The history of the 1st Batt. Wilts Volunteers, from 1861 to 1885

by R. D. Gibney

The year 1869 commenced with a meeting of the officers of the battalion at Warminster, and it was therein settled that the regimental camp should be held this year at Salisbury, in the first week of August. Meetings were subsequently held to consider details, and to ascertain how far it was possible to make these camps less costly.

The Mayor of Portsmouth having intimated a wish that a field day in conjunction with the regular army on Southsea Common should be organized, a meeting of officers commanding volunteer battalions in the neighbouring counties took place at Portsmouth, which resulted in a field day on some scale being held at Southsea Common on the 26th April. There were present about 3000 of the regular army, and perhaps 5500 of the Volunteer Force; to which the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts contributed nearly 500 of all ranks. After a march past, an attack on the forts and outworks round the town (which do not now exist) was made; but probably it was unsuccessful, as guns were conspicuous by their absence on the part of the attackers, and no fire being returned from the embrasures showed that either there was no one at home, or that we as an enemy were held somewhat in contempt. It spoke well for the stuff of which volunteer battalions are composed, that on the 1st Wilts Administrative Battalion assembling at the place appointed for them in the town of Portsmouth, they were proved and then dismissed, with orders to reassemble at the same place and in the same order two hours later, the arms being piled and a few men detailed as caretakers over them. Before the expiry of the two hours, each man was in his place, sober, and brushed up, and after a while was marching towards Southsea Common.

On the 2nd August the Second Regimental Camp commenced at Salisbury, or rather on Homerton Down, ground very inferior for the purpose to that at Warminster. The local companies pitched the camp, thus saving some small expense, but the catering both for officers and men was contracted for as at Warminster previously, Mr. Ward, of "The White Hart," being the contractor. The weather was not all that could be desired, and the proximity of two towns, such as Salisbury and Wilton, no advantage: however, good resulted, and at the inspection of the battalion by Colonel R. Bruce, on the termination of the camp, he expressed himself satisfied with the steadiness of the men, the way the drill was performed, and attributed the general improvement in discipline and drill to this camp, which he hoped would be every year repeated. The camp was struck and packed soon after daybreak next day, and after breakfast all returned homewards.

The expense of this camp was £543, and was partly met by subscriptions amounting to £458—the travelling allowance of 4s. per man, sanctioned by the War Office to all corps not within a certain distance of the head quarters, being taken to make up the difference, thus creating an additional expense to the officers and supporters of corps coming from a distance, as having to meet their own travelling expenses. The muster at inspection showed 554 of all ranks.

It was determined by the committee for camp management, assembling at Warminster on the 4th March, 1870, that the regimental camp should be held in the first week of August at Warminster, on the downs, but that as a means of lessening the expenses several important alterations should be made. The time spent in camp should be less. The volunteers to enter on Tuesday, and break up on Saturday; that they should be supplied with rations, and each corps make its own arrangements for the cooking of the same, and that the pitching and striking of the camp should be done entirely by themselves.

On the 3rd August the battalion assembled in camp, and without further aid than that supplied them through the knowledge of camp details by the commanding officer and regimental staff, succeeded in a very short time in pitching the camp most correctly. The rations consisted of 1¼ lb. of meat, ½ lb. of potatoes, 1 lb. of bread, some tea and sugar, and six-pence the day beer money. All were satisfied, and the arrangement was found to answer far better than formerly.

On the 5th, the battalion was inspected by Colonel Peel, who, after pointing out a few faults in the keeping of distances, both in line and skirmishing, expressed himself as being very well pleased, not only with the way the drill had been performed, but with the camp generally, and should make a favourable report. The numbers present at the inspection were 507 of all ranks.

The officers gave the usual luncheon to the county families at the termination of the inspection, and the next day, very early in the morning, the tents were struck, blankets, palliasses, pegs, &c., counted and packed, and by 8 a.m. very little beyond straw, paper, and débris marked where 500 men had been so long encamped.

The expenses of the camp were £230, and the subscriptions towards meeting this but £161, making the normal deficit.

The novelty of camp was beginning to wear out, and the attendance daily at parades less numerous than could have been wished. The regiment was not in reality getting all the good anticipated. The canteen, as ever, broke in upon punctuality and discipline. Beer and boon companionship showed themselves at afternoon parades, and at roll call. Silence and lights out after last post were not preserved. Leave was too often applied for, and far too many only put in an appearance on the day of inspection.