1884
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH DECEMBER, 1899.
The course of drills carried out was as shewn on attached printed schedule.
The shooting of the Field Battery was good and great attention was paid to fire discipline which shewed a marked improvement towards the end of the Camp.
In the Machine Gun Companies as much time as possible was devoted to Gun drill and Fire discipline. Gun practices were held on three separate occasions with instructions in clearing jams, &c.
"A" Machine Gun Company shot well and shewed a good knowledge of fire discipline.
In the Competition at the end of the course held at Lai-Chi-Kok on Saturday, the 28th October, the following marks were obtained. The target consisted of 33 targets of varying sizes representing a column advancing with its front covered by skirmishers. Range about 950 yards.
"A" COMPANY.
Targets bit...........
Hits on Targets.....
Marks for Fire discipline
24
.162
40 out of 50
"B" COMPANY.
Targets hit.......
Hits on Targets..
23
..145
Marks for Fire discipline
........
25 out of 50
"C" COMPANY.
Targets hit........
Hits on Targets..
Fire discipline
15
.128
25 out of 50
From the above it will be seen that "A" Company proved itself the best at Shooting and Fire discipline, but I consider that "B" and "C" Companies also did extremely well taking into considera- tion that they have only been formed during the last 6 months.
These two Companies shew the greatest interest in their work and I have small doubt but that in the course of the next year they will be on an equal footing with "A" Company.
Infantry. The Infantry Company being rather few in numbers were combined for drill purposes with the "E" Engineer Company, which is similarly armed with rifles. I consider that the Infantry Company will in the course of the next year become a most efficient Unit. They are under the in- struction of a very able Non-Commissioned Officer from the Royal Welch Fusiliers and shew the greatest interest and keenness in their work. A large number of the men of this Company are old Volunteers having served in Volunteer Battalions in England and elsewhere.
The report on the Technical Instruction of the "E" Engineer Company has already been made by Lieut. BAGNALL-WILDE, R.E. A copy is attached.
As already mentioned they were instructed in their duties as Infantry with "D" Company and were most assiduous and painstaking. They shewed a most marked improvement by the end of the
course.
A Recruits' Course of Musketry was carried out by all Units, but owing to the small amount of S. A. Ammunition allowed to the Corps in Part 1. Schedule 15, of the Volunteer Regulations, a further course could not be carried out. I would suggest that the allowance of S. A. Ammunition should be in future provided on the following scale :-
Per Recruit
Per Efficient
.28 rounds
.75 rounds
This does not alter the present rate per Efficient, but is merely asking for an allowance for Recruits, there being no such provision at present.
On the 26th October a night attack was made on the Camp at Stonecutters' and afforded the Officers and Men very useful instruction. I attach a report from Major A. Chapman, O. C. Field Battery.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
M. M. MORRIS, Major, R.A., Acting Commandant,
Hongkong Volunteer Corps.