The year 1869 commenced with a meeting of the officers of the battalion at Warminster, and it was therein settled that the regimental camp should be held this year at Salisbury, in the first week of August. Meetings were subsequently held to consider details, and to ascertain how far it was possible to make these camps less costly. The Mayor of Portsmouth having intimated a wish that a field day in conjunction with the regular army on Southsea Common should be organized, a meeting of officers commanding volunteer battalions in the neighbouring counties took place at Portsmouth, which resulted in a field day on some scale being held at Southsea Common on the 26th April. There were present about 3000 of the regular army, and perhaps 5500 of the Volunteer Force; to which the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts contributed nearly 500 of all ranks. After a march past, an attack on the forts and outworks round the town (which do not now exist) was made; but probably it was unsuccessful, as guns were conspicuous by their absence on the part of the attackers, and no fire being returned from the embrasures showed that either there was no one at home, or that we as an enemy were held somewhat in contempt. It spoke well for the stuff of which volunteer battalions are composed, that on the 1st Wilts Administrative Battalion assembling at the place appointed for them in the town of Portsmouth, they were proved and then dismissed, with orders to reassemble at the same place and in the same order two hours later, the arms being piled and a few men detailed as caretakers over them. Before the expiry of the two hours, each man was in his place, sober, and brushed up, and after a while was marching towards Southsea Common. On the 2nd August the Second Regimental Camp commenced at Salisbury, or rather on Homerton Down, ground very inferior for the purpose to that at Warminster. The local companies pitched the camp, thus saving some small expense, but the catering both for officers and men was contracted for as at Warminster previously, Mr. Ward, of "The White Hart," being the contractor. The weather was not all that could be desired, and the proximity of two towns, such as Salisbury and Wilton, no advantage: however, good resulted, and at the inspection of the battalion by Colonel R. Bruce, on the termination of the camp, he expressed himself satisfied with the steadiness of the men, the way the drill was performed, and attributed the general improvement in discipline and drill to this camp, which he hoped would be every year repeated. The camp was struck and packed soon after daybreak next day, and after breakfast all returned homewards.