Chapter III: Part 3

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

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

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

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

Head Quarters, Warminster, _1st November, 1879_.

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

KEY TO TABLE HEADINGS: No. of Corps. A Maximum Establishment. B Efficients. C Non-Efficients. D Total Enrolled. E Officers. F Sergeants. G Percentage of Efficients to Total Strength. H +---------------+-----------------------------+---------------+-----+ | | | Certificates | | | | | of | | | Head Quarters | | Proficiency. | | | of +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----+ | Corps. | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H +---------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----+ | Salisbury | 1 | 200 | 152 | 1 | 153 | 5 | 11 | 99 | | Trowbridge | 2 | 200 | 192 | 15 | 207 | 4 | 10 | 93 | | Bradford | 9 | 100 | 59 | 3 | 62 | 1 | 4 | 95 | | Warminster | 10 | 160 | 84 | 0 | 84 | 2 | 7 | 100 | | Westbury | 13 | 100 | 91 | 7 | 98 | 2 | 4 | 93 | | Wilton | 14 | 100 | 79 | 2 | 81 | 3 | 5 | 98 | | Staff | | 15 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 100 | | +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----+ | | | 875 | 667 | 28 | 695 | 18 | 41 | 98 | +---------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----+

(Signed) Robert Dwarris Gibney, _Major,
Adjutant 1st A.B. Wilts Rifle Volunteers_.

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

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

The Expenses of the Camp were £401 Subscriptions received £35 Camp Allowance from Government £349 The Capitation Grant obtained for Efficiency 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 damp people showed, and if not only intent on using the large sale tent for shelter, might invest a trifle; but it looked bad for the disposal of saleables, and the bargains were much confined to mutual dealings. His Royal Highness Prince Leopold and the Marquess of Bath were amongst the patrons. The patronesses were the Marchioness of Bath, the Marchioness of Westminster, the Countess of Pembroke, the Countess of Nelson, Lady Arundell of Wardour, Lady Antrobus, Lady Gertrude Bouverie, Lady Ellen Gordon, Lady Theodore Guest, Lady Doreen Long, Lady Lilian Paulet, Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart, Lady Trafalgar, Lady Charles Wellesley, Mrs. Moberley, Mrs. Penruddocke, Mrs. J.P. Edwards, Mrs. M.K. Marsh, Mrs. Fane Benett Stanford, Mrs. Fane de Salis, Mrs. Alfred Seymour, &c. The stalls were held by the Marchioness of Bath, Mrs. Everett, Mrs. Gibney, Mrs. Kelsey, Mrs. Hadding, Mrs. W.B. Clark, Mrs. Stancomb, Mrs. Wakeman and Mrs. Ponting; Major Gibney undertaking the gallery of illustrations and shooting gallery.

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

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

_Honorary Colonel._ Bath, Marquis of.

_Lieutenant-Colonel._ Everett, J.F.

_Majors._ Pembroke and Montgomery, Earl of. Fowls, W.H.

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

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

_Adjutant._ Gibney, R.D. (_Hon. Major_).

_Quartermaster._ Fawcett, W.

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

_Acting Surgeon._ Hinton, J.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Windsor, "_10th July, 1881_.

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

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

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

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

"By command, "C.H. Ellice, _Adjt.-General_."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Head Quarters, Warminster, "_23rd September, 1881_.

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

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

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

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

The Expenses of the Camp were £396 Subscriptions £40 Camp Allowances £166 The Expenses of the Battalion attending Windsor Review were £194 Review Allowances from Government £59

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The camp was broken up on the 9th August.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extract from _Army List_, January, 1885:--

_Honorary Colonel._ Bath, The Marquis of.

_Majors._ Pembroke and Montgomery, The Earl of. Fowle W.H.

_Captains._ Adye, William (_Hon. Major T_). Kelsey, E.F. Stancomb, E.F. (_Hon. Major T_). Wakeman, H.J. Hodding, F. Wilson, G.N. Clark, W.P.

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

_Adjutant._ Hume, J.W.T. (_Captain, Derby Regiment_).

_Quartermaster._ Harris, G.

_Surgeons._ Bennett, T.J., M.D. (_Honorary Surgeon-Major_). Tayler, G.C., M.B. Lee, F.F., M.B.

_Acting Surgeon._ Hinton, J.

_Honorary Chaplain._ Olivier, Revd. D.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Head Quarters, Warminster, _1st November, 1885_.

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

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

+----+------------+----+----+-----+------------+--+---+---------------------+ | | | | | |Certificates| | | | | | | | | | of | | | | | | | | | |Proficiency.| | | | |----+------------+----+----+-----+------+-----+--+---+---------------------| | a. | b. | c.| d.| e. | f. | g. |h.| i.| j. | |----+------------+----+----+-----+------+-----+--+---+---------------------| | A. | Salisbury | 91| 4| 95 | | 6 | |30 | | | B. | Salisbury | 98| 2|100 | 1 | 5 | |25 | | | D. | Trowbridge | 61| 3| 64 | 2 | 5 |1 |10 | | | E. | Bradford | 82| 4| 86 | 1 | 5 | | 0 |Range only 300 yards.| | F. | Warminster | 79| 3| 82 | 1 | 8 | |37 | | | G. | Westbury | 50| 2| 52 | 1 | 1 | |11 | | | H. | Wilton | 67| 3| 70 | 3 | 4 | |29 | | | | Staff | 15| 2| 17 | 3 | 1 | 1| | | | +------------+----+----+-----+------+-----+--+---+ | | | Totals | 614| 25|639 | 13 | 40 | 2| | | +----+------------+----+----+-----+------+-----+--+---+---------------------+

(Signed) J.W. Hume, _Major and Adjutant,
1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers_.

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

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

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

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

Finis.

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

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

1ST CORPS (SALISBURY) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

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

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

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

Rifle (Lancasters) £4 6 0 Suit of Uniform £2 15 0 Chaco and Ornament £0 7 6 Belt and Pouch £1 2 6 -------- Total £8 11 0

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

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

"All members of the corps must undertake to pay for their own uniform (the cost thereof not to exceed £3 10_s._), 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 sentiments of those attending the meeting, when he stated the result of inquiries to be, "the obligation of every member to obtain a fair proficiency in drill, and to obey the regulations published, and that this could be done easily by an hour-and-a-half's drill in the morning, say from 7 to 8.30 a.m., and an hour-and-a-half in the evening, from 6.30 to 8 p.m., on consecutive or separate days, as most convenient, so that interference with professional or other avocations need not be feared." Shades of the past! "to be done easily." Time was precious, and men were enthusiastic; and perhaps were circumstances to repeat themselves, elderly gentlemen and striplings would again be seen very early in the morning practising judging distances on a common or on some wild moor, and of an evening setting out in hail, rain, or snow for the shed, hall, or yard used for drill instruction. There certainly is not the necessity now for all this assiduous attention, but the Force would be better for more care being given to these preliminary drills. The foundation of drills was well laid there, and the result was greater steadiness in the ranks, and perhaps a greater individual knowledge of the meaning of certain manœuvres. It would take a good deal now-a-days to make young England turn out at daybreak to improve his knowledge of skirmishing and judging distance, or to give up the sweet saunter on the _pavé_, with a bad cigar in his mouth and the refreshment derivable from an occasional glass of bitter beer, for one to two hours' instruction in minutiæ, and an occasional lecture on war as a science. If skill in the use of the rifle and a thorough knowledge of the movements of a company in battalion or singly were necessary in 1857 to preclude the possibility of an invading army making progress in this our island, much more is required now. The use of steam, from the largest to the smallest vessel, and the enormous speed, sea-worthiness, and capabilities of these vessels, have thrown twenty bridges across the Channel, where formerly two barely existed. Our trade has increased enormously, and as we are dependent on it in many instances for mere existence, it demands greater attention from our fleets in every part of the world, and weapons of war are far more deadly. In other words, war has become a science. Doubtless bravery, or, as Lord Palmerston had it, "he who could stand a quarter of an hour more beating than another will win," if the old style of hammer and tongs be adopted; but we have no right to suppose this. We know that the Germans blundered very little, and in invading carried all before them. If, in our turn, we should be invaded or at war, it were well for us to have every joint in the harness carefully looked to beforehand, and not trust too much on such a reed as militia or volunteers would be after a "little more teaching," "some weeding out," and "embodiment." The next European war in which England is engaged, gives time for none of these processes; and not improbably the volunteer battalion, made up of scattered companies, full of half-drilled, ignorant bumpkins or mechanics, with no great-coats, paper-soled boots, and underclothing spare and worn, working as labourers in the wildest parts of Yorkshire, or the smelting works of Staffordshire, will be summoned by telegraph to join the head quarters at ----, and take part in the manœuvres deemed necessary to repel an invasion occurring or occurred on the coast. Will men then be weeded out? Will their poor papery boots, spoiled by the mud of the first ditch they are bid to hide in? Will their utter ignorance of sign or signal, of the value of keeping touch, and not acting independently, stand them instead, and they be sent to the reserve until better suitable? I trow not. They will be subjected, regular and irregular, taught and untaught, to the same murderous fire and rigorous treatment. There will be no time for selection, and the whole nation will rue the day when they were persuaded into the belief that they were not likely to be attacked, and that for offence or defence they were amply provided.

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