If you had been strolling around Gossmore between Marlow and Little Marlow in the summer of 1861 you may have seen what looked like some kind of fete going on. Donkey racing, a brass band, refreshment tent, crowds of visitors, and novelty boat races were all in evidence. The day ended with a tremendous bonfire and a fireworks display. What you were actually witnessing was the open day of the Bucks Volunteer Rifles encampment at Marlow. The Volunteer camps were a big social event in town so they featured a lot in the life of those who both did and did not actually serve in the Marlow branch of the Volunteers. So in today's post we will describe what it was like to be go to camp, as either a Volunteer or a visitor, in the first couple of decades of their existence.
A meeting was held in the boys schoolroom in the Causeway in June 1859 to "consider the propriety of forming a Volunteer Rifle Corps in the town and neighborhood". The response was positive and so the Volunteers began shortly afterwards. This provided military training to those not joining the regular army, so they would be ready to come to the countries aid if needed. So the Volunteers had a serious purpose, and being a member involved regular committment to drill and shooting practice. A large number of Marlow families had a member in the volunteers at some point - some of whom would go onto serve in the South African wars and First World War. The annual camps were supposed to create an immersive intense training period to create "good and efficient soldiers, ready for any emergency." But they also involved a certain amount of fun and frolics as we shall see!
The first camp at Marlow
The Marlow company were joined by various other groups within the Bucks Volunteer Rifles at different times. The camp was first held at Marlow itself in 1861. It would use what would become a favourite site - the riverside Gossmore meadows. This had long been in use as a recreation ground and it was formalised as such when Marlow recieved her Enclosure Act in the early 1850s. Permission for the Volunteers to use this space was granted by the inhabitants at a parish vestry meeting. The weather was terrible - something that does seem to be a regular feature of the encampments. For all the merriment, the actual living conditions in canvas tents can not have been especially pleasant after "very heavy" rain. It was felt that the gravel beneath the surface at Gossmore and sandy soil would help to ensure the ground quickly dried out relatively speaking although it was also noted that should there be a summer flood, the spot was subject to going underwater! The point was to replicate a "real" military encampment so a bit of mud probably added to the experience. To the same end there was only one lavatory provided.
For this first camp, the men were housed in tents which had been borrowed from the army stores "at the Tower" (of London). There were 9 rows of 8 big sleeping tents which were put up on the Saturday before the camp officially began. By 1865, the camp at Marlow boasted 79 tents in all, including one dedicated to storing ammunition. Generally though the Volunteers were not required to attend until the Monday. The privates naturally shared their tents. (Each tent was issued with a lantern, leather bucket, camp kettle and two basins.) I'm not sure what bedding was provided in this first year but later each man would receive a straw mattress and two blankets.
On the east side of the camp stood more spacious tents for the officers to sleep in as well as the officers mess, officers stores and a hospital tent. Although there was no enemy facing the Volunteers, there were still occasional accidents related to the shooting practice and competitions. Surrounding the site were sentry boxes which were constructed from "hurdles inlaid with straw". A nice rustic touch! The sentry duty was taken seriously as if an enemy was really nigh. There was also the point of guarding the camp equipment and guns against opportunistic thieves. A detachment of police from Aylesbury also attended during the open days at the end of the week.
Catering arrangements
Catering arrangements varied a little year on year. In 1861, on the north side of the camp was a canteen managed on the Volunteers behalf by Jesse Ward of the King's Head in Aylesbury. (A Mr Dunkin of High Wycombe actually provided the rations) This was equipped with stoves. There was some debate as to whether it was the right thing to do to involve outside caterers. It was a less authentic experience it was argued. In later times, the camp kitchen was managed by the Volunteers themselves. They were actually charged for their rations at first, at a set rate of 2s a day, regardless of what was on the menu. This was generally it seems considered a good deal as Mr Ward's catering was highly praised. The fee covered breakfast, dinner and supper as well as 1 pint of beer a day. The meals were served in a large tent used as a dining room, next to the canteen. Each man was supposed to bring along his own tin plate, and pint mug plus a knife, fork and spoon. Water came from a specially dug well on the north side, which aroused some interest on the camp open days.
Jesse was still doing the cooking at the 1864 camp also held at Gossmore, but now we are told there are no cooking facilities in the camp itself. Instead ready roast beef and mutton was supplied on alternate days "smoking hot" for the dinners. Jesse presumably borrowed a kitchen somewhere close by. However he managed it, he did a good job as the men spoke of the meals "in the highest terms" according to a reporter from the Reading Mercury who attended.
Visitors could also enjoy an exhibition tent in which there were displays of the trophies and other prizes already won by the Volunteers in shooting competitions. Marlow's Sergeant Alfred Stradling (otherwise a clock and watch maker of the High Street) had earned many of these in 1861. There you could also see equipment for cleaning and repairing the rifles.
On Sunday, day 2, the camp was not quite finished but that didn't stop scores of visitors from Marlow, Little Marlow and Bourne End heading along the tow path to gaze at the scene. They were allowed in during the day more or less officially as the main group of men had not yet set up home. Whether their presence really helped putting the finishing touches in place must be debatable! A group of local gentry usually chose the Sunday evening for their inspection of the camp too.
Daily life in camp in the 1860's
The camp routine didn't change much each year in the 1860's so the below outline of the 1861 camp is a typical routine for the whole decade.
On Monday, the Volunteers arrived en masse and things were put on a more military footing. Marlow were of course the nearest company to the camp and so they marched in first under Lieutenant Owen Peel Wethered. They did not as yet have use of The Armoury building in Institute Road*. The Marlow men also formed the first guard of the site. The other local companies joining in travelled by train to what was then known as the Marlow Road Station (soon to become Bourne End) and walked the rest of the way. They were joined by members of the Royal Bucks Yeomanry as some of the shooting prizes were open to them. All of the men were entitled to send one small bag of luggage in advance if they wished. They were strongly encouraged to do so to avoid carting a bag on their march into camp. Too much pack carrying was thought created a less splendid appearance to the company so it was said. Those coming via Bourne End had been told to send on their coats for the same reason. The result was the poor fellows got thoroughly drenched on their incoming march and not all had a full change of clothes with them. (The men were recommended to bring a coat, flannel shirt, waistcoat, trousers, a pair of socks - and only one - and their brush and comb.) The same thing happened on at least two other occasions in the 1860s. The weather likes to rain on our Volunteers!
And so camp life began, with reveille at 5am, breakfast at 7.30am, morning parade at 9.30am and another at 7.30 in the evening, plus drill sessions throughout the day. Roll call was at 9pm. If you did not know the Volunteer camp was taking place (unlikely given the excitement felt in Marlow in the weeks before!), you would probably have heard them before too long. A bugler announced the parades 30 minutes before they were due to take place, as well as the time to get up, lights out (10pm) and roll call etc. (Marlow Volunteers were presented with a silver bugle by "the ladies of Marlow" in 1860) What took up most of the time was shooting practice and competitions of which more below. This also attracted criticism as it was considered not enough time was spent on general drill compared to the more glamorous rifle work.
As time went on camps got lengthier but in 1861 the minimum stay was just 2 days out of 5. It was expected you would stay longer and indeed the whole time if you could. You could not just go home if you had had enough. Permission to leave the camp, whether for good or just a few hours, had to be obtained from an officer. Failure to turn up on parade or role call could result in your dismissal from the Volunteers. As the men all had day jobs, co operation was sought from their employers to release the men long enough.
Another feature of the day was a short religious service each morning at 8.30am. This was one of the few aspects of camp life that wasn't compulsory. The services were conducted by the vicar of Marlow - the Rev Robert Millman in this period. He was the Brigades Honorary Chaplain. The service was always choral and so the choir in their surplices tramped along the river every morning to attend camp.
One of the reasons that Marlow scored the camp was because they possessed "one of the most magnificent firing ranges ever seen" at the base of Bisham Woods - later moved further away when Quarry Wood Road was laid down. This had been originally provided by Mr Vansittart of Bisham Abbey. (George Henry Vansittart was promoted to Captain of the 1st Bucks Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1863, with Owen Peel Wethered promoted to Lieutenant in his place) A ferry was set up to allow easy communication between the Berks and Bucks shores. To the usual Marlow range was added 4 additional targets on a temporary basis. Each member of the Volunteers was required to fire so many rounds at the butts. The competition shooting was held on "ranges at 200, 300, 500, 600 yards, 5 rounds at each range" Those that did best won a prize. Doing this took up most of Monday and Tuesday, with the finals held on the Thursday. Those who had attended camp for less than two days couldn't compete and those who hadn't attended a minimum number of drill sessions were barred from some events. Consistently the camps come with rules and guidelines to deal with not showing up at parade or drill, which suggests the early threats of dismissal if you missed any were not enough!
The shooting prizes were for either cash or a cup or a medal. Marlow's men tended to do well and in 1864 Sergeant Stradling mentioned above scored the 2nd prize overall. Another cup for him to display. In the same year Corporal Newman came 4th winning £4 in cash, and Private Lunnon 6th overall. (£2 prize)
Wednesday is party day
Tuesday evening saw the party spirit begin. A brass band attended the camp to lead the men to drill. On Wednesday a large bonfire was constructed. Considering the awful weather which seems to accompany 90% of the 1860s camps, someone must have had the foresight to keep a large quantity of wood in the dry. That would be lit in the evening, where it could be seen for miles around. The public was now formally allowed to enter the camp in the afternoon, rather than gather outside. Someone made a "large copper of punch" which was apparently available along with other alcohol indiscriminately to all. The officers also had some champagne which they raised in toast to the camps success. The brass band may have gone but someone bought along a harmonium in 1861. The Volunteers were fortunate to have Private Ringrose amongst their number. He was then the organist and choir master at All Saints. So he took charge of the harmonium and the singing and dancing began. In 1864 it was "Lord Orkneys band" that provided the Wednesday music. The Volunteers were still subject to lights out so eventually the camp was cleared and the men went back to their tents and a well deserved rest.
Thursday was reserved for sports although some had also taken place on the Wednesday. It was said that these events were encouraging stamina and fitness, two qualities needed by their ideal soldier. The public were invited and a good number came along to watch. There were straightforward running races as well as donkey races and swimming ones at the first Marlow camp. Succeeding camps saw the sports programme get longer and more novelty races creep in such as "jumping in sacks" and pushing Volunteers in barrows. After all this the only thing left to do was more parade and a Thursday evening prize giving before the camp officially broke up on the Friday. The prize giving ended with a communal singing of the National Anthem that could be heard 2 miles away.
At Danesfield
Danesfield was another venue used by the Volunteers for their camp. For example in 1873 they set up on the banks of the river, with the officers mess tent in front of the entrance to the old Medmenham Abbey. This time the camp ran from Saturday to Wednesday. Dinner was provided at 1s a day, charged separately from the other meals. It was noted that many had chosen to bring their own food. Presumably the excellent chef Jesse Ward was no longer providing the catering.
The entertainment element was still there - as was Ringrose and his harmonium and the Marlow Choir. The choir were not thankfully walking all the way to Danesfield each day but did join in an outdoor service on one occasion. Entertainment day was Monday this time around. A band played for two hours in the officers mess for the officers and their invited guests. The following day all the men were invited in turn into the mess after the sports for a "punch party". The camp ended with the officers ball hosted by Robert Scott Murray of Danesfield, with the band of the First Life Guards in attendance. By this time the other men were well on their way home..and for once it didn't rain on them!
NB.
The 1st Marlow corps were joined by those from High Wycombe (the 2nd), Buckingham and Winslow (the 3rd), Aylesbury (the 4th) and Slough (the 5th).
Some of those attending the 1861 campvas members of the 1st Marlow include:
Private R Blackwell
Private H Smith
Private W Lunnon
Private William Ringrose
Private J Curtis
Private J Cox
Private Wyatt
Private Hobbs
Private McMillan
Private Fletcher.
Private Endall
Quartermaster Sergeant T? Lunnon qv
Corporal Brown
Corporal Newman
Corporal Hackshaw
Bugler Batting
Sergeant Alfred Stradling
Written and researched by Kathryn Day.
Related Posts
*The joy and tragedy of the Armoury's first year - here
South African Wars memorial includes many Volunteer names - here
General index of posts related to Marlow and military history: here
Other posts related to Danesfield: here
Sources include:
Berkshire Chronicle 18 June 1859 - British Library Archive.
Reading Mercury 11 July 1860, as above.
Reading Mercury 1865, thanks to Jane Pullinger for her copy.
Beckett, Ian. Call To Arms - Buckinghamshire's Citizen Soldiers. (Barracuda Books 1985)
The London Gazette, 1 September 1863 - digitised by Google.
Orders for Volunteer Encampments - 1865, Wilson & Son.
© MarlowAncestors
