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 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account