The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)(about) |
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Wednesday 18 September 1861
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BATTALION DRILL AT WILLUNGA.
On Friday, the 13th inst, the volunteers of the Southern districts met for battalion drill at Willunga, under command of Colonel Blyth. The day was fine, and a large number of spectators were present. The volunteers, to the number of about 80, paraded on the Willunga ground at 12 o clock, the Companies represented being the
Willunga Company, Captain Atkinson
McLaren Vale Company, Captain Bolitho Noarlunga Company, Captain Budgen.
The Companies having been duly told off and proved by their respective officers, they were marched to the drill ground-a distance of about a mile from the township-where the parade was formed, the bat- talion in line presented arms, and the Colonel then inspected the rifles and accoutrements, which were found to be in excellent order. The battalion then broke into open column right in front, marching past in quick time. The Companies were then closed and the march past in close column was gone through and exceedingly well executed, the circle round the wheeling points being performed with much steadiness. Various battalion movements were then gone through, after which the Willunga Company was thrown out in skirmishing order, the other two Companies forming supports and reserve. The men went out with great care, steadily advancing and taking up the distance directed, the dressing and covering at the same time being well maintained. The skirmishers were then exercised in firing on the advance, and from the halt, and also in closing upon flanks and centre, both at the halt and on move. The old skirmishers were ordered to retire upon the supports ; supports advanced and extended, closed and retired in suc- cession, until each company had been exercised in every branch of this drill. The movements of form- ing, rallying squares, and squares to resist, cavalry, were also gone through and well performed the front face delivering a steady fire from the right. Independent and volley firing were also practised, and the latter branch of the platoon exercise was especially well done. Altogether, the volunteers behaved steadily and worked well. Great credit is due to both officers and men for the zeal and attention which they have manifested and the proficiency which they have attained. Colonel Blyth complimented the battalion warmly at the conclusion of the drill; after which the conmmand was given -"To your private parades." The several companies then marched back to Willunga, where they were dismissed. We had almost forgotten to state that the men were under arms altogether for nearly five hours, fully four of which were devoted to drill. An agreeable "intermission of 10 minutes"- to use the phraseology of the concert-room, was however allowed, to enable the men to obtain some refreshment, and the occasion was wisely availed of to impart a little lesson in "piling arms." This movement, which is regarded as a diffi- cult one in some Companies, and is utterly incomprehensible to a few of our volunteers, was done tolerably. We understand that the next reunion of the southern com- panies will take place m three months at Noarlunga.
THE DINNER
took place at the Bush Inn, and was served in excellent style, a large number sitting down to partake of the good things provided. Captain Budgen having said grace, the clatter of knives and forks commenced, and little else was heard until the hungry volunteers had satisfied their craving appetites. A few hours' battalion drill is an excellent preparative for a good dinner, and in this country, where so little opportunity exists for following the hounds, the saying, "as hungry as a hunter," might well be changed to "as hungry as a volunteer." Dinner at last being con- cluded, the Chairman, Captain Atkinson, of the Willunga Company, proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts ; on the drinking of which the band played appropriate airs. The health of His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell was next drunk with all the honors, the Chairman having alluded to him as a great supporter of the volunteer move-
ment.
Mr. KELL then proposed " The Army and Navy of Great Britain." He considered those forces indomitable, and able to withstand the world in arms. He was glad to see the rapid progress towards perfection which the Willunga, Noarlunga, and Maclaren Vale volunteers were making, and he thought, considering the extra facilities enjoyed by the Adelaide Regiment, those companies compared favorably with it. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast, which was then drunk with enthusiastic applause.
Song, Pr¡vate M. Taylor, "Camerons Gathering."
Colonel BLYTH responded. He little expected to be called on twice in so short a time to respond to that toast. They were all jolly good fellows who fought under the British flag. Most people sympathised with the soldiers in their hearts; and if necessity were laid upon them to call forth their energies, they would do their duty. He was glad to be able to say, from what he had witnessed at the review that day, that the volunteers of the South had attained a great degree of proficiency. They had undergone a long day's drill, and had gone through a great many manouvres ¡n a creditable and satisfactory manner. Captain Atkinson was now to receive the prize which he had so well won. He had given him (Col. Blyth) a good beating that day at a private match, but he was not at all sorry for that, as he rejoiced to see good attainments in any man. Private John Mudge, junior, of the Noarlunga Company, was also to be presented with a handsome silver prize cup. He hoped he would never want a bottle of wine to fill it.
Three hearty cheers were given for Captain Atkinson and Private Mudge, to whom the breech-loading rifle and the silver cup were presented. The prizes were then handed round for inspection, the cup having been previously filled with rosy wine.
Private MUDGE, sen., the father of the winner of the cup, rose and expressed the pleasure and pride he felt in having a son who could beat him. He had three sons volun- teers, two of whom could beat their " dad," but the third he could beat as yet. The patriarchal volunteer sat down amidst applause and sundry good-humoured jokes.
Captain ATKINSON returned thanks in a happy and ap- propriate speech, saying, that he went to shoot for the prize, fully determined to win the rifle, and he was bent on doing so again on the next occasion.
Private J. MUDCE, Jun., also returned thanks. He, like Captain Atkinson, went with a determination to win one or more prizes, and he had done so. He would echo the hope so kindly expressed hy Colonel Blyth, and reiterated by many of his friends surrounding the festive board, that he would always have at hand a bottle of good wine to fill the cup, as their hearts were all filled with good-will towards him.
Captain BUDGEN proposed "The health of their Drill Masters and Instructors." They could all testify to the kind and patient manner with which they fulfilled, what must at times be an irksome duty. He believed they endeavoured to do their best for the advancement of their pupils, and the names of Drill-Masters Slater and Briggs were well-known to the volunteers of that district as men able and willing to do their duty, and they were deservedly esteemed by all who
knew them.
The toast was drunk amidst loud cheers.
Song-"Mr. SHAW, " My Nanay's awa' "
Col. BLYTH responded for the Drill Instructors, and spoke in terms of commendation of their efficiency. He would remind the volunteers that it was always better to be led
than driven.
The health of the Vice-Chairman, Lieut Snoswell, was then drunk and responded to.
The health of Captain Budgen, and the Noarlunga Com- pany was next drunk, in responding to which, he remarked, that they must take care they did not turn the heads of the Willunga Volunteers. He was glad to say, that good har- mony had hitherto prevailed amougst them, and he hoped it would continue, and that the good feeling which subsisted between the three companies might be promoted on every
occasion when they met
Drunk with cheers.
Song-Lieut. FRANK MANNING, "The Mermaid."
Private SAMPSON BASTIAN proposed "The Health of Capt. Bolitho and the Maclaren Vale Volunteers," which was drunk with cheering,
Song-Private LEWIS KELL, "The Rifle Brigade."
Capt BOLITHO, Capt ATKINSON, and Capt. BUDGEN then returnel thanks on behalf of themselves and their respec- tive companies.
Mr. Forsyth proposed "Lady MacDonnell and the Ladies of South Australia." He was sure all who could appreciate the ladies would do honor to that toast. He recommended the unmarried to get wedded as soon as possible, and the married to contribute to the happiness of their wives.
The toast was drunk with enthusiastic cheering.
Song-Private MUDGE, Sen., "The Troubadour,"
Lieut M. BURGESS responded to the toast, saying it was no new thing for him to do, as he knew so little about the ladies that he generally had that duty to perform. His opinion was that every bachelor should get a wife, and every husband should try to keep his wife. (Loud laughter and
cheers.)
The company then adjourned to allow of the room being prepared for a ball, which was kept up with spirit till an early hour on the following morning. About 140 persons were present. An opinion was expressed that the ball had better have taken place a week after the review, as the two occur- ring in one day prevented such complete arrangements being made for the ball as would otherwise have been the case. However, all went off very well.