The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-15 00:00:00

'gm! itab gisinct gays.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE STOURBRIDGE
VOLUNTEERS.

The annual dinner wai given to the 9th Wor-
cestershire Rifle Volunteers, on Wednesday evening
lait, at the Talbot Rotel. There were present
Major Walker, Major Woirige, Captain Hammond,
Lieutenant Williams and others.

Captain Hammond, on rising, said, the first
toast which I have to propose is one which re-
quires no remarks at all, which is "The Queen."
The toast was responded to heartily by all the
volunteers singing " National Anthem."

Captain Hammond: I am sure you will always
respect Col. Knight as you known what a great
deal of interest he takes in the volunteer force.
though he is not present here to-night. Major
Walker, I tun sorry to say, is about to
leave toe toree. We shalt think very often of ti-.e
pleasant drills we have had under his command.
We shall also remember the courtesy and liberality
he has snown to this company. Major Talbot, we
do not kuow so much of as we do Major Walker.
Major Wolrige has been adjutant to this battalion
for about twenty years and it is through his care .
that the battalion has been brought to the present
state of efficient). I now propose the healths of
Colonel Knight, Major Talbot, Major Wolrige, and
Majoi Walker. This toast was also heartily
received by the volunteers, who sang, •"They are
jolly good fellows."
Major Walker said, Captain Hammond and
gentlemen, i am very nmeh obliged for the very
kind manner in which the toast has been proposed
mid received. We all know that Colonel. Knight
is not here to-night and also of the great interest
he has always taken iu this battalion. lam per-
fectly certain that there is no otlicer in the service,
that has benefited it more than Col. Knight. .As
for myself this will doubtless be the last time 1
shall address you, as a Major. it will be hard to
me to break tite intimacy that I have had among
you. I have once made it publicly known that,
whenever the time comes that I should not be able
from any circumstances whatever to follow my
duties, that moment I should send in resig-
nalion. I felt that.[ was not able to perform those
duties to my torce and, therefore, I sent in my
resignation. You may rest assured that I shall
always take a great interest in the regiment with
which I ant so E.;.etttly pleased. I. feel certain that
taose officers who I have lea behind will not only
keep it now in the same state, but go on and pro-
gress, and hold that high position which it has held
up to this momont. I thank you for the kind way in
which you received the toast and I wish great
sucoess to the 9th Worcestershire Volunteers,
(applause).
Major Wolrige also re,polided, and expressed a
hope that the Long Hangs would be improved,und he
would do his best to have it done. Ile thanked
them for the kind way in which they had drunk his
health.
Major Walker said: I have a toast to propose to
you, which I am quite certain you will drink with
great enthusiasm. That toast is the health of your
officers Captain Hammond and Lieutenant Williams.
You have a chaplain and sur;eon, both of whom are
meritorious (Affects and who I include in this toast.
They are Mr. Gilbanks and Dr, Smith. I have
known Captain Hammond for a good many years,
and I think he is avian in the right place, and will
still make the corps a credit to the town. I hope
you will support him as you supported me, and will
give yourselves heart and soul to the duties you
have undertaken, and make it second to none in the
country. I ask you to drink the health of your
officers.
Captain Hammond in returning his thanks said, I
fear the remarks made by Major Walker are more
flowery than I deserve. I think that the little
efforts that I have made would not have been of
much use if I had not been assisted by the officers
and privates by the excellent way in which they
have worked the whole of the season. I am very
glad indeed that the company came oft so well at
Harticbury. I conclude by thanking you very mueb

NaMlimmommi