The Annual Returns for 1875 show a total enrolled of 173, of whom 162 were efficients. In 1878, the return is 180, with 176 efficients. The attendance in camp for inspection in 1877 was 138; and again in 1881, 168, Captains Kelsey and Hodding being in command.
The rifle range of the Salisbury corps was at some distance from the city, on the London Road, and was a particularly difficult range at which a good score could be made. The ground undulated somewhat, and at each range was subject to varying currents of wind; a knowledge of these and their vagaries was a necessary ingredient in the formation of a steadily good shot at Salisbury Rifle Ranges. Practice is said to make perfect, and certainly much practice and attention to detail turned out very many good shots in No. 1 corps. Among the officers might be named Smith, Fisher, J. Brown, C. Brown, Hodding, Kelsey, Harris, Wilton, Wilson; and among the non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the name is legion. Without mentioning all or even one-half the number of those who have been large prize holders, the names of Butler, Wheaton, Manns, Watson, Barnett, Robbins, Calkin, Perris, &c., &c., are famous.
Prize-winning commenced early, as a Company Order, issued on the 19th September, 1861, by Lieutenant Fisher, commanding the corps, directs the band to assemble at the railway station to do honour to Sergeant Butler, who had won at the county meeting held at Devizes the challenge cup, value £50, and a silver salver, whilst Sergeant Wilton of this corps had proved himself to be the best shot of the meeting at 200 and 300 yards, five rounds and Hythe positions, £10 being his reward. Again in 1862, when the Rifle Association of the county held the meeting at Salisbury, we find the Salisbury corps holding their own against all comers, and the Challenge Cup so closely disputed that there was a tie between Sergeant Wilton, 1st corps; Private Hitchcock, 7th Wilts, 2nd Battalion; and Sergeant Neate, 7th Company, 2nd Battalion. The shooting off was in favour of Sergeant Wilton, and amidst the acclamations of almost all present, the chief prize was declared to be yet held by a member of the Salisbury Rifle Corps, and with it the salver offered by the Mayor and Corporation of the City. An unpleasant incident occurred, which may serve to show how servile was the following of Hythe rules. The right to possession of the Challenge Cup by Sergeant Wilton was disputed, inasmuch as he had used his second finger instead of the fore wherewith to press the trigger, and was not crowned with the bays until he had satisfied some of the committee and the umpire, that owing to an injury he was unable to use the fore-finger. "Tantas componere lites." Imagine in these days raising such an objection! Sergeant Butler won several valuable prizes, shooting at long ranges, 400, 500, 600, and 700 yards, five shots at each distance, and succeeded in scoring a hit for every shot—a total of 20 hits and 45 points. Among the officers, Lieutenant Fisher of this corps won the Ladies' and other prizes. At another county meeting held at Warminster, the shooting of some of the 1st corps was below their usual quality, or perhaps that of others was of a higher standard. The President's Prize places Sergeants Butler and Wilton at 26 points each, and the winning score at 32; the winner being the gentleman shooting a tie with Sergeant Wilton on a former occasion, Sergeant Neate, 7th corps, 2nd Battalion. The change among officers since Mr. Jacob first took the command has been great. Probably, Captain Hodding, at that time a corporal, alone remains. The corps has furnished three majors to the battalion—Captain Jacob on the first formation in 1861, Captain Pinckney in 1872, and Captain Kelsey in 1885. That the Salisbury Rifle Corps, now A and B Companies of the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Volunteers, has increased in numbers and efficiency is shown by a reference to "Returns" of a recent date. In 1886, the Annual Return, dated 1st November, 1886, gives—A Company, 92 efficients, 9 non-efficients; B Company, 99 efficients, 6 non-efficients. Total, 190 efficients and 15 non-efficients; and at a bayonet exercise competition held in camp in August, 1887, the challenge cup was won by A Company, Salisbury.
2ND CORPS (TROWBRIDGE) WILTS RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
C & D Companies.
Among the earliest of the towns in Wiltshire to move in the formation of a rifle corps must be enumerated that of Trowbridge. A large manufacturing town, it felt how serious a matter would be even an attempt at an invasion of our shores, and without unnecessary delay the raising of a rifle corps was determined upon. It commenced by the formation of a Rifle Shooting Club among some of the tradesmen; but that this would not meet the occasion soon became evident, and in August 1859, a public meeting was called for the purpose of raising a rifle corps, collecting subscriptions, and considering details. The business habits of the leading gentlemen of the town made them act with deliberation, and perhaps it was the delay caused by the consideration of all matters affecting the permanency of the future corps which placed it as No. 2 in the county. It may be so, but at the same time it obviated constant alterations and correction of mistakes.
It was plain that however good at obtaining bull's-eyes on a target a man might be, still he fell very far short of what would be required in a modern rifleman. The troops which an enemy engaging in the invasion of this country would bring, must be selected men, and if opposed by riflemen, held together without knowledge of drill and discipline, but merely acting on the spur of enthusiasm, would scatter such as is chaff before the wind. Elderly landholders were content to entrust the defence of the country to gamekeepers, with perhaps a sprinkling of poachers, as being equally good shots; and some (the military especially) could only see there was nothing like leather, and that troops not trained by the regulations for the army, and drilled exactly as are line and militia, would be worse than useless.
The first meeting, held at the office of Mr. J.G. Foley, with Thomas Clark, Esq. of Bellefield, in the chair, appointed a committee to canvass the town for volunteers; and Mr. J. Pattison of Bridge House was nominated as secretary. At the second meeting it was seen that a goodly number of names had been enrolled, and that others were ready to join. The meeting then arranged that a corps for Trowbridge should immediately be formed, and that Mr. Thomas Clark of Bellefield be recommended to Her Majesty for the commission of captain.