Instead of a rifle unit, however, the first Volunteers were entirely artillery, one battery being organised. In the following December a band was added: this went out of existence in later years, but within the past decade was reorganised and is again a feature (apart from the Scottish Company's pipe band) of the Corps. The presentation of new Colours, and the adoption of a corps march, are also matters of recent years but I digress.
It was not until the early months of 1863 that a rifle unit was added to the local Volunteers, and this became one of the most efficient sections. There was evidently considerable support for the movement in the Colony, and increased enthusiasm. Early in February 1863 the Government had sanctioned an annual grant of £195, on the condition that at least 75 effective members could be shown on the roll each year. That same month the Volunteers, now in training for a while, held their first ceremonial public parade, the occasion being the presentation of Colours, on February 16, 1863. What happened to these? seems to be one of the instances where an unfortunate gap has occurred in the course of the Volunteer Corps history; records which would be valuable now are hard to come upon or entirely missing. We read of a picturesque ceremony, and the acquisition of something which should have been preserved and would to-day be cherished relics: and there the story ends.
The Colours were presented by Mrs. W.T. Mercer, wife of the official who was then administering the Government, Mrs. Brine, wife of the Commandant, presented the Corps with a silver bugle (where is it now?) and a huge crowd - all Hongkong and their wives were present. Bishop G. Smith, we read, officiated at the ceremony as Honorary Chaplain to the Corps.
It was a memorable day for the local defence unit, for that same evening an inauguration dinner was held in the school-room of the old St. Andrew's School, in Staunton Street (see 7-9-33) the Administrator, Mr. Mercer, presiding.
Despite all this, the heads of firms (and this is a complaint revived periodically in the Colony) showed considerable apathy towards the movement, even in those days. This was rightly regarded as discouraging, but efforts were still made to keep up enthusiasm, and what must be taken as the first Corps rifle meeting was organised on April 6 and 7, 1863.
A prize of the National Rifle Association was shot for, and was won by Mr. H.J. Holmes (father of the present Crown Solicitor) who was afterwards an officer in the Corps (see 13-12-33). The opportunity was taken to present testimonials to the honorary musketry instructor, Lieut. K.D. Tanner of the 99th Regiment, and the drill instructor, Corporal Goodall, R.A.
A further fillip to interest in the Volunteers was the ceremonial parade held on the Queen's Birthday in May 1863, which the Corps attended in conjunction with the regular forces. Enthusiasm was kept up in musketry, and cups subscribed for by local enthusiasts and supporters were competed for on various occasions during 1863 and 1864.
These were the two important years for the infant organisation, and the records show that it certainly started off well, and gave every promise of surviving. In March 1864 a route march to Happy Valley (a more interesting affair in those days, when the area was out in the remote suburbs) was organised, and there the Volunteers skirmished in a firing practice which was watched by H.E. the Governor and a big gathering of residents.
1
Instead of a rifle until, however, the first Volunteers were entirely artillery, one battery being organised. In the following December a band was added: this went out of existence in later years, but within the past decade was reorganised and is again a feature (apart from the Scottish Company's pipe band) of the Corps. The presentation of new Colours, and the adoption of a corps march, are also matters of recent years but I disgress.
1073
It was not until the early months of 1863 that e rifle unit was added to the local Volunteers, and this became one of the most efficient sections. There was evidently considerable support for the movement in the Colony, and increased enthusiasm. Early in February 1863 the Government had sanctioned an annual grant of £195, on the condition that at least 75 effective members could be shown on the roll each year. That same month the Volunteers, now in training for a while, held their first ceremonial public parade, the occasion being the presentation of Colours, on February 16, 1863. What happened to these? seems to be one of the instances where an unfortunate gap has occurred in the course of the Volunteer Corps history; records which would be valuable now are herd to come upon or entirely missing, We read of a picturesque oeremony, and the acquisition of something which should have been preserved and would to-day be cherished relias: and there the story ends.
It
Tre Colours were presented by Mrs. W.T. Mercer, wife of the official who was then administering the Government, Mrs. Brine, wife of the Commandant, presented the Corps with a silver bugle (where is it now?) and a huge orowd - all Hongkong and their wives was present. Bishop G. Smith, we read, officiated at the ceremony as Honorary Chaplain to the Corps.
J
It was a memorable day for the local defence unit, for that some evening an inauguration dinner was held in the school- room of the old St. Andrew's School, in Staunton Street (see 7-9-33) the Administrator, Mr. Meroer, presiding.
Despite all this, the heads of firms (and this is a com- plaint revived periodically in the Colony) showed considerable apathy towards the movement, even in those days. This was rightly regarded as discouraging, but efforts were still måde to keep up enthusiasm, and what must be taken as the first Corps rifle meeting was organised on April 6 and 7, 1883.
•
of the National Rifle Associɛtion was shot for, and wes won by Mr.H.J. Holmes (father of the present Crown Solicitor) who was afterwards an officer in the Corps (see 13-12-33). The opportunity was taken to present testimonials to the honorary musketry instructor, Lieut. K.D. Tanner of the 99th. Regiment, end the drill instructer, Corporal Goodall, R.A.
A further fillip to interest in the Volunteers was the ceremonial parade held on the Queen's Birthday in May 1863, which the Corps attended in conjunction with the regular forces. Enthusiasm was kept up in musketry, and cups subscribed for by local enthusiasts and supporters were completed for on various occasions during 1863 and 1864.
These were the two important years for the infant organisation, and the records show that it certainly started off well, and gave every promise to surviving. In March 1864 a route march to Happy Valley (a more interesting affair in those days, when the area was out in the remote suburbs) was organised, and there the Volunteers skirmished in a firing practice which was watched by H.E. the Governor and a big gathering of residents.
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