulated by time, charged the donors a price far beyond the real value of the article. Experience has made all wiser, and old pint pots, and drinking cups, almost transparent in their absence of metal, have been relegated to the melting-pot. The year 1867 was a marked epoch in the history of this battalion. It was a year of preparation for more systematic arrangements generally, and for drawing tighter the cords of discipline and unity. It was very desirable that the two battalions should form regimental camps, and by these means ensure a knowledge of combined movements being more general throughout the battalions; but proposals fell to the ground, and the oft-repeated hasty assembling, and more hasty departure of portions of corps for train-catching, were continued for yet another year.

Lieut.-Colonel Everett and Lieut.-Colonel Ward, with their respective adjutants, met together at Warminster for the purpose of organizing a camp for both regiments at Devizes, and it was hoped that if this camp were held during the training time of the county militia and yeomanry, good would result; but after much correspondence with the Lord-Lieutenant, the Marquis of Ailesbury, commanding the yeomanry, and various officers, the scheme had to be abandoned. It was evident that an encampment of the battalion in its own district, and under the sole control of the commanding officer, could alone be brought about, and not improbably would meet all that was required. There was a meeting of officers commanding battalions in the three counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorsetshire, and the neighbouring counties, held at Bishopstoke Station, at which meeting it was determined to hold a volunteer review on a large scale at or near Salisbury, on the 29th May. The review took place accordingly at the date specified, on the downs, a very hard three miles' distance from Salisbury. It may have been satisfactory to some of the performers in it; but as to any real knowledge of how troops should be handled in absolute warfare there was none given. The infantry, divided into three brigades,[Pg 18] numbered nearly 5000 men, of which this battalion yielded 500; the artillery, 228 men, with six guns, being two guns per brigade, and 180 sabres; yeomen, serving in the Wilts and Hants Yeomanry and Mounted Rifles; Colonel Erskine, Inspector-General of Volunteers, being in command, assisted by Colonels McMurdo, Bruce, and Colville, assistant inspectors.

After passing in review order, the supposed enemy had to be dislodged; but as this enemy were short of cavalry, and we, being well off in that respect, as the returns showed, it was resolved to lend him ours, so, halting the infantry, these gallant troopers passed through the openings left between brigades, and in the four-deep formation, to disappear in the valley where the enemy lay concealed. We re-formed, unsuspicious of their treachery.

Advancing once again, the battle began; but success was not to be the portion of the attackers. They retreated, and were followed up in this retreat and harassed considerably by the cavalry so kindly lent to them but a short quarter of an hour previously. The firing was great, the confusion greater, but the damage was unappreciable; the proportion of cavalry to the retreating infantry, about one horseman to thirty infantry men, not being overwhelming. Besides, the bravery of these cavalry in riding within a few feet of the muzzles of groups of riflemen must have led to heavy casualties. However, all is well that ends well, and at the termination of the manœuvres the authorities expressed themselves satisfied with the day's performance.

The Hampshire Mounted Rifles under Colonel Bower exhibited some pretty skirmishing at this review. Men and horses were all well trained and thoroughly understood their work. Colonel Bower here showed how useful an adjunct mounted infantry would be in the event of invasion.

The annual inspection of the regiment took place at Warminster Down in the month of August., Colonel Bruce being the inspecting officer.

On the 1st January 1868,—the officers of the regiment appeared thus in the Army List:—

[Pg 19]

The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.
J.F. Everett, Lieut.-Colonel.
T. Clark and C. Penruddocke, Majors.
R.D. Gibney, Adjutant.
Charles Bleeck, Surgeon.
John M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.
J. Fawcett, Quartermaster.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Wm. Pinckney, Captain (Comdt.).
G. Smith, Captain.
W. Pain, Lieut.
W.J. Wilton, Lieut.
E.F. Kelsey, Ensign.
F. Hodding, Ensign.
J.M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R.G. Swayne, Chaplain.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

W.P. Clark, Captain (Comdt.).
E.P. Stancomb, Lieut.
,Lieut.
W.P. Clark, Ensign.
R.S. Seale, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. J.D. Hastings, Hon. Chap.

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

H.B. Festing, Captain.
Thos. K. Harding, Lieut.
E.S. Jefferys, Ensign.
W.N. Marshall, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R. Rowley, Hon. Chaplain.

8th Corps, Mere.

, Captain.
E.A. Card, Lieut.
J. White, Ensign.
Chas. Rumsey, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. C.H. Townsend, Hon. Chaplain.

9th Corps. Bradford-on-Avon.

, Captain.
William Adye, Lieut.
E.M. Davis, Ensign.
W.H. Jones, Hon. Chaplain.

10th Corps, Warminster.

John Scott, Captain.
H. Ingram, Lieut.
P. Grubb, Lieut.
J. Smith, Ensign.
H.J. Wakeman, Ensign.
J. Flower, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., Chaplain.

13th Corps, Westbury.

W. Knapp, Captain.
H.W. Pinniger, Lieut.
W.H. Laverton, Ensign.

14th Corps, Wilton.

Charles Penruddocke, Captain.
Fred King, Lieut.
, Ensign.
P.J. Bennett, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. D. Olivier, Chaplain.

The year commenced with a meeting of the officers at Warminster, followed by a mess dinner, at which it was[Pg 20] settled that a regimental camp should be held at Warminster the first week in August, and that the commanding officer of the battalion should apply to the southern division of the county of Wilts for subscriptions so as to defray the expenses. Accordingly a circular letter was sent out by Lieut.-Colonel Everett, a copy of which is given:—

"Proposed Camp for the 1st Battalion of Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

Greenhill, Warminster,
February, 1868.

"——. The Lord-Lieutenant of the county has given his sanction to the forming of a camp for the 1st Battalion of the Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers, which it is proposed should take place in the neighbourhood of Warminster in the month of next July.

"Such a camp, it is considered, would tend considerably to the efficiency of the volunteers, by giving them an insight into camp life, and some experience of the requirements of actual service, in a way that cannot otherwise be obtained.

"It is felt that, as the volunteers freely give their time in the service, they should not be called upon for a further sacrifice in providing the necessary funds, and it is to be hoped that the county will readily and generously come forward in assisting this object.

"Contributions will be received by me or by the Secretary, Ensign H.J. Wakeman, of Warminster; or can be paid into the camp fund at the following banks:—Messrs. Pinckney Brothers, Salisbury; the North Wilts Bank at Warminster, Trowbridge, Westbury, and Bradford; as also at the Wilts and Dorset Bank, Mere. Such contributions will be acknowledged in the county papers.

"I have the honour to be
"Your obedient Servant,
"John F. Everett, Lieut-Colonel.

"Comdg. 1st. A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

"P.S.—As arrangements must be completed speedily, I should feel obliged by your informing me at your earliest convenience the amount you may be willing to contribute to the above object.—J.F.E."

[Pg 21]

It was very necessary that the regimental camp should be a complete success, and to ensure this much anxious thought and time was given to details by the lieut.-colonel commanding the battalion, as also by the committee. Meetings of this committee were held at Warminster on the 5th February, 4th March, 1st, 8th and 13th of April, 13th May, 3rd, 10th and 22nd June, and on the 13th July. The committee had no precedents to guide them; and the more the necessary arrangements were considered, the greater appeared to be the difficulties. To make contracts where there was little certainty, in itself was a hard task, and it showed how much care and trouble had been given to the subject, when the camp proved a complete success.

The prospect of a regimental camp, however, did not prevent the battalion putting in an appearance at the grand review held at Portsmouth on Easter Monday, where some 25,000 men assembled, the regulars, and gunboats of the Navy, taking part in the proceedings. The part in the performance relegated to this battalion was neither instructive nor interesting. It rather imitated the army of a certain King of France, by walking up a hill and then walking down again. Some gunboats took up a position to its front, to drive away which the battalion descended from its perch to the railway embankment; but as the tide was receding, the gunboats receded also, doubtless their departure hastened by the appearance, if not by the fire of the gallant 1st Wilts, which being delivered at something over rifle range would have been harmless. Then the regiment itself retired and resumed its position on the hillside, sitting down comfortably awaiting further orders; which eventually directed them to "fire away" at some supposed enemy; and having emptied their ammunition pouches, the whole returned to Fareham station, to be taken homewards.

What possible good to any branch of the services could have arisen from this Easter Monday review is hard to see! It appeared to be only a waste of time and money; and by encouraging the volunteers to go to such, and to join in a general scramble called manœuvring, was prejudicial to discipline and respect for authority.[Pg 22] If the reviews are held in large towns, such as Brighton, Dover, Portsmouth, &c., whole brigades of volunteers hang about, often for hours, from the time of arrival until the general assembly shall sound, meanwhile none the better for public-house entertainments and want of occupation; then are marched through streets to the ground selected—a march past, and a sham fight, in which firing and confusion are prominent features, as instruction could not there be given, and utter ignorance of the very outlines of skirmishing and attack by the majority of men, are only too visible. This done, and the enemy defeated, the majority, hot, dirty, and probably very hungry, resume their places in the train to return to London or far further away, perhaps wondering for what purpose they had been brought so far, or if real war was thus conducted! The minority obtaining leave of absence remain behind, and many, now free from all supervision and control, do the grand service to which they belong no little injury by drunkenness and debauchery.

On the 20th July the battalion assembled for their first encampment on Warminster Down; the ground selected being between the old coach road over Salisbury Plain leading from Bath to Salisbury and the town itself, perhaps about two miles from Warminster—a magnificent undulating spot with room for manœuvring on a large scale, but waterless, thereby necessitating every drop of that precious liquid being brought up in carts from the town, making a huge item in the expenses of holding a camp on the healthy and somewhat lofty downs of Wiltshire.

The camp was pitched and struck by old soldiers from the regular army, and the catering both for officers and men was undertaken by Messrs. Fort of Bath, the men messing together in a very large tent. It was well done, albeit costly, but there was not sufficient experience as yet gained by the committee of management to allow them to venture on a less expensive method of providing for the wants of so many.

A very excellent selection of standing orders was compiled by the officer commanding the battalion, and these with a few additions have yet remained in force. The[Pg 23] following extract from them as referring to the camp about to be established is herewith given:—

Standing Orders for Camp.

The 1st Bugle will sound at  5  0 a.m.
"  2nd  "          "                   7  0 a.m.—Morning parade, setting-up drill, &c.
8  0 a.m.—Men's breakfasts.
9 30 a.m.—Pickets and guard-mounting.
10  0 a.m.—Officers' instruction in mess tent.
10 45 a.m.—Comdng. Officer's parade.
1  0 p.m.—Men's dinners.
3  0 p.m.—Comdng. Officer's parade.
7  0 p.m.—Men's supper.
9  0 p.m.—Tattoo.
10  0 p.m.—Lights out.

The officers messed together, taking their meals at about the same time as those ordered for the men.

To the battalion generally the camp proved to be a kind of perpetual picnic, good eating and drinking, with very little sleeping, but plenty of hard work. It was not intended to be child's play, but a lesson in drilling and discipline, and so far as volunteer rules and regulations, combined with tact and temper, allowed, this was carried out; but it was beyond human skill to make all obedient to one will, to insist upon punctuality on parade, that lights were out at the time ordered, and that strict silence reigned throughout the camp until the rouse sounded. Men might mean well, and doubtless did not intend to defy authority, but with a canteen ever open, and the liquor to be had almost for the asking, no little injury was inflicted on discipline. It may be necessary for a certain amount of drink to be purchaseable where large bodies of men assemble, but when these are brought together to do a special work, and to learn obedience to all orders received from those in authority, drinking booths, whether termed canteens or clubs, are destructive of discipline, and tend to incapacitate the men from doing that which was intended they should do. Moreover it is not good, either for the man himself—only too often a mere lad of 17—that when not on duty he should find no other recreation provided than is afforded by a huge public-house with its rows of tables and seats, where[Pg 24] the drink, the song, the profanity, and the uproar grows faster and more furious as the day advances. It is not in the canteen that respect for officers and authorities is learned. The best non-commissioned officers, and men who are wide awake and cautious, on picket or sentry, are not from canteen frequenters. The canteen in the regular army and militia is a fruitful source of misery to the many, however well conducted it may be, but when open at all hours, from daybreak to last post, in a volunteer encampment, subject only in reality to the mere licensing laws of the country, it is little else than a curse. If necessary for merely supplying beer, &c., let the canteen tent be at least one mile from the camp. Of course there were very many amusing incidents occurring in the camp, few more so, perhaps, than those in connection with guard and sentry duties. These had to be learned ab initio, and as the learners were often utterly ignorant of the rudiments of drill, the explanations as given were scarcely understood. "Your front" was a tremendous difficulty, and to challenge properly perhaps more abominable. The reliefs were not carried out quite regularly as the night advanced, and posts were deserted by sentries to know the reason why relief did not arrive. Sitting was found to be as cheap as standing, and a pipe on the sly in the pale moonlight a great relief to the monotony of sentry go.

Mr. Calvesfoot, generally useful man at Baredown Farm, having walked about the magazine tent until tired, orders his arms, and lounging in an easy and not ungraceful attitude, awaits his relief; being quite happy with himself and the world in general, beer and beef agreeing with him immensely.

"Hallo! Is that what you call doing sentry?" suddenly demands a voice, which arouses him from his reverie, and in which he recognizes that of Squire ——, the captain of the day, and the officer commanding the corps to which the delinquent belongs.

"I was a looking after ye, captain. I thought you'd come some time and look I up," was the reply, said with charming naïveté.

"What are your orders?" asks the subaltern of the day from a youthful volunteer, supposed to be guarding[Pg 25] the precious water-carts, but occupied in quarrelling with the cook, who had neglected the men on duty in the guard tent to which he belonged.

"To watch them waterbutts, sir, but seeing this'un I came away for a minute to let him know as we aint to be forgotten," replied the sentry.

There were, besides these, various tales told of out-of-the-way occurrences, such as tricks played off upon sentries, and the very queer views the men had of a sentry's duty. Going on sentry to the Wiltshire man was not the like of going to drill. There, at drill, he had to hold his head up, hold his tongue, and turn right or left at a moment's notice, whenever somebody shouted out a word of command; but here, after the corporal had left him, and said some stuff about looking after the camp, observing his front, and saluting officers, he had only to walk up and down a certain distance or stand still should he prefer it. After all, it was only a make believe, and "he warnt goin' to be made a vool on."

"Why don't you look sharper, sentry? Not one of those fellows to your left have passes; coming into camp at this time of night!" said an old hand, drawing the attention of the sentry to some few men leisurely passing across his beat into camp.

"Aint they though?" inquires Johnny, and proceeds to stop them and to demand the passes which each produces; meanwhile a goodly multitude of young rascals without passes, slip in among the tents unknown to our sentry, and have dodged being absent at roll call.

Another sentry story will suffice. It is a pouring wet night and the corporal starts on relief duties.

Corporal to relief, on approaching the cooking department, where are carts and ovens scattered about, "Relief, halt. Where's the sentry?" "Doan't know. Doan't zee un," said the man whose turn to be relief had come. "Didn't ask you," savagely retorted the corporal, and raising his voice, shouted out to the missing sentry, adding, "Where have you got to?" "Here," said a voice from under a waggon, a few yards inside the beat. "Here! Call under a waggon, here! Come out this instant. The colonel will let you know about this to-morrow," exclaimed the angry corporal, as the dripping man crept from under the shelter of the cart, and humbly apologized[Pg 26] for being there; giving, as an excuse, "That he hadn't no greatcoat, that it poured 'wuss' enough to wet him through; and that them 'chimbleys and things' could be seen just as well from under the cart as 'where you said I was to stand.'"

Allowing leave to be absent from camp was always a difficulty. Tommy Vol is pretty nearly as bad at shirking parade and exceeding leave as Tommy Atkins. Getting up at cockcrow and doing extensive motions, or drilling without arms under the adjutant, is not to his taste, and if he can have a sick parent or a fair excuse for asking that his attendance in camp may be excused for a day, he quickly avails himself of it.

To show the difficulty the following is given. The captain, with orderly-sergeant and colour-sergeant, very busy over company books and registers, as the morrow is to be the inspection of the battalion, and all books and returns in the adjutant's office by 10 a.m. Private Smith darkens the tent doorway and, respectfully saluting, asks if he might have leave for to-morrow to go home.

"Certainly not. Couldn't think of it. Inspection to-morrow. Why do you want it?" asks the captain, and knowing the man, feels assured there must be good cause. "Please, sir, the missus writes and says as how the young heifer has calved and be mighty bad, and there beant none thereabouts as can do her any good, and so she wants me to come at once." Of course the leave must be granted and the column "absent with leave" enlarged.

Adjutants, fresh to the work, young lieut.-colonels, and probably martinet inspecting officers, watch this column with great dislike and think it unnecessarily large; but after they have served some time, and become acquainted with the officers and non-commissioned officers of companies, and learn that men whose retention of a situation, daily subsistence, and domestic calls, are often dependent on their being present, will not be so ready to condemn those giving leave for being too easily persuaded.

The weather was magnificent during the whole week, and on the 24th the battalion was inspected in camp by Colonel R. Bruce; the honorary colonel, the Marquis of Bath, being present on parade, and a very large number of onlookers from the county families and neighbourhood generally; the officers giving a handsome luncheon[Pg 27] to some two hundred guests at the termination of the review, and having a camp fire later on.

The muster at the inspection was 532 of all ranks, and the following remarks were made by the inspecting officer: "I find you much improved in steadiness on parade, your drill has been well performed, and having a camp has improved you in every way." Colonel Bruce then added that he hoped next year to inspect them again in a regimental camp, either at Warminster or elsewhere, and that as these camps were very expensive, but most useful, he hoped that the necessary funds would be forthcoming somehow. After the inspection the hon. colonel, the Marquis of Bath, gave a dinner to the officers and men, and next day the camp broke up, and all returned to their various head quarters. This year an officers' mess and wine fund was formed, and on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd August the annual meeting of the Wilts County Rifle Association was held at Salisbury, Captain Knox, V.C., being umpire. On the 27th August the prizes were given away in the Palace Grounds at Salisbury by Miss Bathurst, daughter of Sir Fredk. Bathurst, who was president of the association for the year.

The annual returns of efficients and non-efficients of the corps comprising the battalion for the year ending November, 1868, were as follows:—

A  Maximum Establishment.
B  Efficients.
C  Non-Efficients.
D  Total Enrolled.
E  Total Efficients Extra.

[Pg 28]

The year 1869 commenced with a meeting of the officers of the battalion at Warminster, and it was therein settled that the regimental camp should be held this year at Salisbury, in the first week of August. Meetings were subsequently held to consider details, and to ascertain how far it was possible to make these camps less costly.

The Mayor of Portsmouth having intimated a wish that a field day in conjunction with the regular army on Southsea Common should be organized, a meeting of officers commanding volunteer battalions in the neighbouring counties took place at Portsmouth, which resulted in a field day on some scale being held at Southsea Common on the 26th April. There were present about 3000 of the regular army, and perhaps 5500 of the Volunteer Force; to which the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts contributed nearly 500 of all ranks. After a march past, an attack on the forts and outworks round the town (which do not now exist) was made; but probably it was unsuccessful, as guns were conspicuous by their absence on the part of the attackers, and no fire being returned from the embrasures showed that either there was no one at home, or that we as an enemy were held somewhat in contempt. It spoke well for the stuff of which volunteer battalions are composed, that on the 1st Wilts Administrative Battalion assembling at the place appointed for them in the town of Portsmouth, they were proved and then dismissed, with orders to reassemble at the same place and in the same order two hours later, the arms being piled and a few men detailed as caretakers over them. Before the expiry of the two hours, each man was in his place, sober, and brushed up, and after a while was marching towards Southsea Common.

On the 2nd August the Second Regimental Camp commenced at Salisbury, or rather on Homerton Down, ground very inferior for the purpose to that at Warminster. The local companies pitched the camp, thus saving some small expense, but the catering both for officers and men was contracted for as at Warminster previously, Mr. Ward, of "The White Hart," being the contractor. The weather was not all that could be desired, and the proximity of two towns, such as Salisbury and Wilton, no advantage: however, good resulted, and at the inspection[Pg 29] of the battalion by Colonel R. Bruce, on the termination of the camp, he expressed himself satisfied with the steadiness of the men, the way the drill was performed, and attributed the general improvement in discipline and drill to this camp, which he hoped would be every year repeated. The camp was struck and packed soon after daybreak next day, and after breakfast all returned homewards.

The expense of this camp was £543, and was partly met by subscriptions amounting to £458—the travelling allowance of 4s. per man, sanctioned by the War Office to all corps not within a certain distance of the head quarters, being taken to make up the difference, thus creating an additional expense to the officers and supporters of corps coming from a distance, as having to meet their own travelling expenses. The muster at inspection showed 554 of all ranks.

It was determined by the committee for camp management, assembling at Warminster on the 4th March, 1870, that the regimental camp should be held in the first week of August at Warminster, on the downs, but that as a means of lessening the expenses several important alterations should be made. The time spent in camp should be less. The volunteers to enter on Tuesday, and break up on Saturday; that they should be supplied with rations, and each corps make its own arrangements for the cooking of the same, and that the pitching and striking of the camp should be done entirely by themselves.

On the 3rd August the battalion assembled in camp, and without further aid than that supplied them through the knowledge of camp details by the commanding officer and regimental staff, succeeded in a very short time in pitching the camp most correctly. The rations consisted of 1¼ lb. of meat, ½ lb. of potatoes, 1 lb. of bread, some tea and sugar, and six-pence the day beer money. All were satisfied, and the arrangement was found to answer far better than formerly.

On the 5th, the battalion was inspected by Colonel Peel, who, after pointing out a few faults in the keeping of distances, both in line and skirmishing, expressed himself as being very well pleased, not only with the way the drill had been performed, but with the camp generally,[Pg 30] and should make a favourable report. The numbers present at the inspection were 507 of all ranks.

The officers gave the usual luncheon to the county families at the termination of the inspection, and the next day, very early in the morning, the tents were struck, blankets, palliasses, pegs, &c., counted and packed, and by 8 a.m. very little beyond straw, paper, and débris marked where 500 men had been so long encamped.

The expenses of the camp were £230, and the subscriptions towards meeting this but £161, making the normal deficit.

The novelty of camp was beginning to wear out, and the attendance daily at parades less numerous than could have been wished. The regiment was not in reality getting all the good anticipated. The canteen, as ever, broke in upon punctuality and discipline. Beer and boon companionship showed themselves at afternoon parades, and at roll call. Silence and lights out after last post were not preserved. Leave was too often applied for, and far too many only put in an appearance on the day of inspection.

The Army List for 1871 was as follows:—

The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.
J.F. Everett, Lieut.-Colonel.
T. Clark and C. Penruddocke, Majors.
R.D. Gibney, Adjutant.
William Fawcett, Quartermaster.
Charles Bleeck, Surgeon.
John M. Cardell and J.S. Seale, Assist. Surgeons.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

William Pinckney, Captain.
George Smith, Captain.
W.J. Wilton, Lieut.
E.F. Kelsey, Lieut.
F. Hodding, Ensign.
, Ensign.
T.E. Lee, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R.G. Swayne, Hon. Chap.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

W.P. Clark, Captain (Comdt.).
E.P. Stancomb, Lieut.
W.P. Clark, Junr., Ensign.
G.C. Tayler, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. H. Meyer, Chaplain.

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley.

, Captain.
T.K. Harding, Lieut.
E.S. Jefferys, Ensign.
Wm. N. Marshall, Hon. Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R. Rowley, Hon. Chaplain.

[Pg 31]

8th Corps, Mere.

G. Troyte-Bullock, Captain.
E.A. Card, Lieut.
, Ensign.
C. Rumsey, Assist.-Surgeon.
Revd. C.H. Townsend, Chaplain.

9th Corps, Bradford.

, Captain.
William Adye, Lieut.
E.M. Davis, Ensign.
Revd. W.H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

10th Corps, Warminster.

John Scott, Captain.
H. Ingram, Lieut.
H.J. Wakeman, Lieut.
T. Ponting, Ensign.
J. Flower, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., Hon. Chaplain.

13th Corps, Westbury.

R.L.H. Phipps, Captain.
, Lieut.
Samuel T. Stafford, Ensign.

14th Corps, Wilton.

, Captain.
C.R. Clay, Lieut.
William Allen, Ensign.
P.J. Bennett, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. D. Olivier, Chaplain.

The usual regimental camp was entered this year (1871) on Homerton Down, near Salisbury, assembling on the 4th August, and to a certain extent answered its purpose. The battalion being divided into wings, one half battalion, under the command of Major Clark, was detailed to make a night attack on the camp protected by the remaining half battalion, under Major Pinckney, Lieut.-Col. Everett being umpire. The attacking party were successful; as the camp, extending over a wide space on the top of a hill, with corn fields, thick gorse, and bye-paths surrounding it, could not be defended against or repel a combined attack on any face with so weak a garrison. A feint, ultimately turned into a real attack, succeeded, and numbers decided the victory.

On the 9th the battalion was inspected in camp by Colonel Peel, who, as before, expressed himself satisfied with the progress all were making in drill, and attributed the proficiency shown in acquiring the new system of drill to the battalion being altogether in a camp, and to the zeal of individual members.

As before, a luncheon was given by the officers to the county; and next day having struck tents, packed stores,[Pg 32] &c., the battalion was marched to Salisbury, and was dismissed to its various head quarters.

This year, Mr. Poynder, of Hardropp Park, Chippenham, in addition to numberless other prizes given to The County Rifle Association for the annual competition, offered the sum of £10 to the best drilling and really efficient company of each battalion: No. 1 Company and No. 10 Company alone entering for competition in this battalion, Major Hallowes and Captain Collis of the 25th King's Own Borderers acting as umpires. After a prolonged competition in drill, in which both acquitted themselves wonderfully accurately and evenly, it was decided in favour of the 10th Company, Warminster, that company having a larger number on the parade ground.

Leaving a large deficit to be met by the travelling allowance. By the resignation of the commission of junior major, held by Major Penruddocke, Captain W. Pinckney was promoted to the rank of field officer, and W.H. Laverton, Esq., was appointed captain in the 13th Corps at Westbury.

There was a battalion parade held at Warminster on the 1st April, 1872, and the officers dined together at the mess afterwards, when it was agreed that the battalion should join the autumn manœuvres, to be held in the county and in Dorsetshire in August. It was plain that a short space of time spent in camp with regulars would be of great benefit to all, and the system of punctuality and implicit obedience to orders demanded in such a camp would produce corresponding results hereafter. There were very many arrangements to be made, as the assistance from Government, beyond promising rations such as were served out to all the troops, was nothing at all. Some old great-coats were to be lent, but little else. A committee, working under the lieutenant-colonel commanding, and having the advice and assistance of one of the most energetic and far-seeing of men, in Quartermaster Wm. Fawcett, brother of the late Mr. Fawcett, M.P., left nothing undone, and on the departure of the[Pg 33] battalion from Salisbury for Blandford, where they detrained and marched into camp, there was not found to be anything omitted.

Early in the year the vacancy in the command of the 14th or Wilton corps was filled up by the appointment of the Earl of Pembroke as captain; and as that officer immediately attached himself to the Guards, and afterwards to a regiment of the Line, so as to learn his duties, the addition of his lordship to the officers of the battalion was a very great advantage.

The battalion mustered at Blandford nearly 400 of all ranks, without the band (this luxury not being brought), and they were met a short distance away from their camp by the band of the 50th Foot, brigaded with them; the men of which regiment had previously pitched the battalion camp. Thus by their forethought, and desire to be friendly and helpful, relieved an inexperienced lot from what would have been an irksome job, and most probably not done at all according to regulation or to the satisfaction of the authorities.

Whether the exigencies of the service required it, or whether the marching in of the battalion from Blandford, the attendance at church parade next day, or the smartness of guards and pickets, satisfied the officers in command, is unknown; but without any test as to knowledge or fitness, the regiment joined in a field day early on Monday, the 2nd September, under the command of Colonel the Honble. Arthur Hardinge, C.B., commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division; to which brigade the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers was attached. In the afternoon the whole southern army marched past the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, and next day the battalion, as forming part of the brigade commanded by Colonel Hardinge, took part in the defence of a position at Critchell attacked by a much larger force. The victory was unmistakeably gained by Colonel Hardinge, and apparently was obtained by the simple expedient of allowing himself to be attacked in front, the only vulnerable point; his flanks being protected by rising ground and dense woods, previously considered to be impassable by either party.[Pg 34] After some hours of skirmishing, short advances in line, and refusing tempting opportunities, the attack was brought to an end, and umpires declared the victory to have been gained by the officer commanding the 2nd Brigade.

Not improbably, if the services of the volunteers were hastily required, whole battalions would be at once called into action, and there would be as little testing of their knowledge of manœuvring, or even of the use of the rifle, as in these instances. A fortnight of these divisional and brigade drills might make such men handy and tolerable skirmishers, but nothing more. The steadiness required in a retreat, deployments under heavy fire, or when suddenly attacked by cavalry, would be wanting, and a victorious army on the slightest check become thoroughly disorganized. Instructions as to any drills, more especially in those touching upon the defence of positions, guard duties, pickets, and individual action could not be given on service; and the absence of a fair knowledge of such matters might entail ruin on the whole force employed. One thing it most certainly would do—bring a great diminution of strength in battalions. The very bravery, contempt or ignorance of danger, and incapability of self-defence, would decimate the half-taught volunteer battalions.

The 1st Administrative Battalion, Wilts, saw much bloodless service whilst attending these autumn manœuvres, and learnt how wars were won, but whether the future tense can be used is not for the writer to say, he only thinks not. The Battle of Codford was a terrible battle on paper, and doubtless, with the aid of good district maps, admirably contrived so that both sides should win, or that defeat was unlikely. Science and skill were to be the deciders of this great battle, not murder and panic. Trout streams of varying depths, from inches to feet, were to be considered rivers, with bridges here and there broken down by artillery or blown up, so as to delay progress. Walls and roadside buildings, loop-holed, demanded either delay, or a detour through fields or swamps to recover the high road, and artillery were so artfully posted as to be unknown and unseen until the hail of shot and shell swept away at least a[Pg 35] brigade from among the many advancing, heedless of consequences. These contretemps have occurred in real warfare. There was a surprise at Moodkee, something worse at Ferozeshah; bayonets and bravery versus entrenchments and mistakes at Subraon; and a defeat at Chillianwallah, all in India; but these happened in days when skill was not so much considered, and when weapons of destruction and arms of accuracy were quite in their infancy. The Crimea had taught us something; the Mutinies, China and Cape wars, more; and the result of the short, but cruel war, between France and Germany, too recent for its lessons to be forgotten. Besides all this, what were these autumn manœuvres got up for, but to teach troops how to fight skilfully, and their commanders to practically acquire a knowledge of strategy and tactics?

The valley dividing the great ridge, or Grovely Wood, and through which valley somewhat lazily meandered the Wiley Brook, was the scene where much of the conflict occurred. Farm houses, cottage gardens, and water-meadows, half concealed in alder bushes, and low jungle, well aiding the attack of the bold northern army on the position behind Grovely Wood, and the great ridge taken up by the southerners. In vain did the enemy's artillery vomit forth smoke and imaginary shot and shell from copse and half-hidden points of advantage. The southerners were not to be scared, but commencing the offensive, poured down upon the devoted enemy through the paths of the Great Ridge Wood, and covered by a cloud of skirmishers, drove the enemy from the valley, dividing the positions of the two forces. Artillery answers artillery, and cavalry, careless of consequences, chase skirmishers over the meadows. Now the strategy, or previous arrangements of the south begin to tell, and gradually the attackers withdraw to their stronghold across the great river Wiley, there in their turn to be attacked.

Perhaps the strategical part was over, and tactics required modification; or, it may have been that the lessons in the "New Primer," reduced to greater simplicity from the German edition on the subject of warfare, were omitted for the occasion; however, what-[Pg 36]ever was the cause, the minor matters of "bridges blown up," "this part of river unfordable," "this house is loop-holed," &c., were treated with the contempt deserved, and men, flushed with victory, risked their all in running through "unfordable" streams, passing over "blown-up bridges," or hugging highways whose sides were lined with "loop-holed" cottages or outhouses. It was no time to stop and consider these trifles, losing valuable half hours over the restoration of a bridge, or moving far away to a flank so as to avoid the discharge from loop-holed barn or house. The heights of Codford, crowned with artillery and armed men, bid defiance as they rose above the high road leading to Salisbury, and to take these was to gain the victory.

"Deploy! Deploy!" was the word of command, and brigades extended into line at the base of the steep hillside, firing volley after volley into it, preparatory to commencing the ascent. Then came the storm, and, amid a hail of bullets of imagination, a smother of hot powder, hotter and thicker from its uncommonly close delivery, a jeer as from an over-confident enemy, the brave 2nd Brigade struggled up the slippery, moss-grown chalk hill, and staggering with over-exertion, breathless, and disorganized, on reaching the summit, fearlessly attacked the defenders' right, and claimed a victory. There was a pause. The bugles rang out the "Cease fire," and whilst north and south were wrangling among themselves as to blunders made, the umpire's decision was given for the southern army, and parting company, both forces returned to their camps.

The war ended not here. Yet another encounter took place between the northern and southern armies before the time arrived for the 1st Administrative Battalion, Wilts, to return homewards. It tried the marching powers of the volunteers, and appeared to have in it a definite object and a definite plan; and so far as opening out the road to London, or to somewhere in that direction, it was decidedly successful. The flank of the northerners resting on Wishford, was turned, and there could be no doubt of the inability of the centre and right to share the glory, even had they come to the aid.

The Grovely Wood, or Great Ridge as it is termed,[Pg 37] was an advantage to the southern force. It extended for many miles continuous with their right flank, and enabled them at any time to use its various openings for the purpose of raiding the valley of the Wiley, or for obtaining information of any changes occurring in the camp of the enemy, posted on the higher ground between Codford and Wishford. On the 7th September, the battle of Wishford took place, and was commenced by a large portion of the southern army (using the Great Ridge as a screen) making a detour to the eastward, and then, when clear, crossing the Wiley lower down at Wilton, and attacking in force the left flank of the enemy at the time resting on the undulating ground above the village of Wishford. The attack was irresistible, and to all appearances unexpected; the numbers of the attackers being in excess of the defenders, and no help from centre or flank being given. Indeed this portion of the northern army had been kept fully employed during the time occupied by the flank movement of the southerners, by frequent attacks on it made by the troops holding Great Ridge and the intervening valley of the Wiley; so that probably their being attacked in force on the left was a surprise, and doubtless a defeat.

It was a very hard day's work, beginning any short time after daybreak, lasting until nearly sunset, and it required a man to be the sternest of disciplinarians not to enter fully into the satisfactory feelings of H.M. Guards, when, some time before the finish of the day, they were told by their commanding officer to lie down. "Smoke, if you like," added the hardened man, as he expressed himself grateful to the cocked hat putting him and his regiment out of action till the battle was over. Misguided man; he had perhaps despised his enemy, or on some hill, somewhere, artillery were massed, and would play havoc among his men, and for these he had not allowed. "You should have reduced your front, sir," said he of the cocked hat, with withering sarcasm in his tone, adding, "You are out of action until the battle is over."

"Thank God! Lie down, my men," was the impenitent reply of that colonel.

[Pg 38]

Tired, hungry, and footsore, the battalion marched back again to Wilton, and there, whilst the train was preparing by which they should return homewards, they were hospitably entertained by Captain the Earl of Pembroke, a proceeding certainly not anticipated earlier in the day, by the noble host, or his hungry guests.

The following extract from Battalion Orders, dated 21st September, 1872, is given:—

"Lieut.-Colonel Everett has much pleasure in notifying to the battalion under his command, that he has received a letter from Major-General the Hon. A.E. Hardinge, C.B., lately commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Southern Army, in which he desires the Lieut.-Colonel 'to express to the regiment his entire approval of its discipline, and his appreciation of the zeal and efficiency shown by all ranks during the time they were under his command at the late autumn manœuvres.'"

Thus ended the one week attached to the regular army, and more good was obtained from it by the battalion than might have been expected. In no regimental camp can the same strict obedience to any order be insisted on or carried out. The absolute and complete silence in camp after "lights out," and that lights are out, is a great point gained; the clipping of the wings of those rejoicing in proclaiming dawn, and forcing such early birds to remain all still within their tents, until the bugle note gives freedom; the punctuality on parade, fitness of arms and uniform, respectful salute, and self-respect, are among the many things acquired by being brigaded with regulars.

There was a regimental camp held the next year, 1873, on Warminster Down, at which the attendance was not so large and continuous as could be desired. It commenced on Monday, 4th August, breaking up early on Saturday, the 9th, but much was against work and discipline. The first two days were bitterly cold and wet, preventing parades, and either detaining the men in their tents or filling the canteen marquee. A moment's cessation of the downpour and the bugle summoned a parade, but there it ended, and once again[Pg 39] tents and canteen were occupied. These two days' wet undid much of the good received from the camp with the regulars, of the previous year.

On Friday the 8th, the battalion was inspected by Colonel Parish, C.B., commanding the 38th Depôt at Devizes, who expressed himself as satisfied; and after the usual luncheon given by the officers to the county and visitors, the prizes won at the Wilts County Rifle Association were given away by Lady Folkestone on behalf of the Earl of Pembroke, who was president of the association for the year. The field state at inspection only showed a total of 484, but the reason for this falling off is not difficult to discover. One company situated at Mere, on the borders of Dorsetshire, had great expenses entailed upon them in attending camps or battalion drills, and were to a great extent dependent on one large landholder for support, and as expenses increased and supplies decreased, so was it with numbers and efficiency, and twenty-five, all told, was now the strength of the 8th Corps. No. 6 Corps, a body of men second to none for regular attendance, fair knowledge of drill, discipline, and general set up, were also conspicuous by their absence. They were almost entirely composed of tenants on the estate of the Duke of Somerset at Maiden Bradley, having been raised and commanded by the eldest son of his Grace, and on his resignation, again were commanded by another son, Lord St. Maur; whose untimely death, near Bombay, in an encounter with a wounded bear, created a vacancy, which vacancy was filled up by the promotion of Lieutenant H.B. Festing, agent to the Duke of Somerset. The influence of this officer latterly was not favourable to the support of the corps; and being agent to the Duke, gave him both influence and power. Gradually the attendance at squad and adjutant's drills diminished, and on this occasion of a camp and inspection, none put in an appearance, consequently the corps was ineffective, and ceased to exist, not only to the regret of the officers and men of the battalion generally, but to many of the company.

[Pg 40]

The Army List, for 1874, was thus:—

The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.
J.F. Everett, Lieut.-Colonel.
T. Clark and W. Pinckney, Majors.
R.D. Gibney, Adjutant.
W. Fawcett, Quartermaster.
C.J. Bleeck, Surgeon.
L.L. Seale, Assist. Surgeon.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

George Smith, Captain (Comdt.).
, Captain.
E.F. Kelsey, Lieut.
F. Hodding, Lieut.
T.E. Lee, M.B., Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. R.G. Swayne, Hon. Chap.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

W.P. Clark, Captain (Comdt.).
E.P. Stancomb, Lieut.
W.P. Clark, Junr., Lieut.
J.H. Foley, Lieut.
W.J. Mann, Lieut.
G.C. Tayler, M.B., Assist. Surg.
Revd. H. Meyer, Hon. Chaplain.

8th Corps, Mere.

G. Troyte Bullock, Captain.
E.A. Card, Lieut.
W.N. Marshall,Lieut.
C. Rumsey, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. H.B. Townsend, Chaplain
.

9th Corps, Bradford.

William Adye, Captain.
C.M. Davis, Lieut.
T.W. Dunn, Lieut.
Revd. W.H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

10th Corps, Warminster.

John Scott, Captain.
H. Ingram, Lieut.
H.J. Wakeman, Lieut.
T. Ponting, Lieut.
J. Flower, Assist. Surgeon.
Revd. Sir J.E. Philipps, Bart., Chaplain.

13th Corps, Westbury.

William H. Laverton, Captain.
J.P. Hall, Lieut.

14th Corps, Wilton.

The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Captain.
C.R. Clay, Lieut.
William Allen, Lieut.
T.J. Bennett, M.D., Assist. Surg.
Revd. D. Olivier, Hon. Chaplain.

Easter Monday was fixed upon for a battalion drill, on the high ground above Warminster, and the attendance was fairly good. There being no hastening away to catch trains, or any sufficient reason for the parade being otherwise than really instructive, advantage was[Pg 41] taken of the circumstance by the lieut.-colonel in command, and it was the fault of those who were so patiently and carefully drilled, if some knowledge of manœuvring was not acquired. It was bitterly cold, but dry. The officers messed together at the "Bath Arms," preparatory to the various companies entering the train for their respective head quarters.

On Friday the 31st July, 1874, the battalion assembled at Salisbury, and marched to its camping ground on Homerton Down, and after one week's good honest work, were inspected by Colonel Parish, C.B., commanding the depôt. The inspecting officer expressed himself as gratified with the way the drill had been performed, and of the arrangements in camp: but he was extremely so at the result of a sudden alarm, given at 9.45 p.m. on the previous night, when he happened to be in the camp, no previous intimation of such being likely to occur, having been even hinted to any officer or man.

Within ten minutes of the "alarm" every officer and man was in his position, and the roll call was answered faithfully. It spoke well for the discipline of the battalion, and elicited the following remarks from the inspecting officer in the order issued to the battalion on its inspection next day:—

"A sudden alarm in camp last night showed the effect of good discipline; the whole battalion turned out most creditably and took up their position as well as any regiment of regulars or others could have done. This is a good proof, if any were needed, of the benefit of camp life. The inspecting officer will be able to make a most favourable report on all he has seen, and congratulates the regiment on having so admirably exerted itself and so well upheld the credit of the county forces, &c., &c." The numbers on parade at inspection were 457. The expenses of the camp amounted to £292, met by subscriptions, letting canteen, and Government camp allowance to the extent of £232.

In the year 1875, Major W. Pinckney resigned the position of major in the battalion, and Captain the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery of the Wilton Company accepted the vacant commission; Assist.-Surgeon Bennett of the Wilton Company being appointed junior assistant[Pg 42] surgeon to the battalion. In No. 1 Corps, Salisbury, Lieut. Kelsey was promoted to be captain, and A.H. Lush and G.W. Hamilton Gordon appointed lieutenants; Captain Troyte Bullock resigning his commission in the 8th Corps, Mere.

On Easter Monday a battalion drill was held at Warminster, but sleet, hail, and rain were against much being done. The attendance was good. At the mess dinner afterwards held, previous to the time of departure of the battalion, it was arranged for the annual camp to be held on the downs as usual, and this took place on the 2nd August; the regiment marching in only 177, though each day showed an improvement in attendance.

At the inspection the field return exhibited 553 of all ranks, and the way the drills were performed, and increased steadiness of all, called forth much commendation from the inspecting officer.

This year saw the extinction of another company attached to the battalion—No. 8 Corps—its head quarters at Mere. It was raised in 1859 through the influence of the Chafyn Grove family at Zeals, and commanded for some time by Captain Chafyn Grove, Grenadier Guards, and at his death supported, or rather kept efficient, through the influence and pecuniary support of Miss Chafyn Grove, of Zeals House. This being withdrawn, the numbers making themselves efficient became gradually less, and this year saw the battalion reduced to six corps, with their head quarters at Salisbury, Trowbridge, Bradford, Warminster, Westbury and Wilton.

If proof were wanting of the value of influence and support from county families to corps forming part of what was then termed an Administrative Battalion, this and Maiden Bradley are good instances. Had it not been for help both personally and by money from the nobility and gentry of counties, few, if any, county corps could have been raised at all, nor could they have existed six months. To prevent the total collapse of the Volunteer Force the Government of the day came tardily and unwillingly to their assistance, giving with a niggard hand, but demanding much in return. To meet these demands always was, and ever has been, a source of difficulty and expense to officers and men; and where these had not the[Pg 43] command of funds there was no possibility of the corps becoming sufficiently efficient. A capitation grant, insufficient to cover the expenses of uniform, accoutrements, rents, practice grounds, targets, and fair wear and tear; a camp allowance very far below the expense incurred, and limiting the numbers attending; travelling expenses calculated on an idea that giving up a day's work and performing walking feats worthy of the best professionals was a common pursuit among country folk—made the support of corps such as Mere and Bradley a difficult matter, and resulted in their extinction. In both these corps, good officers and non-commissioned officers, added to a great number of men, and these of a very valuable class, have been lost to the State.

A summary of annual returns ending 1st November, 1875, is herewith given:—

1st Administrative Battalion Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers.

Summary of Annual Returns, 1st November, 1875.

KEY TO COLUMN HEADINGS:
A   No. of Corps.
B   Maximum Establishment.
C   Efficients.
D   Non-Efficients.
E   Total Enrolled.
F   Officers.
G   Sergeants.
H   Percentage of Efficients to Total Strength.

(Signed)      Robert Dwarris Gibney, Captain,
Adjutant 1st A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

[Pg 44]

On the 17th April, 1876, a battalion drill took place at Warminster, and afterwards at a mess dinner arrangements were made for holding the usual annual regimental camp on Warminster Down, and accordingly on Monday, 7th August, the various corps assembled at Warminster. The "marching in" state was 228. The weather being threatening, no time was lost in getting tents up, and this was done none too soon, for the rain fell heavily and continued to do so more or less during the encampment; Captain Hume, of the 45th Regiment, acting frequently as adjutant owing to the ill health of Captain Gibney.

A wet camp is never very satisfactory—the canteen takes too much the place of the parade ground; and it was so now: the lessons in "lights out" and silence in camp from that time until the first bugle, taught at the autumn manœuvres, being forgotten.

The inspection return showed 553 on parade, the same number as in the previous year, but the attention given to orders and general movements of the men on the parade ground was somewhat below former years. Certainly the camp this year was decidedly not quite a success. The cold squally weather drove many home on leave, and kept all from work; so that the day of inspection saw numbers crowding in from the district, and not a few, although they had been present all the camp, very ignorant of their duties. However, the inspecting officer was satisfied, and repeated his observations of previous inspections.

At the conclusion of the parade, the battalion formed three sides of a square facing towards a dais, when the prizes won by members of corps at recent competitions were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs. Everett, wife of the lieut.-colonel commanding the battalion.

The usual Easter Monday drill for 1877 was held at Warminster on the 2nd April, and the usual annual camp was held at Homerton Down, Salisbury. The day of entering being a Bank Holiday, the afternoon was given to sports, and many a hard struggle at the tug of war came off between companies during the course of the afternoon. Perhaps, at this particular exhibition of strength or pulling powers, the Wilton[Pg 45] Corps won oftenest, though Warminster run them very closely.

Next day work began in earnest, and with it the rain; thereby making everybody useless and uncomfortable. The inspection took place on the 8th, conducted by Colonel Parish, C.B., commanding the depôt; but as continual hail-storms and rain broke up the parade very frequently, and necessitated the inspector and his aide taking shelter in the Grand Stand, it was somewhat hard for him to say how evolutions were performed; however, Colonel Parish was satisfied, and said so.

After some hours the weather cleared, and the prizes won at the County Rifle Meeting were given away by the Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery.

Leaving a very serious deficit to be made up somehow among these would-be defenders of the country or their friends.

Among the officers resigning their commissions, or lost to the battalion through the age clause or some other hard and fast rule being applied, was that of Captain J. Scott, commanding the 10th, or Warminster Corps, the Army List for 1878 not having that among the number of names as belonging to the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers. To this officer's generosity, zeal, and shrewd common sense, the Warminster Corps were much indebted, and he was one who could be ill spared from the battalion. John Scott, of Warminster, was well known all round, and had become a feature in the battalion, more especially in the regimental camp. Hard-working, genial, though rough of speech, doing his own duty thoroughly, and decidedly interested in such being done by all—Captain Scott was very much missed by being absent from the camp assembled at Warminster on Friday, the 2nd August, 1878.

The inspection took place on the 7th, the field state showing 637 as being present, and the attendance throughout the week having been each day fairly equal. The result was decent drilling at the inspection. The officer[Pg 46] performing this duty was Colonel Jordan, C.B., who expressed himself as being altogether very much satisfied with the way the battalion executed the movements it was called upon to perform. Colonel Jordan said that he "had seen many battalions of volunteers, but a prettier little battalion than this of Wiltshire he had not seen. The smart and tidy appearance of the men, and the condition of the arms and accoutrements, reflected the greatest credit on all the officers and non-commissioned officers of the battalion, &c."

The rain setting in before nightfall prevented the usual al-fresco entertainment of singing round the great camp fire. It poured in torrents, making the camp wet and miserable, and as the tents were too wet to be struck, and expense was a consideration, the battalion later on marched down to Warminster, leaving the camp standing, and each corps proceeded homewards. To strike these tents, pack stores, and guard the ground during the continuance of the deluge was a new source of expense to the battalion.

Leaving more than the usual deficit.

There being a war scare, and it appearing probable that the country might be engaged, the following order was issued by the commanding officer, as being a subject for the consideration of a committee of officers assembled for another purpose:—"The committee will consider in what manner the battalion could best offer its services to the country in case of its being engaged in a foreign war, and to ascertain what might be the average strength of the battalion available for permanent garrison duty."

The result was, that it should offer its services as a battalion; and that, provided pay and the usual allowances were passed, about 150 men could be permanently guaranteed for general duty. The annual return, as made up from the returns of corps, showed the effects of the war fever. In 1877, the total efficients were 598, but in 1878 they rose to 704.

[Pg 47]

Early in the year 1879 there was the usual Easter Monday battalion drill at Warminster, and later on the officers messed together and made arrangements for a regimental camp, to be held at Warminster on the 4th August. It was a wet camp—almost every day rain—thereby limiting the duration of parades, and the attendance; but discipline was well preserved, and good resulted to the battalion at large.

On Thursday, the 7th August, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, at that time living in the neighbourhood, honoured the officers, and their wives and friends, with his company at luncheon. He was received by the commanding officer and the other officers at the entrance to the mess tent, a guard of honour being on duty meanwhile. His Royal Highness afterwards attended the afternoon parade, receiving a royal salute, followed by the marching past him of the battalion. On the 8th August, the battalion was very closely inspected by Colonel Bythesea, commanding 38th Depôt, showing a total on parade of 589. The battalion did fairly well, but the constant wet was against their working smartly in any loose formations, where individual knowledge, or really common sense, is brought into play. The "attack" would not have hurt any but the attackers. Colonel Bythesea remarked that it would be gross flattery on his part to say that everything which he had witnessed on that occasion was perfect, and he need hardly tell them, that in many particulars there was ample room for improvement. The unfavourable state of the weather, of course, had interfered considerably with the work of the camp, and might account for one or two of the shortcomings which he had noticed. He was especially pleased with the state in which he found the camp, and great credit was due to the battalion on this account.

This year brought with it the retirement of Major T. Clark, an officer of very long standing, not only in the[Pg 48] battalion but in the Volunteer Force generally; he having held the commission of a captain in the Trowbridge Rifle Corps from the latter end of the year 1859 until promoted major in the year 1862—at that time there being only one major in the battalion. The long connection of this officer with the battalion, his constant attendance at battalion drills, camps, and reviews, and the frequency of his being in command of the battalion, had made him so thoroughly a part of it that it was some time before his absence could be fully realized. His genial hospitality, kindness of heart, and willingness to overcome difficulties, made him loved and respected by all knowing him well. At an age when most men begin very much to appreciate the comforts of home, and indeed to whom it is necessary that exposure to sudden changes of weather be none too frequent, Major Clark joined the volunteers, and from that time for twenty years did he give not only his time but very liberally from his means to the furtherance of the movement. Major Clark knew and did his duty, and endeavoured to make others do the same. It was through county and other gentlemen, such as Major Clark, taking commissions which helped so much to make the Volunteer Force not only respectable, but to respect itself, and it ever will be so. The Volunteer Force, excepting when embodied and directly under the command of a general officer, can never be held together by the rules and regulations of the Army. The position of the non-commissioned officers, often large traders, shop-keepers, men of business, &c., and of the rank and file, fathers of families, small farmers, shop assistants, school-masters, attorneys' clerks and small tradesmen, preclude their being all governed by one hard and fast rule and managed accordingly. If the Volunteer Force, more especially that part of it, whether artillery, cavalry or infantry, where the majority of the men are country folk, are to be kept up in numbers and to be an inexpensive but useful addition to the army generally, then the officers, especially the field officers of battalions, must be selected men—men of fair wealth and good county position. W.H. Fowle, Esq., was appointed to the vacant majority.

[Pg 49]

Head Quarters, Warminster,
1st November, 1879.

1st Administrative Battalion, Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers. Summary of the Annual Return.

KEY TO TABLE HEADINGS:
A        No. of Corps.
B        Maximum Establishment.
C        Efficients. C
D        Non-Efficients.
E        Total Enrolled.
F        Officers.
G        Sergeants.
H        Percentage of Efficients to Total Strength.

(Signed)      Robert Dwarris Gibney, Major,
Adjutant 1st A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

There was no Easter Monday battalion drill for 1880, but a committee of officers assembled on the 12th April at Warminster to audit accounts and to make arrangements for the year.

On the 31st July, 1880, the battalion mustered in Salisbury and marched to the racecourse, there to be encamped. The muster was good and the weather favourable, so much was learned, and none could complain that spare time hung heavily on them. The battalion was closely inspected by Colonel Bythesea, commanding 38th Depôt, on the 6th August, and certainly did well, though the roughness of the weather and high wind rendered "orders" difficult to catch. The numbers on the parade were 559 of all ranks; not a few of these, selfish as to what might result, or wrapped up in the belief that they were sufficiently well-drilled to pass inspection, had not put in a previous attendance during the whole encampment. At the conclusion of the inspection Colonel By[Pg 50]thesea remarked "That he had had an opportunity of seeing them unofficially the day previously, and was then very much pleased with their drill, more so indeed than on the present occasion. He might tell them that this was owing to the fact of the men in camp yesterday having been there since the first day, thereby continuously learning, and making the battalion to appear to greater disciplinary advantage than it did to-day. Many of the men who were on the inspection parade this day only arrived in the morning, not having attended previously." After a pause he added, "A week's camp did them undoubted good, and next year he hoped to see an appreciation of this fact in a larger and more continuous attendance thereon, under their able and energetic commanding officer, Colonel Everett, than whom none was more earnest in the welfare of the battalion." The inspecting officer concluded his remarks by pointing out how well the "attack" drill under Major the Earl of Pembroke had been carried out, and trusted that more attention might be given to "individual efficiency." The camp was struck and despatched early on the morning of the 7th, and all returned to the various headquarters.

In aid of the battalion funds a grand bazaar was held on the 6th and 7th October, 1880, in Wilton Park, by the kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery. The opening day was worse than wet—a heavy downfall of rain, such rain as precluded the hope of purchasers, much more distant visitors. Amidst the damp and gloom the various stalls, laden with really very beautiful, rare, and valuable articles, were decked out in their brightest, and stall-keepers peered through the downpour for customers. Here and there damp people showed, and if not only intent on using the large sale tent for shelter, might invest a trifle; but it looked bad for the disposal of saleables, and the bargains were much confined to mutual dealings. His Royal Highness Prince Leopold and the Marquess of Bath were amongst the[Pg 51] patrons. The patronesses were the Marchioness of Bath, the Marchioness of Westminster, the Countess of Pembroke, the Countess of Nelson, Lady Arundell of Wardour, Lady Antrobus, Lady Gertrude Bouverie, Lady Ellen Gordon, Lady Theodore Guest, Lady Doreen Long, Lady Lilian Paulet, Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart, Lady Trafalgar, Lady Charles Wellesley, Mrs. Moberley, Mrs. Penruddocke, Mrs. J.P. Edwards, Mrs. M.K. Marsh, Mrs. Fane Benett Stanford, Mrs. Fane de Salis, Mrs. Alfred Seymour, &c. The stalls were held by the Marchioness of Bath, Mrs. Everett, Mrs. Gibney, Mrs. Kelsey, Mrs. Hadding, Mrs. W.B. Clark, Mrs. Stancomb, Mrs. Wakeman and Mrs. Ponting; Major Gibney undertaking the gallery of illustrations and shooting gallery.

Towards the latter part of the day the weather somewhat improved, and fair faces and importunity relieved the visitors from being embarrassed with riches. Raffles, shooting galleries on a small scale, were in full swing, and helped to swell the day's receipts. Next day, as regards rain, there was not any; fine, but very wet under foot. Nevertheless, the company of sightseers were numerous, and stall-keepers did a good business; but it was evident that many had come to buy, and spent their money without stint. The object was a good one; and at inspections and other times few there were of any position in the county who had not accepted hospitality from the battalion. Altogether, thanks entirely to the generosity and consideration of the Earl of Pembroke, the bazaar was a success; and with the amounts received from the two bazaars subsequently held at Warminster and Trowbridge, realised the very handsome sum of £400.

The Army List for 1881 no longer recognised separate corps. The whole volunteer force was consolidated, and the 1st Wilts Rifle Battalion was thus, January 1881:—

Honorary Colonel.
Bath, Marquis of.

Lieutenant-Colonel.
Everett, J.F.

Majors.
Pembroke and Montgomery, Earl of.
Fowls, W.H.

Captains.
Clark, W.P.
Laverton, W.H.
Adye, W.
Kelsey, E.F.
Stancomb, E.P.
Wakeman, H.J.
Hodding, F.

[Pg 52]

Lieutenants.
Clark, W.P., Junior.
Mann, W.J.
Ponting, T.
Hall, N.P.
Allen, W.
Gordon, Hamilton G.W.
Flower, T.
Clark, T.H.
Wilson, R.A.
Wilson, G.N.
Pinniger, H.D.

Adjutant.
Gibney, R.D. (Hon. Major).

Quartermaster.
Fawcett, W.

Surgeons.
Bennett, T.J.M., M.D.
Tayler, G.C., M.B.
Lee, F.F., M.B.

Acting Surgeon.
Hinton, J.

Chaplains.
Jones, Revd. W.H.
Philipps, Revd. Sir J.E., Bart.
Olivier, Revd. D.
Meyer, Revd. H., M.A.
Cowley-Brown, Revd. G.J.

The officers met at Warminster on the 30th March, 1881, to make arrangements for the year, auditing accounts, and to consider how best it would be to act so that the battalion might attend at the Royal Review to be held, later on at Windsor.

On the 9th July the various companies left their headquarters at some unearthly hour in the morning, and marching to various stations on the Great Western Railway, between Salisbury and Trowbridge, were picked up by the special train and proceeded onwards to Slough. Here they detrained, and were hastily proved and equalised; no time being lost in this, as each company had brought with it a "present state," which was given over to the adjutant on entering the train, and numbers of companies with their strength, arranged by him previous to reaching their destination; the strength of the battalion on the occasion being 599. The total number of volunteers present were 52,000.

There were a good many difficulties to contend with previous to the battalion leaving for Slough. The railway company appeared to be undecided as to their charges, and somewhat exacting as to where trains should stop so as to pick up companies. To these magnates, railway directors, it seemed but a little matter whether a volunteer regiment or company marched a few additional miles out and home to join a train which could, but would not, pull up at a nearer station. Then the feeding arrangements were decidedly precarious; and as[Pg 53] men leaving home about 3 A.M., and not returning until about the same hour next day, all wearing tight uniforms with little room to stow away provisions, would be hungry, it was necessary to ensure a supply of food. Contractors in London had agreed to meet the want, but something at the last moment occurred to upset the arrangement, and on the day previous to starting this battalion found itself unprovided for. It was a very serious consideration. The men, scattered all over the county, had been given to understand that provisions would be found on the ground, and there was no time to alter previous arrangements; but Quartermaster W. Fawcett was a man of resources, and between travelling and telegraphing overcame the difficulty.

It was necessary to have meat and drink for six hundred hungry men on the morrow by noon in Windsor Park, and Mr. Fawcett met the difficulty by hiring a medium-sized furniture van, in which beer, wine, bread, cheese, and pasties of pig's flesh (said to be) for about one thousand individuals were stowed away (the pasties making were the night's work for half the cooks at Salisbury), and the van with its contents placed upon a truck and conveyed with the regiment to Slough. Here horses, previously telegraphed for, were found, and when all was ready the feeding van followed the battalion into the Royal demesne of Windsor, causing it to be, after all, far better provisioned than many hailing much nearer home. Hungry men are not very particular, but the pasty was——

The day was very fine, and the review a complete success. Among the thousands of volunteers wandering about the Park (being dismissed on arrival until the assembly should sound) not one case of the slightest impropriety occurred. It was a grand sight; so many citizen soldiers drawn up in column, and afterwards marching past their sovereign; held together, as her defenders, by no stern military codes. The love of country, respect for law and order, had made these, and four times these, study the art of war; and now one quarter of the whole, drawn from all parts of her kingdom, assembled to do her honour. God grant that their services may be never required for sterner purposes.

[Pg 54]

The following general order by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief was published:—

"Windsor,
"10th July, 1881.

"The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief having received the Queen's commands to express the gratification and pleasure with which Her Majesty yesterday reviewed so large a force of her volunteer troops in the Great Park at Windsor, and Her Majesty's entire satisfaction with the soldier-like appearance and bearing of all ranks, His Royal Highness desires, without delay, to notify Her Majesty's commands to the forces.

"The troops reviewed consisted of 96 battalions, besides the Royal Naval Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company, the whole composing upwards of 52,000 officers and men, representing the volunteers of England and Wales.

"The concentration and subsequent disposal to their homes of so large a body in so short a time would have been impossible without proper subordination and strict obedience to orders, and judging by the punctual performance of the railway service as well as by his own observation of the battalions from the time of their arrival to the close of the Review, His Royal Highness is satisfied that the discipline and endurance of all ranks would do credit to troops employed on permanent service, and are worthy of the highest commendation.

"The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief was most favourably impressed with the military bearing of the officers and men, both on and off parade; and His Royal Highness begs to thank the volunteers of all ranks, the general staff officers of the force, the medical officers attached to the field hospitals, and the staff officers for railway service for the accurate and successful performance of their respective duties. His Royal Highness's thanks are also due to the railway authorities for their hearty co-operation and untiring exertions, without which so large a concentration of troops could not have been effected.

"By command,
"C.H. Ellice, Adjt.-General."

[Pg 55]

On the 23rd July the Lord Mayor of London entertained the commanding officers of all the volunteer battalions represented at the Review at Windsor on the 9th July, at a banquet in the Mansion House; Colonel J.F. Everett, as representing this battalion, was among his Lordship's guests.

Notwithstanding the battalion having been present so recently at the Review in Windsor Park, the usual regimental camp was held. It commenced on the 30th July at Warminster, and the annual inspection took place on the 5th August; Colonel Bythesea, commanding 38th Depôt Brigade, being the inspecting officer; the numbers present on parade being 573. After the inspection Colonel Bythesea made the following remarks to the battalion. "He was glad to have an opportunity of meeting them for the third time, and was very much pleased at their appearance and the creditable way in which they had performed their duties. They had turned out clean and in good order, all their appointments and clothing being very good." After saying it was not his duty to always complain, the inspecting officer proceeded to remark on the want of attention to little things which should be amended. "In yesterday's drill, as also to-day, there was shown to have been a want of attention to both company and squad drill, and yet for the correct execution of manœuvres a knowledge of these drills was essential;" adding that he was the more anxious to make this known as he felt he was "addressing men who had sacrificed a great deal of time and convenience in attending these camps, and had turned soldiers to help their country."

The usual luncheon was given by the officers, and the evening being bright and clear, the assembly round the great camp fire was numerous, and song after song continued until the bugle-note recalled the many to their tents.

At daybreak all were astir, and after packing the camp and a hasty meal, the men were marched to the station, in time for the early trains taking them homewards.

The age clause was brought to bear on Honorary Major and Adjutant Robert Dwarris Gibney, and on the 23rd September that officer ceased to be connected with the battalion. He had served with it somewhat over twenty[Pg 56] years, and had been the first adjutant appointed. A marvellous change had come over it and the whole volunteer movement during this period. Battalions administrative had become consolidated, and officers and men lost much of their individuality. In most instances it was for the best. The want of cohesion and system in battalions meeting their component parts for drill everywhere and anywhere was injurious to the service. The commanding officer of such a battalion was only so on parade, and had but little authority. To adjutants first organising these battalions the trials were numerous. Officers and men could and did differ from him on matters of discipline, and could be at times as contrary as agreeable. A man of camps or just off from Crimean and Indian campaigning, albeit somewhat of a martinet, and of quick temper, accustomed to obey and be obeyed, doubtless often found himself in difficulties in the new state of things. However, these adjutants as a rule not being very young men or exacting fools, learned how best to adapt themselves to the change, and it is to the tact and common-sense, but more especially to the support given to these officers by the inspectors first appointed, commanding officers of battalions, as also of companies, that much of the efficiency of the volunteer force is due.

Major R.D. Gibney had served for many years regimentally, and on the staff, in India, and raising the 7th Company of Rifle Volunteers (Gloucestershire) at Cheltenham in 1859, commanded the same until appointed adjutant in Wiltshire, May 1861, and was among the senior captains of volunteers in the service. The following farewell order was issued:—

"Head Quarters, Warminster,
"23rd September, 1881.

"The colonel commanding the battalion cannot allow Major R.D. Gibney to retire from the active part of the service without publicly expressing on the part of the battalion their best thanks to Major Gibney for the active, zealous, and satisfactory manner in which he has always performed the onerous duties of an adjutant during the twenty years which he has served in the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers."

[Pg 57]

On the 15th October a testimonial, in the shape of a silver tea-urn, was presented to the late Adjutant-Major R.D. Gibney on his retirement, at a dinner held for the purpose at the Bath Arms, Warminster.

The Honorary Colonel, The Marquis of Bath, the Honorary Chaplain, Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., and the officers of the battalion being present, the chair was taken by Colonel Everett, the vice-chair by Major The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, and after the presentation had been made by the colonel commanding the battalion in words both generous and kind, a suitable reply was given by Major Gibney. A long, long farewell, with many heartfelt good wishes were exchanged on both sides, and the connection with the regiment was severed.

Captain John D. Hume, of The Sherwood Foresters, was appointed adjutant 23rd September, 1881, vice Honorary Major R.D. Gibney, retired.

On the 6th December the battalion paraded at Warminster at 5.30 P.M., so as to line the streets on the occasion of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Longleat House, and the town was illuminated. The weather was boisterous and wet, entirely spoiling the effect.

The Summary of Annual Returns showed a total strength of 650, of whom 629 were registered as "efficients."

The capitation grant earned amounted to £1140. Water-bottles and new belts were purchased for the whole battalion.

Early in the year 1882 a meeting of officers took place at Warminster to audit accounts, and to make such arrangements as might be considered necessary for the twelve months.

On Easter Monday, 10th April, the battalion took part in a review and sham fight which was held in the neighbourhood of Portsdown Hill, near Portsmouth,[Pg 58] afterwards marching past His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who received the salute. The number of men engaged on the day exceeded 27,000.

The battalion detrained at Fareham, and proceeded at once to occupy the position assigned to them. The weather was fine, but cold.

The troops were under the command of Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and were divided into an attacking and defending body, the former consisting of 15,085 men, commanded by Major-General Higginson, and the latter of 12,486 men, under Major-General Packenham, and to this latter force the 1st Wilts Battalion was attached. The sham fight took place in the country to the north of Portsdown Hill, and was not decisive. The battle was brought to an end at 2 P.M., and at 3 P.M. the march past commenced. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was present, but the salute was taken by H.R.H. Field-Marshal the Duke of Cambridge.

The following General Order was issued by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief:—

"It is very gratifying to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, upon each fresh occasion when His Royal Highness has an opportunity of reviewing large bodies of volunteers, to witness on the part of all ranks a greater steadiness under arms, and an increased attention to drill. Upwards of 20,000 volunteers took part in the day's operations, and the manner in which these were carried out reflects great credit upon all concerned. The soldier-like bearing of the men, their prompt obedience to the orders of their officers, and the silence with which the movements were effected was most satisfactory.

"The good conduct of the volunteers on the march from Petersfield, and of those who for the last two days have been quartered in and about Portsmouth, does honour to the great National Force to which they belong.

"It has afforded Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales great pleasure to take part as a Colonel of Volunteers in the day's proceedings. The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief begs to thank General His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar for the excellence of his arrangements, which conduced so much to the success of the operations; and[Pg 59] His Royal Highness congratulates the General Officers, Brigadiers, the Staff, and all the officers of the regular forces who have given their assistance, upon the efficiency with which they performed their respective duties."

On the 7th August the battalion assembled at Warminster for the annual camp, marching-in strength being 353, and present at inspection 510.

After the inspection Colonel Bythesea, Inspecting Officer, and commanding 38th Depôt, addressed the following words to the battalion:—

"It is the fourth time I have had the pleasure of inspecting you, and on looking over the returns I find that whilst many have attended squad drills, a large number have been absent from them. I am pleased with the accoutrements and clothing, as also with your cleanliness and smartness, and on the examination of the camp was glad to find the tents all kept neatly and in good order."

This year, 1882, an ambulance corps was formed, consisting of four men per company. They were instructed by Staff-Surgeon Bennett and the medical officers of the battalion.

On the 23rd February the annual meeting of the officers was held at Warminster to audit the accounts and to make arrangements for the year 1883.

The usual regimental camp was held on Homerton Down, near Salisbury, the battalion marching in on Tuesday the 2nd August. On Monday the 6th August, by the kind permission of the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, a concert and regimental fête was held at Wilton Park, in aid of the Band Fund, and a sum of about £80 was realised. On the 8th the battalion was inspected by Colonel Brett, the number at the inspection being 530. The inspection was held under considerable disadvantages, the weather being very inclement. At the conclusion of the inspection Colonel Brett informed the battalion that "he was pleased with the way officers[Pg 60] and men had turned out, with the way the tents were pitched, and camp kept, and also was glad to hear that the conduct in camp had been good. The movements on parade might have been executed smarter, but the march past and battalion movements were well done, the 'attack' being very well carried out. He should have liked to have heard a little more command from company and section commanders given while the firing was going on, as, in the attack, ammunition should be expended with very great discretion, it being of more importance that the aim should be accurate and true than that the firing be delivered quickly. The guards and sentries wanted smartness, for though guard duties were irksome in camp, too much attention could not be paid to having them carried out correctly and smartly. The responsibility and care of the camp devolved on those guarding it."

The camp was broken up on the 9th August.

The Summary of Annual Returns showed a total enrolled, 615, efficients, 587.

The officers met at Warminster early in this year, 1884, to audit the accounts, and to make arrangements for the year.

On 16th May the battalion, in conjunction with the yeomanry, took part in a field day on the downs between the race-plain and Salisbury, near the village of Barford, Colonel Everett commanding the attacking force and Major Fowle the defending, Colonel Brett and Lord Arthur Somerset acting as umpires; the field day ending with a march past on the racecourse.

As there was no camp held this year, the battalion assembled for the purpose of inspection at Warminster on Saturday 9th August, at 3.30 P.M., and were marched to the down, there being present on parade 467, made up into 8 companies of 21 file each, under the command of Colonel Everett, the inspecting officer being Colonel Brett, commanding the depôt. The afternoon was intensely hot, and all things were not so satisfactory as could have been wished. The whole, after partaking of[Pg 61] some bread, cheese, and beer, eventually returned to the railway station, and from thence homewards.

This year Honorary Major and Captain W.P. Clark, commanding the Trowbridge companies, resigned his commission, he having with his brother, Major Clark, raised the 2nd Corps, and been the officers first appointed, Major T. Clark as captain, and Honorary Major W.P. Clark as lieutenant. To both these officers all connected with the Trowbridge Rifle Corps are much indebted, and to their example and tact is due much of the invariably good behaviour of the men under them. Honorary Major W.P. Clark will be missed from the battalion. A genial and obliging officer, knowing his duty well, and setting an example to all in camp or elsewhere, in the way he carried out all orders, received in unhesitating obedience. On the 6th October a meeting of the officers was held at Warminster, and it was there arranged that a regimental camp as usual should be formed in 1885 at Warminster in the beginning of August.

The Summary of Annual Returns showed 541 efficients, and the capitation grant earned was £1079.

Extract from Army List, January, 1885:—

Honorary Colonel.
Bath, The Marquis of.

Majors.
Pembroke and Montgomery, The Earl of.
Fowle W.H.

Captains.
Adye, William (Hon. Major T).
Kelsey, E.F.
Stancomb, E.F. (Hon. Major T).
Wakeman, H.J.
Hodding, F.
Wilson, G.N.
Clark, W.P.

Lieutenants.
Mann, W.H.
Hall, J.P.
Clark, T.H.
Farebrother, H.J.L.
Pelly, Sir H., Bart.
Kelland, J.
Pinckney, A.B.
Smith, S.
Curtis, P.F.

Adjutant.
Hume, J.W.T. (Captain, Derby Regiment).

Quartermaster.
Harris, G.

Surgeons.
Bennett, T.J., M.D. (Honorary Surgeon-Major).
Tayler, G.C., M.B.
Lee, F.F., M.B.

Acting Surgeon.
Hinton, J.

Honorary Chaplain.
Olivier, Revd. D.

Acting Chaplain.
Doyle, The Very Revd. C.D., M.A., Dean of Salisbury.

[Pg 62]

On the 1st May a special meeting of the officers of the battalion was convened at Warminster to consider the proposal of the general officer commanding the district, Sir George Willis, K.C.B., with regard to the formation of a Volunteer Transport Corps. After some correspondence the movement was abandoned, and this principally from the War Office refusing to assist with the necessary funds.

On Saturday the 1st August, the annual camp was held on Warminster Down, the men marching in on the Saturday afternoon, their strength being 419, when they immediately proceeded to pitch tents and establish the camp. The next day could hardly be considered a day of rest for the battalion, inasmuch as the early morning found the men employed on fatigue duties, the forenoon at an instruction drill under Colonel Everett, and the afternoon at church parade, not held as formerly, with a chaplain and a drum concealed by the colours for a reading desk, and a very attenuated congregation of somewhat husky volunteers forming choir and listeners, but a parade, marching to church down at Warminster, at least two miles away. It was far better so; an idle Sunday in camp was detrimental in every way. It was simply a lounge for visitors, and was subversive of discipline, and often propriety.

Monday, being Bank Holiday, was treated as such after twelve o'clock, and athletic sports took the place of drill. The spectators must have exceeded 6000 in number, and were well rewarded for coming so far. Races (with an allowance for age and service), officers' menagerie race (won by geese, splendidly held together and driven by Lieuts. Whitehead and Curtis), hurdle races, sack jumping, and tug-of-war. Four companies competed in the bayonet exercise—Salisbury, Wilton, Warminster, and Bradford, the judge being Major Helme, the prize being a challenge cup, given by Lord Harry Thynne, M.P. It was won, but not without a very close contest, by the Salisbury company; the first and second prizes of 40s. and 20s. (with 10s. extra for the drill instructor of the winning squad) to Wilton and Warminster companies. There were prizes for which the yeomanry were alone eligible, such as tent-pegging, tilting at the ring, &c., at[Pg 63] which much skill and really good horsemanship was shown. Captain Helme, of the Rood Ashton Troop, was facile princeps both in tent-pegging and tilting, but refused to take a prize.

On the 7th the battalion was inspected by Colonel Brett, commanding the 38th Depôt Brigade, the parade state showing 568 as present. The day was intensely hot but fine, and the onlookers many. The battalion assembled on the general parade at 2.30 P.M., and after a thorough inspection were addressed by Colonel Brett. He said that the march past was especially good, the evolutions executed smartly and in good style, and in marching at the double the men kept together and moved with a precision which would do credit to a line regiment. The camp was clean, well kept and orderly, and the drills, including bayonet exercise, and the new system of attack, creditably performed, more especially considering the short space of time they had been learning it.

The inspecting officer then required those belonging to the ambulance corps to be put through their movements, and was well satisfied with the thorough knowledge displayed.

The evening saw a merry lot sitting round the usual great camp fire, song after song passing on from officer or man until the bugle rung out the retire, and visitor and volunteer quitted the scene. But they had to be up early the next day; breakfasts soon after daybreak, their tents to strike, and the whole camp to be packed. This done, a picnic dinner on the short crisp turf of the wild downs, and the whole marched to Warminster on the return to their respective homes.

[Pg 64]

Head Quarters, Warminster,
1st November, 1885.

1st Wilts Volunteer Battalion.—Summary of Annual Returns.

KEY TO COLUMN HEADINGS:
a. Company.
b. Station.
c. Efficients.
d. Non-Efficients.
e. Total Enrolled.
f. Officers.
g. Sergeants.
h. "Tactics." Certificated Officers.
i. Marksmen.
j. Remarks.

(Signed)      J.W. Hume, Major and Adjutant,
1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

[Pg 65]

This year, 1885, marks the retirement from command of the battalion of one who could be ill spared. Colonel Everett sent in his resignation towards the close of the year, and with this episode it may be as well to bring this history to a conclusion. In Colonel J. Everett the battalion had found just the man they wanted, and just at the time most needed. Energetic, self-reliant, a first-rate business man, and of great command of temper, he used all these valuable qualities for the new duties which he had undertaken. He found the seeds of good well sown in the battalion, of which he accepted the command in 1866; but they wanted developing. Never had a better class of men, as a whole, more willing or, as things were at that time, possessing more general knowledge of drill than the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, been offered to a young officer fresh from the service. Systematic drills, discipline, and cohesion were what were required, and so Colonel Everett was not long in discovering that these could never be attained by following old courses. Regimental camps and a turn occasionally at Aldershot, or in camp with regulars, were the only panacea; and by patiently continuing these, the battalion has become one worthy of the encomiums ever passed upon it by authorities, and of being of use in the defence of the empire, should its services ever be demanded.

The following copy of battalion orders dated December 15, 1885, is given: "It is with much regret that Colonel J.F. Everett now takes leave of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers, after commanding them for nearly twenty years, and he will always look back with pleasure and satisfaction to his long connection with them; and though it is with great reluctance that he relinquishes the command, yet it gives him much consolation and satisfaction to know that it devolves on the Earl of Pembroke, the next senior officer, and one who has always shown as a subordinate officer a perfect example of strict obedience and all other good qualities which a soldier ought to possess; and who, by position and knowledge of the military profession, is in every way fitted to take command of the battalion.

"In conclusion, Colonel Everett begs to thank the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the battalion for their uniform good behaviour, good discipline,[Pg 66] and attention to his orders during the many years he has commanded them, and he hopes they will always endeavour by their good conduct and discipline to make themselves more efficient year by year, and to increase the already good reputation which they bear.

"By order.
"(Signed) J. Hume, Major and Adjutant
1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers."

Finis.

As this account of the raising of a battalion of infantry in the now well-known and fairly efficient body of men termed the Volunteer Force of Great Britain is sent to the printers, so once again comes the rumour of war and the possibility of our being invaded. We are stronger, better armed, and as a nation generally far better acquainted with the needs of warfare and how to meet them; but so are those who not improbably will be opposed to us. The past thirty years have been thirty wondrous years of increased knowledge in all that concerns war. Steam has in reality bridged the Channel, when vessels of ten thousand tons can steam more than twenty miles an hour; and these are both numerous and well adapted for troopers. Guns have been made far more destructive, and are effective at immense distances; and armies, which then were considered terrible in their numbers and might, are now increased fourfold; and no single thing left untried or unconsidered which might tend to their capabilities of offence or defence. We may be better prepared to resist invasion than we were in 1859, but are we so fully prepared, and are our forces so numerous, so armed, so fully equipped and so fully provided with guns, hospital comforts, carriage and commissariat, as would allow of our auxiliary forces being called upon suddenly to serve and, so serving, to hold their own and keep the field for a prolonged period?

It is no time to be careful as to what foreigners may impute, or to defer preparations in deference to their feelings. War in Europe is imminent, at the door, and war in Europe not improbably means some nation or nations at war with us. If this be so, we may rest assured that nothing less than our ruin as a naval and military power would be attempted.—R.D.G. 1888.

[Pg 67]

1ST CORPS (SALISBURY) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Among the first to stir in the matter of self-defence and raising a corps of rifle volunteers was the city of Salisbury—England's Venice. Indeed, a rifle corps, consisting of one company and a sub-division, with its officers and non-commissioned officers, drill and practice grounds, and systematic teachings, had been established and worked before many other towns and cities had done much more than think something really ought to be arranged—of course not by themselves, but by the Government. However all this may be, the old cathedral city of Salisbury, so early as May, 1859, had called a public meeting at the White Hart Hotel to consider the desirability of raising a body of riflemen from the city; and among those attending the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. After some preliminary conversation, Mr. J.H. Jacob, of the Close, was asked to take the chair, and business immediately commenced. Among those present were many of the leading county families, as also the principal tradesmen. Indeed the room was inconveniently filled, upwards of one hundred persons being there. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, when T.W. Gilbert, Esq., moved, and J. Pinckney, Esq., seconded, a resolution to the following effect: "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a rifle corps be established in this city, to be called the Salisbury Rifle Corps, and to be under the regulations received from the War Office."

This resolution was unanimously adopted, as also was a second, moved by A. Denis Hussey, Esq., and seconded by Mr. James Brown: "That a committee be formed for the purpose of establishing such, and that they be empowered to enrol members, receive subscriptions, frame rules and regulations, and to communicate with the Lord Lieutenant of the county thereon. That five be a quorum, and that such committee do consist of Messrs. J.H. Jacob, A.D. Hussey, T.W. Gilbert, J. Pinckney, James Brown, E.W. Brodie, E. Fisher, John Read, W. Pain, E. Sidford,[Pg 68] W. Fawcett, jun., R. Cobb, N. Davis, with power to add to their number."

At the suggestion of T. Pain, Esq., that the command of this corps, with the rank of a field officer, be offered to the present chairman, should the Lord Lieutenant of the county consent to such appointment, the proceedings were brought to a close. The following was given as an estimate of about the expenses incidental to any joining the rifle corps, and receiving no assistance from subscriptions, &c., &c.:—

In the issue of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of May 28, 1859, under the heading of "The Salisbury Volunteer Rifle Corps," the names of the chairman and committee of the corps were given in full, and a "Notice" to the following effect was added:—

"The committee being prepared to enrol members of this corps under the regulations recently issued from the War Office, all persons wishing to join are requested to forward their names in writing to any member of the committee, and they will be duly enrolled.

"All members of the corps must undertake to pay for their own uniform (the cost thereof not to exceed £3 10s.), to be provided through the medium of the committee.

"The arms and accoutrements will be provided by the committee from the funds to be raised by subscription, and will thenceforth be the property of the corps."

The attention of all the citizens of Salisbury was called to this advertisement by the editor of the paper, and from this date very many enrolled themselves as members of the Salisbury corps; J.H. Jacob, Esq., being appointed captain-commandant, and he afterwards selecting and recommending the names of gentlemen willing to serve to fill the subordinate positions. That something more than playing at soldiers was intended may be inferred from the editorial of the paper in which the advertisement appeared. It is presumed that the editor not only appreciated the gravity of the situation, but repeated the[Pg 69] sentiments of those attending the meeting, when he stated the result of inquiries to be, "the obligation of every member to obtain a fair proficiency in drill, and to obey the regulations published, and that this could be done easily by an hour-and-a-half's drill in the morning, say from 7 to 8.30 a.m., and an hour-and-a-half in the evening, from 6.30 to 8 p.m., on consecutive or separate days, as most convenient, so that interference with professional or other avocations need not be feared." Shades of the past! "to be done easily." Time was precious, and men were enthusiastic; and perhaps were circumstances to repeat themselves, elderly gentlemen and striplings would again be seen very early in the morning practising judging distances on a common or on some wild moor, and of an evening setting out in hail, rain, or snow for the shed, hall, or yard used for drill instruction. There certainly is not the necessity now for all this assiduous attention, but the Force would be better for more care being given to these preliminary drills. The foundation of drills was well laid there, and the result was greater steadiness in the ranks, and perhaps a greater individual knowledge of the meaning of certain manœuvres. It would take a good deal now-a-days to make young England turn out at daybreak to improve his knowledge of skirmishing and judging distance, or to give up the sweet saunter on the pavé, with a bad cigar in his mouth and the refreshment derivable from an occasional glass of bitter beer, for one to two hours' instruction in minutiæ, and an occasional lecture on war as a science. If skill in the use of the rifle and a thorough knowledge of the movements of a company in battalion or singly were necessary in 1857 to preclude the possibility of an invading army making progress in this our island, much more is required now. The use of steam, from the largest to the smallest vessel, and the enormous speed, sea-worthiness, and capabilities of these vessels, have thrown twenty bridges across the Channel, where formerly two barely existed. Our trade has increased enormously, and as we are dependent on it in many instances for mere existence, it demands greater attention from our fleets in every part of the world, and weapons of war are far more deadly. In other words, war has become a science. Doubtless[Pg 70] bravery, or, as Lord Palmerston had it, "he who could stand a quarter of an hour more beating than another will win," if the old style of hammer and tongs be adopted; but we have no right to suppose this. We know that the Germans blundered very little, and in invading carried all before them. If, in our turn, we should be invaded or at war, it were well for us to have every joint in the harness carefully looked to beforehand, and not trust too much on such a reed as militia or volunteers would be after a "little more teaching," "some weeding out," and "embodiment." The next European war in which England is engaged, gives time for none of these processes; and not improbably the volunteer battalion, made up of scattered companies, full of half-drilled, ignorant bumpkins or mechanics, with no great-coats, paper-soled boots, and underclothing spare and worn, working as labourers in the wildest parts of Yorkshire, or the smelting works of Staffordshire, will be summoned by telegraph to join the head quarters at ——, and take part in the manœuvres deemed necessary to repel an invasion occurring or occurred on the coast. Will men then be weeded out? Will their poor papery boots, spoiled by the mud of the first ditch they are bid to hide in? Will their utter ignorance of sign or signal, of the value of keeping touch, and not acting independently, stand them instead, and they be sent to the reserve until better suitable? I trow not. They will be subjected, regular and irregular, taught and untaught, to the same murderous fire and rigorous treatment. There will be no time for selection, and the whole nation will rue the day when they were persuaded into the belief that they were not likely to be attacked, and that for offence or defence they were amply provided.

Among the first officers of the company were Captains Jacob, Beverley Robinson, and Ambrose Hussey, Esq., with Mr. Wyndham Payne, Edward Fisher, George Smith, C. Brown, W.J. Wilton, as subalterns; whilst the names of Mr. Walter Clapperton, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Read, Mr. Farrant, Sir E. Poore, Mr. E. Kelsey, Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Harris, Mr. Aylward, Mr. Maunder, Mr. Rae, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Farr, Mr. Curtis, as non-commissioned officers at the same time may be mentioned. Captain Jacob[Pg 71] commanded the company, with its headquarters at Salisbury, and the half company with its headquarters near Downton, under the command of Lieutenant Wyndham Payne, and no time was lost after organization in commencing drills and practices. The records kept are small in amount, giving no details, and as a rule are merely orders for drills and parades. "The Company will parade on Harnham Hill, or at the Reservoir at 7 a.m. to-morrow for judging distance drill," or "to-morrow evening for position and aiming drill at the Market House," appears monotonously frequently, after the 9th September, 1859, in the Company Order Book. The corps were present at the review held in their neighbourhood at Clarendon Park, mustering well, two companies with thirty file each, and were always well represented at other reviews and battalion drills. The corps attended as two companies at Durdham Downs, near Bristol, and doubtless joined in the obnoxious volley firing, at Bath, Southsea Common, Portsdown, the autumn manœuvres, Royal Review at Windsor, and Jubilee Review more recently at Aldershot. At the various regimental camps the numbers have been fairly good, though marching-in strength was not well continued day after day; but tradesmen, particularly of a busy city like Salisbury, can ill afford to be much away from their work, and of these the Salisbury Rifle Corps have been and yet are composed. The uniform selected was more useful than beautiful, its cut being after the style as shown in the figures of Noah & Sons in the ark. Certainly the corps attracted many young men into its ranks, but the uniform could not have been the source. It however was not lost upon the London street boy, inasmuch as, when Captain Jacob and Lieutenant Robinson in uniform proceeded down St. James Street on their way to the levée held in 1860 for the presentation of volunteer officers only, one urchin remarked, "Well! if them ain't the ugliest buffers we've seen yet." A sentiment which (speaking from absolute knowledge) the captain thoroughly appreciated.

The formation of the various corps of South Wilts into a battalion with its head quarters at Salisbury, and that city very often used as a meeting-place for all the corps on battalion occasions, was perhaps rather advantageous[Pg 72] to the headquarter companies, enabling them to practise field movements, and to acquire more knowledge of battalion manœuvres than other corps, and at less cost; but it is doubtful after all. The dispersion of other companies in the midst of a battalion drill in order to get to railway stations affected them too, and perhaps a quiet battalion instruction parade on the cricket ground, with four companies in single ranks of twenty or twenty-four men each, was more effective and instructive. The Market Hall made an excellent covered-in place to teach aiming drill or squad, but was too cramped and supplied with articles of machinery, &c., &c., to make it thoroughly available for company drill. The streets of the market place then, as the short evenings of autumn or the dark nights of winter came on, had to serve the purpose, and drilling became a tremendous difficulty. Imagine one hundred men in uniform marching through a dense mass of the genus street boy at every twist or turn they took, and every order, as given by instructor, captain, or sergeant, echoed and re-echoed by these detestable small boys. To attempt any drills where firing (sham) would be shown, such as volley or independent firing, &c., &c., was the signal for more than usual activity and interest in the proceedings being shown by the tormentors. With "P'sent," down fell a wriggling mass in the mud, each shamming to have been shot, and only rising and running to the flanks as the good-natured riflemen moved forwards. What were the police about? The police at that day cared not to interfere in these matters, and a rifleman was too new a thing to be appreciated or protected.

Owing to the want of any lists of attendance, target practice records, or extensive cuttings from the local papers, it is a very hard task for any one to show what occurred in the early days of this corps. It appears to have shown a strength of 121, forming two companies at the Clarendon Park Review so far back as September, 1860; the officers present being Captain Commandant Jacob, Captain Beverley Robinson, Lieut. Pinckney, Lieut. Sir E. Poore, Bart., Ensign Hussey, Ensign Fisher, Assist.-Surgeon Cardell, and Quartermaster Smith. At the first inspection of the newly formed battalion, which[Pg 73] took place on the downs above Warminster, under Major G. Hume, Inspector of the District, the corps mustered within one of the same strength, viz. 120, Captains Robinson and Hussey, Lieutenants Fisher, Smith and Wyndham Payne, with C. Brown, J. Brown, and Assist.-Surgeon Cardell, being the officers present. About this number the corps remained for some years, gradually increasing both in efficiency and discipline. The force had become established, regimental camps were formed, more system prevailed, and men undertaking the duties of volunteer privates better understood what would be demanded from them, and reflected accordingly. The enthusiasm had died out, but the spirit of determination that the country should not again be left to ignorant self-defence was as strong as ever, and as corps became more consolidated, so did the members, both officers and others, fluctuate less. With all this, there was after awhile throughout the battalion a slow but steady increase of members; and the Annual Returns of corps composing the 1st Wilts Rifle Battalion show that, in November, 1869, the Salisbury corps had a total enrolled of 156, of these 150 being efficients and only six non-efficient. In 1873, at an inspection parade held at Warminster, they mustered a total of 112. Again, in 1875, at another inspection, they had present 125; though of these 25 were belonging to the band, fairly drilled men perhaps, but of whose proficiency in anything beyond a musician's duty no test was made. However, the band was and is a necessity for a rifle battalion, and to some extent for a company detached. Both Salisbury and Trowbridge corps furnished the men required for the battalion band, hence at inspections an undue proportion of these corps appeared to be bandsmen. In the instance above, Trowbridge also contributed 21 men out of her muster of 143 to the band. At one time in the volunteer epoch, the bands were somewhat too numerous; "five-and-twenty fifers and five fighting men" was not altogether unknown at a muster; but time has changed all this.

The Annual Returns for 1875 show a total enrolled of 173, of whom 162 were efficients. In 1878, the return is 180, with 176 efficients. The attendance in camp for[Pg 74] inspection in 1877 was 138; and again in 1881, 168, Captains Kelsey and Hodding being in command.

The rifle range of the Salisbury corps was at some distance from the city, on the London Road, and was a particularly difficult range at which a good score could be made. The ground undulated somewhat, and at each range was subject to varying currents of wind; a knowledge of these and their vagaries was a necessary ingredient in the formation of a steadily good shot at Salisbury Rifle Ranges. Practice is said to make perfect, and certainly much practice and attention to detail turned out very many good shots in No. 1 corps. Among the officers might be named Smith, Fisher, J. Brown, C. Brown, Hodding, Kelsey, Harris, Wilton, Wilson; and among the non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the name is legion. Without mentioning all or even one-half the number of those who have been large prize holders, the names of Butler, Wheaton, Manns, Watson, Barnett, Robbins, Calkin, Perris, &c., &c., are famous.

Prize-winning commenced early, as a Company Order, issued on the 19th September, 1861, by Lieutenant Fisher, commanding the corps, directs the band to assemble at the railway station to do honour to Sergeant Butler, who had won at the county meeting held at Devizes the challenge cup, value £50, and a silver salver, whilst Sergeant Wilton of this corps had proved himself to be the best shot of the meeting at 200 and 300 yards, five rounds and Hythe positions, £10 being his reward. Again in 1862, when the Rifle Association of the county held the meeting at Salisbury, we find the Salisbury corps holding their own against all comers, and the Challenge Cup so closely disputed that there was a tie between Sergeant Wilton, 1st corps; Private Hitchcock, 7th Wilts, 2nd Battalion; and Sergeant Neate, 7th Company, 2nd Battalion. The shooting off was in favour of Sergeant Wilton, and amidst the acclamations of almost all present, the chief prize was declared to be yet held by a member of the Salisbury Rifle Corps, and with it the salver offered by the Mayor and Corporation of the City. An unpleasant incident occurred, which may serve to show how servile was the following of Hythe rules. The right to possession of the Challenge Cup by Sergeant Wilton was disputed,[Pg 75] inasmuch as he had used his second finger instead of the fore wherewith to press the trigger, and was not crowned with the bays until he had satisfied some of the committee and the umpire, that owing to an injury he was unable to use the fore-finger. "Tantas componere lites." Imagine in these days raising such an objection! Sergeant Butler won several valuable prizes, shooting at long ranges, 400, 500, 600, and 700 yards, five shots at each distance, and succeeded in scoring a hit for every shot—a total of 20 hits and 45 points. Among the officers, Lieutenant Fisher of this corps won the Ladies' and other prizes. At another county meeting held at Warminster, the shooting of some of the 1st corps was below their usual quality, or perhaps that of others was of a higher standard. The President's Prize places Sergeants Butler and Wilton at 26 points each, and the winning score at 32; the winner being the gentleman shooting a tie with Sergeant Wilton on a former occasion, Sergeant Neate, 7th corps, 2nd Battalion. The change among officers since Mr. Jacob first took the command has been great. Probably, Captain Hodding, at that time a corporal, alone remains. The corps has furnished three majors to the battalion—Captain Jacob on the first formation in 1861, Captain Pinckney in 1872, and Captain Kelsey in 1885. That the Salisbury Rifle Corps, now A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers, has increased in numbers and efficiency is shown by a reference to "Returns" of a recent date. In 1886, the Annual Return, dated 1st November, 1886, gives—A Company, 92 efficients, 9 non-efficients; B Company, 99 efficients, 6 non-efficients. Total, 190 efficients and 15 non-efficients; and at a bayonet exercise competition held in camp in August, 1887, the challenge cup was won by A Company, Salisbury.

[Pg 76]

2ND CORPS (TROWBRIDGE) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

C & D Companies.

Among the earliest of the towns in Wiltshire to move in the formation of a rifle corps must be enumerated that of Trowbridge. A large manufacturing town, it felt how serious a matter would be even an attempt at an invasion of our shores, and without unnecessary delay the raising of a rifle corps was determined upon. It commenced by the formation of a Rifle Shooting Club among some of the tradesmen; but that this would not meet the occasion soon became evident, and in August 1859, a public meeting was called for the purpose of raising a rifle corps, collecting subscriptions, and considering details. The business habits of the leading gentlemen of the town made them act with deliberation, and perhaps it was the delay caused by the consideration of all matters affecting the permanency of the future corps which placed it as No. 2 in the county. It may be so, but at the same time it obviated constant alterations and correction of mistakes.

It was plain that however good at obtaining bull's-eyes on a target a man might be, still he fell very far short of what would be required in a modern rifleman. The troops which an enemy engaging in the invasion of this country would bring, must be selected men, and if opposed by riflemen, held together without knowledge of drill and discipline, but merely acting on the spur of enthusiasm, would scatter such as is chaff before the wind. Elderly landholders were content to entrust the defence of the country to gamekeepers, with perhaps a sprinkling of poachers, as being equally good shots; and some (the military especially) could only see there was nothing like leather, and that troops not trained by the regulations for the army, and drilled exactly as are line and militia, would be worse than useless.

The first meeting, held at the office of Mr. J.G. Foley, with Thomas Clark, Esq. of Bellefield, in the chair,[Pg 77] appointed a committee to canvass the town for volunteers; and Mr. J. Pattison of Bridge House was nominated as secretary. At the second meeting it was seen that a goodly number of names had been enrolled, and that others were ready to join. The meeting then arranged that a corps for Trowbridge should immediately be formed, and that Mr. Thomas Clark of Bellefield be recommended to Her Majesty for the commission of captain.

Subscriptions towards meeting the various wants of the new corps came in from every quarter; Mr. Walter Long of Rood Ashton, Mr. W. Stancomb, and Mr. T. Clark each contributing fifty pounds, whilst sums of smaller amount but yet munificent were received from other gentlemen and the tradesmen generally. All were enthusiastic in the matter.

In the first week of December 1859, Mr. T. Clark received information from the Lord Lieutenant of the County that Her Majesty had accepted the services of those offering, appointing him as captain, with one lieutenant, one ensign, and 100 men of all ranks. The officers recommended for the commissions of lieutenant and ensign were Mr. W.P. Clark and Mr. J.G. Foley.

Constant and regular drills now gave the new corps plenty of occupation. Drill sergeants from the militia and retired veterans from the line were obtained, and fathers of families with their sons, independent gentlemen, tradesmen, and mechanics, despising snow and sleet, pouring rain, and muddy streets, were to be seen at nightfall, with rifle over the shoulder, and not improbably a very heavy stick in hand, just by way of strengthening the muscles of the forearm, wending their way to the place of drill; there to be kept uncomfortable for at least a quarter of an hour for not raising the toes sufficiently off the ground in the "right about turn," or to be pointed at as unworthy of being enrolled as a defender of his country, when the necessary delay of several minutes between the words "two" and "three" in the second position of the musketry exercise made his arm shake like an aspen leaf, and his rifle to wabble ("warble" more probably) in a most unsatisfactory manner. Sergeant Swipes was a great man on these occasions; he[Pg 78] knew how things ought to be done and would have them done. There were none there to say he didn't, or any to dispute his right, so gentlemen drilled on night after night, hoping eventually to be able to complete the circle of "about" without staggering as if half tipsy, and to hold out the rifle if "three" was yet longer in being shouted out.

A detachment of the Antrim Rifles were at this time stationed in the barracks, and from them every assistance and kindness was received. The officers took great interest in the corps, supplied drill sergeants, attended themselves at some of the drills, and as all improved in knowledge of what was necessary, often allowed the corps to do battalion drill with their two companies commanded by Major Bruce.

About this time, through the exertions of Mr. Walter Long of Rood Ashton, a sub-division of the Trowbridge corps was raised at Steeple Ashton, of which Mr. W. Stancomb took command; but soon after resigning was succeeded by Mr. George Temple. However, the whole had but a short life. The men were few, the country wild, and regular attendance at drill almost impossible, so it was broken up.

It will not be out of place here to say what then was meant by raising and supporting a rifle corps, and how great the enthusiasm and patriotism of both men and women must have been when they submitted to give so much and receive so little. In the movement ladies were most enthusiastic and helpful, contributing by gifts of money, uniforms, shooting prizes, and in holding bazaars. To the Government of the day not one shred of praise or thanks are due. They never moved in the matter until very late in the day, and then only to intimate to the Lord Lieutenants of counties that corps might be raised, provided that they met the terms of this letter, which simply said that every expense, even to finding arms—stipulating only for these to be of the same bore—should be borne by the newly formed corps, and that in the event of their services being required, pensions as in the line for wounds, &c., would be sanctioned.

Perhaps it was as well that the authorities did not give more definite orders, if one is to judge by this letter.[Pg 79] They, however, did one good thing, they appointed officers immediately under their own command as Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors—men fresh from the Crimean and Indian Mutiny campaign, who had not only seen service, but had received other impressions than those gathered in the barrack square; and to their common sense, judgment, patience, and willingness to be guided by circumstances, may be attributed the good qualities of the officers and men composing the volunteer force. Names need not be given, these will live in the memory of more than one.

It was impossible that an army such as the volunteer force had now become could go on for ever spending their own money and begging for more to keep them efficient; and so demand after demand was made on the War Office for assistance; but it was not until they saw that it was the people's force, and was supported in its claims by landed gentry and people having detestable influence in Parliament, that this help was sanctioned, and a starvation allowance voted; and as a certain increased amount of efficiency was demanded in return, the volunteer force at once became part of the defensive organization of the country. The Court had earlier shown an indefinite recognition of the force, as it had sanctioned the appearance of the officers at a special levée. The officers appearing at the same from Trowbridge were Captain Thomas Clark, Lieut. W.P. Clark, Ensign J.G. Foley, and Assist.-Surgeon Seale. The modesty of their uniform as compared with the wonderful compositions surrounding could hardly have given the facetious among the crowds ranging St. James' Street an opportunity of making remarks. Dark grey cloth, with red facings, fitting well to the body, a small chaco and ball, with black belts, left little to be desired. Perhaps the proximity of the Antrim Rifles at the barracks had something to do with this and many other things.

At the Royal Review in Hyde Park the only corps of volunteers representing the county was that of Trowbridge, and their general appearance and smartness obtained approval. If "Well done, Wiltshire!" "Well done, Trowbridge!" sung out by many in the crowd, is worth recording, this was repeated more than once.

To enable the Trowbridge Corps being present at the[Pg 80] Royal Review in Hyde Park, it had to hire brakes, and by starting not very long after midnight from Trowbridge, arrive at the Great Western Railway Station at Chippenham, so as to meet the special train leaving there at daybreak for London. Perhaps "Well done, Wiltshire!" "Well done, Trowbridge!" was not such undeserved praise when these men of Wilts passed the Queen, and it is remembered that soon again they would be on their travels, and not be home before the break of another day; and to this may be added few, if any, of them absent from their work at the mills. The corps also attended at the review held in Clarendon Park, near Salisbury, and again at Durdham Downs, above Bristol, coming in for its share of abuse in discharging rifles because other corps did the same when three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen were demanded. Doubtless the crime was great, and proved at once that men who could fire without orders, or contrary to the musketry regulations as laid down for the British army, could never be otherwise than a rabble, and were unfitted to be trusted with arms. However, Trowbridge, and indeed the rest of the sinners, survived their iniquity, and No. 2 Corps put in an appearance at several subsequent general assemblies of the volunteers.

It was not the fault of the volunteers that only too often at these reviews the manœuvring was bad, fire wild, and confusion great. Orders were almost always badly conveyed, the general staff selected for the occasion quite ignorant of tactics or the movement of large bodies, and brigades, with their composing regiments, left to be guided by volunteer officers, themselves only beginners in the very outlines of drill. The War Office were content to look on. They were told the force would melt away of itself, and perhaps hoped and believed it would; but it did not, though now that the war fever had diminished the supporters were fewer, and the expenses greater on officers and men, and it was fully time that assistance should be given by the Government. Pressure was brought to bear, and as certain allowances were granted, it was necessary to guard the same. The demand to be recognised more fully as part of the British army, and the quality presenting itself, at length made the War[Pg 81] Office consent to these corps being formed into battalions and with paid Adjutants and Sergeant Instructors brought into one system of governance and discipline.

The first necessity was to change the uniforms. It was painful to some, doubtless. The brilliant silver and grey of corps had to yield to the more sombre pattern of the Rifle Brigade. Elegant shoulder belts, with buckles of the beadle pattern, were replaced by shiny black, bare of ornament. Tunics of the Noah's Ark cut lessened their skirts, and pith helmets were bowed out. Trowbridge was not long in accommodating itself to the new state of things, and helped not a little by its discipline to make the task of amalgamation and uniformity less difficult to those appointed to carry out the same.

In conjunction with the rest of the corps composing the battalion, the Trowbridge companies (now two) attended various assemblies for united battalion drills held in different parts of the county, as also elsewhere for reviews, the chief of these being at Durdham Downs, Clifton, Lansdown, Bath, Portsmouth, Portsdown, Royal Review, Windsor, 1881, Jubilee Review at Aldershot in 1887, and the Autumn Manœuvres which were carried on in Wiltshire and Dorsetshire in 1872. At all Regimental Camps, No. 2 Corps mustered in strength, and perhaps had a larger average attendance daily than other corps composing the battalion; but this they were bound in honour to show, inasmuch as the date and place of assembly was arranged so as to meet the peculiar position of the corps.

To the uninitiated the expression "peculiar position" may need explanation. It would yet seem to do so to War Office authorities, commanding officers, inspecting officers, depôt commanders, and adjutants. These gentlemen are much given to treat every company composing a battalion of volunteers alike, and judging all by one, comment on non-attendances and want of skill at target practice or on parade. Now in a county battalion no two companies are similarly situated, and can give an equal attendance on drill or other instructions. One company has its members scattered over an area of twenty miles, the centre of such area being little more than a village, and serving as head quarters. To these head quarters no railway runs, nor is there anything beyond the floor of a[Pg 82] barn obtainable for drill purposes in bad weather. The target practice ground is inaccessible, and terribly exposed. There are no resident gentry to help the funds of the corps or to offer prizes for best drills or best shots, and all the expenses incurred beyond those met by the dole received from the War Office comes down on the two or three officers attached, perhaps the village attorney and the doctor, who as Captain and Lieutenant have undertaken the thankless office of commanding and keeping up the company. Another company lives in clover; its head quarters are in a good town: the officers are wealthy and popular, and the townspeople proud of their men and the band. The practice ground is close at hand, the armoury large, with drill-yard attached, and all expenses incidental to attendance at regimental camps, autumn manœuvres, and reviews on a large scale, immediately met. It is easy for such a company to be efficient, and it is still more easy for an inspecting officer, with his beloved barrack square dangling before his eyes, to select this company as a criterion, and ex uno disce omnes. The Trowbridge companies are composed chiefly of mill hands, and so defined is the work of the mill among the numerous hands employed, that in many instances the withdrawal of two or three of these from a single machine will delay the completion of an order for an indefinite period. A battalion drill at 2 p.m. simply means all work in that part of the mill where these men now gone to the drill are employed must cease; and when these attendances at drills are demanded for days at a time, as is the case with a regimental camp or at autumn manœuvres, indeed any man, excepting perhaps an Army fossil or a War Office clerk, could see that so serious a demand on the hands of mill-owners or employers of labour generally, must be met by special arrangements, and thus it was with the Trowbridge Rifle Corps. The mills were overhauled and repaired generally in the month of August, and so this time was selected for holding the Regimental Annual Camp.

The assistance received in supporting the corps was great from all at and about Trowbridge, the ladies being foremost in helping on the movement by giving prizes to be shot for, and by holding stalls at bazaars, &c., by[Pg 83] which undress uniforms, hand instruments, &c., &c., were purchased, but which could not be found with the paltry allowance received from the War Office. The want of covered spaces in which to drill in bad weather, or indeed to find any place at all for such a purpose out of doors, excepting the damp field, muddy roadside, or barrack yard, was felt considerably. Public rooms or offices offered certain advantages, but had many drawbacks, and it was not until Major Thos. Clark, promoted to field rank by the death of Major Jacob at Salisbury, munificently met the difficulty, that this want was removed.

Entirely at his own expense, Major Clark erected a hall large enough for every purpose, and after a while the Rifle Volunteers of Trowbridge found themselves welcome in a most comfortable and substantial building, in which all squad and, to a certain extent, company drills could be performed, their arms and accoutrements properly cared for, and additional rooms, where roaring fires in winter, the morning and other newspapers, a fair library, and bagatelle table, made members of the corps, off drills, rest and be thankful. Once a year outsiders were admitted, for a consideration, to witness the distribution of prizes, or perhaps the performance of theatricals, the members of the corps being the actors and entertainers. "Mrs. Jarley's Waxworks," and other incidents equally well got up and done, to say nothing of the witty prologues written on every occasion by Sergeant A. Wilkins, will long be remembered.

Among his earliest efforts are these recited by Lieut. Stancomb:—

"To give that pleasure is the rifle band,
So let everybody here quite understand,
That without stocks the funds can't keep supplied
With instruments and music, if we tried.
The band has got the brass, but not the tin,
So please to help us out by sending in."

Then again, referring to the Oxford Corps at autumn manœuvres:—

"The Oxford University were there,
Those noble swells, turned cooks, the sight was rare,
To see them cut their meat and put their pots on,
Good judges they of beef, just come from Oxon."

[Pg 84]

The amalgamation of the various corps into a battalion occurred in 1861, and found many of the companies well advanced in drills. Indeed, at the first inspection of the whole at Warminster by Major Hume, Assistant Inspector of the district, he remarked on the very great advance in the knowledge of drill each company had made. On this occasion the Trowbridge Corps mustered 72 of all ranks, Captain T. Clark, in command, and Lieutenant W.P. Clark being the only officers. Major Jacob was in command of the battalion, and by his skill in manœuvring the regiment, and his evident knowledge of the meaning of certain movements, not only drew forth encomiums from the inspecting officer, but even at this early date of the Volunteer Force showed that the military were not the only ones capable of commanding armed men, and that drilling regiments, companies, or squads could be managed by civilians. Soon after this, to the great regret not only of the volunteers of his own corps, No. 1, at Salisbury, but to that of others in the battalion, and to all in Wiltshire, knowing the man and his worth, Major Jacob was called away by death, the result of an injury received in stepping from a boat. His place as major in the battalion was taken by the officer commanding the Trowbridge Corps, who as senior major of the battalion retired in the year 1879. The command of the company was taken by Lieutenant W.P. Clark, and Mr. E.P. Stancomb promoted from sergeant to the ensigncy. Shortly after this Mr. Foley resigned his commission as lieutenant, and Mr. W.P. Clark, jun., was appointed ensign in the place of E.P. Stancomb promoted.

Among the officers of the Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers accepting the offer of fourteen days' musketry instruction at the School of Musketry, Hythe (entirely to be at their own expense) was Captain (Major) T. Clark of this company. At the same time there were present at the school from the battalion the Marquis of Bath, Captain Charles Penruddocke, and Captain Pickwick. The course was the longer one epitomized, and answered its purpose well. Indeed, absolute experience makes it no exaggeration to say that almost as much good, so far as the use of the rifle is concerned, and to teach the same, was obtained in[Pg 85] this short course as from the longer of two months' duration. It scarcely requires an officer to be detached from his regiment for two months, so that he may learn how to do position drill, hold his rifle straight, strike the bull's-eye, or do skirmishing, volley, or independent firing. All this, and everything besides, including register-keeping, lecturing, brown mixture, and even laws of motion, to say nothing of mean deviation and attraction of gravity, could be equally well and probably more thoroughly taught at the headquarters of a regiment than at the more pretentious place. If an adjutant can be made at home, and as such directs and instructs, so at least can be the musketry instructor. The Trowbridge Rifle Corps possessed among themselves very many good shots, but among these Sergeant Graham stood pre-eminent. His shooting was uniformly good, and at the Wimbledon Meeting of 1863 he stood second in all Great Britain for the Queen's Prize, his magnificent shooting leaving it doubtful until his last shot at the distance of one thousand yards as to whether he or Sergeant Roberts, 12th Shropshire, would be the winner. At an early part of the day Sergeant Roberts had concluded his firing at all the ranges, leaving the wonderful score of 65 to be exceeded by any disputing his claim to victory. Sergeant Graham's time for attendance at the targets was later on in the day, but his 24 at 800 yards against Sergeant Roberts's 23 showed him to be a dangerous competitor. At 900 yards the scores were Sergeant Roberts 26, Sergeant Graham 24. At 1000 yards the score of 16 made by Roberts had to be beaten, or at any rate could be tied, but it was not to be: much depended upon the value of the last shot to be made by Sergeant Graham; a bull's-eye would tie with the winner, and not a little was the excitement shown by the onlookers, amongst these being Lord Elcho and General Hay, as to what would occur. Coolly but resolutely the aim was taken, but a centre left Sergeant Roberts undisturbed in his honours, and the high score of 64, obtained at the longest ranges by thoroughly even shooting, proved Sergeant Graham to be among the best shots in the Army. In contests with neighbouring corps the 2nd Wilts simply held their own, perhaps as often defeated as winning. In challenging the 9th Corps[Pg 86] at Bradford-on-Avon on 12th October, 1861, in the first match they were defeated by 14, Sergeant Graham making the score for Trowbridge 12, and Sergeant Thomas 15, whilst for Bradford Captain Pickwick scored 13, and Private Scutt 14. In the return match the shooting of both Captain Pickwick and Sergeant Graham was thoroughly bad, and Bradford won by a few points.

The officers as well as non-commissioned officers and very many of the privates were above the average at the targets, and at county as well as at local meetings have made good scores, Major Clark at one time holding his own fairly well against such men as Sergeant Thomas, Sergeant Graham, and Sergeant Bailey, and a host of other sergeants and men. The rifle range of the corps is at a long distance from the armoury, and as this distance, nearly four miles, requires a lift being given to the men detailed for class firing, it forms a heavy item in the demand on the funds of the corps for conveyances. The range itself is now improved, but could never have been considered good or very safe, extending as it does over several grass meadows, intersected by roads and paths, divided by hedgerows, and well perambulated by cows and sheep; the butts, or fagot erection, sufficiently thick, but scarcely broad or high enough to ensure safety.

It may not be out of place here to give the scores made by officers and others of this company from the period when the Enfield muzzle-loader was the weapon and two to five hundred yards the usual distances. In looking back on those days many may think that the shooting was bad and men have improved very much since; but put it in another light, that the rifle has very much improved. The introduction of breechloading obviated the necessity for using either a very tight-fitting bullet—its shape, more especially point and sides, grooved and injured by ramrod—or else an easy-fitting bullet supposed to expand itself equally into the rifle grooves on the explosion of the powder at its base. A little mental calculation will show that under such circumstances no two bullets would keep the same trajectory fired by the steadiest of shots. The bruised head or jagged base would cause deviation sooner or later, and the longer the distance the greater certainty of this apparent contradic[Pg 87]tion. The cartridge and loading at the breech overcame this difficulty, and all that remained to be done was to lower the trajectory and find out the best size for bore of rifle, and the weight and balancing power of the projectile used.

In 1863 we find that at ranges 200 and 500 yards with five rounds at each range, Corporal Marshman, missing once, scored 28, whilst Colour-Sergeant Graham, also missing once, scored 27, but Ensign Stancomb, hitting each shot, scored 25, but in the Challenge Cup given by the ladies of Trowbridge, at ranges 200, 300, 500, and 600 yards, five rounds at each range, with only two misses, Colour-Sergeant Graham won the Cup with a score of 45, Private Reddrop, shooting as well, scoring 44. Again on another occasion, at 200 and 400 yards, five rounds at each distance, Colour-Sergeant Graham and Private Reddrop, making no misses, scored respectively 33 and 31.

In 1869, at a distribution of prizes in Hill's Hall, Major T. Clark gave a short epitome of the history of the corps since it was first raised in 1859, showing the improvement made in every way during the ten years that had elapsed. There were prizes given not only for skill in open competition, but for class firing, attendances at drills, and proficiency in drill. Later on, in 1873, in a challenge between Trowbridge and Devizes, seven shots at 200, 500, and 600 yards, Trowbridge won, scoring 488 as against 393, Private Hart, of Trowbridge, scoring 58, and Corporal Ruddle 54, being several points higher than any made by their opponents. Again, in competition with Melksham, seven shots at 200, 500, and 600 yards, the Trowbridge scored 264 as against Melksham 391; but in the return match, the following week, the tables were reversed, and Trowbridge scored 410 as against 381. In 1879 the Trowbridge were considerably beaten by the Devizes Company, the score of the first being but 417, against that of Devizes amounting to 477. The last record we will give is in September, 1885, at their own butts, Stranger's Corner, Sevrington, distances 200, 500, and 600 yards, seven shots at each distance. Colour-Sergeant T. Hill won the Challenge Cup with a score of 71, with Private Frank Long making 70.

[Pg 88]

During the years that have passed since the formation of the corps many and great changes have occurred, more especially among the officers and non-commissioned officers. On the occasion of Captain T. Clark becoming major in the battalion his place was taken by his brother, Lieutenant W.P. Clark, and to this officer, in conjunction with Captain, now Hon. Major E. Stancomb, the corps is very much indebted. Probably none in the corps have attended so many drills of all sorts and kinds as Hon. Major W.P. Clark. Wet or fine, hot or cold, this officer was ever to be seen at the fore. In camp none more anxious for the welfare and orderly behaviour of those under his command, or willing to give every assistance in his power towards carrying out petty, but nevertheless very troublesome and necessary details; but the Regulations are inexorable, and a certain clause forced Hon. Major W.P. Clark to retire into private life. In Hon. Major E. Stancomb he has a worthy successor, and doubtless for many a long day yet will C and D Companies of the 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers do their duty to their Queen and country.

[Pg 89]

No. 6 CORPS. HEAD QUARTERS, MAIDEN BRADLEY.

This company was differently circumstanced from any in the battalion. It was raised from among the tenants of the Duke of Somerset, and was composed of men of a good position socially, and, as a rule, of means. The duke's eldest son, Earl St. Maur, originated and commanded it, taking as a model the system of the Irregular Cavalry of India; but Irregular Cavalry, whether in England or India, are expensive articles, and if to be permanent, beyond plenty of spare time and enthusiasm in all connected therewith, require either Government support or a long private purse for dipping into. So long as the war-fever lasted, the tenant farmers found time and means to assemble at the head quarters and learn the supposed duties of mounted infantry, for that was what the corps were in reality; but the game was getting expensive, the French would not come, the men were not quite so keen as formerly, and farming was more profitable, so attendances and numbers fell off, and gradually the cavalry element disappeared, leaving a nondescript infantry, possessing a system, a dress, and even a drill, peculiarly their own.

The account of the origin and final extinction of this fine corps will be given almost verbatim, as furnished to the writer of this battalion history by Mr. Styles Jefferys, one of the duke's tenants, this gentleman having been appointed a sergeant in the first instance, and at the time of the breaking of the corps held the rank of lieutenant. He was only one of many in this corps, and any connected with the Volunteers having outlying companies, such as were Maiden Bradley and a portion of the 8th Corps at Mere, can understand how much is lost to a battalion by the extinction of officers and men of this sort.

The hunting element was strong in both these corps, more especially in the Maiden Bradley, and had to be considered as regards fixing drills and other matters. Most of the farms were either in or bordering upon the[Pg 90] meets of the Blackmoor Vale foxhounds, and at Warminster were the kennels of the South Wilts, the Lieut. Colonel commanding the battalion being the master, so drilling and hunting had to be combined if anything like a muster was desired. Some of the best to attend at the roadside inn on a winter's evening for a two hours' dose of squad or position drill were men who had been in the saddle all day; but the men really liked drill, and considered it as a duty to be present. As an instance of the willingness with which these Wiltshire men attended drills, and of the sort of individuals composing some of the outlying corps, the author offers the following story. It is of course one of many similar ones occurring in the history of the early formation of rifle corps throughout any of the wilder counties of Great Britain. However, it shows the stuff the men were made of, and also perhaps the necessity for tact and temper in the adjutant.

It had been agreed upon between the adjutant and the captain commanding the 6th Corps, that as a certain day was a general holiday, there should be a drill at the head quarters about midday, it appearing this hour was more suitable than any for the majority to attend. The adjutant was to ride over from Warminster and take breakfast, and some water-colouring was to be done between that meal and the time of assembly. As proposed, so carried out, and on the appointed day, a bleak December morning, the adjutant, mounted on his best, started away for the captain's abode, there to find him at breakfast sure enough, but in pink, and evidently intent on hunting instead of drawing or drilling.

"I forgot all about the drill. Bother it, we can't have it. The hounds meet at Knoyle, so we haven't a moment to spare. Every fellow will be there, and you must come." This was the explanation; and the appearing of the adjutant at the meet in uniform being the only substantial objection, it was overcome by borrowing coat, waistcoat, and hat, the uniform long boots and dark pantaloons remaining; albeit the rig-out was none of the neatest or best-fitting, as the captain was a few sizes taller than the adjutant; but it answered its purpose, and throwing goose-step, turnings, wheelings, and odd files to the limbo prepared for such uninteresting[Pg 91] articles, the breakfast was hastily swallowed and the two set out for Knoyle.

The Blackmoor Vale is a fine hunting country, and none residing thereabouts, having a bit of horseflesh to call their own, but do a bit of hunting, and as a consequence few of No. 6 Corps were absent. However, nothing was said about the drill, and a fox being found down in the bottom, away we went. Straight riding and a firm seat was wanted, the country selected being heavy, with double ditches and banks, pleasingly interspersed with oak rails, or stakes and bounds. A moment's breathing in the woods of Fonthill, and on again, killing at last almost on the highway leading to Frome.

"This isn't drill, Mr. Jefferys," said the adjutant to one of the best sergeants a volunteer corps ever possessed, as that officer touched him on the back with his hunting whip, whilst the two splashed into the mud making soft the landing from a drop leap.

"Law, no, sir. We've forgotten all about it," was the reply, and in another moment we joined the few in at the death. There were excuses and apologies, and by the time these were done and the fox eaten, Sir R——, the very taciturn master, remounted, and calling off the hounds, proceeded at a sharp trot in an opposite direction. With the view of finding another fox, many of the field followed, and as Sir R—— rode straight, there was more than one obstacle overcome and fall received, observing which, and that they were mistaken in following him, he called out, "Shan't hunt any more to-day. Kennels," and continued his route, whilst all whose homes were elsewhere pulled up somewhat disgusted. The disappointed Englishman had his growl, and as we retraced our steps towards the Frome road Lieutenant Harding proposed "a drill after all, as we are," and with an echo from Captain Festing and the high approval of the adjutant, "Across country to the Bradley Inn" was given, and before half-an-hour had expired, with daylight just sufficient to conceal blundering, some thirty broad-shouldered men in tops and breeches, bespattered with mud, and fall-marks plentiful, fell into the ranks and did an hour's very hard drill. This finished, and remounting, all returned home.[Pg 92] It was in consequence of the feeling of national insecurity pervading people's minds at the time, that in October, 1859, an inquiry was sent through the Estate Office to the tenantry and others by Earl St. Maur, eldest son of the Duke of Somerset, whether they would be willing to form a volunteer corps under him for defensive purposes, and if so, who would be willing to join. A favourable response was given, and a number of names sent in as willing to join the "Maiden Bradley Irregulars."

A meeting was called at the Somerset Arms, Maiden Bradley, to take the matter into consideration, and to provide funds for the necessary equipments. The meeting was numerously attended, and its object most enthusiastically supported, so much so, that in the course of a few days a sum of between £400 and £500 was raised, and as many as seventy names of men enrolled as willing to serve. In the absence of Earl St. Maur, through illness, Michael J. Festing, Esq., agent to the Duke of Somerset, took the chair, and a committee was formed for the purpose of carrying out the views of the meeting; Earl St. Maur to be President of the Committee, Michael J. Festing, Esq., Treasurer, Admiral Festing, Harry B. Festing, Esq., Messrs. Harding, S.E. Jefferys, &c., being members.

Soon after this date, Earl St. Maur having become better, and reports received, another committee meeting was called at the same place, and there it was explained by Earl St. Maur to those members who had enrolled themselves for service, the idea and purpose for which such a corps should be formed. He represented that in the undefended state of our coast, our difficulties in India, the menacing attitude of France, with its immensely increasing armaments, &c., the country was in a very critical situation, and liable to be invaded any day; therefore it was the duty of every Englishman to do the best he could for the defence of our hearths and homes; and acting on these principles as a party of countrymen, many of whom possessed good horses which they could and did ride fairly straight across country, and also having a knowledge of the country to be defended, his idea was, that the corps in case of emergency or attack[Pg 93] should act in the forefront of the defending force, keeping touch with them, harassing the enemy as much as possible, and at the same time being the eyes and ears of the defenders.

To carry out this idea practically it was shown that as many men as could be mounted were to act individually and collectively, having the dismounted portion of the corps to retire upon for support if such should be necessary. The mounted men were to be armed with the then new Westley-Richards repeating carbine or Colt's revolver combination of carbine and pistol; but this was never done. However, a start had to be made, and a parade of the corps was held at Maiden Bradley, the men falling in in Brice's Field to the amount of some seventy or seventy-two in number. There was deep snow upon the ground, and all were on foot. On the roll call being replied to, it was found that about thirty members could ride horses of their own, such as they frequently used for the purpose of hunting. The ages were between thirty-five and forty, indeed only two men being over forty, and one a lad of eighteen. Three were married men, and the average height somewhat exceeded five feet nine inches—tall and big men all. The corps was formed almost entirely of tenants or sons of tenants on the Duke of Somerset's estate at Maiden Bradley, Witham Friary, Silton, a solitary individual from Hill Deveril, and a few young gentlemen pupils of the Rev. Geo. Brown at Maiden Bradley.

The corps was started in October, 1859, but was not legally enrolled until the spring of 1860, its composition, character, and other matters creating delays and difficulties; but was eventually sanctioned under the title of the 1st Wilts Mounted Rifles and 6th Wilts Rifle Volunteers. It will be seen that this corps, with its imposing start and quality for immediate usefulness, contained in its formation the germs of early decay. It was very expensive, and it was doubtful whether, as the present men moved away to other farms or occupations, others would take their place, and certainly the pupils of Mr. Brown would be constantly leaving. The officers first appointed were: Earl St. Maur, Captain; the Hon. J. Ogilvy, Lieutenant; and H.B. Festing, Esq., Ensign;[Pg 94] Sergeant Stickler, late of the Guards, Drill Instructor; T.K. Harding and S.E. Jefferys, Sergeants, with Sergt.-Major Latham, of the Somerset Yeomanry, Instructor in Mounted Drill. The head quarters were fixed at Maiden Bradley; but the corps was divided into three squads or divisions; the first being at Maiden Bradley; the second at Witham Friary, Somersetshire, five miles distant from head quarters; and the third at Silton in Dorsetshire, seven miles away from the head quarters. Squad drills were arranged to be held as often as convenient at the three places, but to be fixed for a general muster assembling once a month alternately at Bradley, The Friary, and Silton. The rifle range was at Long Knoll, Maiden Bradley—a good range, extending 1100 yards, and very safe. The uniform was a blue-grey serge blouse, sleeves buttoning tightly to the wrist, with scarlet collar; the trousers were loose and baggy, of the same colour and material; the mounted men wearing long Napoleon boots, the dismounted black leather gaiters with knee-caps. The accoutrements consisted only of a waist-belt with elongated frog or simple frog for mounted or dismounted, and on this belt were two pouches, one to be worn in front, the other behind; the belt itself being brought together with a clasp, on which was placed a scroll describing the corps—"The Maiden Bradley Irregulars." The head was protected by a grey felt helmet, somewhat similar to those worn in the present day, but without spike or ornament. The Government long Enfield rifle and bayonet was the arm used by the corps, but for the mounted men a curved sword of Indian pattern was substituted for the bayonet, and hung suspended from the waist-belt by the elongated frog, thus being made quite useless, as its position precluded the weapon being drawn from the scabbard, excepting with the greatest difficulty, and the hilts were all too small for men with large hands. The men rode on their own hunting saddles, but were supplied with double-reined bridles as also with leading reins, so as to allow of one man taking charge of several horses whilst the riders were skirmishing. At first the rifles were all kept in the armoury at the head quarters, but this was found to be a mistake. They were not properly looked after, so got out of condition, and often[Pg 95] necessitated the men appearing on parade without arms, as the sergeant in charge could never know how many to send to the distant rendezvous. Afterwards, each man was made responsible for his own weapon, a careful examination of the rifle being made by the commanding officer at each drill. An amusing incident with reference to this occurred soon after the order had been given by Lord St. Maur, the captain, "that each man should come provided with a small piece of white rag, wherewith the cleanliness of his rifle could be tested." "Examine arms," was the order, and each produced his bit of rag, but one poor youth, much cared for by an aged female relative, thought to carry out his captain's orders very thoroughly, and produced from his pouch a piece of linen, neatly folded, and the size of a large handkerchief. This, of course, caused a titter to pass down the ranks, which changed to a roar of laughter as Lord St. Maur, observing the cause, coolly remarked, "I ordered you to bring with you a piece of clean rag, but I did not wish to deprive you of your bed sheet."

In the spring of 1860 Earl St. Maur resigned the command, which was afterwards taken up by his brother Lord St. Maur, and in accordance with instructions received the corps proceeded to Warminster, some six miles distant, to be inspected by Colonel G. Hume, Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers. Colonel Hume complimented the men warmly on their fine physique, patriotism, &c., but in pointing out their faults told them that the loose guerilla character of their drill was not at all in accordance with his instructions, and he would see the corps again at its own head quarters in the course of a few weeks. This he did and was better satisfied.

In consequence of this incident and of an increased knowledge of what was required, it was evident that the corps could not work under its present organization, but was in reality useless, and that if it was to exist at all, it must accommodate itself to circumstances, and be placed under the same regulations as other corps in the county. However, nothing was done, and in September, 1860, it put in an appearance at the review of the volunteers held in Clarendon Park; and though much admired and commented upon for stalwart bearing and physique, yet the[Pg 96] dress and organization created a great deal of ridicule. In the spring of 1861, Lieutenant the Hon. E. Ogilvy had resigned, and many of the mounted men following his example, it was resolved to reorganize the company, so the horses were dispensed with, and from that time it became simply the 6th Corps Wilts Rifle Volunteers. The flimsy serge uniforms had become shabby, and so a new uniform of good cloth was provided. Tunic and trousers of light grey, facings scarlet, accoutrements retained, silver chevrons for sergeants, and the helmets rebound with white leather, and a silver crown resting on a scarlet cushion placed in front. A silver bugle was presented to the corps by the ladies, and so that a more systematic style of target practice should be carried out, Colour-Sergeant Styles E. Jefferys proceeded to the School of Musketry at Hythe. The officers at this time were Captain Lord Edward St. Maur, Lieutenant H.B. Festing, and Ensign F.K. Harding.

On the formation of the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, out of all the rifle corps raised in South Wilts, it was seen that the widely extended area from which this corps was drawn would become a source of difficulty and expense. The time occupied, the distances to be travelled, and the whole expense devolving on the men themselves, together with affairs of one district not coinciding with others, would make, and did make, general musters for a battalion drill anything but a sinecure. Besides these causes, the enterprising spirit of the age constantly drew away some of the best men, necessitating their places being filled by others from a lower social scale, who, though equally good men in the ranks, were not so well able to bear these expenses. In 1864 the helmet was discarded and replaced with a neat shako and ball.

The Silton property having been sold, the squad drilling there, and of course continuing to be members of the 6th or Maiden Bradley Corps, were politely requested to transfer their allegiance to the 8th or Mere Corps, which was short of numbers; so for the future many of these men were lost to the Bradley Corps. Indeed this was a most serious injury to the 6th Corps, simply cutting off a wing.

[Pg 97]

Troubles continued to thicken. In December, 1865, Captain Lord Edward St. Maur was killed in India in an encounter with a bear which he had wounded, and for some time the corps continued to be without a captain, it being desirable to obtain a gentleman who could command not only with his voice but his purse, the funds having become very low and the incidental expenses everlastingly increasing. The uniform, head-dress, belts, all to be changed; rifle green and helmets to be worn. However, in 1867 a great effort was made, and the "redivivus" was sounded. It was hoped that with the aid of the Government grant and strict economy the corps might yet rub on. Lieut. H.B. Festing accepted the captaincy; Ensign Harding the lieutenancy; and Colour-Sergeant S.E. Jefferys was appointed ensign. But once more the social scale had to be lowered, so as to keep up the required numbers, and several of the best class of agricultural labourers were enrolled, good in themselves and excellent in the ranks, but not such as could be taken from their day's work, either on their own account or that of their employers, and general musters for reviews and drills were being constantly demanded.

The corps attended the first camp at Warminster Down in 1868, and also was present at that held on Homerton Down, near Salisbury, the next year, and were present at the various reviews at Lansdowne, Salisbury, Wilton Park, &c., seldom appearing in less strength than twenty-five files, exclusive of officers and supernumeraries. These attendances entailed a great expense, some of it coming out of the general fund, but much from private resources. In September, 1869, Earl Seymour, heir to the dukedom and originator of the corps, died, leaving the estate without direct heir, and consequently with diminished interest in keeping up the company; Captain H.B. Festing withdrew from the command, and the muster-roll had become far below that required; so a meeting was called, at which it was determined that the officers should tender their resignations and an application be made for the disbandment of the corps. The accounts were all wound up, and on the completion and passing of these the 6th Corps 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers[Pg 98] was finally dissolved, ceasing to appear in the Army List after the early part of 1873.

The silver bugle was left in safe keeping, so that in case of another "war's alarm" it might be ready when wanted, and the Maiden Bradley Rifle Corps be once again enrolled among the gallant men of Wilts willing and anxious to serve their Queen and country.

It may not be out of place before bringing this to a conclusion to tell something about the good shooting of many in the corps. At public meetings, perhaps, the members were not numerous, but good shooting was to be seen on the practice ground on Bradley Knoll. Col.-Sergeant S.E. Jefferys won the County Challenge Cup, Bronze Medal of N.R.A., the Etruscan Vase presented by the Mayor and Town Council of Salisbury in 1864, the Fonthill Challenge Cup, open to the county, being won in three competitions out of four, Mr. F.H. Poynder's 50-guinea Vase at Warminster in 1866; later, competing for the Officers' Prize, presented yearly by F.H. Poynder, Esq., Mr. Jefferys carried away the Challenge Centre piece, to be held for the year, and a Silver Claret Jug to be retained; Lady Charlotte Watson Taylor's "Prize for Officers" also fell to his share. Corporal T. Jefferys, his brother, won the County Challenge Cup, Bronze Medal of the N.R.A., and Silver Tea Service presented with it in 1869. The winners of other than public prizes are not mentioned.

Thus ends the history of a thoroughly good corps. It perished from want of support, but scattered as were the members all over the county, its existence from the first was problematical.

[Pg 99]

No. 8 CORPS. HEAD QUARTERS, MERE.

Unfortunately records of the early proceedings connected with the raising of this company are not to be found; and whether the usual public meetings were held and the neighbourhood asked for subscriptions as a preliminary business, with the subsequent formation of committees of management and drawing up rules, &c., as was customary generally, is not shown. On the Groves, of Zeals House (whose estates, including the town of Mere, bordered on those of the Duke of Somerset), appears to have fallen almost all, if not quite all, of the trouble and expense of raising and equipping this corps. The heir to the dukedom of Somerset had raised and equipped a very fine body of men from his father's properties at Maiden Bradley and Silton, and not improbably this led the young squire of the adjacent property to attempt the same thing, more especially as knowing that he could get advice and valuable assistance from his neighbour and friend, Lord Seymour, the captain of the newly-raised corps of rifle volunteers, with their headquarters at Maiden Bradley.

It is very clever now in people to discover that in a neighbourhood such as Mere and Bradley there was too sparse a population from which to form and keep up two rifle corps, and that to have always sixty efficients on your roll entailed the necessity for very many more useless appendages being within hail. The young squire of Zeals House, at that time just obtaining a commission in the Guards as ensign and lieutenant, managed, without much difficulty, from among his tenants and the tradesmen and mechanics of the small town of Mere, to get together the required number wherewith a company or corps could be formed; and, as is shown by letters, asked Lord Seymour to advise him on what next was to be done, as he was anxious that all should be performed well and quickly. At the time the possibility of invasion was never doubted, and those knowing the horrors of being invaded, or after thought and consultation, saw[Pg 100] how exposed and really unprotected we were, dreaded losing the time necessary for the proper training and equipping of the new force through the red-tapeism and prejudices of War Office subordinates. Then, as now, the navy was our great stand-by, and was our first, and with the regulars abroad, our only line of defence; the militia being, generally speaking, too ill-trained to be quite reliable. We have now improved our regulars, militia, and added a huge multitude of fairly-instructed volunteers. We have, too, a navy more powerful than any other single nation, but other peoples have increased and improved their armies, and as regards their navies and mercantile marine have advanced as much if not more than ourselves, and things which were doubtfully possible thirty years ago may now be, comparatively speaking, not a very difficult matter to realize.

In 1859 we were pushed hard by the mutinies in India, had scarcely recovered from the effects of the Crimean War, and the reduction of our forces to a peace establishment, and knowing our unprepared condition, the nation then, through the voice of Parliament, insisted on information from the Government of the day as to how we really stood, and in the event of prevailing reports becoming true, in what manner they were prepared to meet the emergency; the stereotyped answer being received, "that in due course of time all would be arranged, and that the departments were in perfect order, having worked hard, and were working most judiciously and economically," the country took upon itself to see things in their proper light, and knowing that invasion was possible, raised the Volunteer Force.

That Volunteer Force we still retain. They have become a well-trained, reliable, and very valuable body of men, but fitted only for garrison duties. The infantry are clothed and equipped but for the day—having neither boots nor underclothing, and in too many cases stamina, such as would enable them to undergo one week's exposure in bad weather or in winter before an active and terribly resolute enemy. The artillery are without guns, and ignorant of the use of field guns, nor have they the means of moving light guns or guns of position, even had they all been instructed in their use. The broken reed of trusting[Pg 101] to neighbouring farmers, brewers, omnibus proprietors, &c., for horseflesh is sure to fail. It cannot be otherwise. On a sudden call all would be brought together, new to their work and new to each other. Men, drivers, horses, with harness and equipments probably obsolete, not unlikely rotten, and fitting so badly as to produce nothing but pain and galls. One day's march means two days' halt under such circumstances. If the fleet were badly beaten in the Mediterranean, or even in the eastern seas, the demand for assistance would be made on the home authorities and the number of vessels guarding the Channel considerably diminished, weakened, or rendered powerless by a call for their services elsewhere; in other words, the complete command of the Channel lost, and this being so, invasion is not only possible, but most probably would occur. A few heavily-armed vessels as guard-ships, and with less than two hundred thousand tons of shipping at the enemy's disposal, one hundred thousand men could be landed with ease, perfectly equipped and ready for action on very many parts of our shores. The voyage is short, large steamers, probably of low power but adapted for troops, and various other vessels would be obtained without difficulty; and, as before observed, with the command of the Channel no longer in English power, would again and again repeat the voyage, not improbably with impunity, or at best with feeble opposition.

To oppose these, what have we? Literally nothing. The attack on our shores or the defeat of our fleet is not likely to occur at the onset of the war. It would be later on, when all of our regulars have been despatched to India, Egypt, and perhaps the Colonies, and when the best of the militia, both artillery and infantry, have been detailed for garrison duty at Gibraltar, Malta, &c., leaving this country to be defended by the rawest of recruits raising for the regular army, a few militiamen, terribly out at elbows in every way, and the volunteers, without commissariat, without hospital arrangements, without fully-trained officers, without a sufficiency of good and useful clothing from boots upwards, and not improbably without repeating rifles and a sufficiency of ammunition. Add to this, artillerymen without guns, or knowledge of how such are used in the field, horsed from[Pg 102] the plough, cabs, carts, omnibuses, &c., and it is not too much to say that to oppose the advance of an enemy, once landed, on London or elsewhere, we have nothing to bring. Brave men enough, but mere bravery is foolery in modern warfare. Skill and perfect arrangements are now necessary to secure victory, and as the demand for the service of our volunteers would be sudden, so would they be unprepared for the task before them. All, all, sick or well, well skilled or badly drilled, shod in slippers or serviceable boots, would be hurriedly summoned, and not improbably, without test or examination of any sort, time not allowing it, would be confronted with the enemy; and after one week's exposure to fighting constantly, picket duties, and camping out, die off like flies. However, this is a digression, and we will return to the raising and training of the 8th or Mere Corps of Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers. The excuse for having left the path must be that our present time strangely resembles that of 1859, when we, the people, were left to our own resources, and by prompt action staved off or, as far as we know, absolutely knocked the idea of a successful invasion on the head. It is our duty now, as then, to look matters boldly in the face; to calculate all the pros and cons of the case, and not be led astray from what we in our hearts believe to be necessary, and should be done, regardless of the money it may cost, or of giving umbrage either to political parties or neighbouring nations.

So far then as can be gathered, the greater part of the difficulty of raising the 8th Corps fell upon its future commander, Chafyn Grove, Esq., of Zeals House. His friend and neighbour, Lord Seymour, had got together an excellent body of men from the tenants of his father's property on the Maiden Bradley and Silton estates; and, with the experience of Lord Seymour to guide him, it is not surprising that Mr. Grove should have resolved to try and raise an equally useful and good corps from Zeals. It only required men and money, and these being obtainable, Mr. Grove addressed his neighbour with regard to what was next to be done. The advice and guidance asked for was promptly given, and right sensible advice was it that emanated from the future heir[Pg 103] to the dukedom of Somerset. Lord Seymour foresaw events, and told the young squire of Zeals how his wishes could be carried out. He let him see plainly, that it was and probably would be an expensive experiment, and that so far from the Government of the day giving assistance, they would offer obstructions. At Mere were a goodly number of recruits to be found, and also from the men employed on the property and among the tenants; but the majority of these were too poor to be able to afford the expense incidental to the loss of time in attending drills, or finding anything for themselves. Patriotism they had plenty of, but it required to be supported by anybody's purse excepting their own, and patriotism, like other valuable articles, diminishes under difficulties.

In a letter, dated 2nd January, 1860, addressed by Mr. Grove to Lord Seymour, we find that the young squire of Zeals is just in the first throes of volunteer corps raising. He has got the men, and asks advice regarding colour and prices of uniform and accoutrements, and in reply, is not only warned against being misled by cheap advertisements of these articles, but is let into the secret that before his recruits can be accepted, he must satisfy the Government that he has provided all that is necessary for their future efficiency; which now no longer entailed finding a rifle or gun of some sort or another for each man, as rifles and bayonets would be found by the War Office; but included a practice-ground, with targets, &c., of at least two hundred yards in extent, an armoury, safe from attack, and an armourer to look after the arms, a magazine safe and secure, and various other matters, all of which would cause delay and be most vexatious. Lord Seymour says: "You have told me nothing about your rules, excepting about entrance fees. I am improving my first set, and I strongly urge this as a rule: 'That all gentlemen wishing to join as volunteers send in their names and the amount they intend to subscribe to the funds,' their becoming members being left to the committee's approval."—Adding, after some explanations, "Unless the committee keeps the power of admittance or non-admittance into the corps in their own hands, it is, in fact, pledged to dress and equip any[Pg 104] number of men who may pay two shillings and six-pence, and obtain for it three or four pound's worth of clothing."

Again Lord Seymour observes: "The demands on the general fund will be very heavy. In Devonshire, I am told, the ammunition alone costs 10s. per man a year. Believe me, a small number of men, well equipped, is the most promising beginning for a company. You say your uniform will only cost 48s. per man, including belts. Certain outfitters offer these things, but somehow they manage to make the price higher later on. Lord Elcho's 28s. suit may have been made as an advertisement. Neither he nor anyone else will get a serviceable suit for that money. 10s. belts are bad. All I have seen allow the cartridges to rattle about in the front pouch."

A few days after this, certain rules were sent to the Lord Lieutenant of the County by Mr. Grove for approval, and were sanctioned, as "nearly approaching those recommended by the Government," and at the same time the sender was informed, that the commission of Captain would be given to him, and eventually an inspector sent down to see that the place selected is "eligible for exercise, and to ascertain the fitness of the man appointed for the custody of the arms."

As the inspector was long in coming, and the Gazette silent as to his promotion, Mr. Grove again addressed his lordship on the cause; but the reply, dated the 20th April, gave him to understand that there had been no unnecessary delay in his being gazetted, in the acceptance officially of the corps, or of the despatch of the inspecting officer; but there had been much extra work in the departments, and "the acceptance of the services of No. 8 Corps of Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers was only communicated to the Lord Lieutenant 'on the 16th of this month.'"

Captain Chafyn Grove was told to select two gentlemen for the commissions of Lieutenant and Ensign, and after various further delays, the Gazette informed the public that William Chafyn Grove, Esquire, was to be Captain, E.A. Card, gentleman, to be Lieutenant, and John White, gentleman, to be Ensign, in the 8th Corps Wilts Rifle Volunteers—Head quarters, Mere. Among the earliest to join as members of the corps were, Messrs.[Pg 105] Alford, Barnes, Baker, Burpitt, Cards, Careys, Cowards, Cole, Dowding, Farthing, Foot, Green, Glover, Jupes, Keates, Landers, Larkam, Maidments, Mitchells, Markey, Merriman, Meaden, Perrett, Pillinger, Randall, Read, Roberts, Rogers, Seymour, Sharp, Tilt, Toogood, Topp, Waters, White, Wickham. The corps was formed, drilled, and had attended one or two neighbouring assemblies before its officers appeared in the Gazette, and was in good order and strength when called upon as one of the corps or companies to make up the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers. The musters for company-drill, held at least once a week at the head quarters, Mere, were well attended, and the target practice not neglected: but it was with Mere, as with the company at Bradley, a difficult matter for all to attend regularly at drills, as the distances of men's homes from Mere, the head quarters, was often great, and entailed no little expenditure of time, trouble, and only too often absolute money out of pocket on the volunteer himself.

It was these ever-increasing expenses in attending home drills, battalion drills, general assemblies, and camps which ultimately caused many corps to die out. The initial expenses of an individual or of a committee, in raising such a body of men, finding practice-grounds, targets, ammunition, clothing, accoutrements, &c., were heavy, and were willingly met; but when it came to men being away from their work for a week at a time in camp, or autumn manœuvres, or hiring wagons, and paying very large railway fares five or six times in the year, the scattered corps began to get few recruits, and gradually fell off in efficiency and numbers. Owing to the death of its founder and captain, W. Chafyn Grove, Esq., much of the needful support was gone, and notwithstanding every exertion was made by his family to revive the company, yet little was the success. The addition of the Silton estates to the Zeals properties added a few more men, but they served unwillingly. Their hearts were with their first love, the corps which they had helped to raise, the 6th, with its head quarters at Maiden Bradley, and so, after a while, their advent was of little account, and No. 8 Corps resumed its fading aspect.

[Pg 106]

Lieutenant Card and Ensign White did their best to keep the company together, and, at no little expense to themselves and others, succeeded in bringing a fair number of men to battalion drills and local reviews. Troyte Bullock, Esq., accepted the vacant commission of Captain, and attached himself to the Guards with a view of acquiring a knowledge of the various drills and practices recently introduced, and commanded the company on the occasion of its last attendance at camp, and such portions of it as proceeded to the autumn manœuvres, held on the borders of Wilts and Dorset, taking part in the various defeats and victories, and being left ingloriously with his men to guard a haystack, whilst the divisions pushed on to complete the victory over the northern army at the battle of Wishford.

It was useless to contend against fate, and the 8th Corps, with its head quarters at Mere, ceased to exist in 1878, just two years later than that which witnessed the same disaster in the 6th Corps, with its head quarters at Maiden Bradley.

[Pg 107]

9TH CORPS. BRADFORD-ON-AVON.

The rifle movement, now general throughout Great Britain, was showing itself in the quaint old town of Bradford-on-Avon. Some towns and cities in the county, and indeed some villages in the country, had advanced further in corps-making than had the men of Bradford; but perhaps nothing beyond a low number in the county rifle volunteers was lost by it, but very much experience gained, and needless expense avoided. Doubtless, in 1859, there was no time to be lost in putting the country into a state of defence, and making some arrangements by which an advance of an enemy into the heart of the land should be stayed, even if a landing on the shores could not be prevented. It was plain, very plain, and all the more from becoming so suddenly, that if the vapouring of the French turned into a reality, and war was declared, the country was quite unprepared for such. Her army at home reduced to a handful, with the greater portion of it in India crushing out mutiny; the militia, where not embodied, weak, badly officered, and really untrained; and the navy in a transition state, between wood and iron, sailing and steam. It was no good shutting one's eyes to the fact: the country was terribly open to invasion; and as the invaders were not likely to send any but their best and most efficient soldiers to attempt the subjugation of that country whose word was law to almost the whole world, it behoved every citizen to aid, either in means or person, in the defence of his home. It was no time to tax the Government or Governments with having thrown dust in the eyes of the people, and said all was well when things were very far from being so, and that not only were the army, navy, fortifications, and all appertaining thereunto, amply sufficient to meet any demands made upon them, but that economies ought to be practised. The people of Great Britain had to do then what they have to do now, to take things as they find them, and, liking it or disliking it, set about putting their house in order.

[Pg 108]

It was harder in 1859 to say what was best to be done than it is now. Money and labour can overcome much of the present difficulties, but then the only thing to do was to raise an army, and that army on the very shortest notice to be such as not only could be trusted with the national defence, but be able to co-operate with the regulars in the defence of their native land. Some advocated the training of gamekeepers, and sportsmen generally, with, we suppose, a small sprinkling of poachers to keep up esprit de corps, others were for arming every old pensioner, and not a few for purchasing the services of foreigners, as was done in the early wars with Napoleon, and more recently in the Crimea. Danger was at the door: for years prognosticated, and for as many pooh-poohed, or denied altogether; and now that it was so near, it found none so weak and wavering, none so helpless and unwilling to meet the emergency, as the individuals causing it. They simply stood by, wringing their hands, and left each and all to arrange as they best could, provided it cost the State nothing.

Notwithstanding the backwardness of the Government and their inability to see the absolute necessity of immediate action by raising some force less long in making efficient, and of a different class in life to regulars or militia, the country commenced with the greatest activity; and as rifle corps had been decided upon as both useful and dependable, few towns of any size but had such forming. In Wiltshire some progress had been made in the movement at Salisbury, Trowbridge, Malmesbury, Devizes, &c., and now Bradford followed suit by calling a public meeting on 19th December, 1859, "for the purpose of promoting the formation of a local volunteer rifle corps."

E. Edmonds, Esq., was unanimously called to the chair, and was supported by most of the influential gentlemen of the neighbourhood and others residing in the town. On the platform were the Right Hon. T. Sotheron Estcourt, M.P., R.P. Long, Esq., M.P., Rev. W.H. Jones, Vicar, Rev. J. Wilkinson, Rev. W. Popham, Rev. E.D. Whigfield, Captain Rook, Captain Pickwick, Dr. W. Adye, A. Adye, Esq., G. Forster, Esq., W. Beavan, Esq., J. Gee, Esq., T. Taylor, Esq., Mr. Neal, and others. After a very[Pg 109] enthusiastic speech from the chairman, Captain Rook moved that the rifle movement of the country he supported, and Mr. Forster, of Holt, in seconding the motion, offered his services in any way by which they could be rendered most useful. Mr. Sotheron Estcourt, Mr. A. Adye, Captain Pickwick, and Mr. Richard Long, of Road Ashton, spoke on the occasion, and finally a committee of management to collect subscriptions and to make the necessary arrangements was appointed, and the following subscriptions were announced: The Earl Manvers, £50; the Right Hon. T. Sotheron Estcourt, M.P., £10 and the equipment of five men; Walter Long, Esq., M.P., Road Ashton, £10; the Rev. Edward Brown, of Farley, £5.

Subscription books were issued, and gentlemen undertook to canvass the town, special books being kept for ladies willing to assist in raising the rifle corps. These prove, as indeed was exhibited all over the country, that ladies were most earnest in the matter, and their five-pound notes, guineas, and lesser subscriptions helped not a little to start the good cause. In one of the Bradford collectors' books, in which the ladies are asked to subscribe towards the purchase of uniforms, a sum of nearly £20 is put down; and in another, where it is pointed out that a certain band requires uniforms to enable it to join the rifle corps, no less a sum than £43 12s. is entered.

There was another meeting held on the last day of December, 1859, and there, as was generally done elsewhere, after finding that sufficient names had been enrolled to form a company, they proceeded to elect the officers of the company—not being aware that the election of officers to command men is contrary to certain rules and regulations. The committee could recommend for the position of captain a gentleman to the Lord Lieutenant, and this gentleman, if appointed captain, could again recommend certain gentlemen as subalterns. The result of this electing officers was, that Mr. Edmonds, of Berryfield House, was selected as captain, with Captain Pickwick and Mr. Forster, of Holt, as subalterns. Captain Pickwick having been in the regular army and having seen service at the Cape, besides knowing a soldier's work well, at once refused to serve in a subordinate capacity, and that under a civilian; so Mr. Edmonds resigned, and ultimately[Pg 110] Captain Pickwick was appointed to the command of the company, with Mr. Forster as lieutenant, and Mr. A. Beavan ensign. Among the first appointed non-commissioned officers were, as sergeants, E. Neale, Cursen, E. Scrine, J. Poole, with D. Hole, T. Butterworth, G. Hallet, as corporals. However, changes had to be made; and whilst Wm. Adye, Esq., M.D., was appointed hon. assist.-surgeon, and the Rev. J. Jones, M.A., chaplain to the corps, Messrs. Applegate and Geo. Adye were promoted sergeants to fill existing vacancies.

The first meeting of the corps for drill purposes was on the 24th January, 1860, at Mr. Spackman's dyehouse, and as every man thought it necessary to come armed with a gun of some sort, and also as with this gun (perhaps an old flint musket of the Georges' time, or a flimsy single-barrel sparrow-killer) he was to go through the manœuvres and platoon, and appear in the ranks generally, the teaching of musketry must have been utter foolery, and the movements of our Bradford volunteers somewhat ludicrous. However, these like other volunteers survived the ridicule, and notwithstanding Punch's "Who shot the dog?" and the wondrous wit displayed by street boys, or by those disliking the movement, but whose position and education should have taught them better, drilled steadily on, and on the 17th May made their first appearance before the public in full uniform, doubtless to the gratification and admiration of themselves and relatives.

The drills were to be seven in the week as squad drills, viz., on Tuesdays and Fridays twice, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays once, thus meeting the convenience of most members of the corps. These drills were well attended, and by the time the Government long Enfield muzzle-loading rifles were sent down in the early part of June, the 9th Corps had fully mastered the outlines of company drill, and dined together soon after on the occasion of more correct enrolment being carried out.

Becoming more assured, they now paraded with their band and drilled in public, and had the usual church parades and class sermon; then marching over to the neighbouring town of Trowbridge, they were instructed in the outlines of battalion drill by Major Lawson.

[Pg 111]

The men of the 9th Wilts not being aware that eventually rifles would be supplied to them by the Government, and being anxious to compete for prizes with other corps, in many instances from an early date they had provided themselves with weapons, generally Enfields, of the usual bore and shape, and with these constant practice was being made at the ranges; so that by the summer, when challenges between corps were frequent, and prize meetings being held, not a few of the officers and men had become good shots and held their own wherever they entered. The ground selected as a practice ground was an easy one to shoot over, the steep turfy hill against which the targets were placed forming an excellent background; but by whom the said range was passed as a rifle range deponent sayeth not. He could not have been to Hythe, or had much notion of the erratic flight of an elongated projectile, or of the difficulty even the best-drilled soldiers in the service find in avoiding accidents, where your line of fire extends across sundry footpaths, a canal, and a railroad. That there were no accidents is attributable more to good luck than good guidance. The shorter ranges across the canal were tolerably secure. A red flag, much shouting, and an occasional despatch of one of the squad to the dangerous point managed to stay man, woman, or child from running into danger, and informed the cursing bargee of his being cared for; but when it came to long distances, where shouts and signals were unheeded, or where the height of the trajectory was deemed safety sufficient, then came a question as to whom was the sanction of this being used as a range due.

The Great Western Railway Company evidently for very many years troubled themselves not about such trifles as bullets through their carriages, for on the edge of the line was a firing point, where, of course, the firer was able to check himself instantly should an express or other very fast train or engine suddenly cloud his vision. Be all this as it may, the corps both drilled well and shot well, and from an early date up to the present time sent forth steady and good shots. Amongst these may be numbered Assist.-Surgeon, afterwards Hon. Major, Wm. Adye, winner of the Officers' Challenge Cup at Devizes, silver[Pg 112] claret jug, various vases, &c., Sergeant George Adye, Sergeant Neale, Corporal Davis, Privates Scutt, Reddrop, Merrett, Chas. Adye, Wallman, &c.

At most of the reviews and at all battalion drills, the Bradford Corps have put in an appearance, and as a rule mustered well in proportion to their strength. Their first appearance at any large gathering was at the review held in Clarendon Park, Lord William Paulet commanding, in September, 1860. They mustered forty strong, Captain Pickwick, Lieut. Forster, and Ensign Beavan being the officers, and were attached to the battalion commanded by Major G. Hume, Assistant Inspector of Volunteers. In November of the same year they were inspected by Major G. Hume in the Broad Field, and out of the sixty men on the muster-roll, exclusive of band, fifty-four rank and file presented themselves on parade. All the officers were present, and the inspecting officer complimented them upon the way they drilled, and upon the soldier-like look of the company; some twenty men of the Trowbridge Corps, under Captain Clark and Lieut. Clark, kindly keeping the ground during inspection. The year 1861 saw all these scattered corps made into a battalion, with one lieutenant-colonel, one major, one adjutant, as the staff thereof, and from this date the attendances of corps beyond their own head quarters was limited, and certain arrangements made by which drill attendance could be verified, and more correct returns of efficiency and strength sent up to Government, on which a capitation grant might be founded. There were some brilliant ideas exhibited by the War Office authorities as to the expenditure of this grant. The adjutant was to combine paymaster- and interferer-general with his other duties, and only pay the amount earned by a corps to that corps on its showing an exact voucher for every item, and as the grant could be carried to accounts past or present, it was hard work for the secretaries of companies to get one item which would fit in exactly for the whole grant earned, and in the adjutant's hands, or to make half-a-dozen smaller items to do the same thing, so vouchers were made up to suit the purpose. In other words, a cooking process was required to enable a corps to receive its dues.

[Pg 113]

The uniform selected by the Bradford Corps was an excellent one—of course fitting the body too tightly; but this screwing in a man's waist and throttling him with a stock was considered the proper thing to do, and even yet has a value in some elderly gentleman's view of the smart soldier. In olden times a man was supposed to carry in a knapsack on his poor back all that was necessary, and that the protection of any particular part of the body from heat, cold, or wet was making him into a mollycoddle; so they sent him to Canada and India with a shoddy coat buttoned across the chest, and sloping off into two tails in the cutaway style, and bade him wear for six months in the year woollen trousers, nice and long, so as to cover his hideous ankle boots and to pick up the dirt, and for the other six months, ducks, as these washed. The Rifle Movement ended these and various other absurdities. When officers commanding battalions and companies discovered that things wore out quicker than necessary, that other things were only an unnecessary expense, and that the men themselves observed much latitude in the regulations, then they appointed committees to consider matters, and adapted the clothing and very many other things connected with drills and target-practices to the change brought over the whole military system by the introduction of arms of precision. Freedom of action, greater mobility, more self-reliance, and a thorough knowledge of his weapon and skirmishing, was a volunteer discovery, and after a while the drill, if not the dress; but the whole organization of the British army has been changed and improved. The mud-colour with red facings of No. 9 corps, with a neat shako, was, and is, if made of a looser fit and knickerbockers instead of trousers, the proper colour and cut for a rifleman's wear. The black of the Rifle Brigade and the term Rifles being utterly absurd, as all are now Rifles, and of all colours the most visible, near or far away, the black bears away the palm. With this battalion, as all had to be of one colour, it was well not to adopt any colour in use by other corps, but the day will come when the black will be discarded, and perhaps then the mud-colour or khakhee of the Guides in India will be selected. The helmet is a bad headpiece, rolls about, cannot be laid on, and is hot[Pg 114] and clumsy. The straight-peaked low kepi gave greater shade to the eyes for aim-taking, and was smarter-looking and far easier kept on in going through woods, low jungle, &c., than the spiked invention from Germany. At the first inspection of corps as a battalion, which took place at Warminster on 7th November, 1861, by Major Gustavus Hume, Assistant-Inspector of the Volunteers, this company mustered fifty-nine; Captain Pickwick in command, with Lieut. Forster, Ensign Beavan, and Hon. Assistant-Surgeon Adye. All did well, and the inspecting officer gave them great credit for doing so well with so short a time for training. A very heavy hailstorm coming on did not improve the drill, and few were sorry when the trains arrived at the station by which they could return home. The 7.15 train saw Trowbridge, Bradford, and Westbury corps returning, but those lower down the line had far longer to wait. It was ever thus for a battalion drill; the trains never fitted in, and whilst some part of the battalion would arrive at midday to parade at 3 p.m., another could not be present until past the drill hour. If a late hour was fixed for the general assembly then the hurry to catch the last train made a general scramble to be off break up the parade.

The ladies of Bradford were nothing behind their sisters elsewhere in helping forward the Rifle Movement, and by bazaars, county and local prize-giving for shooting encouraged very many of the men to practise careful shooting. The earliest record of a subscription being got up from the ladies of Bradford for this purpose is in September, 1861, when Mr. T. Taylor and Mr. J.C. Neale were the collectors. The money obtained allowed of a handsome silver cup being purchased, and smaller sums distributed in prizes. The distances were short, but they were beginners, and allowance had to be made for blundering. The terms being easy, though the entrance as a competitor depended on his subscription to the funds of the corps, so, with or without knowledge, a majority of the company appeared at the targets. The highest scores made at the two distances selected, viz., 200 and 300 yards, were those of Sergeant Neale, total 13, Private Reynolds 13, Charles Adye 13, W. Mager 12. The whole day was occupied in the business, and the band,[Pg 115] with refreshments, helped to break the monotony, for it must have been monstrous stupid for onlookers, these many hours of blundering. Being Britons, a dinner at "The Swan" was necessary to mark the occasion, and there, with Captain Pickwick in the chair, supported by Mr. Forster, Mr. Beavan, and Assistant-Surgeon Adye, and various other gentlemen not immediately connected with the corps, each proposed the health of another, and drank "The Ladies" with great enthusiasm.

It will not be here out of place to show how great is the improvement in shooting now-a-days. Formerly the values of a hit were very high, three being obtainable for one shot, and yet here is the result. To quote from the local trumpeter, "at 300 yards most beautiful shooting throughout."

The riflemen of Bradford could do better than that now.

Again, at even lesser distances it seems that men such as Captain W. Adye, Sergeant G. Adye, Sergeant Davis Privates Scutt, Chas. Adye, &c., at 150 and 200 yards, seven rounds each range, half targets, hits and points added, 25, 34, 38, 33, 40, 33 were the highest scores.

In October, 1861, a challenge was sent to the neighbouring corps at Trowbridge, to be shot off on the Bradford ground; five rounds at 200 and 400 yards, twelve on each side. The highest score on the occasion was made by a Trowbridge man, Private Thomas, he making 15, not once failing to hit the target. On Bradford side, Captain Pickwick, with one miss, made 13, and Private Scutt, without missing, scoring 14. The match was won by Bradford by 14 points. On the return match, shot off on the Trowbridge practice ground, Bradford again proved the winners by 9 points. The shooting was bad on both sides, Private Scutt of Bradford, with no misses and 15 points; Private Thomas of Trowbridge, one miss and 13 points; Private Packer, no misses and[Pg 116] 13 points, being the only men doing even tolerable practice.

The Bradford Corps next year challenged those of Melksham, twelve picked men to be on each side, 200 and 400 yards, five rounds at each distance, hits and points; and Bradford were victorious by 39 points, Sergeant Wheeler of Melksham, without missing, making a score of 22, and Private Young, with one miss, a score of 21, whilst Sergeant G. Adye, without missing, scored 24, Private Wallman 27, Reynolds 22, and Captain Pickwick 21.

At the county meeting held about the same time none of the Bradford men won prizes. Many shot well, but with the magnificent shooting of Messrs. Ward, 5th Wilts; Butler, 1st Wilts; Graham, 2nd Wilts; Fisher, 1st Wilts, to become a prize-holder was a very difficult thing. However, Private Scutt showed that he, as well as many others in the 9th Corps, knew how to use a rifle. Soon after this Lieut. Forster tendered the resignation of his commission, and Mr. A. Beavan was promoted to the vacancy, and afterwards William Adye, Esq., M.D., resigning the hon. assistant surgeoncy, was appointed ensign vice Beavan promoted.

The review at Durdham Down, near Bristol, was attended by this corps, with Captain Pickwick and Ensign Adye as officers, three sergeants, and forty-one rank and file. Not improbably they joined in the volley firing, so terribly destructive of all discipline and tradition, indulged in by most of the volunteers on this occasion, excepting of course by the virtuous few who, upon becoming aware that to do such a thing was held in holy horror by cocked hats, hastened to let the British public know, through the local papers, that not only were they innocent, but knew a soldier's duty too well to be caught thus napping. Later on, with the other corps composing the battalion, they were present at Lansdown, near Bath, Portsmouth, Portsdown, Windsor, Jubilee Review at Aldershot in 1887, and at the Autumn Manœuvres in 1872. At every regimental camp the corps mustered well, and struggling with very many difficulties, have kept up their numbers and efficiency. To their late Captain, Hon. Major William Adye, they are much indebted, as indeed[Pg 117] to his family generally for constant support and useful help. Among the earliest to join the corps were Dr. Wm. Adye and his brothers George and Charles, all of whom worked with a will in the cause, and set an example to many of punctual attendance at drills and obedience to all orders received. Dr. Adye, resigning the assistant surgeoncy and becoming ensign, eventually commanded the company, retiring as hon. major in 1886, whilst George and Charles Adye both became sergeants, and for the many years they remained in the corps had very few their equals, either in knowledge of all drills or at the targets as steady and reliable shots. On Captain Pickwick retiring from the post of captain, his place was taken by a gentleman living in the neighbourhood, Buonaparte Wise, Esq., but his remaining with the company was brief. He did not quite understand the men, and it is very certain they did not understand him. He joined too at a wrong time, when financial troubles were more or less prevalent among all volunteer corps, and when a complete change of system was seen to be necessary. Some misunderstanding occurring, led to the resignation of Captain Wise, as also Lieut. Beavan; their places eventually being taken up by the promotion of William Adye, Esq., to be captain, E.M. Davis, Esq., to be lieutenant, and Mr. T.W. Dunn as ensign. The annual returns of effectives in this company have been fairly good. Taking them roughly in an enrolled total of 82, they shewed 74 efficients in 1868. In 1870 the enrolled strength was 77, and efficients 66. In 1875, enrolled 65, efficients 59. In 1878, enrolled 68, efficients 60; and in 1886, enrolled 91, efficients 87. The strength of the company at the annual inspection of the battalion in camp at Warminster in 1886 was thus: One captain, Captain T.H. Clark; one lieutenant, Lieutenant J. Adye; one sub-lieutenant, Lieutenant Barton; five sergeants, one bugler, fifty-five rank and file; total, 64.

[Pg 118]

No. 10 CORPS. WARMINSTER RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

It was not until late in the year 1859 that the good people at and near Warminster called a meeting to consider the best methods for raising a rifle corps at Warminster and in its neighbourhood. It was not the custom of Warminster, as a rule, to let other towns go ahead of her in matters of any great moment, and her doing so in a thing of such interest as the defence of the country remains unexplained. She was struggling into being with her rifle corps, when Trowbridge, Maiden Bradley, Salisbury, &c., were well on at target practice and judging distance drills: but she lost nothing by delay—not improbably gained, having thereby avoided some of the mistakes and unnecessary expenses incurred by beginners. The corps raised eventually was numbered 10 in the county of Wilts, and was known at home as the "Jolly Tenth," but in the battalion, and throughout the county generally, as a rifle corps second to none in real efficiency, and both in its officers and men possessing a smartness and cohesion somewhat unusual.

On the 5th December, 1859, the following notice of a public meeting to be held at Warminster was posted in the town and neighbourhood:—

Volunteer Rifle Corps
For the
Town and Neighbourhood of Warminster.
A Public Meeting
Of the Inhabitants of the Town and Neighbourhood
Will be held
At the Town Hall, Warminster,
On Saturday, the 10th December, 1859,
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon,

To take into consideration the expediency of establishing and organising a Volunteer Corps, and to make arrangements for carrying the same into effect.

(Signed)
Bath,
H. Thynne,
William Temple,
Joseph Everett,
John Ravenhill,
Nath. Barton,
John Davis, Junr.,
George Temple,
H.G. Biggs,

Magistrates acting for the Division of Warminster.

The Marquis of Bath will take the Chair.

[Pg 119]

In accordance with this notice a large and influential meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood was held in the Town Hall, Warminster, on Saturday, the 10th December, 1859, under the presidency of the Marquis of Bath, when it was resolved—

"That it is expedient to organize a volunteer rifle corps for the town and neighbourhood."

The following noblemen and gentlemen were formed into a committee for the purpose of considering the best plans for carrying this resolution into effect: The Marquis of Bath, Lord Henry Thynne, William Temple, Esq., Charles Lewis Phipps, Esq., H. Godolphin Biggs, Esq., Joseph Everett, Esq., John Ravenhill, Esq., Nath. Barton, Esq., John Davis, jun., Esq., George Temple, Esq., and the Rev. A. Fane, Justices acting for the Division of Warminster. Among the many attending the meeting were H.G.G. Ludlow, Esq., John Phipps, Esq., Vere Fane Benett, Esq., Rev. J. Erasmus Philipps, Mr. F.W. Bayly, Mr. Charles Bleeck, Mr. William Davis, Mr. R. Bedford, Mr. Timothy Goodman, Mr. H.P. Jones, Mr. Wm. Morgan, Mr. Martin, Mr. Thos. Pope, Mr. Geo. Pope, Mr. E. Parfitt, Mr. W. Parham, Mr. Thos. Harris, Mr. Haden, Mr. R.E. Vardy, Mr. John Scott, Mr. Vicary, and Mr. Grubb. The meeting was unanimous, and arrangements were made for immediately enrolling members willing to serve. Subscriptions to meet incidental expenses were collected, and within a few days sixty effective members (the minimum number required for enrolment) having volunteered for service, an application was at once made to the Lord Lieutenant of the County requesting his sanction to their being enrolled and on the 1st April, 1860, the corps was enrolled as the "10th Wiltshire Rifle Volunteer Corps," with the Marquis of Bath, as captain, commanding the same.

In the first instance the members selected their own officers, their names being sent in to the Lord Lieutenant for his approval, through the captain commanding the corps. To the corps were then added the names of William Davis, Esq., as lieutenant, and Mr. John Scott as ensign, Charles Bleeck, Esq., as hon. assistant surgeon, and the Rev. J. Erasmus Philipps as chaplain.

The following were the first non-commissioned officers:[Pg 120] Joseph Smith, quartermaster-sergeant; J.B. Haden, armourer-sergeant; George White, Philip Grubb, Edward Chambers, were sergeants; and Richard E. Vardy, D. Tillbrook, Charles Price, corporals; with Sergeant Sheppard, of the Wilts Militia, as sergeant-instructor; Edward Turner, bugler.

The uniform and equipments left nothing to be desired. The clothing blue-grey, with scarlet facings, and belts dark.

The drills for squad purposes were usually held in the corn market, but the broad streets and roads in the neighbourhood for wet weather, while the cricket and other fields in summer, were more frequently used. The corps worked with a will, having both morning and evening drills, and doubtless disturbed some of the sleep-loving folk by their devotion to the cause. A company of soldiers being instructed in section formations or wheelings, on the high road, under a window at 7 a.m., on a November's morning does not tend to the peaceful rest of any in the house of which the window is part, nor perhaps to their temper or rapture with the volunteer movement; more especially if that company were the 10th Wilts, with Sergeant-Instructor Sheppard intent on having things done correctly, and repeating "As you were" cruelly often.

The first range for rifle practice sanctioned by the War Office was at Knapper's Hole on the Parsonage Farm; but this not being found satisfactory, the range was removed in 1861 to Mancomb, about a mile from the town, where there is a most excellent range, up to 1100 yards, perfectly level; with a low range of chalk hills as a background to the targets, and the whole safe but far from free from gusts of wind and currents of air, trying to riflemen generally, but to pot-hunters in particular. The armoury, at first, was at the Town Hall in a room placed at the disposal of the corps by Lord Bath. It was then removed to the market-place, and subsequently to the High-street, where it now is.

As a band of some sort was found to be necessary, the formation of a drum-and-fife band was determined upon, and on the 16th May, 1860, the ladies of Warminster presented the corps with a silver bugle and a complete set of drums and fifes.

[Pg 121]

In March, 1860, a sub-division was established at Codford, and the following officers were appointed: John Ravenhill, lieutenant; Herbert Ingram, ensign.

The corps first turned out in complete uniform at a company drill on the 30th May, 1860, and on the following 2nd July the whole of the members were sworn in at the Town Hall after attending a church parade at the parish church, a sermon being preached for the occasion by the chaplain, the Rev. Sir J. Erasmus Philipps. About the same time a public dinner was held in the Town Hall, and was attended by almost all the rifle corps and very many of the tradesmen of the town and county gentlemen.

When the corps was first established the requisite finances to meet preliminary expenses were raised by donations from the public, and annual subscriptions from honorary members. Effective members had to pay an annual subscription of £1 and to find their own uniform, with the exception of cap and accoutrements, these being provided by the corps. This somewhat large annual subscription from effective members helped to keep the corps unusually select, and to retain men in the ranks. Besides, it caused all to be jealous for the respectable behaviour of each member of the corps, precluding the retention in the ranks of any unwilling to obey every order as issued, or acting otherwise than was correct. Discipline had to be preserved, and this, with William Davis as captain, with J. Scott for his lieutenant, and such non-commissioned officers and men as formed the 10th Corps, was not a matter of very great difficulty.

One of the weak points in the volunteers (it is so still) was talking in the ranks, and this was met in this corps by a fine of 6d. on any individual so doing whilst the company or squad to which he might have been attached were drilling. At a later period this fine was reduced to 3d., and the sergeant of the section to which the man belonged was made responsible for enforcing the rule.

It may not be out of place here to introduce a balance sheet showing what the expenses of this corps were from the date of their first formation, December, 1859, to May, 1860. Experience and the class accepted made these expenses less than usual.

[Pg 122]

10TH CORPS WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Statement of Receipts and Payments up to 22nd May, 1861.

[Pg 123]

By this it may be seen that the sum expended in establishing this corps was not very far from £500; and the writer's experience leads him to think that very few corps comprising administrative battalions of volunteers throughout the country were established for much less.

Latterly the subscriptions from effective members were lowered, and altogether abolished in 1871.

It is not presumed that this corps were more enthusiastic in preparing themselves for the defence of their country, were it invaded, than others in the country. Drilling, if not a delight, was certainly a duty, and most honestly carried out. The following orders for the week ending 30th June, 1860, taken from the Company Order Book, will give a fair specimen of the really hard work which all undertook to perform, and as a rule absolutely did perform:—

(Dated)      23rd June, 1860.
(Signed) J.V. Toone,
Orderly Sergeant.

The corps has always been most popular in the town and neighbourhood, and when first raised were petted and feasted to an extent that would seem almost incredible. At one time there was seldom a company drill without a feed to follow, and gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood vied with each other in their hospitable treatment of the corps. This led to their being termed the "Jolly Tenth," a name retained long after they had been joined into the battalion, but unknown since the more matter-of-fact days succeeding the year 1880, when they became simply F Company of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteer Corps, by which title they are still known.

In another part we have said that the rifle range was[Pg 124] an unexceptionably good one, within an easy walk from the town and offering many advantages. In the corps there were some good shots, men always certain to score, but not as a rule prize-winners of any note at open meetings. However, most of the members were satisfied with the prizes offered at home, without going elsewhere to try their skill. The shooting of such men as Captain Wakeman, Lieut. Ponting, Sergeants Toone, Whiting, Haden, Luke, Smith, &c., was uniformly good. The great supporter of the corps has been the Marquis of Bath, having always contributed £50 yearly to its funds, besides giving various sums in prizes and other methods by which the corps is benefited. Of this annual £50 the sum of £25 is carried to the shooting-prize fund. With this, and the amount collected for the same fund from the ladies and gentlemen of Warminster, it may be said that few, if any, of the corps composing the battalion can equal and none surpass this company in the amount at its disposal for prize shooting. There is a yearly challenge cup given by the officers of the corps considered as being the blue ribbon of the local meeting, also two silver cups open to monthly competition to all members—one of these cups is given by the officers of the company, and the other by Mr. George Hurrell of the town. There is also a very handsome challenge cup given by His Highness Higashi Fusimi, Prince Imperial of Japan, in the year 1872, when he with his suite resided for a long period at Warminster. Altogether the company has many inducements to target practice, and this is taken advantage of, the attendance at class-firing and honest fulfilment of the regulations as regards this part of a rifleman's duty being strictly carried out. With this company the efficiency of all returned as efficient was to be depended upon; and no better company or more really efficient a body of officers and men can be found throughout the whole of the Volunteer Force than is the F Company of the 1st Wilts Volunteer Battalion.

The following is a complete list of the officers of the company, with the dates of their commissions, promotions, and retirements:—

Captain Commandant Tho Marquis of Bath; Captain, 1860; retired, 1862; Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, 1866.

[Pg 125]

Captain William Davis; Lieutenant, 1860; Captain, 1862; retired, 1866.

Captain John Scott; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1862; Captain, 1866; retired, 1874.

Captain Herbert Ingram; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1867; Captain, 1874; retired, 1877.

Captain Hon. Major Herbert Wakeman; Ensign, 1867; Lieutenant, 1870; Captain, 1877; retired with hon. rank of Major, 1886.

Captain Thomas Ponting; Ensign, 1869; Lieutenant, 1873; Captain, 1886.

Lieutenant John Ravenhill; Lieutenant, 1860; retired, 1867.

Lieutenant Philip Grubb; Ensign, 1862; Lieutenant, 1867; retired, 1870.

Lieutenant Joseph Smith; Ensign, 1866; retired, 1869.

Lieutenant Thomas Flower; Sub-Lieutenant, 1878; died, 1882.

Lieutenant Sir Harold Pelly, Bart.; Lieutenant, 1882; retired, 1887.

Lieutenant Sidney Smith; Lieutenant, 1884.

Lieutenant George Herbert Wakeman; Second Lieutenant, 1887.

Surgeon Charles Bleeck; Hon. Assist.-Surgeon, 1860; Battalion Surgeon, 1864; resigned.

Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Isaac Flower, 1864; resigned, 1874.

Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Thomas Flower, 1874; resigned, 1878.

Acting Surgeon Joseph Hinton, 1878.

Hon. Chaplain Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., 1861; resigned, 1883.

[Pg 126]

No. 13 CORPS. WESTBURY.

[No returns have been received.]

[Pg 127]

14TH CORPS. HEAD QUARTERS, WILTON.

The earliest records of the formation of this corps have not been preserved, but that is no reason for supposing that the stir for some more satisfactory system of self-defence than then existed did not affect the good people of Wilton and its neighbourhood as much as in other parts of Wiltshire. However, all were slow in moving, but whom to blame for this supineness it would be hard to say. The lordly owner of Wilton House, and of some thousands of acres stretching away into Dorsetshire and North Wilts, was residing abroad, and his representative, distinguished as a senator and one of the ministry, perhaps too much occupied at such a moment with greater matters to enable him to find the necessary time to work out details and set the thing well on its legs. It was plain that any rifle corps raised at or near Wilton must be composed chiefly of the tenants of the Earl of Pembroke, and that the starting this corps, which then simply meant coming down with a large sum of ready money, the obtaining uniforms, accoutrements, ammunition, even arms, armouries, and practice grounds, must fall to a very great extent on the possessor of Wilton House. Of course, for a time, as long as enthusiasm lasted and the French blustered, men would offer their services, and county gentlemen contribute handsomely to the funds, and acknowledging that it was very hard for patriotic Thomas, the blacksmith's assistant, or William, the village carpenter, to leave work early two or three times weekly, and stump across miles of down to Broad Chalke, Dinton, or elsewhere, to attend squad or company drills, so willingly helped towards the expense of conveying such men to these drills; but this philanthropic tendency would not last, and the expense would devolve either on the officers and men themselves, ultimately causing the corps to be lost altogether, or to sink into mere pot-shooters, but if to be kept up as a disciplined and useful adjunct to the forces of the Empire, the command, and many incidental[Pg 128] expenses, and arrangement connected therewith, would fall upon the Herbert family.

Not improbably, then, it was from want of an initiative being shewn by this house that the delay arose in the formation of a rifle company at Wilton, and that the one ultimately raised became No. 14 Corps in the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

On the 23rd March, 1860, a public meeting was called at Wilton, at which Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of Compton Park, Geo. Lapworth, Esq., J. Woodcock, Esq., W.J. French, Esq., with Messrs. Chipperdale, Wm. Allen, G. Young, D. Dodds, W. Naish, E. Rawlence, &c., present, and from whom a committee of management was formed; ultimately causing a body of riflemen being raised at Wilton and from the surrounding neighbourhood, termed the Wilton Rifle Volunteer Corps, with a strength of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, and 100 of all ranks. The officers recommended for commissions were Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of Compton Park, as captain; Mr. Geo. Lapworth as lieutenant; and Mr. J. Woodcock as ensign: Mr. W.J. French as assistant surgeon, and the Rev. B.S. Chermside as chaplain; Mr. Chipperdale undertaking the post of secretary; Messrs. Barnes, Eyres, Dodds, Miedenhall, Wm. Allen, and G. Rawlence being appointed non-commissioned officers.

As with other corps composing the battalion, the first great difficulty showing itself was in arranging so that drills should be numerous, practical, and easily and inexpensively attended by the corps; but with its members scattered from Wilton to the borders of Dorsetshire and many miles apart, the conveying to drill, whether at first for squad and company, and later on for battalion and camps, was ever a source of difficulty and great expense. Nevertheless, the attendances, both at battalion drills and in camps and at autumn manœuvres, with reviews, and less grand assemblies, have been uniformly good, as the following numbers will show.

Before the creation of the battalion this corps attended the Review held in Clarendon Park to the number of 72; at Bath, 60; at Salisbury, 70; at Wilton Park, 72; at the Autumn Manœuvres, 68; at the Grand Review in Windsor Park, 2 officers and 72 men; and the average[Pg 129] attendance at the annual regimental camps has been 2 officers and 60 men. Recently, indeed, at the Jubilee Review at Portsmouth, it showed 3 officers and 64 men. This represents a heavy expenditure for travelling and incidental expenses, which cannot be met by the men themselves, and usually falls upon the officers. A company of 60 volunteers is not taken from the wilds of Wiltshire and placed down on a hillside overlooking the sea at Portsmouth for a small travelling allowance, or at their own expense.

An additional major being sanctioned to the battalion, Captain C. Penruddocke of this corps accepted the vacancy, holding it for some years, but at the same time continuing to be captain of the company. Lieutenant Lapworth resigning, was replaced by Mr. C.R. Clay, Mr. Woodcock by Mr. Wm. Allen, and the Rev. D. Olivier chaplain in place of Mr. Chermside. Later on Major Penruddocke resigned the company, and his place was taken in the command by the Earl of Pembroke, who resigned on becoming junior major in the battalion, of which he is now lieutenant-colonel in command.

It will be seen by what has been said, that there are great expenses and difficulties incidental to a scattered country rifle corps such as was this, also No. 6 Corps and No. 8 of the battalion, than many are aware of—certainly much more than could have been known by the clerk managing the master of the department in the War Office at the period; otherwise, one could hardly have imagined that the passing of a travelling allowance, insufficient by a large amount as it was, would have been granted according to the efficient strength of a corps equally whether that corps were all collected together in a large town, with railway accommodation handy, or were scattered in twos or threes half over a county; and the better to make the mean allowance appreciated, add the rule, that such corps as are at the headquarters of the battalion or within six miles radius are to be exempt from the receipt of travelling allowances altogether. Perhaps Mr. —— of the War Office thought that omnibuses and cabs, with underground railways, were common on Wiltshire Downs, and that time was of so little value to the agriculturist, that he could afford to[Pg 130] walk three times yearly six miles out and back to do the required battalion drills, and saunter about with his rifle from the targets to squad or company drill. Any way, it was soon found that for the men to attend in any numbers at the five weekly squad drills arranged to be held—three at Wilton, where the riding school of Wilton House was kindly placed at their disposal for winter nights, one at Broad Chalke, and the other at Dinton or Burcombe Down—was a serious drag on all for time, and on many for money. To those having horses it was a great expense, and the carrying of rifles for individuals from the armoury no little trouble. For a while, so long as the war cloud hovered over the land, money would come in, and every encouragement be given by those not serving, in the way of money or help; but with the war scare decreasing, enthusiasm decreased also, and Private Stumptheveld began to discover that his rifle and belts were heavy and hot, also that it was more comfortable on a bleak evening at the fireside of the "Seven Stars," than at the hillside of the Punch Bowl at Burcombe Down, and as his patriotism was less demonstrative, so his rheumatics increased, and his attendances at drills became few and far between. It was evident that having many places for the men to meet at for drill purposes was a mistake. It was more expensive than by fixing upon one as the general drilling place for all, and gave no promise that the attendance would be sufficient for instruction being given in anything beyond the mere rudiments of drill. Anyhow, at the outlying stations the attendances became fewer and fewer, until the vanishing point was almost reached. Often, beyond the sergeant-instructor, there was none attending, and on the occasion of visits from the adjutant, whether at Dinton, Broad Chalke, and latterly at Wilton also, the numbers putting in an appearance were far too few. Ultimately, all this was changed, and Captain the Earl of Pembroke required all the drills to be done at Wilton, the head quarters, and made such arrangements that, in attending them, the loss of time and expense was less than formerly.

The rifle butts of this corps were very good, safe, but perhaps rather spoiling men using it much from even shooting elsewhere, though this was not shown by the[Pg 131] many good shots found in the corps. It was one of those deep valleys scooped out of the soft chalk hills by the action of sea or glacier in long ages past, and whilst the steep hillside kept off every breath of wind, the smooth flat bottom made shooting in any position easy, leaving the targets distinctly visible. Probably, in the olden time, this "Punch Bowl," as it is termed, might have been used as a tilting ground, where knights spitted knights for the fun of the thing, or because they had nothing better to do, unless it were to spit Paynims in the Holy Land, a race of men far superior to themselves in scientific knowledge and civilization. However, modern necessities have found a full use for the Punch Bowl, and may it long continue a practice ground for the Wilton Rifle Volunteers.

It may be as well now to describe the uniform of this corps as it was for officers and men on the first formation. Each corps had a different one—some soldier-like and useful, some perfectly hideous; but for a thing of beauty for ever, No. 14 beat all Wiltshire. Its colour was a light drab with facings of scarlet, but much of this concealed under an abundance of silver lace; trousers to match, and shako of the same colour, ornamented with goodly lace and flowing plume, half concealing the silver plate on shako, which was a copy of that worn on the belts. Then the belts! For officers, of light Russian leather with waist and cross-belt, on which was fixed a silver breastplate large and polished, instructive in heraldry and art. The centre contained the number of the corps, XIV., surmounted by a crown, and round this was placed the corporation arms of Wilton, the whole surrounded with the words "Wilton Rifle Volunteers." Above this breastplate, attached to the belt, was a lion's grim head in silver, from which descended two chains attached to a whistle, encased in graven silver, about equidistant from the breast centrepiece. From below the shoulder to about midway in the back were crossbars of silver, ending in a monster buckle of the same metal, such as may yet be seen in shining brass worn by that terror of the London boy, viz., the beadle of the Burlington Arcade.

It certainly was not a suitable dress for riflemen; and[Pg 132] though less gorgeous for non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the silver lace being represented by white braid, and bronze for silver ornaments, was quite unfitted by colour to stand knocking about in, or was it otherwise than visible at all distances. The blame for having uniforms of all sorts, kinds, and colours is not to fall on officers raising corps. The War Office had for the infantry red or black, or indeed the khakee of India as a choice; but to have given a decided order on the subject would have shown an interest in, or perhaps a belief in, the prolonged existence of these corps, and this was to be avoided. However, as mutual assembling together of corps for reviews and battalion purposes became more frequent, so did the absurdity of each company in a battalion having different uniforms and accoutrements become more evident. It rendered the equalisation of companies very difficult, and marked men making mistakes only too distinctly; so at last the matter was taken up by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, who with Colonel M.F. Ward, commanding the 2nd Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, and the adjutant of the 1st Administrative Battalion, as representing his commanding officer, met together at the Government manufactory at Pimlico, and it was there decided that the uniform for the future should be the same as worn by the Rifle Brigade. This decided the case; the ugly and the beautiful, the light grey and the dark blue, the olive and the drab ceased to exist. All had to change, and to mourn over the past by assuming black.

At the commencement of the movement it was a pretty sight, and spoke volumes for the patriotism of the inhabitants, when they willingly gave up their time to attending drills, and could be seen dotted here and there on the hillsides, riding, walking, or driving to the places of assembly. Conspicuous among these was the captain's dog-cart, bristling with rifles as do quills on the porcupine; and beneath these rifles (which are being carried for men walking, or whose horsemanship allows not of such an article being in the rider's hand) might be seen the officer himself and subalterns shining in their uniforms, guiding the horse as best they could. Perhaps some of the cocked hats so harshly judging the[Pg 133] force would have been less generous in their remarks on ignorance and not so very condemnatory of the volunteer movement, and complaining about the disgraceful performance of some of the members of a battalion, recommending impossibilities in the way of classifying, squadding, drilling, &c., as the certain cure for the fault, had they only known the difficulties attending a corps becoming efficient. Things have certainly changed since these earlier days for the better. Prejudice is lessened, a far more real knowledge of the military profession, as regards all details of tactics, drill, and of men from whom soldiers can be made, has been acquired by superior officers. Some test of ability to command is required now. The possession of rank, which position and only too often wealth gave, no longer enables an elderly gentleman, surrounded by a brilliant staff, to bluster out abuse, and offer his opinion and advice on matters which are far better understood by his juniors and unwilling listeners. He now-a-days must know his work, and do it.

There were some good shots in this corps whose names were sure to be seen not only at local events as prize-holders, but at county meetings. Messrs. King, Dodds, Barnes, and Allen were perhaps among the best; and although Mr. Allen's name appears last he was first as a prize-holder, and at all times a dangerous opponent; very cool, very steady, and one who seldom missed the target. Dwelling perhaps somewhat lengthily on his aim, he added not a little to the suspense of opponents; but usually relieved them by increasing the distance he held ahead of them. Lieutenant Allen held a badge for Queen's Prize, the Challenge Cup for one year, and on one occasion was second for Queen's Prize. The prize meetings at the Punch Bowl were from the first held annually, and have been hitherto well supported by the officers and surrounding gentlemen, the mayor and corporation of Wilton always giving a hearty support by way of prizes. Major Penruddocke was ever foremost in inducing men to attend drills and to know how to use the rifle by offering prizes, &c., and very frequently both on prize shooting occasions and on general musters provided most sumptuously for the inner wants of the hungry men. To Major[Pg 134] Penruddocke the company is much indebted for the getting up of the fife-and-drum band; indeed, for very many things useful and necessary, but which cannot be obtained out of common funds, or be found by the men themselves. The Earl of Pembroke, Major Penruddocke's successor in the command of the company, besides offering many prizes at the targets, &c., most liberally provided every non-commissioned officer and man with an undress suit of uniform, an expense which none but a company having a good subscription list and a balance at the bankers can enter into, the capitation grant being quite insufficient.

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