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 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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