The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-07-16 00:00:00

officer who has done much to make the Rim

known among his countrymen. He had under him
three battalions of Hampshire Volunteers, who were
fair representatives of sturdy Englishmen ready:to
defend their hearths and homes. Colonel R. 0.
Steward, with the let Dorset and the 4th and sth
Volunteer Battalions of the Hampshire regiment,
next appeared on the scone, and then camo Colonel
Green with the Ist and 2nd Hertfordshire, and the
let Beds. The Welsh brigade, under the command
of Colonel Justice, passed next, and evoked con-
siderable applause. Following them came Colonel
Paton, at the head of the 2nd Glamorgan, the Ist
Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and the 2nd and
3rd Somerset; and last, of all, Lord Wantage, V.C.,
who had with him the let, 2nd, and 3rd Essex' and
the ht Royal Berks. The Volunteer Medical Staff
Corps also passed the saluting point, and while doing
so gave ample evidence of the solid stuff of whioh
this thoroughly practical corps is composed. At
this period the sun was shining out strongly, and
the dust clouds rose high in the air. The ground
had been previously well watered by a couple of
metropolitan steam engines, but the thirsty soil had
absorbed the moisture, and the sand-drift found its
way into every portion of the human body. Still, the
company clung together for the purpose of witnessing
that which, perhaps, was the sight of the day.
Patriotism found its vent when the Volunteers swept
by, but when six batteries of the Royal 11,rse
Artillery, under Colonels Burnett and Curzon, ap-
peared upon the scene, the spectators seemed to for-
get the dust, and gazed only on the force of which
Englishmen are so justly proud. Nor was this all,
for, following them, Major-General Drury-Lowe, at
the head of the cavalry division. Sir Baker Russell led
the heavy brigade, which was composed of two
squadrons of the Ist and 2nd Life Guards, the Royal
Horse Guards, and the Ist and 2nd Dragoons. To
Colonel E. A. Wood was given the command of
the 10th, 18th, and 21st Hussars, and the sth
Lancers. Nothing can be said in favour of these
regiments, for they are beyond praise. The foam
flakes from the horses flew thick on their shoulder
blades, and horse and rider seemed to realise their
position. A small force of Yeomanry followed, who
represented the counties of Hants, Berk., and Oxford.
They were composed of good cross countrymen, who
looken fit to follow a fox or chase an enemy over a bit
of stiff country. It fell to General Williams' lot to
lead by twelve batteries of field guns, whose equip-
ment was as perfect as their dressing. The last troops
to pass her Majesty were the Royal Engineers, with
the Pontoon Troop. the Telegranh Company, the
Field and Park Depo , _ • ' '
Companies, and the regimental staff.

The whole affair passed off most brilliantly. In her
reply to the address from the Army her Majesty
said: "The loyal and dutiful expressions of congratu-
lation of my Army and Auxiliary Forces upon the
completion of 50 years of my reign is a source of deep
satisfaction to me, and I accept with pleasure this
tribute of love and devotion. Whenever during my
reign there was a necessity to call upon my Army to
perform its duty in any part of the world it has never
failed to justify the conddence placed in it by myself.
I recognise its gallantry and devotion to the throne.
I have no doubt that, should the occasion unfortu-
ately arise, I can rely with equal confidence on the
help of my Auxiliary Forces. There is no blessing
which I at this season more earnestly ask Almighty God
to extend to my people during the remainder of my
reign than that of peace." The address was received
with loud cheers by all the troops, and the
review concluded, after three hours' bard
work, by a cavalry charge one mile and a half in
length, in line, almost up to the Queen, when the
National Anthem was played. The Queen expressed
her great satisfaction to the Duke of Cambridge
before she left at what she had seen, and said she had
never witnessed a more loyal and perfect spectacle.
The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught, and
Duke of Cambridge, rode by in front of regiments,
and Prince Albert Victot with the 10th Hussars. The
Queen passed through lines of infantry to the
Pavilion amidst loud plaudits from all. Her Majesty
was somewhat fatigued with the long hours, but
otherwise stood the ordeal well. Her Majesty lunched
at the Pavilion with the other Royal personages, and
accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught,
Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg, the Grand
Duke of Hesse, Prince and Princess Louise of Hesse,
and other members of the Royal family, returned to
Windsor at 6.45 by special train.