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lESl WILTSHIPiE RIFLE
YOLUNTEEKS.

BERT DWARRIS /-GIllNKN'

MAJOB, iNDXiS^N AEMY (Reiirect),
Late Adjutant let Battalion IViUsliire Volunteers.

LONDON:

H. ALLEN AND CO, 13, WATERLOO PLACE,
PALL MALL, S.W.

1888.

Piuijid Si'o. Ft ice 10s. M.
BY

CAPTAIN H. R. a^LL,

Late 5th Fusiliers;

Instructor of Tactics at Messrs. James and Lynch's Militanj
EstahlisJiment in LexTiam Gardens.

COjMTAINlNQ TWE]s(TY-^EVEjM fULJ^-PAQE JK^D
OTHEI^ ENQRAVINQ^.

LoiiDON :
W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATEELOO PLACE, S.W.

WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED.

RAPID FIELD SKETCHING

AND

RECONNAISSANCE.

By CAPTAIN WILLOUGHBY VERNER,

KIFLE BRIGADE.

Sixth Edition, Revised. Price //-, Post -free 1/2.

RED BOOK FOR SERGEANTS.

WILLIAM BRIGHT,

Color-Sergeant 37th Midd. E.V.

1st batt. wilts volunteers.

Gift of C. A. Kofoid

THE HISTORY

OP THE

1st batt. wilts volunteers,

1861 TO 1885,

EGBERT DWAERIS GIBNEY,

MAJOE, INDIAN ARMT (Ectired'),

Late Adjutant isf Battalion Wiltshire Toltmteers.

LONDON:

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

PALL MALL, S.W.

1888.

LONDON :

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CtOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

WITH THE CONSENT OF HIS LOKDSHIP,

ANB

WITH THE HEARTY CONCURRENCE OF THE MAJORITY OF

OFFICERS AND MEN, PAST AND PRESENT, COMPOSING

THE 1st WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS,

I HAVE MUCH PLEASUKE IN

'§z'bicniinQ this SEcrk

THE EARL PEMBROKE AND MONTGOMERY,

COMMANDING THE BATTALION.

ROBERT DWARRIS GIBNEY,

MAJOR, IKDIAN ARMY ^Retired);
Late Adjutant 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers.

VV5G-5

P E E F A C E.

It may be asked, Wliat can be tlie 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 arrange-
ments, and sink or swim as it might, it must have a his-
tory, and the history of it is the history of every corps or
company of which it is composed.

Bifle corps were raised anywhere, everywhere, anyhow,
and nohow. War was imminent ; the country was unpre-
pared, 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 Eifles. 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 in-
fluence, 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 fur-
nished 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

viii Preface.

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 ex-
penses. 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.

"Wae Office, Pall Mall,
" Ma?/, 1859.

"Her Majesty's Government having had under con-
sideration 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 com-
panies 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.

Preface. ix

" 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 Kegnlar Forces.

" That members cannot quit the corps when on actual
service, but may do so at any other time by giving four-
teen 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 at-
tending the corps, except in the event of its being as-
sembled 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 ac-
cording 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

Preface.

this office ; and in order that I may be enabled to de-
termine 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 oflfered, 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 com-
mand, Lieut.-Colonel the Earl Pembroke and Mont-
gomery, and the officers serving aiid 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

Preface. xi

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 testi-
mony 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 bat-
talion drill was to be effectually imparted. ,

KOBERT DWARIIIS GiBNEY,

Major (^Retired) Indian Army,

Late Ist Wilts Volunteer Battalion.

HISTOEY

OF THE

1st battalion wilts volunteers.

THE BATTALION.

According to the information received from officers con-
nected witli 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 exist-
ence, 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 in-
structed by the adjutant. Of course on the first amalga-
mation 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 veiy
strength required its being partially broken up for the
purpose of equalizing companies, and perhaps many of the

Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 trans-
ferred, 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 Eifle
Volunteers, all of them, more or less frequently, had
attended at various large reviews of the Volunteer Force.
The Eoyal Eeview held in Hyde Park in 1860 was alone
attended by the 2nd or Trowbridge Corps of this bat-
talion, 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 Trow-
bridge 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 bat-
talions and worked as a single brigade; ibut 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

was a complete success ; and doubtless mucli 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 manoeuvring ex
tended 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 manoeuvres,
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 spec-
tators 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 manoeuvring, and some
thousands of volunteers commanded by learners only.
Here, as elsewhere, beyond the volunteer inspectors, two

B 2

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

in number, tlie staff was composed of young gentlemen
from the yeomanry, militia, or line, whose chief recom-
mendation 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 pro-
visions 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volmiteer,

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 sup-
port 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 Wilt-
shire bad 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 fire-
wood, with horses none of the steadiest, to the rendezvous,
which might be a village, a hill-side, 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-

The \st Battalion Wilts Vdunteers.

General Sir Gustavus Hume, K.C.B. — and to Colonel
Robert Bruce — now Lieut.-General R. Bruce, lately com-
manding 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 senti-
ments 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

within the five-mile radius, and of the costs incidental to
corps few in nnmbers, 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 head-quarter town until the assembly
sounded, or marched on to the ground some time after the
parade bad begun: their train being late or time incon-
venient; thus necessitating retelling off and confusion.
Then, just as the object of a manoeuvre was being under-
stood, 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.

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

1st Corps,

Head Quarters,

Salisbury.

2nd „

Trowbridge.

6th „

Maiden Bradley.

8th „

Mere.

9th „

j»

Bradford-on-Avon.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

lOth Corps,

Head Quarters,

Warminster.

13th „

Westbury.

14th „

Wilton.

Salisbury being the Lead 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 Eobinson, Captain Cmt.
E. D. Fisher, Lieut
Geo. Smith, Lieut.
Wyndham Pain, Lieut.

James Brown, Ensign.

C. Brown, Ensign.

John M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.

Kevd. Eobert 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.

Kevd. J. D. Hastings, Hon. Chap,

Gth Corps, Maiden Bradley.

Lord E. Percy St. Maur, Captain.
Henry B. Festing, Lieut.
Thomas K. Harding, Ensign.

8th Corps, Mere.

W. Chargin Grove, Captain.
E. A. Card, Lieut.
John White, Ensign.

W. N. Marshall, Assist. Surgeon.
Kevd. K. Kowley, Chaplain.

Assist. Surgeon.
Hon. Chaplain.

Gth Corps, Bradford.

W. Pickwick, Captain.
G. Forster, Lieut.
A. Beavan, Ensign.

10th Corps, Warminster,

The Marquis of Bath, Captain

Commandant.
William Davis, Captain.
John Ravenliill, Lieut.
Johu Scott, Lieut.

William Adye, Hon. Surgeon.
Kevd. W. H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

Herbert Ingram, Ensign.
Philip Grubb, Ensign.
L. Flower, Assist. Surg.
Kevd. Sir J. Erasmus Philipps,
Hon. Cliaplain.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

13th Corps, Westbuky.

H. G. G. Ludlow, Captain. \ H. W. Pinniger, Ensign.

J. W. Gibbs, Lieut.

Charles Penruddocke, Captain.
Geo. Lapworth, Lieut.
Alex. Powell, Jdeut

14th Corps, Wilton.

I. Woodcock, Ensign.

A. Graham, Ensign.

Eevd. K. 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. How-
ever, 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 vdth
letters from warriors of all countries, anxious to explain
that they had nothing to do with it, refused the tempta-
tion 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

10 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 assem-
bling 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 shuflfie, 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
tday."

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 profanun
<Dulgus 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 — tbe 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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
manoeuvres, and v^hilst 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 w^aited 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 Eifle 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 com-
manding 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 depot in London,

12 TliG 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 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 fouud
to be unworkable ; and an inspection of corps at their own

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers, 13

head quarters, with one or two general assemblies for bat-
talion 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
manoeuvres, 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 M^as inspected by Colonel E. Bruce, lately
commanding the 2nd Eoyals, 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 circum-
stances 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 manoeuvring 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,
imaccustomed 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

14 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 oflered 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 Beigade.

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

1st A. B. Wilts Eiele Volunteers.

Major Clark (in command), Major Penrudocke, 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 ; Bank and File, 76 ; Band, 16.
Total, 100.

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

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

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

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

lith 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 Eound
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 ore many a corps
reached its head quarters.

The annual prize-meeting of the Wilts Rifle Associa-

The 1st BattaliGn Wilts Volunteers. 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, Quarter-
master Toone, &c., all went off admirably.

The 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Volunteer
Eifles 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 volun-
teers and yeomanry, was won by Colour-sergeant Jefierys
of the 6th Maiden Bradley Corps, after making a tie with
Private Martin of the 10th Warminster Corps, the scores
being : —

Total.

300 yards.

500 yards.

700 yards.

Jefferys

Martin

The score at the longest distance deciding the prize.

Mr. E. Long, of Eood 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

16 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Burton 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-ono
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 Bat-
talion. These valuable and most desirable prizes were
given each year by Mr. Poynder, whose liberality in
supporting the Kifle 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 com-
petition : 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,

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 com-
bined 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 corre-
spondence 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 neigh-
bouring 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 29 th 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,

18 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

numbered nearly 5000 men, of wliicli this battalion
yielded 500 ; tbe artillery, 228 men, with six guns, being
two guns per brigade, and 180 sabres ; yeomen, serving
in the Wilts and Hants Yeomanry and Mounted Eifles ;
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 bad
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 re-
treated, 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 un-
appreciable ; 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 termi-
nation of the manoeuvres the authorities expressed them-
selves satisfied with the day's performance.

The Hampshire Mounted Eifles under Colonel Bower
•exhibited some pretty skirmishing at this review. Men
and horses were all well trained and thoroughly under-
stood their work. Colonel Bower here showed how
nseful 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 : —

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.

J. F. Everett, Lieut. -Colonel.

T. Clark and C. Penruddocke, Majors.

E. D. GiBNEY, Adjutant.

Charles Bleeck, Surgeon.

John M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.

J. Fawcett, Quartermaster.

1st Corps, Salisbury.

Wm. Pinckney, Captain {Comdt.').
G. Smitli, Captain.
W. Pain, Lieut.
W. J. Wilton, Lieut.

E. F. Kelsey, Ensign.

F. Hodding, Ensign.

J. M. Cardell, Assist. Surgeon.
Kevd. K. G. Swayne, Chaplain.

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

W. P. Clark, Captain (Comdt).
E. P. Stancomb, Lieut.
Lieut.

W. P. Clark, Ensign.

K. S. Seale, Assist. Surgeon.

Kevd. J. D. Hastings, Hon. Chap.

Gth Corps, Maiden Bradley.

H. B. Festing, Captain.
Thos. K. Harding, Lieut.
E. S. Jefferys, Ensign.

W. N. Marshall, Assist. Surgeon.
Eevd. K. Kowley, Hon. Chaplain.

8th Corps, Mere.

, Captain.
E. A. Card, Lieut.
J. White, Ensign.

Chas. Kumsey, Assist. Surgeon.
Kevd. C. H. Townsend, Hon.
Chaplain.

9th Corps, Bradford-on-Avon.

, Captain. I E. M. Davis, Ensign.

William Adye, Lieut. \ W. H. Jones, Hon. Chaplain.

John Scott, Captain.
H. Ingram, Lieut
P. Grubb, Lieut.
J. Smith, Ensign.

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

10th Corps, Warminster.

H. J. Wakeman, Ensign.
J. Flower, Assist. Surgeon.
Kevd. Sir J. E. Philipps, Bart.,
Chaplain.

13th Corps, Westbuey.

W. H. Laverton, Ensign-

14th Corps, Wilton.

Charles Penruddocke, Captain.
Fred King, Lieut.
, Ensign.

P. J. Bennett, Assist. Surgeon.
Kevd. D. Olivier, Chaplain.

The year commenced witli a meeting of the officers at
Warminster, followed by a mess dinner, at which it was

c 2

20 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

settled that a regimental camp should be held at War-
minster the first week in August, and that the com-
manding officer of the battalion should apply to the
southern division of the county of Wilts for subscrip-
tions 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 Eifle Volunteers.

Gkeenhill, 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 re-
quirements of actual service, in a way that cannot other-
wise 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 Brad-
ford ; 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. \st. A, B. Wilts Bifle 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."

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 21

It was very necessary that the regimental camp should
Tdc 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 commit-
tee. Meetings of this committee were held at War-
minster 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 diffi-
culties. To make contracts where there was little cer-
tainty, 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 walk-
ing up a hill and then walking down again. Some gun-
boats 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 gun-
boats 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 re-
tired and resumed its position on the hill-side, sitting
down comfortably awaiting further orders ; which even-
tually 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 manoeuvring,
was prejudicial to discipline and respect for authority.

22 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 de-
bauchery.

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 magnifi-
cent undulating spot with room for manoeuvring on a
large scale, but waterless, thereby necessitatiug 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 W iltshire.

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 com-
piled by the officer commanding the battalion, and these
with a few additions have yet remained in force. The

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers, 23

following extract from tliem as referring to the camp
about to be established is herewitli given : —

Standing Orders fob Camp.
The 1st Bugle will sound at 5
,« 2nd „ „

; 5 a.m.

7 a.m.-

—Morning parade, setting-up

drill, &c.

8 a.m.-

—Men's breakfasts.

9 30 a.m.-

-^Pickets and guard-mounting.

10 a.m.-

—Officers' instruction in mess

tent.

10 45 a.m.-

— Comdng. Officer's parade.

1 p.m.-

—Men's dinners.

3 p.m.-

—Comdng. Officer's parade.

7 p.m.-

— IVIen's supper.

9 p.m.-

—Tattoo.

10 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 regula-
tions, 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 purchase-
able 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

24 The 1st Fattalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 volun-
teer 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 connec-
tion with guard and sentry duties. These had to be
learned ah 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.

"Ilallo! Is that what you call doing sentry?" sud-
denly 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 uji," was the reply, said with
charming naivete.

" What are your orders ? " asks the subaltern of the
day from a youthful volunteer, supposed to be guarding

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 sen-
tries, 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, observ-
ing 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
})asses, 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 depart-
ment, where are carts and ovens scattered about, " Eelief,
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

26 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

for being there ; giving, as an excuse, " That lie hadn't
no greatcoat, that it poured ' wuss ' enough to wet him
through ; and that them ' chimbleys and things ' could
he 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, aeks
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 com-
panies, 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 K. Bruce ; the honorary colonel, the Marquis of
Bath, being present on parade, and a very large number
of onlookers from the county families and neighbour-
hood generally ; the officers giving a handsome luncheon

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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
oflScer: "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 else-
where, 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 offi-
cers 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 Eifle 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 Salis-
bury 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 : —

00-

Corps.

c 2

"i^

Staff ....

1st Corps, Salisbury .

200

109

127

102

2nd Corps, Trowbridge

159

127

129

108

6th Corps, Maiden Bradley .

100

8th Corps, Mere

100

9tli Corps, Bradford .

100

10th Corps, Warminster

159

102

134

13tli Corps, Westbury

100

14th Corps, Wilton .
Grand Total of Battalion

159

1093

673

116

789

589

28 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

The year 1869 commenced with a meeting of the
ofScers of the battalion at Warminster, and it was therein
settled that the regimental camp should he held this year
at Salisbury, in the first week of August. Meetings
were subsequently held to consider details, and to as-
certain 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 neigh-
bouring counties took place at Portsmouth, which resulted
in a field day on some scale being held at Southsea Com-
mon on the 26th April. There Avere jDresent 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 Adminis-
trative Battalion assembling at the place appointed for
them in the town of Portsmouth, they were jDroved 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 vqtj inferior for the purpose to that at Warmin-
ster. 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 29

of the battalion by Colonel E. 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 quar-
ters, 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 manage-
ment, 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 altera-
tions 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 1\ lb. of meat, ^ lb. of potatoes, 1 lb. of bread, some tea
and sugar, and sixpence 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 him-
self as being very well pleased, not only with the way
the drill had been performed, but with the camp generally,

30 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 debris
marked where 500 men had been so long encamped.

The expenses of the camp were £230, and the subscrip-
tions 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 Maequis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.

J. F. EvKRETT, Lieut-Colonel.

T. Claek and C. Peneuddocke, Majors.

R. D. GiBNEY, Adjutant.

WiLUAM Fawcett, Quartermaster.

Chaeles Bleeck, Surgeon.

John M. Caedell and J. S. Seale, Assist. Surgeons.

1st CoEPS, Salisbuey.

"William Pinckney, Captain.
George Smith, Captain.
W. J. Wilton, Lieut.
E. F. Kelsey, Lieut.

F. Hodding, Ensign.
, Ensign.
T. E. Lee, Assist. Surgeon.
Eevd. R. G. Swayne, Hmi. Chap.

2nd Coeps, Trowbeidge.

W. P. Clark, Captain (Comdt).
E. P. Stancomb, Lieut.
W. P. Clark, Junr., Ensign.

G. C. Tayler, Assist. Surgeon.
Rcvd. H. Meyer, Chaplain.

6th CoEPS, Maiden Bradley.

, Captain.
T. K. Harding, Lieut.
E. S. Jeflferys, Ensign.

Wm. N. Marshall, Hon. Assist.

Surgeon.
Revd. R. Rowley, Hon. Chaplain.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 31

8th Corps, Mere.

O. Troyte-Bullock, Captain.
E. A. Card, Lieut.
, Ensign.

C. Eumsey, Assist.-Surgeon.
Kevd. C. H. Townsend, Chaplain.

9tli Corps, Bradford.

, Captain. I E. M. Davis, Ensign.

William Adye, Lieut. \ Eevd. W. H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

10th Corps, Warminster.

J. Flower, Assist.
Kevd. Sir J. E. Philipps, Bart.,
Hon. Chaplain.

John Scott, Captain.
H. Ingram, Lieut.
H. J. Wakeman, Lieut.
T. Ponting, Ensign.

13th Corps, Westbury.

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

, Lieut. I

14 th Corps, Wilton.

, Captain.
C. R. Clay, Lieut.
William Allen, Ensign.

P. J. Bennett, Assist. Surgeon.
Eevd. D. Olivier, Chaplain.

The usual regimental camp was entered this year (1871)
on Homerton Down, near Salisbury, assembling on the
4tli August, and to a certain extent answered its purpose.
The battalion being divided into wings, one balf battalion,
under the command of Major Clark, was detailed to make
a nigbt 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 com fields, thick gorse, and bye-paths surround-
ing 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 num-
bers 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,

32 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

&c., the battalion was marched to Salisbury, and was
dismissed to its various head quarters.

This year, Mr. Poynder, of Hardropp Park, Chippen-
ham, in addition to numberless other prizes given to The
County Eifle 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 pro-
longed 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.

The Expenses of the Camp were £399.
Subscriptions .... £253.
Camp Allowance . . . £93.

Leaving a large deficit to be met by the travelling allow-
ance. 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 manoeuvres, 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 assis-
tance from Government, beyond promising rations such
as were served out to all the troops, was nothing at all.
Some old greatcoats were to be lent, but little else. A
committee, working under the lieutenant- colonel com-
manding, and having the advice and assistance of one of
the most energetic and far-seeing of men, in Quarter-
master Wm. Fawcett, brother of the late Mr. Fawcett,
M.P., left nothing undone, and on the departure of the

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 after-
wards 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 bat-
talion 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 satisfac-
tion 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 smart-
ness 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., command-
ing the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division; to which brigade the
1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Eifle 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, pre-
viously considered to be impassable by either party.

34 Hie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 manoeuvring, 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 ma-
noeuvres, 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 en-
trenchments 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 Ger-
many, too recent for its lessons to be forgotten. Besides
all this, what were these autumn manoeuvres 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 southern-
ers were not to be scared, but commencing the offensive,
poured down upon the devoted enemy through the paths
of the Great Eidge Wood, and covered by a cloud of
skirmishers, drove the enemy from the valley, dividing
the positions of the two forces. Artillery answers ar-
tillery, 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 bo
attacked.

Perhaps the strategical part was over, and tactics re-
quired modification ; or, it may have been that the
lessons in the "New Primer," reduced to greater sim-
plicity from the German edition on the subject of
warfare, were omitted for the occasion; however, what-

D 2

36 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

ever was the cause, the minor matters of " bridges blown
Tip," "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 hill-
side, firing volley after volley into it, preparatory to
commencing the a^jcent. 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," aud
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 Wish ford, 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 Kidgo as it is termed,

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 vallej'- 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
Eidge 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 irresist-
ible, 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 em-
ployed 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
foyce 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
expres&ed 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 fur 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 impeni-
tent reply of that colonel.

Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 duiing the time they were under his
command at the late autumn manoeuvres.' "

Thus ended the one week attached to the regular
army, and more good was obtained from it by the bat-
talion than might have been expected. In no regi-
mental 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 tentt^,
until the bugle note gives freedom ; the punctuality
on parade, fitness of arms and uniform, respectful salute,
and self-rcv^pect, are among the many things acquired
by being brigaded with regulars.

There was a regimental camp held the next year,
187-3, 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 mo-
ment's cessation of the downpour and the bugle sum-
moned a parade, but there it ended, and once again

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 39

tents and canteen were occupied. Tliese 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 Depot at
Devizes, who expressed himself as satisfied; and after
the usual luncheon given by the officers to the county
and visiters, the prizes won at the Wilts County Kifle
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 inspec-
tion only showed a total of 484, but the reason for this
falling off" is not diffi,cult 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 depen-
dent 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 con-
spicuous 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 sun 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. G-radually 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 in-
effective, and ceased to exist, not only to the regret of
the officers and men of the battalion generally, but to
many of the company.

The Expenses of the Camp were £190
Subsjriptio:is . . . . £120

40 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

The Army List, for 1874, was thus : —

The Marquis of Bath, Honorary Colonel.

J. F. EvEEETT, Lieut-Colonel.

T. Clakk and W. Pinckney, Majors.

K. 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.

Eevd. K. G. Swayne, Hon. Chap.

W. P. Clark, Captain (Comdt).
E. P. Stancomb, Lieut.
W. P. Clark, Junr., Lieut.
J. H. Foley, Lieut

2nd Corps, Trowbridge.

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. Runisey, Assist Surgeon.
Eevd. H. B. Townsend, Chaplain.

9th Corps, Bradford.

William Adye, Captain. I T. W..Dunn, Lieut.

0. M. Davis, Lieut \ Revd. W. H. Jones, Hon. Chap.

10th Corps, Warminster.

John Scott, Captain. J. Flower, Assist. Surgeon.

H. Ingram, Lieut Revd. Sir J. E. Philipps, Bart.

H. J. Wakeman, Lieut Chaplain.

T. Ponting, Lieut

13th Corps, Westbury.
William H. Laverton, Captain, | J. P. Hall, Lieut.

14 til Corps, Wilton.

The Earl of Pembroke and Mont-
gomery, 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 attend-
ance 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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
manoeuvring 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
depot. The inspecting officer expressed himself as grati-
fied 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 batta-
lion, and elicited the following remarks from the inspect-
ing officer in the order issued to the battalion on its
inspection next day : —

" A sudden alarm in camp last night showed the efifect
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 congratu-
lates 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
jDosition 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

42 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers,

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 War-
minster, but sleet, hail, and rain were against much being
done. The attendance was good. At the mess dinner
alterwards 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 in-
creased 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, Tiowbridge, 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 unwill-
ingly 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

command of funds there was no possibility of the corps
becoming sufficiently efficient. A capitation grant, in-
sufficient 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 Eifle Volunteers.
Summary of Annual Keturns, l.st November, 1875.

Certificates

of
Proficiency.

{§ -^

Head Quarters

Corps.

g
1

t
SB

^ 1 ^

Salisbury

200

162

173

Trowbridge .

200

168

188

Bradford

]00

Warminsler .

159

100

116

Westbury

100

Wilton .

luO

Staif .

872

638

703

(Signed) Robert Dwarris Gibney, Captain,

Adjutant 1st A. B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

The Expenses of the Camp for 1875 were £208
Subscriptions . . . . . £67
Camp Allowance £59

44 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

On the 17th April, 1876, a battalion drill took place at
Warminster, and afterwards at a mess dinner arrange-
ments were made for holding the usual annual regimental
camp on Warminster 33own, 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 Kejiiment, 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
manoeuvres, 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. Cer-
tainly 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 inspec-
tion 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 Homer ton 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 depot; 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 Eifle Meeting were given away by
the Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery.

The Expenses of this Camp were £362
Subscriptions . . . . £10
Camp Allowance . . . £57

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
Eifle 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 bat-
talion, 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 through-
out the week having been each day fairly equal. The
result was decent drilling at the inspection. The officer

46 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 con-
tinuance of the deluge was a new source of expense to
the battalion.

The Expenses of the Camp were £300
Subscriptions .... £30
Camp Allowance earned . . £106

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 oflfer
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 allow-
ances 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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 atten-
dance ; but discipline was well preserved, and good
resulted to the battalion at large.

On Thursday, the 7th August, His Eoyal 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 com-
manding officer and the other officers at the entrance to
the mess tent, a guard of honour being on duty mean-
while. His Eoyal Highness afterwards attended the
afternoon parade, receiving a royal salute, followed by
the marching past bim of the battalion. On the 8th
August, the battalion was very closely inspected by
Colonel Bythesea, commanding 38th Depot, 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 short-
comings 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.

The Expenses of the Camp amounted to £318

Subscriptions £30

Camp Allowance . . . . £117

This year brought with it the retirement of Major T.
Clark, an officer of very long standing, not only in the

48 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers,

battalion but in tbe Volunteer Force generally ; be 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 hospi-
tality, 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 Volun-
teer 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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

Head Quarters, Warminster,

1st November^ 1879.
1st Administrative Battalion, Wiltshire Kifle Volunteers.
Summary op the Annual Keturn.

Certificates

1 .

Head Quarters
of

Corps.

•P

Proficiency.

Salisbury

200

152

153

Trowbridge .

200

192

207

Bradford

100

Warminster .

160

100

Westbury

100

Wilton .

100

Staff .

100

875

667

695

(Signed)

Egbert Dwarris Gibney, Major,

Adjutant Ist A. B. Wilts Eifle 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 arrange-
ments 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 favour-
able, 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
Depot, on the 6tli 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 encamp-
ment. At the conclusion of the inspection Colonel By-

50 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. .

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 j)arade this day only
arrived in the morning, not having attended previously."
After a pause he added, " A week's camp did them un-
doubted good, and next year he hoped to see an appre-
ciation of this fact in a larger and more continuous
attendance thereon, under their able and energetic com-
manding officer. Colonel Everett, than whom none was
more earnest in the welfare of the battalion." The in-
specting 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.

The Expenses of the Camp were . . . £401

Subscriptions received £35

Camp Allowance from Government - . . . £349
The Capitation Orant obtained for Eflficiency for

the Battalion was £1133

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 damjj peojale
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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 51

patrons. The patronesses were the Marchioness of Bath,
the Marchioness of Westminster, the Countess of Pem-
broke, 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 Tra-
falgar, 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 Mar-
chioness 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 some-
what improved, and fair faces and importunity relieved
the visitors from being embarrassed with riches. Baffles,
shooting galleries on a small scale, were in full swing,
and helped to swell the day's receipts. Next day, as re-
gards 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 Trow-
bridge, 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 Kifle Battalion was thus, January 1881 : —

Honorary Colonel.
Bath, Marquis of.

Lieutenant-Colonel.
Everett, J. F.

Majors.
Pembroke and Moatgomery, Earl

of.
Fowls, W. H.

Captains.

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

E 2

52 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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, K. A.

Wilson, G. N.

Pinniger, H. D.

Adjutant.
Gibney, K. 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, Kevd. 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 Eeview to
be held later on at Windsor.

On the 9th July the various companies left their head-
quarters at some unearthly hour in the morning, and
marching to various stations on the Great Western Rail-
way, between Salisbury and Trowbridge, were picked up
by the special train and proceeded onwards to Slough.
Here they detrained, an'd 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 rail-
way 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 addi-
tional 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

Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 Salis-
bury), 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.

54 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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

" Windsor,

" lOtU July, 1881.

*' The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief having
received the Queen's commands to express the gratifica-
tion 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 satis-
faction with the soldier-like appearance and bearing of
all ranks. His Koval Highness desires, without delay, to
notify Her Majesty's commands to the forces.

" The troops reviewed consisted of 96 battalions, besides
the Eoyal Naval Artillery and the Honouiable Artillery
Company, the whole composing upwards of 52,000 ofScers
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 perform-
ance of the railway service as well as by his own obser-
vation of the battalions from the time of their arrival to
the close of the Eeview, His Eoyal Highness is satisfied
that the discipline and endurance of all ranks would do
credit to troops employed on permanent service, and are
worth}' of the highest commendation.

*' The Field-iMart^hal Commanding-in-Chief was most
favourably impress^ d with the military bearing of the
ofiicers and min, both on and off parade ; and His Eoyal
Highness begs to thank the volunteers of all ranks, the
geneial staff ofiicers of the foice, the medical ofiicers
attached to the field hospitals, and the staff ofiicers for
railway service for the accurate and successful perform-
ance of their respective duties. His Eoyal Highness's
thanks are ahso due to the railway authorities fur their
hearty co-operation and untiiing exertions, without
which so large a concentration of troops could not have
been effected.

" By command,

"C. H. Ellice, Adjt.-Generair

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 55

On the 23rd July the Lord Mayor of London enter
tained the commanding officers of all the volunteer bat-
talions represented at the Eeview at Windsor on the 9th
Julj', 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 Eeview in Windsor Park, the usual regi-
mental 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
Depot 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 op[)ortunity of
meeting them for tire 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 manoeuvres 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 counti y."

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 con-
tinued 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 Eobert Dvvarris Gibney, and on the 23rd
September that officer ceased to be connected with the
battalion. He had served with it somewhat over twenty

56 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteer,

years, and had been the first adjutant appointed. A
marvellous change bad come over it and the whole volun-
teer movement during this period. Battalions adminis-
trative 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. How-
ever, 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.

Majcr E. D. Gibney had served for many years regi-
mentally, and on the staff", in India, and raising the 7th
Company of Eifle Volunteers (Gloucestershire) at Chelten-
ham in 1859, commanded the same until appointed
adjutant in Wiltshire, May 1861, and was among the
senior captains of volunteers in the service. The follow-
ing farewell order was issued : —

" Head Quarters, Warminster,

" 2.3rd September, 1881.
"The colonel commanding the battalion cannot allow
Major E. 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 ho has served in the 1st Wilts Eifle
Volunteers."

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 57

On the 15tli October a testimonial, in the shape of a
silver tea-urn, was presented to the late Adjutant-Major
E. 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, 1S81, vice
Honorary Major K. D. Gibney, retired.

The Expenses of the Camp were .... £396

Subscriptions . . . . . . . . £40

Camp Allowances ....... £16t>

The Expenses of the Battalion attending Windsor
Review were ....... £194

Review Allowances from Government . . . £59

On the 6th December the battalion paraded at War-
minster 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 Plouse, and the town was illuminated. The
weather was boisterous and wet, entirely spoiling the
effect.

The Summary of Annual Eeturns 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,

58 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

afterwards marcliing past His Eojal Higliness 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 (jccupy 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, com-
manded 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
Portsdovvn 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 Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales
was present, but the salute was taken by H.E.H. Field-
Marshal the Duke of Cambridge.

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

*' It is very gratifying to the Field-Marshal Command-
ing-in-Chief, upon each fresh occasion when His Eoyal
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 gi-eat 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 belon^:.

"It has afforded Field-Marshal His Eoyal Highness
the Prince of Wales great pleasure to t/ke part as a
Colonel of Volunteers in the day's proceedings. The
Field-Mar.-hal 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

Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 59

His Eoyal 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 "War-
minster for the annual canip, marching-in strength being
353, and present at inspection 510.

After the inspection Colonel Bythesea, Inspecting
Officer, and commanding 38th Depot, 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 cleanli-
ness 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, con-
sisting of four men per company. They were instructed
by Staff-Surgeon Bennett and the medical officers of the
battalion.

The Expenses of the Camp were . . £324

Subscriptions received .... £30

Camp and Travelling Allowances . . £227

The enrolled strength of the Battalion was 629

Total Efficients 590

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 Sali.sbury, 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 fete 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

60 The \8t Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 wliile 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 Expenses of the Camp were £386
Subscriptions .... £30
Camp and Travelling Allowances £333

The camp was broken up on the 9 th August.

The Summary of Annual Eeturns 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, theie 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 depot. The afternoon was
intensely hot, and all things were not so satisfactoiy as
could have been wished. The whole, after partaking of

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 liis
commission, he having with his brother, Major Clark,
raised the 2nd Corps, and been the officers fiist 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 Eeturns showed 541 efficients,
and the capitation grant earned was £1079.

Extract from Armij List, January, 1885 : —

Honorary Colonel,
Bath, The Marquis of.

Majors.
Pembroke and Montgomery, The

Earl of.
Fowle W. H.

Captains.
Adve, William {Hon. Major T).
Keisev, E. F.

Stancomb, E. F. (Hon. Major T).
Wakeman, H. J.
Hoddiug, F.
Wilson, G. N.
Clark, W. P.

Lieutenants.
Mann, W. H.
Hall, J. P.
Clark, T. H.
Farebrother, H. J. L.
Pally, Sir H., Bart.
Kelland, J.
Pinckney, A. B.

Lieutenants — (continued).
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.
Ohvier, Kevd. D.

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

62 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

On the 1st May a special meeting of the ofiScers 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 correspon-
dence 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 disci-
pline, 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. Eaces (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 jump-
ing, 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 40«.
and 20s. (with lOs.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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 63

which much skill and really good horsemanship was
shown. Captain Helme, of the Rood Ash ton Troop, was
facile p'inceps 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 Depot 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 learn-
ing it.

The inspecting of&cer then required those belonging
to the ambulance corps to be put through their move-
ments, 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.

The Expenses of the Camp were £325
Camp Allowance . . . £327
Subscriptions .... £30
The Capitation Grant earned was £1088

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 know-
ledge of drill than the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts
Eifle 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, Eegimental camps and a turn occa-
sionally at Aldershot, or in camp with regulars, w^ere 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. E. Everett now takes leave of the 1st Wilts Eifle
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 satis-
faction to know that it devolves on the Earl of Pembroke,
the next senior officer, and one who has alwaj^s 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 com-
mand of the battalion.

"In conclusion. Colonel Everett begs to thank the
officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the bat-
talion for their uniform good behaviour, good discipline,

66 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

and attention to his orders during the many years he has
commanded them, and he hopes they will always en-
deavour 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 Bifle 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 often 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 con-
sidered 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 pre-
pared, and are our forces so numerous, so armed, so fully
equipped and so fully provided with guns, hospital com-
forts, 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. — K. D. G. 1888.

( 67 )

1st coeps (saltsbuey) wilts eifle
volunteees.

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, con-
sisting 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. How-
ever 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 attend-
ing the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. After some pre-
liminary conversation, Mr. J. H. Jacob, of the Close, was
asked to take the chair, and business immediately com-
menced. Among those present were many of the leading
county families, as also the principal tradesmen. Indeed
the room was inconveniently filled, upwards of one hun-
dred persons being there. Several gentlemen addressed
the meeting, when T. W. Gilbert, Esq., moved, and
J. Pinckney, Esq., seconded, a resolution to the following
efi"ect : " That in the opinion of this meeting it is
desirable that a rifle corps be established in this city,
to be called the Salisbury Eifle 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 em-
powered 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 Eead, W. Pain, E. Sidford,

F 2

68 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

W. Fawcett, jun., E. Oobb, 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 es-
timate of about the expenses incidental to any joining the
rifle corps, and receiving no assistance from subscrip-
tions, &c., &c. : —

Kifle (Lancasters) £4 6

Suit of Uniform
Chaco and Ornament
Belt and Pouch

£2 15

£0 7 6

£12 6

£8 11 6

Total

In the issue of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal of
May 28, 1859, under the heading of "The Salisbury
Volunteer Eifle 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 paj^ 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 inteiference 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 manoeuvres. 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 jpave^ 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 minutiae,
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

70 The 1st Battalion IVilts Volunteers.

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

manoeuvres deemed necessary to repel an invasion occur-
ring 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 Kobinson, and Ambrose Husscy, 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. liead, Mr.
Eariant, Sir E. Poore, Mr. E. Kelsey, Mr. Sheppard,
Mr. Harris, Mr. Ay 1 ward, Mr. Maunder, Mr. Eae, Mr.
Lucas, Mr. Farr, Mr. Curtis, as non-commissioned officers
at the same time may be mentioned. Captain Jacob

The 1st Battalion' Wilts Volunteers. 71

commanded the company, with its headquarters at Salis-
bury, and the half company with its headquarters near
Downton, under the command of Lieutenant Wyndham
Payne, and no time was lost after organization in com-
mencing 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 Keservoir 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 manoeuvres, Eoyal Eeview at
Windsor, and Jubilee Keview more recently at Aldershot.
At the various legimental 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 Eifle 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.
Certainlj'- 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, in-
asmuch as, when Captain Jacob and Lieutenant Kobinson
in uniform proceeded down St. James Street on their way
to the levee 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 foT all the corps
on battalion occasions, was peihaps rather advantageous

72 Tlic 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

to the head-quarter companies, enabling them to practise
field movements, and to acquire more knowledge of
battalion manoeuvres 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 eifective 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 ca;r.e 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 (^ham) 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 fc,hot, 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 mattei s,
and a rifleman was too new a thing to be ap[)reciated 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 SeiDtember,
1860; the officers present being Captain Commandant
Jacob, Captain Beverley liobinson, Lieut. Pinckney,
Lieut. Sir E. Poore, Bart., Ensiiijn Hussey, Ensign Fisher,
Assist.-Surgeon Cardell, and Quartermaster Smith. At
the first inspection of the newly formed battalion, which

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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
Eobinson 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 pome 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 inciease of
members ; and the Annual Returns of corps composing the
1st Wilts Eifle 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
aj)peared 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

74 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Eoad, 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 Eifle Eanges. 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. W^ithout mentioning all or even one-
half the number of those who have been large prize
holders, the names of Butler, Wheaton, Manns, Watson,
Barnett, Bobbins, Calkin, Ferris, &c., &c., are famous.

Frize-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 Eifle 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; Frivate 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
Eifle Corps, and with it the salver offi3red hy 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,

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 75

inasimicli 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, Lieu-
tenant 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 Eifle Corps,
now A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion Wiltshire
Yolunteers, lias increased in numbers and efficiency is
shown by a reference to *' Eeturns " of a recent date. In
1886, the Annual Eeturn, dated 1st November, 1886, gives
— A Company, 92 efficients, 9 non-efficients; B Company,
S9 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 wen by
A Company, Salisbur3\

76 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers,

2nd COEPS (TROWBRIDGE) WILTS RIFLE
YOLUNTEERS.

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 Shooiing 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 tlie 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 BcUefield, in the chair,

The. 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 irom 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 night-
fall, 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 nncomfortablo 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
oountrj^ 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. Ser-
geant Swipes was a great man on these occasions; he

78 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Eifles 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 Bood Ashton, a sub-division of the Trowbridge
corps was raised at Steeple Ashton, of which Mr. W.
Stancomb took command; but soon after resigning wms
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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 appear-
ance of the officers at a special levee. The officers
appearing at the same from Trowbridge were Captain
Thomas Clark, Lieut. W. P. Clark, Ensign J. G. Foley,
and Assist.-Surgeon Scale. 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
Eifles at the barracks had something to do with this and
many other things.

At the Eoyal Review in Hyde Park the only corps of
volunteers representing the county was that of Trow-
bridge, 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

80 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

Eoyal Eeview in Hyde Park, it had to hire brakes, and by
starting not very long after midnight from Trowbridge,
arrive at the Great Western Eailway Station at Chippen-
ham, 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 appear-
ance at several subsequent general assemblies of the
volunteers.

It was not the fault of the volunteers that only too
often at these reviews the manoeuvring 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 Eifle 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 disci-
pline 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, Eoyal Review,
Windsor, 1881, Jubilee Review at Aldershot in 1887, and
the Autumn Manoeuvres which were carried on in Wilt-
shire 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 com-
posing 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, depot commanders, and adjutants. These gentle-
men 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

82 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

barn obtainable for drill purposes in bad weather. The
target practice ground is inaccessible, and terribly ex-
posed. 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 manoeuvres, 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 dang-
ling before his eyes, to select this company as a criterion,
and ex una 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 tv^-o or three of these
from a single machine will delay the completion of an
order for an indefinite ]oeriod. 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 manosuvres, 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 Eifle
Corps. The mills were overhauled and repaired generally
in the month of August, and so this time was selected for
holding the Kegimental 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 83

which undress uniforms, band 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
Eifle Volunteers of Trowbridge found themselves wel-
come 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 pro-
perly 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 distri-
bution of prizes, or perhaps the performance of theatricals,
the members of the corps being the actors and enter-
tainers. " 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 stochs 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
manoeuvres : —

" 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."

G 2

84 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 com-
mand of the battalion, and by his skill in manoeuvring
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 command-
ing 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 com-
pany. At the same time there were present at the school
from the battalion the Marquis of Bath, Captain Charles
Penruddocke, and Captain Pickwi(;k. 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 85

this short course as from the longer of two months' dura-
tion. 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
taugiit 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 Eifle 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 thou-,
sand yards as to whether he or Sergeant Eoberts, 12th
Shropshire, would be the winner. At an early part of the
day Sergeant Eoberts 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 Eoberts's 23
showed him to be a dangerous competitor. At 900 yards
the scores were Sergeant Eoberts 26, Sergeant Graham
24. At 1000 yards the score of 16 made by Eoberts 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 on-lookers, amongst these being Lord
Elcho and General Hay, as to what would occur. Coolly
but resolutely the aim was taken, but a centre left Ser-
geant Eoberts 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

S6 TJie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Scntt 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
jDut it in another light, that the rifle has very much im-
proved. 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 explo-
sion of the powder at its base. A little mental calcula-
tion 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 cau.se deviation sooner or later, and the longer the
distance the greater certainty of this apparent contradic-

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers, 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 projec-
tile 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, hit-
ting each shot, scored 25, but in the Challenge Cup
given by the ladies of Trowbridge, at ranges 200, 300,
500, and COO yards, five rounds at each range, with only
two misses, Colour-Sergeant Graham won the Cup with
a score of 45, Private Eeddrop, shooting as well, scoring
44. Again on another occasion, at 200 and 400 yards,
five rounds at each distance, Colour-Sergeant Graham
and Private Eeddrop, making no misses, scored respec-
tively 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, atten-
dances 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 Euddle 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 Melk-
sham 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.

88 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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
Tinder his command, or willing to give every assistance in
his power towards carrying out petty, but nevertheless
very troublesome and necessary details ; but the Eegula-
tions 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 doubt-
less 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.

( 89 )

No. 6 COEPS. 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 con-
nected 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 infantiy, 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 attend-
ances 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

90 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

meets of the Blackmoor Yale foxhounds, and at War-
minster 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 anj'-thing 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 con-
sidered 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 break-
fast, 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 91

articles, the breakfast was hastily swallowed and the two
set out for Knoyle.

The Blackmoor Yale 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 conse-
quence 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 breath-
ing in the woods of Fonthill, and on again, killing at last
almost on the highway leading to Frome.

" This isn't drill, Mr. Jeiferys," 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 E , 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 K 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 disap-
pointed 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.

92 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers,

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 meet-
ing was numerously attended, and its object most
enthusiastically supported, so much so, that in the course
of a few days a sura 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. Testing, Esq., Treasurer, Admiral Testing, 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 93

should act in the forefront of tlie 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-Eichards repeating carbine or Colt's
revolver combination of carbine and pistol ; but tliis 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, Wifham Friary,
Silton, a solitary individual from Hill Deveril, and a few
young gentlemen pupils of the Eev. 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 diffi-
culties ; but was eventually sanctioned under the title of
the 1st Wilts Mounted Eifles and 6th Wilts Eifle Volun-
teers. 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 ;

94 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

Sergeant Stickler, late of the Guaids, 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 sub-
stituted 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 95

necessitated the men appearing on parade without arms, as
the sergeant in charge conld 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 com-
mand, which was afterwards taken up by his brother
Lord St. Maur, and in accordance with instructions re-
ceived the corps proceeded to Warminster, some six miles
distant, to be inspected by Colonel Gr. 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 com-
mented upon for stalwart bearing and physique, yet the

96 The 1st Battalion Wilts Vohmteers.

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. Hardinoj.

On the formation of the 1st Administrative Battalion
Wilts Eifle 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 de-
volving 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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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, iri 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. Testing 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 them-
selves 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 oflScers 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.
Testing 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 Kifle Volunteers

98 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Eifle 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.K.A., the Etruscan Yase 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.E.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.

( 99 )

No. 8 COEPS. HEAD QUARTERS, MERE.

Unfortunately records of the early proceedings con-
nected 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 pre-
liminary 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
1o 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 Bradlej' 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 neigh-
bour 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 eflicients 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 trades-
men 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

H 2

100 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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, ns 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 ihan 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 establish-
ment, and knowing our unprepared condition, the nation
then, through the voice of Parliament, insisted on infor-
mation 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 emergencj^ ; 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 igno-
rant of the use of field guns, or 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 101

to neighbouring farmers, brewers, omnibus proprietors, (fee,
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 unlikelr
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 autho-
rities and the number of vessels guarding the Ciiannel
considerably diminished, weakened, or rendered powerless
by a call for their services elsewhere; in other words,
the complete command c/f the Channel lost, and this being
bo, invasion is not only possible, but most probably would
occur. A few heavily-armed vessels as guard-ships, and
with less than two hundred tliousand 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
fvT 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 im-
probably 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

102 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

the ploTigli, 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 enouojh, 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
thpy 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 Eifle Volunteers. The excuse for having left
the path must be that our present time strangely re-
sembles 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 iace ; to calculate
all the pros and cons of the case, and not be led astray
from what we in our hearts believe to bo necessary, and
should be done, regardless of the money it may cost, or of
giving umbrage cither tj political parties or neighbouring
na'ions.

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 the>e being
obtainable, Mr. Grove addressed his neighbour with
legard 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 103

to the dukedom of Somerset. Lord Seymour foresaw
events, and told the yonnf? 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 as-
sistance, 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 sup-
ported 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 advertise-
ments 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 im-
proving 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 expla-
nations, " 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

104 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 ap-
proval, 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 beea no unnecessary
delay in his being gazetted, in the acceptance ofiicially
of the corps, or of the despatch of the inspecting of&cer ;
but there had been much extra work in the departments,
and "the acceptance of the services of No. 8 Corps
of Wiltshire Kifle 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
Bifle Volunteers— Head quarters, Mere. Among the
earliest to join as members of the corps were, Messrs.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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, Eead,
Eoberts, Kogers, 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 Bat-
talion 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 expendi-
ture of time, trouble, and only too often absolute money
out of pocket on the volunteer hiraself.

It was these ever-increasing expenses in attending
home drills, battalion drills, general assemblies, and
camps which ultimatel}^ 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 manoeuvres, 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 not-
withstanding 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.

106 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 com-
pany on the occasion of its last attendance at camp, and
such portions of it as proceeded to the autumn man-
oeuvres, 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.

( 107 )

9th COEPS. BEADFOED-ON-AVON.

The rifle movement, now general throughout Great
Britain, was showinj^ itself in the quaint old town of
Brad ford-on- A von. 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 arrange-
ments 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, v/ith the greater
portion of it in India crushing out mutiny ; the militia,
where not embodied, weak, badly officered, and really un-
trained; 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 Govern-
ments with having thrown dust in the eyes of the people,
and Siid all was well when things were very far from
being so, and that not only were the army, navy, forti-
fications, and all appertaining thereunto, amply sufficient
to meet any demands made upon them, but that econo-
mies 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.

108 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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
jDoachers 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 im-
mediate 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., Eev. 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 109

enthusiastic speecli from the chairman. Captain Rook
moved that the rifle movement of the country be sup-
ported, 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 under-
took 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 else-
where, 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 regula-
tions. 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

110 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

Captain Pickwick was appointed to tlie command of the
company, with Mr. Forster as lieutenant, and Mr. A.
Beavan ensign. Among the first appointed non-com-
missioned officers were, as sergeants, E. Neale, Cursen,
E. Serine, 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.-STirgeon, and the Kev. 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 manoeuvres and
platoon, and appear in the ranks generally, the teaching
of musketry must have been utter foolery, and the move-
ments 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 1 7th 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 con-
venience 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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. Ill

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 Eailway 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

112 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

claret jug, various vases, &c., Sergeant George Adye,
Sergeant Neale, Corporal Davis, Privates Scutt, Eeddrop,
Merrett, Chas. Adj^e, 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 command-
ing, 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.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 neces-
sary, 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 Eifle 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 com-
mittees 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 array
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 Eifles being
utterly absurd, as all are now Eifles, 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

114 TJie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

and clumsy. The straight-peaked low kepi gave greater
shade to the eyes for aira-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
Vvestbury coi'ps 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 Kifle 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
3'ards, were those of Sergeant Neale, total 13, Private
Eeynolds 13, Charles Adye 13, W. Mager 12. The
whole day was occupied in the business, and the band,

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 115

with refi eshments, 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
thronghoTit."

5 shots

300 yards.

Tots

2 2 12

2 2 2 1

12 12

112 1

1111

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 Gr. 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 neigh-
bouring 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 Brad-
ford 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, Brad-
ford 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

I 2

116 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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, Eeynolds 22, and Captain Pick-
wick 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 ;
I^utler, 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, w^as
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 discijDline and tradition, in-
dulged 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 Eeview at
Aldershot in 1887, and at the Autumn Manoeuvres in 1872.
At every regimental camp the corps mustered well, and
struggling with very many difficulties, have kejDt up their
numbers and efficiency. To their late Captain, Hon.
Major William Adye, they are much indebted, as indeed

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 Pick-
wick 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 com-
pany 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
necessar}^ 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 Q<6. 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.

( 118 )

Ko. 10 COEPS. WARMINSTER RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

It was not until late in the year 1859 that the good
people at and near Warminster called a meeting to con-
sider the best methods for raising a rifle corps at War-
minster 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 oth December, 1859, the following notice of a
public meeting to be held at Warminster was posted in
the town and neighbourhood : —

Volunteer Eifle 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, Joseph Everett, John Davis, Junr.,

H. Thynne, John Kavenhill, George Temple,

William Temple, Nath. Bartov, H. G. Biggs,

Magistrates acting for the Division of Warminster.
The Marquis of Bath will take the Chair.

Tlic 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 110

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 Thyrine, William Temple,
E.^q., Charles Lewis Phipps, Esq., H. Godolphin Biggs,
Esq., Joseph Everett, Esq., John Eavenhill, Esq.,
Nath. Barton, Esq., John Davis, jun., Esq., George
Temple, Esq., Hud the Rev. A. Fane, Justices acting for
the Division of Warminster. Among the many attend-
ing the meeting w^ere 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.
Poi)e, Mr. Geo. Pope, Mr. E. Parfitt, Mr. W. Parham, Mr.
Thos. Harris, Mr. Had en, Mr. R. E. Yardy, 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 w^as at once made to the Lord Lieutenant,
of the County requesting his sanction to their being en-
rolled, 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
ofiicers, 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 :

120 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

Joseph. Smith, quartermaster-sergeant ; J. B. Iladen,
armourer-sergeant ; George White, Philip Grubb, Edward
Chambers, were sergeants ; and Eichard E. Vardy, D.
Tillbrook, Charles Price, corporals ; with Sergeant Shep-
pard, of the Wilts Militia, as sergeant-instructor; Edward
Turner, bugler.

The uniform and equipments left nothing to be desired.
The clothing blue-grey, wdth 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 neigh-
bourhood 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 wheel-
ings, on the high road, under a window at 7 a.m., on a
Kovember's morning does not tend to the peaceful rest of
any in the house of which the window is part, nor per-
haps to their temper or rapture with the volunteer move-
ment; more especially if that company were the 10th
Wilts, with Sergeant-Instructor Shepj^^rd 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 Plole on the Parsonage Farm ;
but this not being found satisfactory, the range was re-
moved 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 back-
ground 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 re-
moved 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 pre-
sented the corps with a silver bugle and a complete set of
drums and fifes.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 121

In March, 1860, a subdivision was establislied at Cod-
ford, and the following officers were appointed: John
liavenhill, lieutenant ; Herbert Ingram, ensign.

The corps first turned out in complete uniform at a
company drill on the 30th May, 1860, and on the follow-
ing 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 Eev. 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 gentle-
men.

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 sub-
scription 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-commis-
sioned 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 Qd. 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
2)d., 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 accej)ted made these
expenses less than usual.

122

Tkc 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

10th coeps wilts kifle volunteers.

Statement of Receipts

AND Payments up to 22nd May, 1861

Receipts.

Expenditure.

Honorary Members' ^
Donations and An-

Preliminary Expenses: ""

Printing and Adver-

nual Subscriptions 285

tising, &c., before the

Donations from the

acceptance of the

Public 86

Corps, from eth Dec,

Effective Members'

1859, to April 2, 1800 11

Atmual Subscrip-

Ajipointments (Accou-

tions 100

trements and Cap for

Three montlis' interest

each Member of the

on £150 deposit . . 1

Corps), the same be-
ing the property of

t'le Corps 63

Uniforms for Band,

Bugler, and Drill In-

structor (the property

of the Corps) .. ..39

Rifle Stands and Racks,

Aiming Boards, &c.,

for Corps (the pro-

perty of Corps) . . 13 17

Various P2xpenses in

swearing in, the Sal-

isbury Band Hire,

Ringers, &c 20

Cleaning Arms one year

(ceases now, as each

Member takes charge

of his rifle) .. ..24

Prnctice Ranges and

Targets, both at War-

minsti r and Codford 61

Drill Instructor's Pay,

«fcc., at Warminster

and Codford .. ..74

Band Instructors . . 32

Bugler's Boy (one year) 10

Ammunition Account 41

Printing and Stationery 16

Carriage of Rifles, Am-

munition, and Stores 5

Postal Expenses, Use of

Town Hall, Gas, De-

livering Notices, and

Miscellaneous Ex-

penses 22

Balance in hand of

Treasurer 36 15

£473

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 enthu-
siastic 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 : —

Non-Commissioned Officers' Drill .
Company Drill in Uniform

„ ,, with Eifles

Nos. 1 and 2 Sections with Eifles ,
Company Drill with Eifles

„ „ in Uniform

Company Drill with Eifles
Eecruit Drill ....

Nos. 3 and 4 Sections with Eifles .
Company Drill with Eifles
Longleat-Company Drill with Eifles
(Dated) 23rd June, 1860.

(Signed)

7 A.M.

6 30 P.M.

6 A.M.

7 P.M.

6 A.M.

P.M.

A.M.

P.M.

A.M.

Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday.
Thursday.

Friday.
Saturday.

J. V.

TOONE,

Orderly Sergeant.

The corps has always been most popular in the town
and neighbourhood, and when first raised were petted anid
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 neighbour-
hood 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 r 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

124 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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. Pouting, 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 chal-
lenge 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 High-
ness Higashi Fusimi, Piince 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 moie
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 The Marquis of Bath; Captain, 18G0; retired,
1862; Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, 186G.

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 Pouting; 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, 18S7.
Lieutenant Sidney Smith ; Lieutenant, 1884.
Lieutenant George Herbert Wakeman ; Second Lieutenant, 1887.
Surgeon Charles Bleeek ; 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.

( 126 )

iNO. 13 COEPS. WESTBURY.

[No returns have been received.]

( 127 )

14th COEPS. head QUAKTEES, 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 veiy
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 car-
penter, 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

128 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Eifle 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. AVoodcock, Esq.,
W. J. French, Esq., with Messrs. Chipperdale, Wm.
Allen, Gr. Young, D. Dodds, W. Naish, E. Rawlence, &c.,
present, and from whom a committee of management
w^as formed; ultimately causing a body of riflemen being
raised at Wilton and from the surrounding neighbourhood,
termed the Wilton Eifle 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
tlie Eev. E. S. Chermside as chaplain ; Mr. Chipperdale
undertaking the post of secretary ; Messrs. Barnes, Eyres,
Dodds, Miedenhall, Wm. Allen, and G. Eawlence 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 in-
expensively 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 manoeuvres, 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 Eeview held in Clarendon Park to the number of
72 ; at Bath, 60 ; at Salisbury, 70 ; at Wilton Park, 72 ;
at the Autumn Manoeuvres, 68 ; at the Grand Eeview in
Windsor Park, 2 officers and 72 men; and the average

The Ist Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 129

attendance at the annual regimental camps has been 2
officers and 60 men. Eecently, indeed, at the Jubilee
Eeview at Poi-tsmouth, 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. K. Clay, Mr. Woodcock
by Mr. Wm. Allen, and the Eev. 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 — cer-
tainly 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, in-
sufficient 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 affi)rd to

130 Tlie 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 Ohalke, 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 in-
creased, 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 Ohalke, and latterly at Wilton
also, the numbers putting in an appearance were far toa
few. Ultimately, all this was changed, and Oaptain 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 wa&
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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 Kifle 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 soldierlike 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 Eussian leather
with Avaist 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 equi-distant 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 iu 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

132 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

thongh less gorgeous for non-commissioned officers and
rank and file, the silver lace being represented by wbite
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 pro-
longed existence of these corps, and this was to be avoided.
However, as mutual assembling together of corps for re-
views and battalion purposes became more frequent, so
did the absurdity of each company in a battalion having
different uniforms and accouti^ements become more evi-
dent. It rendered the equalisation of companies very
difficult, and marked men making mistakes only too dis-
tinctly ; 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

The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers. 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 per-
formance of some of the members of a battalion, re-
commending 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 corpora-
tion 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 offer-
ing prizes, &c., and very frequently both on prize shooting
occasions and on general musters provided most sumptu-
ously for the inner wants of the hungry men. To Major

134 The 1st Battalion Wilts Volunteers.

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 comjDany having
a good subscription list and a balance at the bankers can
enter into, the capitation grant being quite insufficient.

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WITH PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, MAP AND THREE PLANS.

THE DECISIVE BATTLES OF INDIA, from

1746 to 1849 inclusive. By Colonel G. B. Malleson, C.S.I., Author of
"The Battle Fields of Gennany," &c.

Crown Svo., loitk Fortrait. 6s.

WELLINGTON ; or, the Public and Private Life of
Arthur, First Duke of Wellington, as told by himself, his Comrades, and
his intimate Friends. By G. Lathom Browne, Author of " Narmtives
of State Trials in the Nineteenth Centuiy," "The Life of the Duke of
Wellington (1853)," &c.

New and Cheaper Edition, Crown Svo. 7«. Qd.

A HISTORY OF THE INDIAN MUTINY. i>y

T. R. E. HoLMBS.

Crown Sro., Illustrated. 5«.

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED MILES on a BURMESE

TAT, through Bm-mali, Siam, and the Knstern Shan States. By an
ordinary British Subaltern, Lieutenant G. J. Youngiiusband, Queen's
Own Corps of Guides.

London: W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13, Waterloo Place, S.W.

iOXIXt.S : l-KINTKO UV WM. CLOW r.s AND frOXS, MMITED, STAM10IU> SfUEhT AND CHAKINO CUO&j.

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