Front matter (continued 2)

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

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 This being withdrawn, the numbers making themselves efficient became gradually less, and this year saw the battalion reduced to six corps, with their head quarters at Salisbury,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

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

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

1st Administrative Battalion Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers.

Summary of Annual Returns, 1st November, 1875.

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

Head Quarters of Corps. Certificates of proficiency.

ABCDEF GH

Salisbury1200162111733894

Trowbridge 2 200 168 20 188 4 889

Bradford9100596652 491

Warminster 10 159 100 16 116 3 6 86

Westbury 13 100 60 5 65 1 3 92

Wilton 14 100 77 6 83 2 4 93

Staff 13 12 1 13 3 92

872 638 65 703 18 33 91

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

The Expenses of the Camp for 1875 were £208

Subscriptions £67

Camp Allowance £59

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Expenses of this Camp were £362

Subscriptions £10

Camp Allowance£57

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

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

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

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

The Expenses of the Camp were £300

Subscriptions £30

Camp Allowance earned£106

Leaving more than the usual deficit.

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

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

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

Certificates of proficiency.

Head Quarters of Corps.ABCDEF GH

Salisbury1200152115351199

Trowbridge 2 200 192 15 207 4 1093

Bradford9100593621 495

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 40s. and 20s. (with 10s. extra for the drill instructor of the winning squad) to Wilton and Warminster companies. There were prizes for which the yeomanry were alone eligible, such as tent-pegging, tilting at the ring, &c., at 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.

ASalisbury91495630

BSalisbury9821001525

CTrowbridge712731512

DTrowbridge6136425110

EBradford82486150Range only 300 yards.

FWarminster793821837

GWestbury502521111

HWilton673703429

Staff15217311

Totals6142563913402

(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 10s.), to be provided through the medium of the committee.

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

The attention of all the citizens of Salisbury was called to this advertisement by the editor of the paper, and from this date very many enrolled themselves as members of the Salisbury corps; J.H. Jacob, Esq., being appointed captain-commandant, and he afterwards selecting and recommending the names of gentlemen willing to serve to fill the subordinate positions. That something more than playing at soldiers was intended may be inferred from the editorial of the paper in which the advertisement appeared. It is presumed that the editor not only appreciated the gravity of the situation, but repeated the 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.

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

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

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

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

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

2ND CORPS (TROWBRIDGE) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

C & D Companies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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