The uniform selected by the Bradford Corps was an excellent one—of course fitting the body too tightly; but this screwing in a man's waist and throttling him with a stock was considered the proper thing to do, and even yet has a value in some elderly gentleman's view of the smart soldier. In olden times a man was supposed to carry in a knapsack on his poor back all that was necessary, and that the protection of any particular part of the body from heat, cold, or wet was making him into a mollycoddle; so they sent him to Canada and India with a shoddy coat buttoned across the chest, and sloping off into two tails in the cutaway style, and bade him wear for six months in the year woollen trousers, nice and long, so as to cover his hideous ankle boots and to pick up the dirt, and for the other six months, ducks, as these washed. The Rifle Movement ended these and various other absurdities. When officers commanding battalions and companies discovered that things wore out quicker than necessary, that other things were only an unnecessary expense, and that the men themselves observed much latitude in the regulations, then they appointed committees to consider matters, and adapted the clothing and very many other things connected with drills and target-practices to the change brought over the whole military system by the introduction of arms of precision. Freedom of action, greater mobility, more self-reliance, and a thorough knowledge of his weapon and skirmishing, was a volunteer discovery, and after a while the drill, if not the dress; but the whole organization of the British army has been changed and improved. The mud-colour with red facings of No. 9 corps, with a neat shako, was, and is, if made of a looser fit and knickerbockers instead of trousers, the proper colour and cut for a rifleman's wear. The black of the Rifle Brigade and the term Rifles being utterly absurd, as all are now Rifles, and of all colours the most visible, near or far away, the black bears away the palm. With this battalion, as all had to be of one colour, it was well not to adopt any colour in use by other corps, but the day will come when the black will be discarded, and perhaps then the mud-colour or khakhee of the Guides in India will be selected. The helmet is a bad headpiece, rolls about, cannot be laid on, and is hot and clumsy. The straight-peaked low kepi gave greater shade to the eyes for aim-taking, and was smarter-looking and far easier kept on in going through woods, low jungle, &c., than the spiked invention from Germany. At the first inspection of corps as a battalion, which took place at Warminster on 7th November, 1861, by Major Gustavus Hume, Assistant-Inspector of the Volunteers, this company mustered fifty-nine; Captain Pickwick in command, with Lieut. Forster, Ensign Beavan, and Hon. Assistant-Surgeon Adye. All did well, and the inspecting officer gave them great credit for doing so well with so short a time for training. A very heavy hailstorm coming on did not improve the drill, and few were sorry when the trains arrived at the station by which they could return home. The 7.15 train saw Trowbridge, Bradford, and Westbury corps returning, but those lower down the line had far longer to wait. It was ever thus for a battalion drill; the trains never fitted in, and whilst some part of the battalion would arrive at midday to parade at 3 p.m., another could not be present until past the drill hour. If a late hour was fixed for the general assembly then the hurry to catch the last train made a general scramble to be off break up the parade.
The ladies of Bradford were nothing behind their sisters elsewhere in helping forward the Rifle Movement, and by bazaars, county and local prize-giving for shooting encouraged very many of the men to practise careful shooting. The earliest record of a subscription being got up from the ladies of Bradford for this purpose is in September, 1861, when Mr. T. Taylor and Mr. J.C. Neale were the collectors. The money obtained allowed of a handsome silver cup being purchased, and smaller sums distributed in prizes. The distances were short, but they were beginners, and allowance had to be made for blundering. The terms being easy, though the entrance as a competitor depended on his subscription to the funds of the corps, so, with or without knowledge, a majority of the company appeared at the targets. The highest scores made at the two distances selected, viz., 200 and 300 yards, were those of Sergeant Neale, total 13, Private Reynolds 13, Charles Adye 13, W. Mager 12. The whole day was occupied in the business, and the band, with refreshments, helped to break the monotony, for it must have been monstrous stupid for onlookers, these many hours of blundering. Being Britons, a dinner at "The Swan" was necessary to mark the occasion, and there, with Captain Pickwick in the chair, supported by Mr. Forster, Mr. Beavan, and Assistant-Surgeon Adye, and various other gentlemen not immediately connected with the corps, each proposed the health of another, and drank "The Ladies" with great enthusiasm.
It will not be here out of place to show how great is the improvement in shooting now-a-days. Formerly the values of a hit were very high, three being obtainable for one shot, and yet here is the result. To quote from the local trumpeter, "at 300 yards most beautiful shooting throughout."
| 300 yards. | Total. | ||
| —— | 5 shots | 2 2 1 2 2 | 9 |
| —— | " | 2 2 2 1 1 | 8 |
| —— | " | 1 2 1 2 1 | 7 |
| —— | " | 1 1 2 1 2 | 7 |
| —— | " | 1 1 1 1 2 | 6 |
The riflemen of Bradford could do better than that now.
Again, at even lesser distances it seems that men such as Captain W. Adye, Sergeant G. Adye, Sergeant Davis Privates Scutt, Chas. Adye, &c., at 150 and 200 yards, seven rounds each range, half targets, hits and points added, 25, 34, 38, 33, 40, 33 were the highest scores.
In October, 1861, a challenge was sent to the neighbouring corps at Trowbridge, to be shot off on the Bradford ground; five rounds at 200 and 400 yards, twelve on each side. The highest score on the occasion was made by a Trowbridge man, Private Thomas, he making 15, not once failing to hit the target. On Bradford side, Captain Pickwick, with one miss, made 13, and Private Scutt, without missing, scoring 14. The match was won by Bradford by 14 points. On the return match, shot off on the Trowbridge practice ground, Bradford again proved the winners by 9 points. The shooting was bad on both sides, Private Scutt of Bradford, with no misses and 15 points; Private Thomas of Trowbridge, one miss and 13 points; Private Packer, no misses and 13 points, being the only men doing even tolerable practice.
The Bradford Corps next year challenged those of Melksham, twelve picked men to be on each side, 200 and 400 yards, five rounds at each distance, hits and points; and Bradford were victorious by 39 points, Sergeant Wheeler of Melksham, without missing, making a score of 22, and Private Young, with one miss, a score of 21, whilst Sergeant G. Adye, without missing, scored 24, Private Wallman 27, Reynolds 22, and Captain Pickwick 21.
At the county meeting held about the same time none of the Bradford men won prizes. Many shot well, but with the magnificent shooting of Messrs. Ward, 5th Wilts; Butler, 1st Wilts; Graham, 2nd Wilts; Fisher, 1st Wilts, to become a prize-holder was a very difficult thing. However, Private Scutt showed that he, as well as many others in the 9th Corps, knew how to use a rifle. Soon after this Lieut. Forster tendered the resignation of his commission, and Mr. A. Beavan was promoted to the vacancy, and afterwards William Adye, Esq., M.D., resigning the hon. assistant surgeoncy, was appointed ensign vice Beavan promoted.
The review at Durdham Down, near Bristol, was attended by this corps, with Captain Pickwick and Ensign Adye as officers, three sergeants, and forty-one rank and file. Not improbably they joined in the volley firing, so terribly destructive of all discipline and tradition, indulged in by most of the volunteers on this occasion, excepting of course by the virtuous few who, upon becoming aware that to do such a thing was held in holy horror by cocked hats, hastened to let the British public know, through the local papers, that not only were they innocent, but knew a soldier's duty too well to be caught thus napping. Later on, with the other corps composing the battalion, they were present at Lansdown, near Bath, Portsmouth, Portsdown, Windsor, Jubilee Review at Aldershot in 1887, and at the Autumn Manœuvres in 1872. At every regimental camp the corps mustered well, and struggling with very many difficulties, have kept up their numbers and efficiency. To their late Captain, Hon. Major William Adye, they are much indebted, as indeed to his family generally for constant support and useful help. Among the earliest to join the corps were Dr. Wm. Adye and his brothers George and Charles, all of whom worked with a will in the cause, and set an example to many of punctual attendance at drills and obedience to all orders received. Dr. Adye, resigning the assistant surgeoncy and becoming ensign, eventually commanded the company, retiring as hon. major in 1886, whilst George and Charles Adye both became sergeants, and for the many years they remained in the corps had very few their equals, either in knowledge of all drills or at the targets as steady and reliable shots. On Captain Pickwick retiring from the post of captain, his place was taken by a gentleman living in the neighbourhood, Buonaparte Wise, Esq., but his remaining with the company was brief. He did not quite understand the men, and it is very certain they did not understand him. He joined too at a wrong time, when financial troubles were more or less prevalent among all volunteer corps, and when a complete change of system was seen to be necessary. Some misunderstanding occurring, led to the resignation of Captain Wise, as also Lieut. Beavan; their places eventually being taken up by the promotion of William Adye, Esq., to be captain, E.M. Davis, Esq., to be lieutenant, and Mr. T.W. Dunn as ensign. The annual returns of effectives in this company have been fairly good. Taking them roughly in an enrolled total of 82, they shewed 74 efficients in 1868. In 1870 the enrolled strength was 77, and efficients 66. In 1875, enrolled 65, efficients 59. In 1878, enrolled 68, efficients 60; and in 1886, enrolled 91, efficients 87. The strength of the company at the annual inspection of the battalion in camp at Warminster in 1886 was thus: One captain, Captain T.H. Clark; one lieutenant, Lieutenant J. Adye; one sub-lieutenant, Lieutenant Barton; five sergeants, one bugler, fifty-five rank and file; total, 64.