In consequence of the disturbed state of the country, detachments were furnished by the Battalion to aid the Civil power, to Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick; the two former continuing detached (with occasional reliefs) for about a year; the latter from July till December. During the chartist disturbances the detachment at Birmingham was on more than one occasion called out to disperse the mob. Rioting having more or less continued from the 4th to the 8th July, the detachment was called out on the latter evening, and took their station in the Bull-ring. Here fighting with the police took place, and the mob, having got the worst of it, assembled in the Holloway road. The Riflemen were ordered to disperse them, and were pelted with stones. Then an order to load and to make ready was given; but fortunately before they fired, the 4th Dragoon Guards arrived and dispersed the people, taking many prisoners.
A few days later similar harassing services were required of them. On July 15 a mob assembled in the evening, in the Bull-ring, and attacked the houses of several citizens and tradesmen and set some of them on fire. The mob would not let engines approach, and compelled the firemen, under pain of death, to take off their horses and retreat. At this moment a party of 200 Riflemen made their appearance (accompanied by a magistrate), and under their escort the firemen brought up, and worked their engines; while the 4th Dragoon Guards charged the people and cleared the streets.
Among the parties sent out to clear the neighbouring streets was one consisting of a section commanded by Sergeant Robert Macdonald. It was arduous work, for the mob assailed them with stones and every description of missiles. The men became so exasperated under this provocation (for some were severely hurt) that they could hardly be restrained from retaliating by attacking their assailants with their swords, which were fixed on their rifles. Sergeant Macdonald did what he could to prevent mischief; but in the tumult one or two persons were killed or died of wounds, and several were wounded. A coroner’s inquest, however, returned a verdict of ‘justifiable homicide,’ thereby exonerating Macdonald, who was amenable as having been in command at this post, from all blame.[189]
On the next day, the Riflemen were engaged in patrolling the town; and in the evening, it having been announced that another chartist meeting was to be held, they were brought down in force, accompanied by a Squadron of the 4th and some artillery with guns. The mob did not care to come into collision with them, and the riots subsided.
On this detachment returning to Weedon, a very strong and favourable representation was made by the mayor and magistrates of Birmingham to the Home Secretary of its services and conduct, and of the indefatigable zeal and humanity with which it had performed the duties required of it. This was transmitted by the Marquis of Normanby, then Home Secretary, to General Lord Hill, Commanding in Chief, and by him to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, both adding their expression of satisfaction and approval of the conduct of the detachment.
The following address was also forwarded by the Mayor of Birmingham to the Commanding Officer:
‘To the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of Her Majesty’s Rifle Brigade, now stationed at Weedon barracks.
‘We, the undersigned the Mayor and magistrates of the borough of Birmingham, having heard with regret of your intended early removal from this neighbourhood, cannot permit your departure to take place without tendering to you this cordial and respectful assurance of our esteem and gratitude. For a considerable period during which we were indebted to you for aid and protection, we had frequent occasions to admire the order, courage and humanity which marked your performance of some of the most painful duties which it falls to the lot of a British soldier to fulfil. Nor can we forget that alike by officers and men these duties, often dangerous and always irksome, were discharged with uniform cheerfulness and alacrity.
‘As a very inadequate, though warm and grateful return, allow us to repeat the expression of our heartfelt thanks and to offer our best and earnest wishes for your future happiness and welfare.
‘Signed by the Mayor and ten magistrates.