Chapter 5

In the first instance the members selected their own officers, their names being sent in to the Lord Lieutenant for his approval, through the captain commanding the corps. To the corps were then added the names of William Davis, Esq., as lieutenant, and Mr. John Scott as ensign, Charles Bleeck, Esq., as hon. assistant surgeon, and the Rev. J. Erasmus Philipps as chaplain.

The following were the first non-commissioned officers:Joseph Smith, quartermaster-sergeant; J.B. Haden, armourer-sergeant; George White, Philip Grubb, Edward Chambers, were sergeants; and Richard E. Vardy, D. Tillbrook, Charles Price, corporals; with Sergeant Sheppard, of the Wilts Militia, as sergeant-instructor; Edward Turner, bugler.

The uniform and equipments left nothing to be desired. The clothing blue-grey, with scarlet facings, and belts dark.

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.

When the corps was first established the requisite finances to meet preliminary expenses were raised by donations from the public, and annual subscriptions from honorary members. Effective members had to pay an annual subscription of £1 and to find their own uniform, with the exception of cap and accoutrements, these being provided by the corps. This somewhat large annual subscription from effective members helped to keep the corps unusually select, and to retain men in the ranks. Besides, it caused all to be jealous for the respectable behaviour of each member of the corps, precluding the retention in the ranks of any unwilling to obey every order as issued, or acting otherwise than was correct. Discipline had to be preserved, and this, with William Davis as captain, with J. Scott for his lieutenant, and such non-commissioned officers and men as formed the 10th Corps, was not a matter of very great difficulty.

One of the weak points in the volunteers (it is so still) was talking in the ranks, and this was met in this corps by a fine of 6d.on any individual so doing whilst the company or squad to which he might have been attached were drilling. At a later period this fine was reduced to 3d., and the sergeant of the section to which the man belonged was made responsible for enforcing the rule.

It may not be out of place here to introduce a balance sheet showing what the expenses of this corps were from the date of their first formation, December, 1859, to May, 1860. Experience and the class accepted made these expenses less than usual.

10THCORPS WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Statement of Receipts and Payments up to 22nd May, 1861.

By this it may be seen that the sum expended in establishing this corps was not very far from £500; and the writer's experience leads him to think that very few corps comprising administrative battalions of volunteers throughout the country were established for much less.

Latterly the subscriptions from effective members were lowered, and altogether abolished in 1871.

It is not presumed that this corps were more enthusiastic in preparing themselves for the defence of their country, were it invaded, than others in the country. Drilling, if not a delight, was certainly a duty, and most honestly carried out. The following orders for the week ending 30th June, 1860, taken from the Company Order Book, will give a fair specimen of the really hard work which all undertook to perform, and as a rule absolutely did perform:—

(Dated)23rd June, 1860.(Signed)J.V. Toone,Orderly Sergeant.

The corps has always been most popular in the town and neighbourhood, and when first raised were petted and feasted to an extent that would seem almost incredible. At one time there was seldom a company drill without a feed to follow, and gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood vied with each other in their hospitable treatment of the corps. This led to their being termed the "Jolly Tenth," a name retained long after they had been joined into the battalion, but unknown since the more matter-of-fact days succeeding the year 1880, when they became simply F Company of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteer Corps, by which title they are still known.

In another part we have said that the rifle range wasan unexceptionably good one, within an easy walk from the town and offering many advantages. In the corps there were some good shots, men always certain to score, but not as a rule prize-winners of any note at open meetings. However, most of the members were satisfied with the prizes offered at home, without going elsewhere to try their skill. The shooting of such men as Captain Wakeman, Lieut. Ponting, Sergeants Toone, Whiting, Haden, Luke, Smith, &c., was uniformly good. The great supporter of the corps has been the Marquis of Bath, having always contributed £50 yearly to its funds, besides giving various sums in prizes and other methods by which the corps is benefited. Of this annual £50 the sum of £25 is carried to the shooting-prize fund. With this, and the amount collected for the same fund from the ladies and gentlemen of Warminster, it may be said that few, if any, of the corps composing the battalion can equal and none surpass this company in the amount at its disposal for prize shooting. There is a yearly challenge cup given by the officers of the corps considered as being the blue ribbon of the local meeting, also two silver cups open to monthly competition to all members—one of these cups is given by the officers of the company, and the other by Mr. George Hurrell of the town. There is also a very handsome challenge cup given by His Highness Higashi Fusimi, Prince Imperial of Japan, in the year 1872, when he with his suite resided for a long period at Warminster. Altogether the company has many inducements to target practice, and this is taken advantage of, the attendance at class-firing and honest fulfilment of the regulations as regards this part of a rifleman's duty being strictly carried out. With this company the efficiency of all returned as efficient was to be depended upon; and no better company or more really efficient a body of officers and men can be found throughout the whole of the Volunteer Force than is the F Company of the 1st Wilts Volunteer Battalion.

The following is a complete list of the officers of the company, with the dates of their commissions, promotions, and retirements:—

Captain Commandant Tho Marquis of Bath; Captain, 1860; retired, 1862; Hon. Colonel of the Battalion, 1866.

Captain William Davis; Lieutenant, 1860; Captain, 1862; retired, 1866.Captain John Scott; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1862; Captain, 1866; retired, 1874.Captain Herbert Ingram; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1867; Captain, 1874; retired, 1877.Captain Hon. Major Herbert Wakeman; Ensign, 1867; Lieutenant, 1870; Captain, 1877; retired with hon. rank of Major, 1886.Captain Thomas Ponting; Ensign, 1869; Lieutenant, 1873; Captain, 1886.Lieutenant John Ravenhill; Lieutenant, 1860; retired, 1867.Lieutenant Philip Grubb; Ensign, 1862; Lieutenant, 1867; retired, 1870.Lieutenant Joseph Smith; Ensign, 1866; retired, 1869.Lieutenant Thomas Flower; Sub-Lieutenant, 1878; died, 1882.Lieutenant Sir Harold Pelly, Bart.; Lieutenant, 1882; retired, 1887.Lieutenant Sidney Smith; Lieutenant, 1884.Lieutenant George Herbert Wakeman; Second Lieutenant, 1887.Surgeon Charles Bleeck; Hon. Assist.-Surgeon, 1860; Battalion Surgeon, 1864; resigned.Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Isaac Flower, 1864; resigned, 1874.Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Thomas Flower, 1874; resigned, 1878.Acting Surgeon Joseph Hinton, 1878.Hon. Chaplain Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., 1861; resigned, 1883.

Captain William Davis; Lieutenant, 1860; Captain, 1862; retired, 1866.

Captain John Scott; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1862; Captain, 1866; retired, 1874.

Captain Herbert Ingram; Ensign, 1860; Lieutenant, 1867; Captain, 1874; retired, 1877.

Captain Hon. Major Herbert Wakeman; Ensign, 1867; Lieutenant, 1870; Captain, 1877; retired with hon. rank of Major, 1886.

Captain Thomas Ponting; Ensign, 1869; Lieutenant, 1873; Captain, 1886.

Lieutenant John Ravenhill; Lieutenant, 1860; retired, 1867.

Lieutenant Philip Grubb; Ensign, 1862; Lieutenant, 1867; retired, 1870.

Lieutenant Joseph Smith; Ensign, 1866; retired, 1869.

Lieutenant Thomas Flower; Sub-Lieutenant, 1878; died, 1882.

Lieutenant Sir Harold Pelly, Bart.; Lieutenant, 1882; retired, 1887.

Lieutenant Sidney Smith; Lieutenant, 1884.

Lieutenant George Herbert Wakeman; Second Lieutenant, 1887.

Surgeon Charles Bleeck; Hon. Assist.-Surgeon, 1860; Battalion Surgeon, 1864; resigned.

Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Isaac Flower, 1864; resigned, 1874.

Hon. Assist.-Surgeon Thomas Flower, 1874; resigned, 1878.

Acting Surgeon Joseph Hinton, 1878.

Hon. Chaplain Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., 1861; resigned, 1883.

No. 13 CORPS. WESTBURY.

[No returns have been received.]

14THCORPS. HEAD QUARTERS, WILTON.

The earliest records of the formation of this corps have not been preserved, but that is no reason for supposing that the stir for some more satisfactory system of self-defence than then existed did not affect the good people of Wilton and its neighbourhood as much as in other parts of Wiltshire. However, all were slow in moving, but whom to blame for this supineness it would be hard to say. The lordly owner of Wilton House, and of some thousands of acres stretching away into Dorsetshire and North Wilts, was residing abroad, and his representative, distinguished as a senator and one of the ministry, perhaps too much occupied at such a moment with greater matters to enable him to find the necessary time to work out details and set the thing well on its legs. It was plain that any rifle corps raised at or near Wilton must be composed chiefly of the tenants of the Earl of Pembroke, and that the starting this corps, which then simply meant coming down with a large sum of ready money, the obtaining uniforms, accoutrements, ammunition, even arms, armouries, and practice grounds, must fall to a very great extent on the possessor of Wilton House. Of course, for a time, as long as enthusiasm lasted and the French blustered, men would offer their services, and county gentlemen contribute handsomely to the funds, and acknowledging that it was very hard for patriotic Thomas, the blacksmith's assistant, or William, the village carpenter, to leave work early two or three times weekly, and stump across miles of down to Broad Chalke, Dinton, or elsewhere, to attend squad or company drills, so willingly helped towards the expense of conveying such men to these drills; but this philanthropic tendency would not last, and the expense would devolve either on the officers and men themselves, ultimately causing the corps to be lost altogether, or to sink into mere pot-shooters, but if to be kept up as a disciplined and useful adjunct to the forces of the Empire, the command, and many incidentalexpenses, and arrangement connected therewith, would fall upon the Herbert family.

Not improbably, then, it was from want of an initiative being shewn by this house that the delay arose in the formation of a rifle company at Wilton, and that the one ultimately raised became No. 14 Corps in the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers.

On the 23rd March, 1860, a public meeting was called at Wilton, at which Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of Compton Park, Geo. Lapworth, Esq., J. Woodcock, Esq., W.J. French, Esq., with Messrs. Chipperdale, Wm. Allen, G. Young, D. Dodds, W. Naish, E. Rawlence, &c., present, and from whom a committee of management was formed; ultimately causing a body of riflemen being raised at Wilton and from the surrounding neighbourhood, termed the Wilton Rifle Volunteer Corps, with a strength of one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, and 100 of all ranks. The officers recommended for commissions were Charles Penruddocke, Esq., of Compton Park, as captain; Mr. Geo. Lapworth as lieutenant; and Mr. J. Woodcock as ensign: Mr. W.J. French as assistant surgeon, and the Rev. B.S. Chermside as chaplain; Mr. Chipperdale undertaking the post of secretary; Messrs. Barnes, Eyres, Dodds, Miedenhall, Wm. Allen, and G. Rawlence being appointed non-commissioned officers.

As with other corps composing the battalion, the first great difficulty showing itself was in arranging so that drills should be numerous, practical, and easily and inexpensively attended by the corps; but with its members scattered from Wilton to the borders of Dorsetshire and many miles apart, the conveying to drill, whether at first for squad and company, and later on for battalion and camps, was ever a source of difficulty and great expense. Nevertheless, the attendances, both at battalion drills and in camps and at autumn manœuvres, with reviews, and less grand assemblies, have been uniformly good, as the following numbers will show.

Before the creation of the battalion this corps attended the Review held in Clarendon Park to the number of 72; at Bath, 60; at Salisbury, 70; at Wilton Park, 72; at the Autumn Manœuvres, 68; at the Grand Review in Windsor Park, 2 officers and 72 men; and the averageattendance at the annual regimental camps has been 2 officers and 60 men. Recently, indeed, at the Jubilee Review at Portsmouth, it showed 3 officers and 64 men. This represents a heavy expenditure for travelling and incidental expenses, which cannot be met by the men themselves, and usually falls upon the officers. A company of 60 volunteers is not taken from the wilds of Wiltshire and placed down on a hillside overlooking the sea at Portsmouth for a small travelling allowance, or at their own expense.

An additional major being sanctioned to the battalion, Captain C. Penruddocke of this corps accepted the vacancy, holding it for some years, but at the same time continuing to be captain of the company. Lieutenant Lapworth resigning, was replaced by Mr. C.R. Clay, Mr. Woodcock by Mr. Wm. Allen, and the Rev. D. Olivier chaplain in place of Mr. Chermside. Later on Major Penruddocke resigned the company, and his place was taken in the command by the Earl of Pembroke, who resigned on becoming junior major in the battalion, of which he is now lieutenant-colonel in command.

It will be seen by what has been said, that there are great expenses and difficulties incidental to a scattered country rifle corps such as was this, also No. 6 Corps and No. 8 of the battalion, than many are aware of—certainly much more than could have been known by the clerk managing the master of the department in the War Office at the period; otherwise, one could hardly have imagined that the passing of a travelling allowance, insufficient by a large amount as it was, would have been granted according to the efficient strength of a corps equally whether that corps were all collected together in a large town, with railway accommodation handy, or were scattered in twos or threes half over a county; and the better to make the mean allowance appreciated, add the rule, that such corps as are at the headquarters of the battalion or within six miles radius are to be exempt from the receipt of travelling allowances altogether. Perhaps Mr. —— of the War Office thought that omnibuses and cabs, with underground railways, were common on Wiltshire Downs, and that time was of so little value to the agriculturist, that he could afford towalk three times yearly six miles out and back to do the required battalion drills, and saunter about with his rifle from the targets to squad or company drill. Any way, it was soon found that for the men to attend in any numbers at the five weekly squad drills arranged to be held—three at Wilton, where the riding school of Wilton House was kindly placed at their disposal for winter nights, one at Broad Chalke, and the other at Dinton or Burcombe Down—was a serious drag on all for time, and on many for money. To those having horses it was a great expense, and the carrying of rifles for individuals from the armoury no little trouble. For a while, so long as the war cloud hovered over the land, money would come in, and every encouragement be given by those not serving, in the way of money or help; but with the war scare decreasing, enthusiasm decreased also, and Private Stumptheveld began to discover that his rifle and belts were heavy and hot, also that it was more comfortable on a bleak evening at the fireside of the "Seven Stars," than at the hillside of the Punch Bowl at Burcombe Down, and as his patriotism was less demonstrative, so his rheumatics increased, and his attendances at drills became few and far between. It was evident that having many places for the men to meet at for drill purposes was a mistake. It was more expensive than by fixing upon one as the general drilling place for all, and gave no promise that the attendance would be sufficient for instruction being given in anything beyond the mere rudiments of drill. Anyhow, at the outlying stations the attendances became fewer and fewer, until the vanishing point was almost reached. Often, beyond the sergeant-instructor, there was none attending, and on the occasion of visits from the adjutant, whether at Dinton, Broad Chalke, and latterly at Wilton also, the numbers putting in an appearance were far too few. Ultimately, all this was changed, and Captain the Earl of Pembroke required all the drills to be done at Wilton, the head quarters, and made such arrangements that, in attending them, the loss of time and expense was less than formerly.

The rifle butts of this corps were very good, safe, but perhaps rather spoiling men using it much from even shooting elsewhere, though this was not shown by themany good shots found in the corps. It was one of those deep valleys scooped out of the soft chalk hills by the action of sea or glacier in long ages past, and whilst the steep hillside kept off every breath of wind, the smooth flat bottom made shooting in any position easy, leaving the targets distinctly visible. Probably, in the olden time, this "Punch Bowl," as it is termed, might have been used as a tilting ground, where knights spitted knights for the fun of the thing, or because they had nothing better to do, unless it were to spit Paynims in the Holy Land, a race of men far superior to themselves in scientific knowledge and civilization. However, modern necessities have found a full use for the Punch Bowl, and may it long continue a practice ground for the Wilton Rifle Volunteers.

It may be as well now to describe the uniform of this corps as it was for officers and men on the first formation. Each corps had a different one—some soldier-like and useful, some perfectly hideous; but for a thing of beauty for ever, No. 14 beat all Wiltshire. Its colour was a light drab with facings of scarlet, but much of this concealed under an abundance of silver lace; trousers to match, and shako of the same colour, ornamented with goodly lace and flowing plume, half concealing the silver plate on shako, which was a copy of that worn on the belts. Then the belts! For officers, of light Russian leather with waist and cross-belt, on which was fixed a silver breastplate large and polished, instructive in heraldry and art. The centre contained the number of the corps, XIV., surmounted by a crown, and round this was placed the corporation arms of Wilton, the whole surrounded with the words "Wilton Rifle Volunteers." Above this breastplate, attached to the belt, was a lion's grim head in silver, from which descended two chains attached to a whistle, encased in graven silver, about equidistant from the breast centrepiece. From below the shoulder to about midway in the back were crossbars of silver, ending in a monster buckle of the same metal, such as may yet be seen in shining brass worn by that terror of the London boy, viz., the beadle of the Burlington Arcade.

It certainly was not a suitable dress for riflemen; andthough less gorgeous for non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the silver lace being represented by white braid, and bronze for silver ornaments, was quite unfitted by colour to stand knocking about in, or was it otherwise than visible at all distances. The blame for having uniforms of all sorts, kinds, and colours is not to fall on officers raising corps. The War Office had for the infantry red or black, or indeed the khakee of India as a choice; but to have given a decided order on the subject would have shown an interest in, or perhaps a belief in, the prolonged existence of these corps, and this was to be avoided. However, as mutual assembling together of corps for reviews and battalion purposes became more frequent, so did the absurdity of each company in a battalion having different uniforms and accoutrements become more evident. It rendered the equalisation of companies very difficult, and marked men making mistakes only too distinctly; so at last the matter was taken up by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, who with Colonel M.F. Ward, commanding the 2nd Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, and the adjutant of the 1st Administrative Battalion, as representing his commanding officer, met together at the Government manufactory at Pimlico, and it was there decided that the uniform for the future should be the same as worn by the Rifle Brigade. This decided the case; the ugly and the beautiful, the light grey and the dark blue, the olive and the drab ceased to exist. All had to change, and to mourn over the past by assuming black.

At the commencement of the movement it was a pretty sight, and spoke volumes for the patriotism of the inhabitants, when they willingly gave up their time to attending drills, and could be seen dotted here and there on the hillsides, riding, walking, or driving to the places of assembly. Conspicuous among these was the captain's dog-cart, bristling with rifles as do quills on the porcupine; and beneath these rifles (which are being carried for men walking, or whose horsemanship allows not of such an article being in the rider's hand) might be seen the officer himself and subalterns shining in their uniforms, guiding the horse as best they could. Perhaps some of the cocked hats so harshly judging theforce would have been less generous in their remarks on ignorance and not so very condemnatory of the volunteer movement, and complaining about the disgraceful performance of some of the members of a battalion, recommending impossibilities in the way of classifying, squadding, drilling, &c., as the certain cure for the fault, had they only known the difficulties attending a corps becoming efficient. Things have certainly changed since these earlier days for the better. Prejudice is lessened, a far more real knowledge of the military profession, as regards all details of tactics, drill, and of men from whom soldiers can be made, has been acquired by superior officers. Some test of ability to command is required now. The possession of rank, which position and only too often wealth gave, no longer enables an elderly gentleman, surrounded by a brilliant staff, to bluster out abuse, and offer his opinion and advice on matters which are far better understood by his juniors and unwilling listeners. He now-a-days must know his work, and do it.

There were some good shots in this corps whose names were sure to be seen not only at local events as prize-holders, but at county meetings. Messrs. King, Dodds, Barnes, and Allen were perhaps among the best; and although Mr. Allen's name appears last he was first as a prize-holder, and at all times a dangerous opponent; very cool, very steady, and one who seldom missed the target. Dwelling perhaps somewhat lengthily on his aim, he added not a little to the suspense of opponents; but usually relieved them by increasing the distance he held ahead of them. Lieutenant Allen held a badge for Queen's Prize, the Challenge Cup for one year, and on one occasion was second for Queen's Prize. The prize meetings at the Punch Bowl were from the first held annually, and have been hitherto well supported by the officers and surrounding gentlemen, the mayor and corporation of Wilton always giving a hearty support by way of prizes. Major Penruddocke was ever foremost in inducing men to attend drills and to know how to use the rifle by offering prizes, &c., and very frequently both on prize shooting occasions and on general musters provided most sumptuously for the inner wants of the hungry men. To MajorPenruddocke the company is much indebted for the getting up of the fife-and-drum band; indeed, for very many things useful and necessary, but which cannot be obtained out of common funds, or be found by the men themselves. The Earl of Pembroke, Major Penruddocke's successor in the command of the company, besides offering many prizes at the targets, &c., most liberally provided every non-commissioned officer and man with an undress suit of uniform, an expense which none but a company having a good subscription list and a balance at the bankers can enter into, the capitation grant being quite insufficient.

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