The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-29 00:00:00

3tourbvibge Oberon..

SATURDAY, AUGUST '29, 1874.

Rik LE CORPS DINNER AT THE TALBOT

HO'fhL.

PRESENTATION TO MAJOR WALKER.

-
The members of the Stourbride Rifle Corps dined
together at the above hotel, on Saturday list. The
atliair was one a more than ordinary siguilicance.
as it witnessed the formal resignation by Major
Walker of his captaincy of the corps which lie has
so long and so efficieutly managed. This step has
been necessitated by the feet that he was some
months back promoted to the rank of Major. The
members of the corps, therefore, deemed this a
ting opportunity of making him a presentath.n as
a slight memento of their esteem and regard for hull
as their officer, and as excellent relations that had
always existed between them for the lengthened
period during which he has presided over them.
The object selected for this purpose was an elabo-
rately chased silver biscuit box, grouping on which
were after the style of Teniers. Doubtless, owing
to the foregoing, there was an exceedingly strong
muster of the men at the Corn Exchange on Sat-
urday evening last, whence after being put through
a few movements hi Major Walker, they marched
to the Talbot Hotel. 'Phey were headed by the
Flute and Drum Band, which played a "quick step.'
en route, welch was supplemented by a lively selec-
tion of music which was excellently performed by
them in the yard belonging to the hotel after they
had arrived at their destination. At the dinner the
chair was occupied by Major Walker, who had on
his right Adjutant Wolrige, Mr. (late sergeant)
Perry, and Lieutenant Walker, and on his left Mr.
(now Captain Grosvenor) and Quarter-Master Ser-
geant Marten. The two vice-chairs were occupied
oy Sergeant Evers and Colour-sergeant Chapman.
The dinner provided was an exceedingly good lulu
substantial one, the ditfereut viands being cooked
and sm.% ed up in the usual excellent manner for
whien the Cutout is no noted. The worthy host,
Mr. Bridges (who, bye-the-bye, had donned his
Worcestershire yeomany uniform to do honour to
the occasion) personally superintended the arrange-
ments, and was inditatigaele in his exertions in
providing for the wants of his guests. After
dinner the band played a selection from Auber's
.• Masauiello," in a style which did themselves and
their instructor—Sergeant Walker—inlinite credit.
After the cloth had been removed, Major Walker
said the first toast which he should ask them to
drink on that occaseion was one that was drunk on
all occasions where loyal Englishmen were as-
sembled together; and no was sure the members
of the corps were second in loyalty to no one. The
toast was' The Queen," and he should couple with
it "the Prince and Princess of Wales, and thereat
of the Royal Family," lie wished long life and
happiness to all of them—(the toast was drunk
amid great cheering).
Major Walker said the next toast was one which
they had always drunk on those occasions. It was
" The health of Lord Lyttelton." There was no
greater friend to the volunteer forces than Lord
Lyttelton had been, or one who had taken greater
interest intheir welfare—(cheers). They had never
asked him to do anything in which he had not
obliged them with the greatestpossible readiness,
and he, therefore, asked, them to drink with the
greatest possible cordiality "The health of Lord
Lyttelton '—(applause).
Lieutenant Walker proposed the next toast, and
in doing so said he knew it was one which would be
received by all of them with the greatest cordiality
and enthusiasm. It was the health of Colonel
Knight—(cheers)—who had been colonel over that
battalion of volunteers ever since its formation,
and who had always doue everything in his power
to help forward the movement. There was no one
who had done more to forward the volunteer cause
than he had. He should couple with the toast
" the Field Officers," who were always willing and
able to do their duty, and whoalwayedid that duty
in the best possible way—(the tout was drunk
with considerable applause).
Major Walker responded for the Field Officers,
and said in the absence of Colonel Knight lie
begged to return them his sincere thanks for thn.
very cordial manner in which they had received
the toast. Colonel Knight had done everything in
his power to promote the interests of the volun-
teers. He had heard it stated from head-quarters
that during the time the v.dunteer movement we-
iu its iniancy Colonel Knight was voted a bore bj
sonic of the official of the War Department on ac-
count of ;lie pretinacity with which he',' kept making
enqiuriec sad doing everything in hi;power to iin-
press upun them the importance of tha movement,
in those days, parties in high places were disposed
to throw cold water upon it, and he (the steaker)
thought if it was not for the indefatigable exer-
tions of Colonel Knight on its behalf, the volun-
teers would not now be in their present position—
(applause). On behalf of the field offieers he
(Major Walker) again begged to return them
thanks, and so long as he remained a held officer
of the battalion he should do the best in his power
for thetu—(great cheering).
Quarter-master Sergeant Marten then rose and
said he had to ask them to drink the health of
their host of that evening—their present com-
manding officer. Nothing that he could say would
enhance his value to them, who had served under
him so long, and 80 thoroughly appreciated his
ability ; but they must all remember that it was
the hod time they should meet together with hiut
as their commanding officer—(A voice: "I hope
net"). He (the speaker) hoped, however, they
should often meet with him in another capacity
—(hear, hear). In speaking of Major Walker, he
would speak of him retrospectively, licked knov
him as a private, and he had had the greatest "
sure in serving under him. It was one of the dis-
advantages of having a good commanding officer,
that he was sure to be removed to the battalion.
They felt flattered by the Ileumr done him ; but
they wanted to keep him amongst them—(hear,
hear, and cheers). They were especially proud of
him ass commanding officer, because they felt that
whatever they had of efficiewy they owed to him.
They would have now a new commanding officer,
and he would feel that as soldiers they should be
wanting in their duty if they did not transfer the
allegiance they felt for their forme' captain to
him. They would all join him readily in wishing
him—(lilajor Walker)—success in his new military
career, and in wishing him long life and happiness
—(The toast was given with "musical honours,"
followed by tremendous cheering).
Quarter-master-sergeant Marten then said it had
been 'the wish of the corps that some little me-
mento should be presented to Major Walker in
memory of the day, and to show that they wished
to do him honour. The biscuit box was then pre-
sented to Major Walker, in the name of the Stour-
bridge Rifle Corps, by Quarter-niaster Sergeant
Marten.

Mr. I'vrry then read the following, addreße

"To Major Walker.

"Sir.—W, the p.e-etit members of the Stour
bridge Rifle Corps, hearing with regret of your
resimatinn of the command, desire to take this
opportunity of offering you our sincere congratu-
lations upon your promotion, and to express our
full sense of your ability in discharging those
duties of command which have secured the effi.
ciency of our corps, and also our thorough appre.
dation of the courtesy you have ever displayed,
alike as a comrade or au officer.