Adventures and Recollections Part 12

AN UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD DAY AT YORK

The first field day the Keighley Volunteers had was at York. We formed part of the West Riding Battalion, and the object of the gathering was a grand review by the Duke of Cambridge. Unfortunately the day was a very wet one, and, in consequence, the review turned out a failure. In those days the Volunteers were not provided with great coats, and a torrential downpour soon wet every man to the skin. Reviewing under these conditions would have been decidedly uncomfortable and unsatisfactory; consequently, the whole battalion was dismissed, and told to seek shelter in the best places they could find. The Keighley detachment went in batches into the city. Drill-Sergeant Chick would have me to go with him into the nearest tavern. The drill-sergeant was a remarkable man in his way, and over a gla.s.s of ale he declared, with an unblus.h.i.+ng countenance, that he had been in some parts of the world where it had rained ten times heavier for twelve months at a time than it was doing that day. Of course, I, in my modesty kept quiet, and did not challenge the veracity of the statement of this wonderful man. Yes; there were some "fine" boys among the Volunteers in those days. We had some very popular non-commissioned officers who were very kind to us, which made it a pleasure to serve under them.

REVIEW AT DONCASTER

The next review was at Doncaster, shortly afterwards, when the day was about as hot as it was wet on the occasion of the abandoned review at York. The commissariat was ample for every man, but it was generally thought that an improvement might have been effected by subst.i.tuting something for the "cayenne pies," _alias_ pork pies. Each man had a lb.

pork pie and two pints of beer allowed. The pies were hotly peppered, and we all declared that they would have given a dog the hydrophobia. Then the pint pots for drinking ran short-a cruel occurrence on a hot and dry day. Only half-a-dozen of these drinking utensils fell to the Keighley detachment, and they fell into the hands of six of the "smartest" lads in the whole corps-Privates Billy Bentley, Jack Thom, John Hargreaves, Ned Thretten, Jack Wilkinson, and Long Stanhope. I, for one, badly wanted to quench my thirst, but was unable to do so, for the above-mentioned six brave soldiers stuck to their guns-that is, their pint pots, manfully, and there was no prospect of a drink until they had fairly "put the dust down." At last, however, I managed to get a pot, but had it taken from me as I was drinking. Captain Thomas Blakey went up to Private Bentley and asked, "Are you a married man, Bentley?" "Yes," replied Bentley. "Have you got any family?" "I have," said Bentley. "Well," said Captain Blakey, "you'd better take a dozen of these pies home to your children." "Does ta want me ta give 'em t' hydrophobia? Why, I wodn't give 'em ta t' cat!"

But at this stage "Fall in" was sounded. The parade went through with satisfaction, and the review was as much a success as that at York was a failure. General McMurdoch was the Commander-in-chief, and he specially commended the Keighley corps for the march past and volley-firing, and said his comments would be forwarded to the proper quarter.

AN AMUSING INCIDENT ON THE HOME JOURNEY

The time came round for the respective regiments taking part in the review to turn their faces homeward. The detachments from the Keighley and Bradford districts entrained together. Every man was crying out of thirst, and at Normanton one of the officers, belonging to Skipton, had the train stopped. How we blessed him for it! We detrained in a body, and rushed to the big pump on the platform (used to fill the locomotive boilers). The water was turned on, and, besides quenching his thirst on the spot, each Volunteer filled his water-bottle. This was a "movement"

which took some time to execute; and it was, I must say, very considerate of the station officials to allow us to spend so much time to have a cheap drink. Major W. L. Marriner and Quartermaster Barber Hopkinson (of whom I shall have something further to say afterwards) were with us, both doing their best to pacify their men until they could have their thirst slaked. Quartermaster Hopkinson "had his hands full" in looking after his "boys." Well, the soldiers, having all got their bottles filled with water, re-entered the train, and the journey forward to Keighley was accomplished without further incident calling for notice.

THE DRILL-SERGEANT'S DISMISSAL

When the Volunteers reached home there was the inevitable reaction-the "review" men had "a drink at t'heead on 't," and another, and another; and for two or three days they were to be seen straggling about the streets. There was one disagreeable incident that occurred to mar the pleasant termination of the review, locally considered. That was the dismissal of Drill-sergeant Chick from the regiment at the instance of Captain Leper, who was the adjutant for the Bradford and Keighley divisional corps. The drill-sergeant's offence consisted, it appeared, in "speaking when not spoken to." I have previously made mention that the Keighley corps were complimented by the commanding officer for their march past and volley-firing. When making his remarks, General McMurdock wanted to know the name of the corps. Captain Leper (a Bradfordian) replied, "Bradford, sir." Sergeant Chick, in his enthusiasm, and knowing that they were his own men who were alluded to, shouted, "No, sir; it's Keighley." This "flagrant misconduct" on the part of a subordinate incensed Captain Leper-this was seen by the "wicked" impression on the captain's face-who was not long in telling poor Chick that he had been dismissed the regiment. This was a hard blow to the drill-sergeant, who had drilled his men so that they marched as one man; but, to Captain Leper's credit, let it be said that he subsequently endeavoured to get Sergeant Chick re-instated. The dismissal, however had gone through the oracle of the Horse Guards, and to withdraw was impossible. Captain Leper then found employment for him at Bradford in looking after the orderly-room, &c., and with his remuneration from this source, and a small army pension, the ex-drill-sergeant managed to live in comparative comfort.

A DRILLING INCIDENT

Volunteering at Keighley went on in its own quiet and peaceful way. I might, perhaps, mention one incident which took place while the Keighley companies were drilling in the old Showfield one Sat.u.r.day afternoon.

Lieutenant (or Ensign, I forget which for the moment) Joseph Craven, of Steeton, was in charge of a squad of us. Now, Mr Craven was somewhat corpulent-there was no mistake about that, and marching about under a hot sun was clearly not accomplished without great exertion and copious perspiration. The members of the squad soon comprehended the position in which their drill-master was, and they determined to give him "quick march." When he gave the order "Quick march!" from the front, the "boys"

did march to some tune. Their commander soon found it necessary to step from the front, and he was left a good distance behind. But he soon discovered their little "game," and proved himself "quite up to their trick." By calling out "halt" at intervals, he found himself able to keep up fairly well with the men. In his next drills he was considerately allowed by Captain Busfeild Ferrand to go about on horseback. Mr Craven was known among us as a very genial and sociable officer, and he enjoyed the respect and esteem of those under him. There were circ.u.mstances, however, which caused his retirement from the Volunteer corps, after a comparatively short service.

CHAPTER XIV

A MONSTER REVIEW AT DOVER

The Keighley corps, along with the battalion of which it formed a part, and many other regiments from various parts of the country, were next ordered to Dover, to take part in a gigantic review there. In all there would be about 30,000 troops gathered, these including both Regulars and Volunteers of all grades and cla.s.ses. His Majesty the King of the Belgians was to be present at the review. The Keighley contingent left the town on the Sat.u.r.day morning before one Easter-Monday, and finally arrived at St. Pancras at 11 o' clock at night. We marched to the barracks of the Surrey Volunteers, who gave us a right loyal and warm reception, and, indeed, showed us the most extreme kindness throughout our stay with them; and this good feeling between the Surrey Rifles and the Keighley Rifles has, I believe, been continued down to the present moment. Captain Irving evinced a deep interest in us, and he remained with us until a late (or early) retiring-hour, amusing us with his c.o.c.kney yarns. In the morning we took part in a

CHURCH PARADE TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY

It was a pleasant Sunday morning, and I was out of the barracks early, taking a few miles' walk. I was back in readiness for the parade, which saw us at the Abbey in good time, and we were permitted to look through the beautiful edifice, and admire and reverence the interesting national mementoes within its walls. We took our seats in time for the service.

Dean Stanley was the preacher, and I regarded it a fine treat to have the privilege of listening to such an eloquent sermon as the Dean delivered on "The Pa.s.sover." I must confess that there were certain pa.s.sages in the rev. gentleman's discourse which I could not fairly understand; but, perhaps that was owing a great deal to my attention being centred elsewhere. Opposite me sat an elderly gentleman, clean shaven, with close-cut side whiskers. This gentleman was very attentive to the sermon, and likewise to his Prayer-book. Sergeant Midgley (who is at present in Keighley), a fellow-Volunteer, whispered in my ear, "Do you know that old gentleman across the aisle?" "No," replied I. He told me he was no less a personage than Mr Jefferson Davis, Ex-president of the Confederate States of America. Instantly my mind was involuntarily set a-thinking about the American Civil War, and its four years of human butchery-all brought about by this man in front of me who was now coolly listening to the word of G.o.d! However, the service was over, and the Volunteers filed out of the church and marched to the strains of their drum and fife band, which played rollicking tunes to the delight of the rollicking Yorks.h.i.+remen.

When we got in front of the Bank of England, Captain Allan Brown (commanding the Keighley detachment) halted and dismissed us until seven in the evening.

SEEING THE "SIGHTS O' LUNNON"

We broke up into parties. Billy Bentley, John Walton, Thomas Ackroyd, William Brown, and Ben Atkinson were in the party which I joined. Bentley had served as a policeman in London, and knew his way about the metropolis fairly well; Ackroyd had worked as a tailor in the big city, and I myself had been there before; so that we were able to find our way about very well. We went through St. Paul's Cathedral, and then on to Trafalgar Square, pa.s.sing, on our way, through St. James' Park, just outside of which we saw the cl.u.s.ter of monuments to the Crimean heroes who fought for "England's home and beauty." We also visited the Duke of Wellington's house, and spent a short time in Hyde Park. Having viewed the extensive block of buildings comprising Buckingham Palace, we pa.s.sed into Regent-street and here the party broke up.

I MEET WITH A KEIGHLEY GENTLEMAN

It was here that I met with Mr Frederick Carrodus, brother of the eminent violinist, Mr John Tiplady Carrodus, who, by the way, paid a visit to his native town of Keighley a few weeks ago. Mr Fred Carrodus had with him a gentleman whom he introduced to me as Mr Hermann, pianoforte manufacturer, and to whom I was introduced by Mr Carrodus as Bill o' th'

Hoylus End, the Yorks.h.i.+re poet. For four or five hours we were bosom friends and comrades, as it were. Mr Hermann knew his way about London to perfection, and he took me to many places "to see what I could see." He had always his hands down to pay, telling me that he would treat the Yorks.h.i.+re poet as long as he was with him; and that he did. It was tolerably late at night when Mr Carrodus and Mr Hermann and I said _au revoir_ to one another. I made my way as quickly as possible to the Surrey barracks, and my hurried journey must have caused no little wonder and alarm in the minds of the easy-going Londoners whom I met and pa.s.sed.

Seven o'clock was the time when I should have been in the barracks but it was much after that hour. However, an explanation to Captain Brown set matters right.

OFF TO DOVER-A STORMY MORNING

Next morning, about four o'clock, the bugle sounded the _reveille_ and soon after we were all in marching order. We proceeded by an early train on the Chatham and Dover Railway, and by nine o'clock in the morning had reached our destination-Dover. It was, I think, one of the coldest and most miserable mornings I ever experienced. The sea was very rough, the waves las.h.i.+ng on the roadway; and the rain came down in torrents. During the night there had been such a storm in the Channel, the natives said, that had not been equalled for half-a-century. The whole of the soldiers were paraded on the Esplanade, but they were again and again forced back from the edge of the sh.o.r.e, until there was really no room to pile arms.

General Lindsay saw the situation, and came riding up with several officers, with whom he held a sort of council of war. Before they had arrived at a decision, the waves had come over the beach and dashed right up to where the soldiers were standing. "It's no use," said General Lindsey, "this review is a forlorn hope-I must dismiss the parade." He then gave the whole of the Volunteers orders to dismiss until three o'clock in the afternoon. The men dispersed in various directions, and just as they had got pretty nearly cleared away, up rode the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Arthur (now Duke of Connaught). The two Royal personages drew up in front of a large hotel, and out of curiosity I remained standing by. The Duke was in a very angry mood, and demanded to know who had dismissed the parade. Upon this, General Lindsey made his appearance in the doorway of the hotel, and, addressing the Duke of Cambridge, said:-"Your Royal Highness,-Owing to the severe inclemency of the weather, I have thought fit to dismiss the parade until three o'clock in the afternoon." "You had no business to do such a thing," the Duke hotly replied. "It will be a failure, and His Majesty the King of Belgium will be disappointed. Send out your _aid-de-camp_ to bring everyone in-never mind the weather." The storm was still raging. I noticed a couple of steamers in the offing. They were coming from France, and the pa.s.sengers were Volunteers who had been in that country since Sat.u.r.day.

The vessels could be seen buffeting with the waves, and it was noticed that the funnels of the steamers were missing, having, as we afterwards learned, been blown away by the violent wind and heavy sea. It was about this period that a small vessel-a gunboat, I think it was-the "Ferret,"

was driven on the rocks in front of the Castle, and dashed to pieces. The crew managed to get off by the boats. For a time it was believed that a boy on the boat had been lost, but he was subsequently rescued. After much delay the two steamers were able to land the Volunteers, who told a terrible tale of their rough voyage across the Channel.

I PERFORM A MILITARY TACTIC

In the meantime, the Duke of Cambridge was "drilling" General Lindsey for dismissing the troops. Wise, perhaps, in my generation, I stole away on hearing the General instructed to re-collect the troops, and got into the back quarters of the town. I finally found myself in a tavern kept by an old cobbler, and he allowed me to dry my soaked uniform. Through a window in the house I could watch the movements of the troops who had been got together again. Soon after dinner there was a calm in the weather; the rain ceased and the sun came out.

UP THE HEIGHTS OF DOVER

I could see regiment after regiment ascend the Heights of Dover. Now, a battalion of "stragglers" was being formed, so, after having partaken of refreshment, I emerged from my lair. I found a trooper in waiting at the end of the pa.s.sage, and he ordered me to double to and fall in quick or he would "p.r.i.c.k" me. I joined the "stragglers." We climbed the Heights together, and then each man joined his own regiment. While all this was going on sailors from vessels anch.o.r.ed in the harbour had been dragging big guns up the heights; and, in fact, the preparations that were made favoured the idea that a real engagement was about to take place. When all was in readiness