The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-19 00:00:00

ROYAL REVIEW.

On Tuesday morning the first review of troops by
the Prince of Wales for the present season was held
on Wimbledon-common, and in the presence of a
Large crowd of spectators. His Royal Highness
arrived on the ground about ten o'clock, accompanied
by the Princess of Wales and the Princesses Louise,
Victoria, and Maud, the Prince being mounted and
in field-marshal's undress uniform, and the Prin-
cesses in two open carriages, Prince George of
Greece being also in one of these, the Duke of Meck-
lenburg riding beside the Prince of Wales, and
wearing a light blue uniform. The greater part of
the troops were already assembled, a little north of
the Windmill, when the Royal party reached the
ground, and the last corners, the 19th Hussars, were
within sight in the read from Hounslow. When the
line was formed it consisted of the B Battery B
Brigade Royal Horse Artillery, with five breech-
loading twelve-pounders, on the right, and in succes-
sion to the left, the Ist Life Guards, the 19th
Hussars and the Royal Horse Guards, each cavalry
regiment being in four squadrons, the Hussars
appearing to have most men, and all artillerymen
and cavalry being lightly equipped in drill order,
busbies, helmets, and cuirasses being left at
barracks, and stable jackets substituted for tunics.
Major-General Sir Reginald Gipps, K.C.8., was in
command, his staff consisting of Colonel Lorn Camp-
bell (Assistant Adjutant-General) and Lieutenant
Stracey (Aide-de-Camp), and there were many
officers of the Household troops on the ground in
civilian attire. The Princess of Wales paused some
time before the 19th Hussars, now designated the
"Princess of Wales's Own," and evidently inspecting
the regiment with interest, while the nature of the
morning's operations were being explained by the
General to the principal officers. When the field day
commenced, which was not till nearly half-past ten, a
troop of Colonel Combe's 19th advanced rapidly
across the plateau towards the south, and began
scouting past the extreme end of the butts and nearly
up to the limit of the ground, as though feeling the
way for a strong cavalry reconnaisance of the
country towards the Epsom Downs. Apparently
the enemy—an imaginary one—was found, for
very soon a brisk fire from the dismounted men
of the Hussars caused the rest of the regi-
ment to move forward; followed by Major Lock-
yer's guns and the two Household regiments.
The enemy making a demonstration in force, the
Hussars cleared away from the front, the guns were
unlimbered, and a few rounds prepared the way for
the Guardsmen to charge across the level. The same
tactics were renewed several times, the guns and
horsemen by turns working against the foe, who, in

supposition, persistently -pre-vented any approach
beyond the flat ground of the common. All through
the troops manceuvred in a very steady manner, the
principal part of the work, however, seeming to fall
upon the Hussars, who proved themselves a very rapid
regiment, while the Household Corps showed all their
•old good qualities, and the horse battery was smart in
its work and quick in its movements. The field-day
lasted a little over an hour, and then shortly before
twelve the Princesses drove to the eastern side of the
plateau, where they were joined by the Prince of
tWales and the staff, to see the troops march past.
Major Lockyer's guns, in line at close interval, dis-
played perfect dressing as they came up to the
'saluting point, and the only fault to be found was
that there were only five of them instead of the
proper complement of six. The cavalry followed in
squadron column, the Household troopers riding well
unencumbered by their full equipment. Colonel
•Talbot's Life Guards was the weakest of the three
regiments, the rear ranks being very thin, they being
surpassed in this respect by the Hussars, who seemed
hardly to have a blank file. They were evidently
fully upon their mettle before the Princess, and the
bands gave them the Danish hymn and "God Bless
the Prince of Wales." The Royal Horse Guards (Col.
Montagu's) closed the column, looking in every way a
splendid dragoon corps. The second march past was
by sections at the trot, and finally the brigade passed
the Royal party at a canter. The guns at full in-
terval quite galloped away from the cavalry in this
movement, putting on the pace immensely, and yet
kesping their line (at full interval) in good style. The
others followed them in three long lines, stretching far
across the ground, keeping steady and well-dressed
ranks, and making an imposing finish to a very fine
display. The review ended at noon, and after a quar-
ter of an hour's rest the troops marched off to their
quarters at Hyde-park, Regent's-park, Hounslow, and
St. John's-wood, the Life Guards halting at Putney
Station, and playing the National Anthem as the Prince
and Princess passed them on their way back to town
through Fulham. The strength of the force was
about 1000 officers and men.