The GLIO Site

3RD HANTS ADMINISTRATIVE BATTALION.

    The above battalion was officially inspected on the 27th ult. by Colonel Luard, the Government  Inspector of Volunteers for the 2nd district. Some of the corps began to arrive at Botley by 11.30 A.M., having travelled by the South Western railway from Petersfield and several stations on the direct Portsmouth line. About 12.30 the whole of the corps had arrived on the ground, and after partaking of lunch, fell in for being equalized and told off into six companies.

     The field state was as follows:—

     * This corps was officially inspected on the 31st March last, in Chawton-park, near Alton, when forty-six officers, non-commissioned officers, rank and file, were present.

     About a quarter to three o’clock the Inspecting Officer arrived on the ground, and was received with the usual salute. After inspecting the line, he took up his position in rear of the saluting point, and the battalion marched past in open and quarter-distance column, and formed line on the original ground. They were afterwards put through the manual exercise by Captain-Commandant W. Warner, the platoon exercise by Captain Brace—the two senior captains. Lieutenant-Colonel Conran then took the battalion, and put them through the following movements in good style: Advanced in line—from the right of companies passed by fours to the rear—advanced in open column and formed square on the leading company—re-formed column—advanced in quarter-distance column and wheeled half a circle to the left—deployed into line on No. 1, the leading company—changed position on the right company, left thrown back—advanced in direct echellon of companies from the right at wheeling distance, covered by No. 1—echellon wheeled to the left, covered by the left company (which extended in first-rate style and kept up the firing remarkably briskly), and the echellon advanced—formed company squares (skirmishers rallying square). On the extend being sounded the skirmishers went out, and the others re-formed companies—formed line on the rear company—advanced in line and fired by files from the right of companies—left of companies passed by fours to the rear, front turn, and square on the leading company—re-formed column—countermarched by files—changed front to the rear by the wheel of subdivisions round the centre—deployed into line on the leading company—advanced in line—prepared to charge—charged—halted and fired a volley—quarter distance column in rear of No. 1—wheeled to left. The battalion was ordered to skirmish, two companies extend. After the ‟alarm” had been sounded the skirmishers, supports, and reserve formed squares and fired by files and volleys—the old skirmishers extended—supports and reserves re-formed. The ‟assemble” being sounded, skirmishers and supports formed in rear of reserve at the double, it being now about five o’clock, and some of the corps having to leave by the 5.25 train, the proceedings were successfully brought to a close.

     Colonel LUARD then addressed them, saying that in the course of his inspecting tour he occasionally had to perform the disagreeable duty of finding fault; but, with regard to themselves, he was happy to say that he should not have to do that, but, on the contrary, report of them very favourably indeed. He had not seen an administrative battalion in this division whose conduct had pleased him more. That an administrative battalion had not the same advantages as a consolidated one, was apparent that day. Their battalion must be worked by at least two people—their commanding officer and their adjutant— and their state tat day reflected great credit, as well on those officers as on the officers of companies, sergeants, and men. He should be able to report very favourably of them, but let him say that they must not express approbation or otherwise of what he said. Military law would not permit it, for if they were allowed to approve, they might also claim to disapprove.

     Colonel CONRAN said he could not refrain from expressing his feelings for the high compliment which Colonel Luard had been pleased to pay them, and he felt it was only due to those gentlemen commanding corps that he should do so, for they had not those advantages which he wished they had in their battalion drill. If they occasionally fell a little short, it was fully made up by their zeal in their respective companies; and coupling with this the zeal of Adjutant Cooke, he fully understood why the high compliment should have been paid to them. A more valuable and zealous officer than Captain Cooke he never met with, and he trusted that they might all continue their past efforts, so that when the inspector came round again, he might be able to speak equally highly of them. He would remind them that they had yet much to accomplish before they would be thoroughly competent and perfect, and he exhorted them to a continuance in their course of progress.

     The battalion was then marched off and dismissed. In the evening a dinner took place at Fareham, in celebration of the winning of the County Challenge Vase by Corporal Pink, of the 7th Hants. Advantage was also taken of the occasion to present the company prizes and marksmen’s badges. Captain Brace presided, supported by Colonel Luard, Colonel Conran, Captain and Adjutant Cooke, and other officers and friends of the corps. A very pleasant evening was spent, and the company did not separate till a late hour.