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

by R. D. Gibney

A meeting was called at the Somerset Arms, Maiden Bradley, to take the matter into consideration, and to provide funds for the necessary equipments. The meeting was numerously attended, and its object most enthusiastically supported, so much so, that in the course of a few days a sum of between £400 and £500 was raised, and as many as seventy names of men enrolled as willing to serve. In the absence of Earl St. Maur, through illness, Michael J. Festing, Esq., agent to the Duke of Somerset, took the chair, and a committee was formed for the purpose of carrying out the views of the meeting; Earl St. Maur to be President of the Committee, Michael J. Festing, Esq., Treasurer, Admiral Festing, Harry B. Festing, Esq., Messrs. Harding, S.E. Jefferys, &c., being members.

Soon after this date, Earl St. Maur having become better, and reports received, another committee meeting was called at the same place, and there it was explained by Earl St. Maur to those members who had enrolled themselves for service, the idea and purpose for which such a corps should be formed. He represented that in the undefended state of our coast, our difficulties in India, the menacing attitude of France, with its immensely increasing armaments, &c., the country was in a very critical situation, and liable to be invaded any day; therefore it was the duty of every Englishman to do the best he could for the defence of our hearths and homes; and acting on these principles as a party of countrymen, many of whom possessed good horses which they could and did ride fairly straight across country, and also having a knowledge of the country to be defended, his idea was, that the corps in case of emergency or attack should act in the forefront of the defending force, keeping touch with them, harassing the enemy as much as possible, and at the same time being the eyes and ears of the defenders.

To carry out this idea practically it was shown that as many men as could be mounted were to act individually and collectively, having the dismounted portion of the corps to retire upon for support if such should be necessary. The mounted men were to be armed with the then new Westley-Richards repeating carbine or Colt's revolver combination of carbine and pistol; but this was never done. However, a start had to be made, and a parade of the corps was held at Maiden Bradley, the men falling in in Brice's Field to the amount of some seventy or seventy-two in number. There was deep snow upon the ground, and all were on foot. On the roll call being replied to, it was found that about thirty members could ride horses of their own, such as they frequently used for the purpose of hunting. The ages were between thirty-five and forty, indeed only two men being over forty, and one a lad of eighteen. Three were married men, and the average height somewhat exceeded five feet nine inches—tall and big men all. The corps was formed almost entirely of tenants or sons of tenants on the Duke of Somerset's estate at Maiden Bradley, Witham Friary, Silton, a solitary individual from Hill Deveril, and a few young gentlemen pupils of the Rev. Geo. Brown at Maiden Bradley.

The corps was started in October, 1859, but was not legally enrolled until the spring of 1860, its composition, character, and other matters creating delays and difficulties; but was eventually sanctioned under the title of the 1st Wilts Mounted Rifles and 6th Wilts Rifle Volunteers. It will be seen that this corps, with its imposing start and quality for immediate usefulness, contained in its formation the germs of early decay. It was very expensive, and it was doubtful whether, as the present men moved away to other farms or occupations, others would take their place, and certainly the pupils of Mr. Brown would be constantly leaving. The officers first appointed were: Earl St. Maur, Captain; the Hon. J. Ogilvy, Lieutenant; and H.B. Festing, Esq., Ensign; Sergeant Stickler, late of the Guards, Drill Instructor; T.K. Harding and S.E. Jefferys, Sergeants, with Sergt.-Major Latham, of the Somerset Yeomanry, Instructor in Mounted Drill. The head quarters were fixed at Maiden Bradley; but the corps was divided into three squads or divisions; the first being at Maiden Bradley; the second at Witham Friary, Somersetshire, five miles distant from head quarters; and the third at Silton in Dorsetshire, seven miles away from the head quarters. Squad drills were arranged to be held as often as convenient at the three places, but to be fixed for a general muster assembling once a month alternately at Bradley, The Friary, and Silton. The rifle range was at Long Knoll, Maiden Bradley—a good range, extending 1100 yards, and very safe. The uniform was a blue-grey serge blouse, sleeves buttoning tightly to the wrist, with scarlet collar; the trousers were loose and baggy, of the same colour and material; the mounted men wearing long Napoleon boots, the dismounted black leather gaiters with knee-caps. The accoutrements consisted only of a waist-belt with elongated frog or simple frog for mounted or dismounted, and on this belt were two pouches, one to be worn in front, the other behind; the belt itself being brought together with a clasp, on which was placed a scroll describing the corps—"The Maiden Bradley Irregulars." The head was protected by a grey felt helmet, somewhat similar to those worn in the present day, but without spike or ornament. The Government long Enfield rifle and bayonet was the arm used by the corps, but for the mounted men a curved sword of Indian pattern was substituted for the bayonet, and hung suspended from the waist-belt by the elongated frog, thus being made quite useless, as its position precluded the weapon being drawn from the scabbard, excepting with the greatest difficulty, and the hilts were all too small for men with large hands. The men rode on their own hunting saddles, but were supplied with double-reined bridles as also with leading reins, so as to allow of one man taking charge of several horses whilst the riders were skirmishing. At first the rifles were all kept in the armoury at the head quarters, but this was found to be a mistake. They were not properly looked after, so got out of condition, and often necessitated the men appearing on parade without arms, as the sergeant in charge could never know how many to send to the distant rendezvous. Afterwards, each man was made responsible for his own weapon, a careful examination of the rifle being made by the commanding officer at each drill. An amusing incident with reference to this occurred soon after the order had been given by Lord St. Maur, the captain, "that each man should come provided with a small piece of white rag, wherewith the cleanliness of his rifle could be tested." "Examine arms," was the order, and each produced his bit of rag, but one poor youth, much cared for by an aged female relative, thought to carry out his captain's orders very thoroughly, and produced from his pouch a piece of linen, neatly folded, and the size of a large handkerchief. This, of course, caused a titter to pass down the ranks, which changed to a roar of laughter as Lord St. Maur, observing the cause, coolly remarked, "I ordered you to bring with you a piece of clean rag, but I did not wish to deprive you of your bed sheet."

In the spring of 1860 Earl St. Maur resigned the command, which was afterwards taken up by his brother Lord St. Maur, and in accordance with instructions received the corps proceeded to Warminster, some six miles distant, to be inspected by Colonel G. Hume, Assistant-Inspector of Volunteers. Colonel Hume complimented the men warmly on their fine physique, patriotism, &c., but in pointing out their faults told them that the loose guerilla character of their drill was not at all in accordance with his instructions, and he would see the corps again at its own head quarters in the course of a few weeks. This he did and was better satisfied.

In consequence of this incident and of an increased knowledge of what was required, it was evident that the corps could not work under its present organization, but was in reality useless, and that if it was to exist at all, it must accommodate itself to circumstances, and be placed under the same regulations as other corps in the county. However, nothing was done, and in September, 1860, it put in an appearance at the review of the volunteers held in Clarendon Park; and though much admired and commented upon for stalwart bearing and physique, yet the dress and organization created a great deal of ridicule. In the spring of 1861, Lieutenant the Hon. E. Ogilvy had resigned, and many of the mounted men following his example, it was resolved to reorganize the company, so the horses were dispensed with, and from that time it became simply the 6th Corps Wilts Rifle Volunteers. The flimsy serge uniforms had become shabby, and so a new uniform of good cloth was provided. Tunic and trousers of light grey, facings scarlet, accoutrements retained, silver chevrons for sergeants, and the helmets rebound with white leather, and a silver crown resting on a scarlet cushion placed in front. A silver bugle was presented to the corps by the ladies, and so that a more systematic style of target practice should be carried out, Colour-Sergeant Styles E. Jefferys proceeded to the School of Musketry at Hythe. The officers at this time were Captain Lord Edward St. Maur, Lieutenant H.B. Festing, and Ensign F.K. Harding.

On the formation of the 1st Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, out of all the rifle corps raised in South Wilts, it was seen that the widely extended area from which this corps was drawn would become a source of difficulty and expense. The time occupied, the distances to be travelled, and the whole expense devolving on the men themselves, together with affairs of one district not coinciding with others, would make, and did make, general musters for a battalion drill anything but a sinecure. Besides these causes, the enterprising spirit of the age constantly drew away some of the best men, necessitating their places being filled by others from a lower social scale, who, though equally good men in the ranks, were not so well able to bear these expenses. In 1864 the helmet was discarded and replaced with a neat shako and ball.

The Silton property having been sold, the squad drilling there, and of course continuing to be members of the 6th or Maiden Bradley Corps, were politely requested to transfer their allegiance to the 8th or Mere Corps, which was short of numbers; so for the future many of these men were lost to the Bradley Corps. Indeed this was a most serious injury to the 6th Corps, simply cutting off a wing.

Troubles continued to thicken. In December, 1865, Captain Lord Edward St. Maur was killed in India in an encounter with a bear which he had wounded, and for some time the corps continued to be without a captain, it being desirable to obtain a gentleman who could command not only with his voice but his purse, the funds having become very low and the incidental expenses everlastingly increasing. The uniform, head-dress, belts, all to be changed; rifle green and helmets to be worn. However, in 1867 a great effort was made, and the "redivivus" was sounded. It was hoped that with the aid of the Government grant and strict economy the corps might yet rub on. Lieut. H.B. Festing accepted the captaincy; Ensign Harding the lieutenancy; and Colour-Sergeant S.E. Jefferys was appointed ensign. But once more the social scale had to be lowered, so as to keep up the required numbers, and several of the best class of agricultural labourers were enrolled, good in themselves and excellent in the ranks, but not such as could be taken from their day's work, either on their own account or that of their employers, and general musters for reviews and drills were being constantly demanded.