An additional major being sanctioned to the battalion, Captain C. Penruddocke of this corps accepted the vacancy, holding it for some years, but at the same time continuing to be captain of the company. Lieutenant Lapworth resigning, was replaced by Mr. C.R. Clay, Mr. Woodcock by Mr. Wm. Allen, and the Rev. D. Olivier chaplain in place of Mr. Chermside. Later on Major Penruddocke resigned the company, and his place was taken in the command by the Earl of Pembroke, who resigned on becoming junior major in the battalion, of which he is now lieutenant-colonel in command.
It will be seen by what has been said, that there are great expenses and difficulties incidental to a scattered country rifle corps such as was this, also No. 6 Corps and No. 8 of the battalion, than many are aware of—certainly much more than could have been known by the clerk managing the master of the department in the War Office at the period; otherwise, one could hardly have imagined that the passing of a travelling allowance, insufficient by a large amount as it was, would have been granted according to the efficient strength of a corps equally whether that corps were all collected together in a large town, with railway accommodation handy, or were scattered in twos or threes half over a county; and the better to make the mean allowance appreciated, add the rule, that such corps as are at the headquarters of the battalion or within six miles radius are to be exempt from the receipt of travelling allowances altogether. Perhaps Mr. —— of the War Office thought that omnibuses and cabs, with underground railways, were common on Wiltshire Downs, and that time was of so little value to the agriculturist, that he could afford to walk three times yearly six miles out and back to do the required battalion drills, and saunter about with his rifle from the targets to squad or company drill. Any way, it was soon found that for the men to attend in any numbers at the five weekly squad drills arranged to be held—three at Wilton, where the riding school of Wilton House was kindly placed at their disposal for winter nights, one at Broad Chalke, and the other at Dinton or Burcombe Down—was a serious drag on all for time, and on many for money. To those having horses it was a great expense, and the carrying of rifles for individuals from the armoury no little trouble. For a while, so long as the war cloud hovered over the land, money would come in, and every encouragement be given by those not serving, in the way of money or help; but with the war scare decreasing, enthusiasm decreased also, and Private Stumptheveld began to discover that his rifle and belts were heavy and hot, also that it was more comfortable on a bleak evening at the fireside of the "Seven Stars," than at the hillside of the Punch Bowl at Burcombe Down, and as his patriotism was less demonstrative, so his rheumatics increased, and his attendances at drills became few and far between. It was evident that having many places for the men to meet at for drill purposes was a mistake. It was more expensive than by fixing upon one as the general drilling place for all, and gave no promise that the attendance would be sufficient for instruction being given in anything beyond the mere rudiments of drill. Anyhow, at the outlying stations the attendances became fewer and fewer, until the vanishing point was almost reached. Often, beyond the sergeant-instructor, there was none attending, and on the occasion of visits from the adjutant, whether at Dinton, Broad Chalke, and latterly at Wilton also, the numbers putting in an appearance were far too few. Ultimately, all this was changed, and Captain the Earl of Pembroke required all the drills to be done at Wilton, the head quarters, and made such arrangements that, in attending them, the loss of time and expense was less than formerly.
The rifle butts of this corps were very good, safe, but perhaps rather spoiling men using it much from even shooting elsewhere, though this was not shown by the many good shots found in the corps. It was one of those deep valleys scooped out of the soft chalk hills by the action of sea or glacier in long ages past, and whilst the steep hillside kept off every breath of wind, the smooth flat bottom made shooting in any position easy, leaving the targets distinctly visible. Probably, in the olden time, this "Punch Bowl," as it is termed, might have been used as a tilting ground, where knights spitted knights for the fun of the thing, or because they had nothing better to do, unless it were to spit Paynims in the Holy Land, a race of men far superior to themselves in scientific knowledge and civilization. However, modern necessities have found a full use for the Punch Bowl, and may it long continue a practice ground for the Wilton Rifle Volunteers.
It may be as well now to describe the uniform of this corps as it was for officers and men on the first formation. Each corps had a different one—some soldier-like and useful, some perfectly hideous; but for a thing of beauty for ever, No. 14 beat all Wiltshire. Its colour was a light drab with facings of scarlet, but much of this concealed under an abundance of silver lace; trousers to match, and shako of the same colour, ornamented with goodly lace and flowing plume, half concealing the silver plate on shako, which was a copy of that worn on the belts. Then the belts! For officers, of light Russian leather with waist and cross-belt, on which was fixed a silver breastplate large and polished, instructive in heraldry and art. The centre contained the number of the corps, XIV., surmounted by a crown, and round this was placed the corporation arms of Wilton, the whole surrounded with the words "Wilton Rifle Volunteers." Above this breastplate, attached to the belt, was a lion's grim head in silver, from which descended two chains attached to a whistle, encased in graven silver, about equidistant from the breast centrepiece. From below the shoulder to about midway in the back were crossbars of silver, ending in a monster buckle of the same metal, such as may yet be seen in shining brass worn by that terror of the London boy, viz., the beadle of the Burlington Arcade.
It certainly was not a suitable dress for riflemen; and though less gorgeous for non-commissioned officers and rank and file, the silver lace being represented by white braid, and bronze for silver ornaments, was quite unfitted by colour to stand knocking about in, or was it otherwise than visible at all distances. The blame for having uniforms of all sorts, kinds, and colours is not to fall on officers raising corps. The War Office had for the infantry red or black, or indeed the khakee of India as a choice; but to have given a decided order on the subject would have shown an interest in, or perhaps a belief in, the prolonged existence of these corps, and this was to be avoided. However, as mutual assembling together of corps for reviews and battalion purposes became more frequent, so did the absurdity of each company in a battalion having different uniforms and accoutrements become more evident. It rendered the equalisation of companies very difficult, and marked men making mistakes only too distinctly; so at last the matter was taken up by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, who with Colonel M.F. Ward, commanding the 2nd Administrative Battalion Wilts Rifle Volunteers, and the adjutant of the 1st Administrative Battalion, as representing his commanding officer, met together at the Government manufactory at Pimlico, and it was there decided that the uniform for the future should be the same as worn by the Rifle Brigade. This decided the case; the ugly and the beautiful, the light grey and the dark blue, the olive and the drab ceased to exist. All had to change, and to mourn over the past by assuming black.
At the commencement of the movement it was a pretty sight, and spoke volumes for the patriotism of the inhabitants, when they willingly gave up their time to attending drills, and could be seen dotted here and there on the hillsides, riding, walking, or driving to the places of assembly. Conspicuous among these was the captain's dog-cart, bristling with rifles as do quills on the porcupine; and beneath these rifles (which are being carried for men walking, or whose horsemanship allows not of such an article being in the rider's hand) might be seen the officer himself and subalterns shining in their uniforms, guiding the horse as best they could. Perhaps some of the cocked hats so harshly judging the force would have been less generous in their remarks on ignorance and not so very condemnatory of the volunteer movement, and complaining about the disgraceful performance of some of the members of a battalion, recommending impossibilities in the way of classifying, squadding, drilling, &c., as the certain cure for the fault, had they only known the difficulties attending a corps becoming efficient. Things have certainly changed since these earlier days for the better. Prejudice is lessened, a far more real knowledge of the military profession, as regards all details of tactics, drill, and of men from whom soldiers can be made, has been acquired by superior officers. Some test of ability to command is required now. The possession of rank, which position and only too often wealth gave, no longer enables an elderly gentleman, surrounded by a brilliant staff, to bluster out abuse, and offer his opinion and advice on matters which are far better understood by his juniors and unwilling listeners. He now-a-days must know his work, and do it.
There were some good shots in this corps whose names were sure to be seen not only at local events as prize-holders, but at county meetings. Messrs. King, Dodds, Barnes, and Allen were perhaps among the best; and although Mr. Allen's name appears last he was first as a prize-holder, and at all times a dangerous opponent; very cool, very steady, and one who seldom missed the target. Dwelling perhaps somewhat lengthily on his aim, he added not a little to the suspense of opponents; but usually relieved them by increasing the distance he held ahead of them. Lieutenant Allen held a badge for Queen's Prize, the Challenge Cup for one year, and on one occasion was second for Queen's Prize. The prize meetings at the Punch Bowl were from the first held annually, and have been hitherto well supported by the officers and surrounding gentlemen, the mayor and corporation of Wilton always giving a hearty support by way of prizes. Major Penruddocke was ever foremost in inducing men to attend drills and to know how to use the rifle by offering prizes, &c., and very frequently both on prize shooting occasions and on general musters provided most sumptuously for the inner wants of the hungry men. To Major Penruddocke the company is much indebted for the getting up of the fife-and-drum band; indeed, for very many things useful and necessary, but which cannot be obtained out of common funds, or be found by the men themselves. The Earl of Pembroke, Major Penruddocke's successor in the command of the company, besides offering many prizes at the targets, &c., most liberally provided every non-commissioned officer and man with an undress suit of uniform, an expense which none but a company having a good subscription list and a balance at the bankers can enter into, the capitation grant being quite insufficient.
END
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, Limited,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
MODERN TACTICS.
BY
CAPTAIN H.R. GALL,