25.—Mr. George Wyer, of Downham Market, “carried a 20 stone sack of flour one mile, leading through the town of Watton, for a wager of 230 guineas, which he performed with great ease in 18 minutes, to the astonishment of a vast number of spectators.”
Active preparations commenced for the defence of the county in view of possible invasion. On the 8th several officers and non-commissioned officers of the 47th Regiment of Foot arrived in Norwich
to receive the balloted men and substitutes of the Army of Reserve, the training of whom commenced next day in Chapel Field. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on the 10th, when resolutions were passed, assuring his Majesty of the readiness of the county to take defensive measures. A meeting of the inhabitants of Norwich was held at the Guildhall on the 16th, at which a subscription was opened for raising a regiment of Volunteer Infantry. Clerks attended in the porch of the Guildhall to enroll the names of the Volunteers, and the city flag was displayed from the window of the Town Clerk’s office. On the following day 702 men had offered themselves, and by Saturday, the 20th, the number had increased to 1,085, and the public subscription exceeded £3,000, of which £500 was given by the Corporation. On the 26th the regiment was formed, 800 strong, under Lieut.-Col. Harvey (commanding), Lieut.-Col. Plumptre, and Major Sigismund Trafford. The public subscription then amounted to £6,400. A Rifle Corps was also formed, with Mr. R. M. Bacon as captain. At Yarmouth, 500 persons enrolled themselves, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Wm. Gould. On the 27th, it was announced that the number of Volunteers in the county enabled the Lord Lieutenant to suspend the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act. The total number was about 7,300. The Government purchased some properties in Norwich to be converted into temporary barracks for the reception of 800 infantry.
SEPTEMBER.
1.—The first parade of the Norwich Regiment of Volunteer Infantry took place. Eight battalion companies, a light infantry company, and a grenadier company were formed, and “from five barrels of British brown stout they drank the King’s health and prosperity to their country and city, and success to the corps.”
7.—The brass ordnance belonging to the city were tested by some of the regular artillery stationed in Norwich. Four of the guns burst, and appended to the account delivered to the Corporation was the intimation:—“It is customary for the corporal to have the old metal when any of the pieces burst.” The official reply was to the effect that the Corporation were of opinion that the corporal “did not want brass.” The iron nine-pounders stood the test. The brass gun used by Kett in 1549 was preserved as a relic.
22.—The Norwich Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Patteson, entered the Market Place, and after marching round the Hall and saluting the Corporation, had their colours presented to them by the Mayor. The men were afterwards regaled at Neeche’s Gardens, and the officers dined at the King’s Head.
24*—“Telegraphs, signal flags, or tar barrels are being stationed on all the churches and lofty edifices on the coast, in order to give in a chain of communication the earliest intelligence, either by night or day, of the event of the enemy’s landing.”
29.—A trial was made on the Castle ditches, Norwich, of carriages constructed for the conveyance of troops. A wooden frame, serving as a seat, was affixed to the skeleton of a four-wheel cart. A board
for the feet was attached to it by ropes. The vehicle was capable of conveying 17 men.