SKETCH MAPS

(1st Battalion)
PAGE
No. 1.[The Ypres Salient, October, 1916 to September, 1917]127
No. 2.[France. Cassel—Messines—Houthem, 1918]155
No. 3.[28th November, 1917 to 6th December, 1917]163
No. 4.[The first day of The Retreat, 23rd March, 1918]179
No. 5.[The second day of The Retreat, 24th March, 1918, and also the fighting at High Wood, September and October, 1916]181
No. 6.[Last days of The Retreat (March, 1918) and the battle of Aveluy Wood]187
No. 7.[The Civil Service Rifles in the 47th Division Attack, 22-25th August, 1918]203
No. 8.[The movements of the Civil Service Rifles from 1st September to 6th September, 1918]211
(2nd Battalion)
No. 1.[France. Neuville St. Vaast Trench System, 1916]241
No. 2.[Salonica. Doiran Front, 1917]268
No. 3.[Salonica. Advance on the Doiran Front, 1917]275
No. 4.[Palestine. Beersheba to Huj, 1917]293
No. 5.[Palestine. Jerusalem and Jericho, 1917-18]335
No. 6.[Belgium. America Corner—Wervicq—River Scheldt, 1918]369

HISTORY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS

CHAPTER I
1859-1909[2]

[2] This history, up to the year 1891, was written and published in that year by Lieut. (now Lt.-Col.) Edward Merrick, C.S.R.V. He has brought his narrative down to 1909 for the purpose of this volume.

For the purpose of tracing the first authentic record of Volunteers connected with the Civil Service, it is necessary to call attention to the raising of the Loyal Volunteers of London in 1798. About that year, when we were at war with France and Spain, were fighting in India, and almost all over the world, and the country was denuded of troops, the rich citizens of London began to get alarmed at their unprotected state, in the event of rebellion or riot at home. They petitioned the King, and a charter was granted, authorising the formation of armed associations in London and the environs.

The “Loyal Volunteers of London,” as they were called, were therefore raised to uphold the cause of the King and of order. Their motto was “Pro Rege et Patria.”

Among the corps thus raised was that of the “Somerset House Volunteers.” A picture of one of these gentlemen, as copied from a book by T. Rowlandson, in the British Museum, may now be seen in the Orderly Room at the Audit Office.