what the expenses of this corps were from the date of their first
formation, December, 1859, to May, 1860. Experience and the class
accepted made these expenses less than usual.
10TH CORPS WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
Statement of Receipts and Payments up to 22nd May, 1861.
-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------
_Receipts._ | _Expenditure._
£ _s._ _d._ | £ _s._ _d._
Honorary Members' | Preliminary Expenses:
Donations and Annual | Printing and Advertising,
Subscriptions 285 17 0 | &c., before the
Donations from the | acceptance of the
Public 86 4 0 | Corps, from 6th Dec.,
Effective Members' | 1859, to April 2, 1860 11 9 5
Annual Subscriptions 100 0 0 | Appointments (Accoutrements
Three months' interest | and Cap for each Member of
on £150 deposit 1 6 3 | the Corps), the same being
| the property of the Corps 63 12 2
| Uniforms for Band,
| Bugler, and Drill Instructor
| (the property of the Corps) 39 16 6
| Rifle Stands and Racks,
| Aiming Boards, &c.,
| for Corps (the property
| of Corps) 13 17 3
| Various Expenses in
| swearing in, the Salisbury
| Band Hire, Ringers, &c. 20 2 3
| Cleaning Arms one year
| (ceases now, as each
| Member takes charge
| of his rifle) 24 6 0
| Practice Ranges and
| Targets, both at Warminster
| and Codford 61 9 4
| Drill Instructor's Pay,
| &c., at Warminster
| and Codford 74 7 6
| Band Instructors 32 14 0
| Bugler's Boy (one year) 10 0 0
| Ammunition Account 41 0 3
| Printing and Stationery 16 10 10
| Carriage of Rifles,
| Ammunition, and Stores 5 5 3
| Postal Expenses, Use of
| Town Hall, Gas, Delivering
| Notices, and
| Miscellaneous Expenses 22 10 0
| Balance in hand of Treasurer 36 15 8
---------- | ----------
£473 7 3 | £473 7 3
========== | ==========
By this it may be seen that the sum expended in establishing this corps
was not very far from £500; and the writer's experience leads him to
think that very few corps comprising administrative battalions of
volunteers throughout the country were established for much less.
Latterly the subscriptions from effective members were lowered, and
altogether abolished in 1871.
It is not presumed that this corps were more enthusiastic in preparing
themselves for the defence of their country, were it invaded, than
others in the country. Drilling, if not a delight, was certainly a
duty, and most honestly carried out. The following orders for the week
ending 30th June, 1860, taken from the Company Order Book, will give a
fair specimen of the really hard work which all undertook to perform,
and as a rule absolutely did perform:--
Non-Commissioned Officers' Drill 7 0 A.M. Monday.
Company Drill in Uniform 6 30 P.M. "
" " with Rifles 6 0 A.M. Tuesday.
Nos. 1 and 2 Sections with Rifles 7 0 P.M. "
Company Drill with Rifles 6 0 A.M. Wednesday.
" " in Uniform 6 0 P.M. "
Company Drill with Rifles 6 0 A.M. Thursday.
Recruit Drill 6 0 P.M. "
Nos. 3 and 4 Sections with Rifles 7 0 P.M. "
Company Drill with Rifles 6 0 A.M. Friday.
Longleat-Company Drill with Rifles , , Saturday.
(Dated) _23rd June, 1860._
(Signed) J.V. Toone,
_Orderly Sergeant_.
The corps has always been most popular in the town and neighbourhood,
and when first raised were petted and feasted to an extent that would
seem almost incredible. At one time there was seldom a company drill
without a feed to follow, and gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood
vied with each other in their hospitable treatment of the corps. This
led to their being termed the "Jolly Tenth," a name retained long after
they had been joined into the battalion, but unknown since the more
matter-of-fact days succeeding the year 1880, when they became simply F
Company of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteer Corps, by which title they are
still known.
In another part we have said that the rifle range was an
unexceptionably good one, within an easy walk from the town and
offering many advantages. In the corps there were some good shots,
men always certain to score, but not as a rule prize-winners of any
note at open meetings. However, most of the members were satisfied
with the prizes offered at home, without going elsewhere to try their
skill. The shooting of such men as Captain Wakeman, Lieut. Ponting,
Sergeants Toone, Whiting, Haden, Luke, Smith, &c., was uniformly good.
The great supporter of the corps has been the Marquis of Bath, having
always contributed £50 yearly to its funds, besides giving various sums
in prizes and other methods by which the corps is benefited. Of this
annual £50 the sum of £25 is carried to the shooting-prize fund. With
this, and the amount collected for the same fund from the ladies and
gentlemen of Warminster, it may be said that few, if any, of the corps
composing the battalion can equal and none surpass this company in the
amount at its disposal for prize shooting. There is a yearly challenge
cup given by the officers of the corps considered as being the blue
ribbon of the local meeting, also two silver cups open to monthly
competition to all members--one of these cups is given by the officers
of the company, and the other by Mr. George Hurrell of the town. There
is also a very handsome challenge cup given by His Highness Higashi
Fusimi, Prince Imperial of Japan, in the year 1872, when he with his
suite resided for a long period at Warminster. Altogether the company
has many inducements to target practice, and this is taken advantage
of, the attendance at class-firing and honest fulfilment of the
regulations as regards this part of a rifleman's duty being strictly
carried out. With this company the efficiency of all returned as
efficient was to be depended upon; and no better company or more really
efficient a body of officers and men can be found throughout the whole
of the Volunteer Force than is the F Company of the 1st Wilts Volunteer
Battalion.
The following is a complete list of the officers of the company, with
the dates of their commissions, promotions, and retirements:--
Captain Commandant Tho Marquis of Bath; Captain, 1860; retired, 1862;
Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, 1866.
Captain William Davis; Lieutenant, 1860; Captain, 1862; retired, 1866.
Captain John Scott; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1862; Captain, 1866;
retired, 1874.
Captain Herbert Ingram; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1867; Captain,
1874; retired, 1877.
Captain Hon. Major Herbert Wakeman; Ensign, 1867; Lieutenant, 1870;
Captain, 1877; retired with hon. rank of Major, 1886.
Captain Thomas Ponting; Ensign, 1869; Lieutenant, 1873; Captain, 1886.
Lieutenant John Ravenhill; Lieutenant, 1860; retired, 1867.
Lieutenant Philip Grubb; Ensign, 1862; Lieutenant, 1867; retired,
1870.
Lieutenant Joseph Smith; Ensign, 1866; retired, 1869.
Lieutenant Thomas Flower; Sub-Lieutenant, 1878; died, 1882.
Lieutenant Sir Harold Pelly, Bart.; Lieutenant, 1882; retired, 1887.
Lieutenant Sidney Smith; Lieutenant, 1884.
Lieutenant George Herbert Wakeman; Second Lieutenant, 1887.
Surgeon Charles Bleeck; Hon. Assist.-Surgeon, 1860; Battalion
Surgeon, 1864; resigned.
Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Isaac Flower, 1864; resigned, 1874.
Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Thomas Flower, 1874; resigned, 1878.
Acting Surgeon Joseph Hinton, 1878.
Hon. Chaplain Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., 1861; resigned, 1883.
No. 13 CORPS. WESTBURY.
[No returns have been received.]
14TH CORPS. HEAD QUARTERS, WILTON.
The earliest records of the formation of this corps have not been
preserved, but that is no reason for supposing that the stir for some
more satisfactory system of self-defence than then existed did not
affect the good people of Wilton and its neighbourhood as much as
in other parts of Wiltshire. However, all were slow in moving, but
whom to blame for this supineness it would be hard to say. The lordly
owner of Wilton House, and of some thousands of acres stretching
away into Dorsetshire and North Wilts, was residing abroad, and his
representative, distinguished as a senator and one of the ministry,
perhaps too much occupied at such a moment with greater matters to
enable him to find the necessary time to work out details and set the
thing well on its legs. It was plain that any rifle corps raised at
or near Wilton must be composed chiefly of the tenants of the Earl of
Pembroke, and that the starting this corps, which then simply meant
coming down with a large sum of ready money, the obtaining uniforms,
accoutrements, ammunition, even arms, armouries, and practice grounds,
must fall to a very great extent on the possessor of Wilton House.
Of course, for a time, as long as enthusiasm lasted and the French
blustered, men would offer their services, and county gentlemen
contribute handsomely to the funds, and acknowledging that it was very
hard for patriotic Thomas, the blacksmith's assistant, or William,
the village carpenter, to leave work early two or three times weekly,
and stump across miles of down to Broad Chalke, Dinton, or elsewhere,
to attend squad or company drills, so willingly helped towards the
expense of conveying such men to these drills; but this philanthropic
tendency would not last, and the expense would devolve either on the
officers and men themselves, ultimately causing the corps to be lost
altogether, or to sink into mere pot-shooters, but if to be kept up
as a disciplined and useful adjunct to the forces of the Empire, the
command, and many incidental expenses, and arrangement connected
therewith, would fall upon the Herbert family.
Not improbably, then, it was from want of an initiative being shewn by
this house that the delay arose in the formation of a rifle company at
Wilton, and that the one ultimately raised became No. 14 Corps in the
1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers.
On the 23rd March, 1860, a public meeting was called at Wilton, at
which Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of Compton Park, Geo. Lapworth, Esq.,
J. Woodcock, Esq., W.J. French, Esq., with Messrs. Chipperdale, Wm.
Allen, G. Young, D. Dodds, W. Naish, E. Rawlence, &c., present, and
from whom a committee of management was formed; ultimately causing
a body of riflemen being raised at Wilton and from the surrounding
neighbourhood, termed the Wilton Rifle Volunteer Corps, with a strength
of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, and 100 of all ranks. The
officers recommended for commissions were Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of
Compton Park, as captain; Mr. Geo. Lapworth as lieutenant; and Mr. J.
Woodcock as ensign: Mr. W.J. French as assistant surgeon, and the Rev.
B.S. Chermside as chaplain; Mr. Chipperdale undertaking the post of
secretary; Messrs. Barnes, Eyres, Dodds, Miedenhall, Wm. Allen, and G.
Rawlence being appointed non-commissioned officers.
As with other corps composing the battalion, the first great difficulty
showing itself was in arranging so that drills should be numerous,
practical, and easily and inexpensively attended by the corps; but with
its members scattered from Wilton to the borders of Dorsetshire and
many miles apart, the conveying to drill, whether at first for squad
and company, and later on for battalion and camps, was ever a source of
difficulty and great expense. Nevertheless, the attendances, both at
battalion drills and in camps and at autumn manœuvres, with reviews,
and less grand assemblies, have been uniformly good, as the following
numbers will show.
Before the creation of the battalion this corps attended the Review
held in Clarendon Park to the number of 72; at Bath, 60; at Salisbury,
70; at Wilton Park, 72; at the Autumn Manœuvres, 68; at the Grand
Review in Windsor Park, 2 officers and 72 men; and the average
attendance at the annual regimental camps has been 2 officers and 60
men. Recently, indeed, at the Jubilee Review at Portsmouth, it showed 3
officers and 64 men. This represents a heavy expenditure for travelling
and incidental expenses, which cannot be met by the men themselves,
and usually falls upon the officers. A company of 60 volunteers is
not taken from the wilds of Wiltshire and placed down on a hillside
overlooking the sea at Portsmouth for a small travelling allowance, or
at their own expense.
An additional major being sanctioned to the battalion, Captain C.
Penruddocke of this corps accepted the vacancy, holding it for some
years, but at the same time continuing to be captain of the company.
Lieutenant Lapworth resigning, was replaced by Mr. C.R. Clay, Mr.
Woodcock by Mr. Wm. Allen, and the Rev. D. Olivier chaplain in place
of Mr. Chermside. Later on Major Penruddocke resigned the company,
and his place was taken in the command by the Earl of Pembroke, who
resigned on becoming junior major in the battalion, of which he is now
lieutenant-colonel in command.
It will be seen by what has been said, that there are great expenses
and difficulties incidental to a scattered country rifle corps such
as was this, also No. 6 Corps and No. 8 of the battalion, than many
are aware of--certainly much more than could have been known by the
clerk managing the master of the department in the War Office at the
period; otherwise, one could hardly have imagined that the passing
of a travelling allowance, insufficient by a large amount as it was,
would have been granted according to the efficient strength of a corps
equally whether that corps were all collected together in a large
town, with railway accommodation handy, or were scattered in twos or
threes half over a county; and the better to make the mean allowance
appreciated, add the rule, that such corps as are at the headquarters
of the battalion or within six miles radius are to be exempt from the
receipt of travelling allowances altogether. Perhaps Mr. ---- of the
War Office thought that omnibuses and cabs, with underground railways,
were common on Wiltshire Downs, and that time was of so little value
to the agriculturist, that he could afford to walk three times yearly
six miles out and back to do the required battalion drills, and saunter
about with his rifle from the targets to squad or company drill. Any
way, it was soon found that for the men to attend in any numbers at the
five weekly squad drills arranged to be held--three at Wilton, where
the riding school of Wilton House was kindly placed at their disposal
for winter nights, one at Broad Chalke, and the other at Dinton or
Burcombe Down--was a serious drag on all for time, and on many for
money. To those having horses it was a great expense, and the carrying
of rifles for individuals from the armoury no little trouble. For a
while, so long as the war cloud hovered over the land, money would
come in, and every encouragement be given by those not serving, in the
way of money or help; but with the war scare decreasing, enthusiasm
decreased also, and Private Stumptheveld began to discover that his
rifle and belts were heavy and hot, also that it was more comfortable
on a bleak evening at the fireside of the "Seven Stars," than at the
hillside of the Punch Bowl at Burcombe Down, and as his patriotism was
less demonstrative, so his rheumatics increased, and his attendances
at drills became few and far between. It was evident that having many
places for the men to meet at for drill purposes was a mistake. It was
more expensive than by fixing upon one as the general drilling place
for all, and gave no promise that the attendance would be sufficient
for instruction being given in anything beyond the mere rudiments of
drill. Anyhow, at the outlying stations the attendances became fewer
and fewer, until the vanishing point was almost reached. Often, beyond
the sergeant-instructor, there was none attending, and on the occasion
of visits from the adjutant, whether at Dinton, Broad Chalke, and
latterly at Wilton also, the numbers putting in an appearance were
far too few. Ultimately, all this was changed, and Captain the Earl
of Pembroke required all the drills to be done at Wilton, the head
quarters, and made such arrangements that, in attending them, the loss
of time and expense was less than formerly.
The rifle butts of this corps were very good, safe, but perhaps rather
spoiling men using it much from even shooting elsewhere, though this
was not shown by the many good shots found in the corps. It was one of
those deep valleys scooped out of the soft chalk hills by the action of
sea or glacier in long ages past, and whilst the steep hillside kept
off every breath of wind, the smooth flat bottom made shooting in any
position easy, leaving the targets distinctly visible. Probably, in
the olden time, this "Punch Bowl," as it is termed, might have been
used as a tilting ground, where knights spitted knights for the fun of
the thing, or because they had nothing better to do, unless it were to
spit Paynims in the Holy Land, a race of men far superior to themselves
in scientific knowledge and civilization. However, modern necessities
have found a full use for the Punch Bowl, and may it long continue a
practice ground for the Wilton Rifle Volunteers.
It may be as well now to describe the uniform of this corps as it was
for officers and men on the first formation. Each corps had a different
one--some soldier-like and useful, some perfectly hideous; but for a
thing of beauty for ever, No. 14 beat all Wiltshire. Its colour was a
light drab with facings of scarlet, but much of this concealed under
an abundance of silver lace; trousers to match, and shako of the same
colour, ornamented with goodly lace and flowing plume, half concealing
the silver plate on shako, which was a copy of that worn on the belts.
Then the belts! For officers, of light Russian leather with waist and
cross-belt, on which was fixed a silver breastplate large and polished,
instructive in heraldry and art. The centre contained the number of
the corps, XIV., surmounted by a crown, and round this was placed the
corporation arms of Wilton, the whole surrounded with the words "Wilton
Rifle Volunteers." Above this breastplate, attached to the belt, was a
lion's grim head in silver, from which descended two chains attached to
a whistle, encased in graven silver, about equidistant from the breast
centrepiece. From below the shoulder to about midway in the back were
crossbars of silver, ending in a monster buckle of the same metal, such
as may yet be seen in shining brass worn by that terror of the London
boy, viz., the beadle of the Burlington Arcade.
It certainly was not a suitable dress for riflemen; and though
less gorgeous for non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the
silver lace being represented by white braid, and bronze for silver
ornaments, was quite unfitted by colour to stand knocking about in, or
was it otherwise than visible at all distances. The blame for having
uniforms of all sorts, kinds, and colours is not to fall on officers
raising corps. The War Office had for the infantry red or black, or
indeed the khakee of India as a choice; but to have given a decided
order on the subject would have shown an interest in, or perhaps a
belief in, the prolonged existence of these corps, and this was to be
avoided. However, as mutual assembling together of corps for reviews
and battalion purposes became more frequent, so did the absurdity of
each company in a battalion having different uniforms and accoutrements
become more evident. It rendered the equalisation of companies very
difficult, and marked men making mistakes only too distinctly; so at
last the matter was taken up by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, who
with Colonel M.F. Ward, commanding the 2nd Administrative Battalion
Wilts Rifle Volunteers, and the adjutant of the 1st Administrative
Battalion, as representing his commanding officer, met together at the
Government manufactory at Pimlico, and it was there decided that the
uniform for the future should be the same as worn by the Rifle Brigade.
This decided the case; the ugly and the beautiful, the light grey and
the dark blue, the olive and the drab ceased to exist. All had to
change, and to mourn over the past by assuming black.
At the commencement of the movement it was a pretty sight, and spoke
volumes for the patriotism of the inhabitants, when they willingly gave
up their time to attending drills, and could be seen dotted here and
there on the hillsides, riding, walking, or driving to the places of
assembly. Conspicuous among these was the captain's dog-cart, bristling
with rifles as do quills on the porcupine; and beneath these rifles
(which are being carried for men walking, or whose horsemanship allows
not of such an article being in the rider's hand) might be seen the
officer himself and subalterns shining in their uniforms, guiding the
horse as best they could. Perhaps some of the cocked hats so harshly
judging the force would have been less generous in their remarks on
ignorance and not so very condemnatory of the volunteer movement, and
complaining about the disgraceful performance of some of the members of
a battalion, recommending impossibilities in the way of classifying,
squadding, drilling, &c., as the certain cure for the fault, had they
only known the difficulties attending a corps becoming efficient.
Things have certainly changed since these earlier days for the better.
Prejudice is lessened, a far more real knowledge of the military
profession, as regards all details of tactics, drill, and of men from
whom soldiers can be made, has been acquired by superior officers.
Some test of ability to command is required now. The possession of
rank, which position and only too often wealth gave, no longer enables
an elderly gentleman, surrounded by a brilliant staff, to bluster out
abuse, and offer his opinion and advice on matters which are far better
understood by his juniors and unwilling listeners. He now-a-days must
know his work, and do it.
There were some good shots in this corps whose names were sure to be
seen not only at local events as prize-holders, but at county meetings.
Messrs. King, Dodds, Barnes, and Allen were perhaps among the best; and
although Mr. Allen's name appears last he was first as a prize-holder,
and at all times a dangerous opponent; very cool, very steady, and
one who seldom missed the target. Dwelling perhaps somewhat lengthily
on his aim, he added not a little to the suspense of opponents; but
usually relieved them by increasing the distance he held ahead of them.
Lieutenant Allen held a badge for Queen's Prize, the Challenge Cup for
one year, and on one occasion was second for Queen's Prize. The prize
meetings at the Punch Bowl were from the first held annually, and have
been hitherto well supported by the officers and surrounding gentlemen,
the mayor and corporation of Wilton always giving a hearty support by
way of prizes. Major Penruddocke was ever foremost in inducing men to
attend drills and to know how to use the rifle by offering prizes, &c.,
and very frequently both on prize shooting occasions and on general
musters provided most sumptuously for the inner wants of the hungry
men. To Major Penruddocke the company is much indebted for the getting
up of the fife-and-drum band; indeed, for very many things useful and
necessary, but which cannot be obtained out of common funds, or be
found by the men themselves. The Earl of Pembroke, Major Penruddocke's
successor in the command of the company, besides offering many prizes
at the targets, &c., most liberally provided every non-commissioned
officer and man with an undress suit of uniform, an expense which none
but a company having a good subscription list and a balance at the
bankers can enter into, the capitation grant being quite insufficient.
END
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, Limited,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
MODERN TACTICS.
BY
CAPTAIN H.R. GALL,
Late 5th Fusiliers;
_Instructor of Tactics at Messrs. James and Lynch's Military
Establishment in Lexham Gardens._
CONTAINING TWENTY-SEVEN FULL-PAGE AND OTHER ENGRAVINGS.
London:
W.H. ALLEN & CO., 13, WATERLOO PLACE, S.W.
_WILL SHORTLY BE PUBLISHED._
RAPID FIELD SKETCHING AND RECONNAISSANCE.
By CAPTAIN WILLOUGHBY VERNER, RIFLE BRIGADE.
_Sixth Edition, Revised. Price 1/-, Post-free 1/2._
RED BOOK FOR SERGEANTS.
BY
WILLIAM BRIGHT,
Colour-Sergeant 37th Midd. R.V.
_Price 2s. 6d. Post Free 3s. Containing Maps, Plans, Tabulated
Statements, Abstracts, &c., compiled from authentic sources._
THE ARMY & NAVY CALENDAR