The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-07 00:00:00

DINNER TO THE HALESOWEN RIFLE

VOLUNTEERS.

On Monday evening last, the annual dinner was
given to the 6th Worcestershire Rifle Volunteers, at
the Shenstone Hotel, Halesowen. There were pre-
sent Major Wolrige Major Talbot, Major Renaud,
Mr. J. P. Hunt, Mr. Jeston Homfray, Lieutenant
Smith-Casson, Captain Broughton, Captain Cold icott,
Lieutenant Harley, Lieutenant Holt, Captain Ham-
mond, and Lieutenant Williams.
The Chairman (Captain Thompson) expressed his
regret at not having the Colonel of that Battalion,
(Colonel Knight) present there that evening, and
also stated that he had received letters of apology
from Archdeacon Hone. Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and
several other gentlemen who were not able to
attend. Lid then gave the toasts of " The Queen,"
"The Prince of Wales, and the. rest of the Royal
Family," which were very cordially and warmly
accepted. He then called upon Mr. J. P Hunt, who
had I;indly consented to distribute the prizes.
Mr. Hunt said he believed there were some of
them present whom he saw when in the corps- He
had great pleasure in distributing the p.izes. When
he had command of that corps he was thoroughly
pron.' of it, and he hoped the present officers would
still be the same, and go on improving until they
took the first place, as being the best corps in the

County.
The following is a list of these who received
prizes :—Beeucamp Cup, Private Eli Bradley; Com-
pany prize winners, Sergeant John Hay, Private
James Adams, Private Edwfflrd Hackett. Sergeant
James Brettell, Private Charles Smart, Private
Cearles lludee, Private George Hackett, Private
James Wilde, Corporal S. Hackett, Sergeant James
Grove, Corporal Felix Budge, Sergeant Thomas
Taylor, Private William Hackett, Sergeant Edward
Hackett, private Eli Bradley, Pr ivate tames Tomlin •
son, Pei vate Samuel Tremens, Private Thomas Lowe,
Private James Male Private Thomas Slater, Private
George Budge, and Corporal John Brettell Recruits
prize winners, Private George Grubb, Private Thomas
13ur1ey, Private Bridgwater. Attendance prizes,
Privates Thomas Hall, Joel Hall, Charles Budge, Eli
Bradley, Frederick Hackett, Henry Price, Arthur
Parkes, James Greenwall, Felix Parkes, Charles
Baker, Corporal Felix. Budge, Sergeant James
Brettle, Serjeant Edward Hackett.
Mr. W. H. Durrand then gave "The Bishop and
Clergy of the Diocese," and in doing so said that
the Bishop was doing a great deal of work in a quiet
way, and was aided by an able body of clergy. He
regretted very much that Archdeacon Hone was not
present there that evening as he was always willing
to do anything that he could for the inhabitants of
that place. He had great pleasure in giving the
toast. The toast wits heartily received,
Mr. J. P. Mint then gave •‘ The Army and Navy
and Auxiliary Forces," atje,expressed riie pleasure
in giving it, and said there were some reasons why
they should drink it with a good spirit. They were
really affiliated with the army. They really were,
or ought. to be soldiers and he hesped they would be.
As for the navy, he knew but little about lee but
without it we should not be what we are in England.
Ile should call on Major Wolridge who could tell
them more than he could,
Major Wolridge said as Mr. Hunt remarked that
he knew nothing of the navy, he would try to
enlighten him by saying that England possesses
the most powerful navy in the ,world, and perhaps
the least powerful army. The relations between
the army and navy are becoming more and mbre
close. They are enlisted, and are practically soldiers
for twelve years. Ajso the relation of that service
to the army was becoming closer connected. His
views were that from the day they were formed
their services had been needed. It would have
been impos-ible for England to hold the high hand
if it had not been for their services. England feels
herself safe because she can send a large force out
to foreign countries, and can be as conßclent as
possible that all at home is safe.
Mr. Hugh B. Ker in giving "The Field Officers of
the Battalion," said the toast he had to propose
was a very pleasing one, and he felt certain it
would be acceptable to every man. Few battalions
could boast of better men. They had Major
Wolrige, well backed up by Major Talbot and Major
Renaud. The force had considerably increased
during the last year. He thought that they should
not be satisfied with the present condition of things,
and in Spyaking of the force in general he spoke
with regard to the 6th Halesowen corps. The
number was much smaller than any of the sur-
rounding corps, but he should like it to be the best
in the County. He hoped the volunteer force
would be the means of training every able-bodied
man in the country. He thought the time was not
far. distant when we
,should have to do something
of the kind, or we should have to give place to some
other nations. He thought we had reason to be
proud of our government. With regard to their
foreign policy We have reason to be proud with the
result. There was no doubt that Russia and
England were coming closer and closer togalva in
the East, and with Whom wo must before long come
into 'contact, then if we had not at home a large
able force to depend upon what would poor England
do. There was nOdoubt but that the volunteer
force was really the backbone of this country. Our
standing army was almost utilized for foreign
service. He was sure they would all agree with
him with regard to the absence of Colonel Knight.
He for one was looking forward very much to see
hie), and hear once again of his rousing tales that
he would have givee had he been there. The
volunteers had a great future before them, and he
trusted that the 6'h Company would not fail to see
that there was a lot for them to do. He felt per-
fectly' sure that if the field officers were called out
' they would conduct them to glory and honour.
Major Talbot and Major Renaud acknowledged
the toast.
Mr. Homfray, in proposing "The health of the
Company," remarked that the volunteer movement
was a very noble thing, no other nation in the
world was honoured with such a thing. If they
were just to cross the water into France they saw
;that at about the age of seventeen when men have
just learned their trades, they were taken off te
serve in the army. Really the volunteer movement
was a thing that ought to be supported. He was
very pleased to see that corps alive. Thy never
,uld expect to have a company of the same strength
as Dudley or Stourbridge, but it was on the wi:ole a
good company. He had great pleasure in propos-
ing the health of Captain Thompson, and the pros-
perty of their cempauy.
Captain Thompson said that the past had been
a gloomy one, for they had lost an old captain and
comrade by death, but there was soni,dittle sun-
shine about the gloom. They had .during the past
year added to their body a very valuable officer in
the shape of Dr. Ker. He trusted that during the
next year they should improve Its they had done
during the last. They had also during the last
year improved their shooting a little. It was
certainly one of his greatest ambitions to see them
one of the crack companies. He thanked Jaem for
the manner in which they had drunk his health.
Captain Broughton inaeroposing "The health of
the Non-commissioned Officers of the Company,"
said when he was asked to propose that toast he
thought it was one which he could speak on for a
week. He asked them to consider how it was they
obi ained the position of a non-commissioned officer.
It was on account of efficient and truly good
conduct, and the assistance it was hoped they
would render to their superior officers. When any
of them obtained that office he sincerely hoped they
would recognise the importance of their podtione
and having obtained that office, would endeavour
to go on to promotion. Of course in that company
there were none who excelled in position, because
they were very attentive to their duties. Let them
endeavour to perfect themselves in drill, that when
the time comes they may be prepared to maintain
the proud position that this country has ever held,
and still be the first coeintry of the world. He
asked them to drink very cordially the health of
the non, commissioned officers, coupling with it
Sergeant flay.
Sergeant Hay,lin
,responding, on behalf of him-
self, and his fellow-officers, said lie had, to thank
them fer the hearty manner in which they had
drunk their healths.
The Chairman then gave " The Visitors and
Subscribers of the Corps," which was very warmly
received.
The rest of the evening was pleasantly spent
with singing at intervals by the volunteers.