The history of the 1st Batt. Wilts Volunteers, from 1861 to 1885Gibney, R. D. (Robert Dwarris)
History
The history of the 1st Batt. Wilts Volunteers, from 1861 to 1885
Gibney, R. D. (Robert Dwarris)
Great Britain. Army. Wiltshire Regiment. Battalion, 1st -- History
The drills for squad purposes were usually held in the corn market, but
the broad streets and roads in the neighbourhood for wet weather, while
the cricket and other fields in summer, were more frequently used. The
corps worked with a will, having both morning and evening drills, and
doubtless disturbed some of the sleep-loving folk by their devotion
to the cause. A company of soldiers being instructed in section
formations or wheelings, on the high road, under a window at 7 a.m.,
on a November's morning does not tend to the peaceful rest of any in
the house of which the window is part, nor perhaps to their temper or
rapture with the volunteer movement; more especially if that company
were the 10th Wilts, with Sergeant-Instructor Sheppard intent on having
things done correctly, and repeating "As you were" cruelly often.
The first range for rifle practice sanctioned by the War Office was
at Knapper's Hole on the Parsonage Farm; but this not being found
satisfactory, the range was removed in 1861 to Mancomb, about a mile
from the town, where there is a most excellent range, up to 1100 yards,
perfectly level; with a low range of chalk hills as a background to
the targets, and the whole safe but far from free from gusts of wind
and currents of air, trying to riflemen generally, but to pot-hunters
in particular. The armoury, at first, was at the Town Hall in a room
placed at the disposal of the corps by Lord Bath. It was then removed
to the market-place, and subsequently to the High-street, where it now
is.
As a band of some sort was found to be necessary, the formation of a
drum-and-fife band was determined upon, and on the 16th May, 1860, the
ladies of Warminster presented the corps with a silver bugle and a
complete set of drums and fifes.
In March, 1860, a sub-division was established at Codford, and the
following officers were appointed: John Ravenhill, lieutenant; Herbert
Ingram, ensign.
The corps first turned out in complete uniform at a company drill on
the 30th May, 1860, and on the following 2nd July the whole of the
members were sworn in at the Town Hall after attending a church parade
at the parish church, a sermon being preached for the occasion by the
chaplain, the Rev. Sir J. Erasmus Philipps. About the same time a
public dinner was held in the Town Hall, and was attended by almost all
the rifle corps and very many of the tradesmen of the town and county
gentlemen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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