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.