The day was very fine, and the review a complete success. Among the thousands of volunteers wandering about the Park (being dismissed on arrival until the assembly should sound) not one case of the slightest impropriety occurred. It was a grand sight; so many citizen soldiers drawn up in column, and afterwards marching past their sovereign; held together, as her defenders, by no stern military codes. The love of country, respect for law and order, had made these, and four times these, study the art of war; and now one quarter of the whole, drawn from all parts of her kingdom, assembled to do her honour. God grant that their services may be never required for sterner purposes.
The following general order by H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief was published:—
"Windsor,
"10th July, 1881."The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief having received the Queen's commands to express the gratification and pleasure with which Her Majesty yesterday reviewed so large a force of her volunteer troops in the Great Park at Windsor, and Her Majesty's entire satisfaction with the soldier-like appearance and bearing of all ranks, His Royal Highness desires, without delay, to notify Her Majesty's commands to the forces.
"The troops reviewed consisted of 96 battalions, besides the Royal Naval Artillery and the Honourable Artillery Company, the whole composing upwards of 52,000 officers and men, representing the volunteers of England and Wales.
"The concentration and subsequent disposal to their homes of so large a body in so short a time would have been impossible without proper subordination and strict obedience to orders, and judging by the punctual performance of the railway service as well as by his own observation of the battalions from the time of their arrival to the close of the Review, His Royal Highness is satisfied that the discipline and endurance of all ranks would do credit to troops employed on permanent service, and are worthy of the highest commendation.
"The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief was most favourably impressed with the military bearing of the officers and men, both on and off parade; and His Royal Highness begs to thank the volunteers of all ranks, the general staff officers of the force, the medical officers attached to the field hospitals, and the staff officers for railway service for the accurate and successful performance of their respective duties. His Royal Highness's thanks are also due to the railway authorities for their hearty co-operation and untiring exertions, without which so large a concentration of troops could not have been effected.
"By command,
"C.H. Ellice, Adjt.-General."
On the 23rd July the Lord Mayor of London entertained the commanding officers of all the volunteer battalions represented at the Review at Windsor on the 9th July, at a banquet in the Mansion House; Colonel J.F. Everett, as representing this battalion, was among his Lordship's guests.
Notwithstanding the battalion having been present so recently at the Review in Windsor Park, the usual regimental camp was held. It commenced on the 30th July at Warminster, and the annual inspection took place on the 5th August; Colonel Bythesea, commanding 38th Depôt Brigade, being the inspecting officer; the numbers present on parade being 573. After the inspection Colonel Bythesea made the following remarks to the battalion. "He was glad to have an opportunity of meeting them for the third time, and was very much pleased at their appearance and the creditable way in which they had performed their duties. They had turned out clean and in good order, all their appointments and clothing being very good." After saying it was not his duty to always complain, the inspecting officer proceeded to remark on the want of attention to little things which should be amended. "In yesterday's drill, as also to-day, there was shown to have been a want of attention to both company and squad drill, and yet for the correct execution of manœuvres a knowledge of these drills was essential;" adding that he was the more anxious to make this known as he felt he was "addressing men who had sacrificed a great deal of time and convenience in attending these camps, and had turned soldiers to help their country."
The usual luncheon was given by the officers, and the evening being bright and clear, the assembly round the great camp fire was numerous, and song after song continued until the bugle-note recalled the many to their tents.
At daybreak all were astir, and after packing the camp and a hasty meal, the men were marched to the station, in time for the early trains taking them homewards.
The age clause was brought to bear on Honorary Major and Adjutant Robert Dwarris Gibney, and on the 23rd September that officer ceased to be connected with the battalion. He had served with it somewhat over twenty years, and had been the first adjutant appointed. A marvellous change had come over it and the whole volunteer movement during this period. Battalions administrative had become consolidated, and officers and men lost much of their individuality. In most instances it was for the best. The want of cohesion and system in battalions meeting their component parts for drill everywhere and anywhere was injurious to the service. The commanding officer of such a battalion was only so on parade, and had but little authority. To adjutants first organising these battalions the trials were numerous. Officers and men could and did differ from him on matters of discipline, and could be at times as contrary as agreeable. A man of camps or just off from Crimean and Indian campaigning, albeit somewhat of a martinet, and of quick temper, accustomed to obey and be obeyed, doubtless often found himself in difficulties in the new state of things. However, these adjutants as a rule not being very young men or exacting fools, learned how best to adapt themselves to the change, and it is to the tact and common-sense, but more especially to the support given to these officers by the inspectors first appointed, commanding officers of battalions, as also of companies, that much of the efficiency of the volunteer force is due.