In consequence of the hard and constant work on the drill ground, the commanding officer, noticing that I had failed and was not looking as well as he would like to see me, ordered me to proceed with two companies to St. Peter's to recuperate, and also appointed me schoolmaster of the detachment and my wife schoolmistress. I was not to do any other duties till further orders. I soon had my school organized and in working order. The schoolroom was large and well ventilated. It stood on five acres of playground. My pupils consisted of about seventy children of various ages belonging to our own men. There were some thirty men who could not read or write. We had volunteer classes. I had an assistant, while my wife attended to the industrial department. School hours were from nine to twelve, and from one-thirty to four. This was quite a change for the better. I remained in this office till the regiment moved.
One death occurred at our detachment. Our bathing grounds were about one and a half miles from the barracks and we always bathed in the early morning. Four strong and good swimmers were detailed as a picket, remaining on the beach ready to rescue anyone in danger. When the tide is receding the current is very strong. We therefore knew it was dangerous to swim too far out. The officer in charge always directed the bugler to sound the retire when he considered there was danger for the swimmer to proceed farther. One morning Drum-Major Fielding, in company with Private Charles Dunkley, started to swim out. They kept together for some time. The bugler sounded the retire and Fielding obeyed the call, but Dunkley continued. When the drum-major arrived at the beach he was almost exhausted, and said he did not think that Dunkley, who was now trying to get back, would ever reach the beach unless there was help sent to him. The picket was at once sent to his assistance. While the men were reaching him he was drifting farther out. When they got to him he was helpless and sinking, and at last poor Dunkley sank to rise no more, and it was with difficulty the men returned to the beach.
Near by stands Elizabeth Castle, on a little island which can be reached on dry land when the tide is out. The body drifted on the rocks around the castle and was discovered by the men within half an hour after he sank. In the meantime I had gone to barracks and informed the doctor of the sad affair, who immediately went to the beach and did all in his power to resuscitate the lifeless form, but to no avail. The body was taken to the morgue at the barracks and finally interred with military honors in the little churchyard at St. Peter's. We erected a beautiful stone over the grave in memory of our departed comrade.
There was a small barracks about three miles from St. Peter's and a rifle range where we went to do our musketry course. The companies at St. Heliers also used this place.
In 1870 we received the news that France had declared war against Germany and was fighting already. The people of the island were much concerned over the matter. They were mostly French, and were, of course, anxious that their countrymen be victorious in the battles they were about to fight.
CHAPTER IX.
We now received orders to prepare to embark on the troopship Euphrates for Portsmouth en route for Aldershot. At Portsmouth we entrained for Aldershot, and on arrival marched to the same grounds we occupied eleven years ago. We were again attached to the reserve brigade. After the season closed we removed to the barracks. About this time the purchase system was abolished, and officers could get a commission without paying for it, and those who had paid for it got their money back.
We were sorry to lose Colonel McKinstry, who had commanded us for the last ten years. He always took a deep interest in the regiment, and did all in his power to make us comfortable and happy, and kept the corps in a high state of excellence. Lieutenant-Colonel Brice assumed command. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Crimea, and was a strict disciplinarian but a popular officer. The first act of the colonel's disposition toward criminals was to recommend the pardon of Private Welsh, who was mentioned in this book as having stabbed Sergeant Roe in the barracks at Halifax, and as being sentenced to penal servitude for life.
The autumn manœuvres lasted sixteen days. Forty thousand men were to engage in a sham fight. Our brigade consisted of 2nd Battalion of 17th Regiment, Tower Hamlets militia and a London volunteer battalion known as the "Devil's Own"—they were lawyers. This regiment came swinging up the road, the band, which was a splendid one, playing a familiar tune. They marched in quarter column, halted, piled arms, and immediately proceeded to pitch tents and prepare the camp for a two days' stay. The whole brigade looked on and were astonished at the smartness of the volunteers in this part of their drills and exercises, and indeed, afterwards we found nothing wanting in their field work.
Several sham battles were fought and many long and tedious marches endured. Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal family came down to witness the march past of the two armies who had been engaged in the sham fights. The strength was 45,000 all ranks.