The History of the Rifle Brigade (the Prince Consort's Own) Formerly the 95th

On July 7 one company proceeded on detachment to Hochelaga.

On August 30 two companies proceeded, by the steamer ‘Montreal,’ to Quebec, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Tamar’ on the following morning. And on the 31st the Head-quarters and remaining companies, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Manningham Buller, embarked at Montreal on board the steamboat ‘Quebec’; and arriving at Quebec, went on board the ‘Tamar,’ which started in the evening, and anchored a few miles down the river at nightfall. On the following morning she proceeded on her course; but owing to heavy fogs and bad weather on September 3, did not get clear of the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the next day. After which the weather was favourable during the voyage, which ended on the 16th, when the ‘Tamar’ arrived at Portsmouth about ten A.M. Here orders were received to proceed to Gravesend, and at three P.M. she started, arriving there at midday on the 17th. But the Battalion did not disembark until the 19th (Monday), when they landed, partly in the ship’s boats, and partly in a small steamer; and proceeded at once to Woolwich, where they occupied the Royal Marine barracks.

On August 24 the establishment of the Battalion was increased to 760 privates, other ranks remaining as before.

The 2nd Battalion remained in the North Camp, Aldershot; and on February 1 was equipped with the valise instead of the knapsack.

On August 4 the Battalion marched (forming part of a flying column, under Major-General Dalrymple White) to Bramshill Park, where they encamped. And, as in the previous year, after remaining the next day, marched back to Aldershot on the 6th. On the intervening day the infantry of the column were put through a very pretty field-day by Colonel Elrington, of the 4th Battalion.

On August 24 the establishment of this Battalion was raised from 570 to 870 privates.

On the 30th the Battalion left Aldershot, and proceeded by rail to Dover, where they arrived the same afternoon, and were quartered, Head-quarters and five companies in the South-front barracks, and the remaining five companies (under Lieutenant-Colonel Walker) in the Castle Hill fort.

The following letter was communicated by Major-General Russell, Commanding at Dover, to Colonel Glyn:

On November 12 the left wing of the 3rd Battalion, under the command of Major Maclean, left Dinapore by rail for Allahabad, followed by the Head-quarters and right wing, under Colonel Ross, en route for Bombay; where they arrived on the 21st, and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Euphrates.’ On the 30th they arrived at Aden, and two companies disembarked at Steamer-point. On December 1 the remainder of the Battalion disembarked; and they were stationed, two companies at Steamer-point, two at Isthmus position, and the remainder of the Battalion in cantonments.

The 4th Battalion continued to occupy quarters in the Permanent barracks, Aldershot.

On August 4 they formed part of the flying column, with the 2nd Battalion, which proceeded to Bramshill Park, and returned to Aldershot on the 6th.

They moved from Aldershot to Shorncliffe by rail on August 31.

In November this Battalion was again broken up, four companies proceeding to Chatham on the 11th, for duty in that garrison.

The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the Marine barracks at Woolwich; and on February 1, 1871, the number of privates was again altered, being reduced to 560.

On May 23 the Battalion was inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.

On August 2 they proceeded by march-route to Wimbledon; on the next day to Hounslow, on the 4th to Chobham, and on the 5th to Aldershot, where they encamped on Cove Common. On each of these days they had encamped at their halting-places.

They remained here till September 12, when (taking part in the autumn manœuvres of that year) they marched to Chobham ridges; on the 13th to Chobham; and were employed in constructing field-works on the 14th. On the next day they marched to Pirbright; and after pitching camp proceeded to the Hog’s-back and remained on outpost duty for the night. On the 16th they marched to Chobham ridges and remained there during the next day, Sunday; on the 18th they moved to Chobham and were encamped there till the 21st, when they returned to Cove Common and were encamped on their former ground.

During this time the Battalion daily took part in sham fights, and encamped at night, and in fact acted as in an actual campaign.

On September 27 the Battalion marched to Farnborough and proceeded by rail to Dover, and was quartered in the Shaft barracks.

The 2nd Battalion at Dover on February 1 had its establishment increased from 870 to 920 privates.

On September 26 the Head-quarters and three companies marched from Dover to Shorncliffe, and on the 29th three other companies followed, and the remaining four companies on October 2, and were there quartered.

The Service companies of the 3rd Battalion, under the command of Major Maclean, embarked at Aden on December 7, on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Serapis,’ and arrived at Portsmouth on the 30th.

The 4th Battalion continued at Shorncliffe, with four companies at Chatham; and on July 22 furnished another detachment of a company to Upnor Castle.

The Head-quarters and remaining five companies moved from Shorncliffe to Chatham on August 1; furnishing detachments to the Isle of Grain and to Gravesend.

At the commencement of the year, 1872, the head-dress of the Regiment was changed; the fur-busby with a bag being substituted for the shako.

On May 1 the establishment of the 1st Battalion was further reduced to 520 rank and file.

On May 25 the Battalion was inspected by Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.

The Battalion remained at the Shaft barracks, Dover, during the whole of this year.

The 2nd Battalion at Shorncliffe on May 1 received orders to reduce its establishment from 49 to 47 sergeants; 21 to 19 buglers; and from 850 rank and file to 820.

On August 16 Head-quarters and eight companies of the Battalion, under command of Major Stephens (Colonel Glyn having been selected to command a brigade) proceeded by rail to Aldershot, in order to take part in the autumn manœuvres. On their arrival they encamped on Cove Common until the 26th, when they marched to Hazeley Heath and encamped. On the 27th they marched to Silchester, passing by Strathfieldsaye, where they marched past the monumental statue of their great Colonel-in-Chief, Arthur, Duke of Wellington. On the 28th they marched to Greenham Heath, where they halted next day, and on the 30th proceeded to camp near Wilton. On the following day they marched to camp at Rushall Park, where they remained till the commencement of the manœuvres on September 4.

But on August 24 the two companies of the Battalion remaining at Shorncliffe, with the women, children and baggage, were conveyed by train from Shorncliffe to Dover and embarked on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Tamar,’ and arrived at Kingstown on the 29th, whence they proceeded on the same day by rail to Birr, there to await the arrival of the Battalion.

On September 4 the Head-quarters marched from Rushall Park to Stapleford, where they encamped until the 8th, during which time they were employed on outpost duties, and daily took part in sham-fights at Wishford, Steeple-Langford and Wiley. On the 9th they marched to Darrington-field. On the 10th they took part in the defence of the river Avon, and on the 12th were in the march past, which concluded these autumn manœuvres.

During this time the Battalion was always encamped, as mentioned in the autumn manœuvres of the preceding year. They also furnished their regimental transport, having received waggons and field equipment at Woolwich, where a party of about 60 men with two officers had proceeded, after being instructed by the Land Transport Corps.

On September 13 the Battalion marched from Darrington-field to Salisbury, and thence proceeded by train to Portsmouth, where they embarked in the evening, six companies on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Orontes’ and two on board H.M. Troop-ship ‘Jumna,’ for conveyance to Ireland.

On the 16th they disembarked at Kingstown and proceeded by train to Birr, detaching a company and a half to Nenagh; a company to Roscrea; and half a company to Portumna.

But the regimental transport marched from the camp at Darrington-field, by Andover, Basingstoke, Guildford, and Epsom to Woolwich, where they arrived and handed over equipment on the 25th. On the next day they marched with the horses to Aldershot, where they arrived on the 28th and remained till October 12, when they returned to Woolwich, arriving on the 16th; and after giving up the horses to the Control department were attached to the Army Service Corps at Woolwich till the 23rd. They embarked on that day on board the ‘Lady Eglinton,’ and joined the Battalion on the 28th.

The 3rd Battalion, which had arrived from India on December 30, 1871, landed at Portsmouth on January 1, and occupied quarters in the Clarence barracks, and was joined by the Depôt companies from Chatham.

On February 27, 14 officers and 599 of other ranks of the 4th Battalion, under command of Colonel Elrington, proceeded from Chatham to London, to take part in the thanksgiving for the recovery of His Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief.

In June Colonel Elrington, who had formed the Battalion, and commanded it from its formation, retired on half-pay; and Colonel Ross, C.B., succeeded to the command.

The Head-quarters with eight companies removed from Chatham to Blandford by rail, and took part in the autumn manœuvres.

The Battalion being destined for Ireland, the remaining two companies embarked at Sheerness on August 24, on board the ‘Orontes’ Troop-ship, and landed at Kingstown on the 28th, and proceeded to Richmond barracks.

At the conclusion of the autumn manœuvres the Head-quarters marched from camp near Amesbury to Salisbury on September 14, and thence proceeded by rail to Portsmouth and embarked on board the ‘Jumna’ Troop-ship. They landed at Kingstown on the 16th and marched to Dublin, where for the remainder of the year they occupied Richmond, Ship-street, and Linen-hall barracks.

The 1st Battalion proceeded by rail from Dover to Aldershot on June 5, 1873, and were encamped on Rushmoor bottom until July 28, when they occupied quarters in the Permanent barracks.

On June 24 the Battalion proceeded by rail to Egham, and thence marched to Windsor Park and took part in a review before Her Majesty and the Shah of Persia. On this occasion His Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief marched past in the uniform of the Regiment, at the head of the Battalion. After the conclusion of the review they returned by the same route to their camp at Rushmoor which they reached about ten P.M.

The 2nd Battalion remained at Birr, occasionally relieving the detachments; and in June the establishment was reduced from 820 to 700 rank and file.

On July 31 the Battalion and the detachments proceeded by rail to the Curragh for the autumn manœuvres, and encamped. The Battalion returned to Birr on August 29, replacing the detachment at Portumna, the others being discontinued.

On September 3 the Battalion received orders to prepare for service on the Gold Coast of Africa, in the expedition against Ashantee under Sir Garnet Wolseley.

Colonel Glyn having been appointed Adjutant-General of Auxiliary Forces in Ireland, Lieutenant-Colonel Warren took command of the Battalion.

On November 13 they were inspected by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Steele, K.C.B., previous to embarkation; and on the next day they received definite orders to hold themselves in readiness to embark on any day after the 16th.

Accordingly, on the 21st, the Battalion proceeded by wings, by railway from Birr to Cork. The left wing, under the command of Major J. Plumtre Glyn, started from Birr at three in the morning of that day; and the right wing, under Major Stephens, at half-past three for Cork, where they were to embark. Colonel Warren and the Staff of the Battalion accompanied the left wing.

The climate of the Coast of Africa necessitating the disuse of their European clothing, the men and officers were provided with two grey frocks, a pair of grey tweed trousers, a pair of duck trousers, two flannel shirts, two flannel belts, a pith helmet with puggaree attached, and a pair of canvas gaiters.

On arrival at Cork they embarked on board the Troop-ship ‘Himalaya,’ and sailed at four in the afternoon. The officers who embarked were:—

Lieutenant-Colonel Warren; Majors, Stephens and Plumtre Glyn; Brevet-Majors, Nicholl and Sotheby; Captains, Slade, Dugdale, Somerset, Robinson, Cary and H. Lascelles; Lieutenants, the Honourable T. Scott, Stopford-Sackville,[325] Maberly,[326] Taylor, Hopwood, the Honourable A. Grosvenor, Thompson, (Adjutant), Harrington, Smyth,[325] the Honourable J. Constable-Maxwell,[325] Prideaux-Brune, Parke and Turnor; Sub-Lieutenants, the Honourable Otway Cuffe, Sherston, the Honourable E. Noel and the Honourable H. O’C. Prittie.

Captain Harvey (Paymaster), Quarter-master Stanley, Surgeon-Major Wiles and Surgeon Macrobin.

The ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Funchal, Madeira, on the 27th. Here they found in garrison at Funchal one of the regiments of Caçadores which had been brigaded with them sixty years before in the Peninsula. After coaling, the ‘Himalaya’ started on the evening of the same day, and reached St. Vincent on December 1, whence after coaling again, she started on the 2nd, and arrived at Cape Coast Castle on December 9. Here nothing was ready for their reception; and it was decided that the ‘Himalaya’ should put to sea again until the end of the month. Accordingly, on the 13th she started on a cruise. To be thus for three weeks longer cooped up on board ship under a tropical sun was a sore trial to the soldiers. However everything was done that could be done to amuse the men, and relieve the monotony of their enforced and unexpected cruise. A newspaper was started, readings and theatricals were extemporised, and a quasi band which had been got up (the band of the Battalion having been left at the Depôt) played daily. At last on December 30, the ‘Himalaya’ arrived at Cape Coast Castle, and the Battalion was allowed to disembark.

In the meanwhile Captain Robinson had been appointed Brigade-Major to Brigadier Sir Archibald Alison, commanding a brigade; and Captain Cope, who had been detailed for the Depôt, started on December 4 in the ‘Sarmatian’ (which took out the Brigadier and the 42nd Regiment), and having arrived at Cape Coast Castle on the 17th, awaited the arrival of the Battalion, and took over Captain Robinson’s company on its landing.

On July 19 the 3rd Battalion left Portsmouth by rail-road for Exeter, and on arrival there encamped at Duck’s Marsh, about two miles and a half from that station, until the 21st; on which day they proceeded by route march to Maiden Down; on the next to Merripit Hill, and on the 23rd to Yannaton Down, Dartmoor, encamping each day at their halting-places. They took part in the autumn manœuvres, being in the brigade commanded by Colonel Lord Alexander G. Russell.

On the conclusion of the manœuvres, this Battalion was present at the review and march-past at Roborough Down on August 22, before His Royal Highness, the Colonel-in-Chief. At its conclusion they marched seven miles to Plymouth, whence they proceeded at ten o’clock the same night, viâ Exeter, to Winchester, and arriving there on the morning of the 23rd, occupied barracks; detaching, on December 13, three companies to Portsmouth, who were quartered in the Clarence barracks.

The 4th Battalion continued in Dublin; but were concentrated from the various quarters they occupied, in the Royal barracks in July.

Having received orders to embark for India, the Depôt and Service companies were formed, and transfers made and received to complete its establishment for foreign service (886 non-commissioned officers and privates). And on October 19 and 20 the Service companies proceeded by rail to Queenstown and embarked on the 21st in the ‘Jumna.’ They started on the 22nd and arrived at Bombay on November 23. They landed on the 24th and 25th, and proceeded by rail to Deolalee.

From Deolalee they moved on November 28 and 30, and following day to Umballa, and on arrival occupied quarters there.

On March 12, 1874, the 1st Battalion proceeded by rail-road from Aldershot to London, in order to be present at the entry of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. They lined Regent Street during the progress of the Royal procession, and returned to their quarters at Aldershot in the evening.

On May 19 this Battalion was present at a review and march-past before the Emperor of Russia. The brigade to which they were attached was composed of three Battalions of the Regiment (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and one of the 60th, and was commanded by Major-General Lord Alexander Russell, their former Lieutenant-Colonel.

After taking part in the summer drills of this year, during the month of June, this Battalion proceeded to the forts on the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour, which they occupied from July 3 and 4 until November 20, when they moved to Winchester, on the embarkation of the 2nd Battalion for Gibraltar, and were there quartered.