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.