The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-18 00:00:00

MILITARY SPORTS AT CHATHAM.

CHATHAM, OCT. 17.
The fine open surface known as Chatham Lines was
this afternoon the scene of a variety of athletic sports
and old English games by the troops stationed at this
garrison, in which the non-commissioned officcrs and
men belonging to the provisional battalion, under the
command of Colonel H. Jervis ; the corps of Royal
Marines, commanded by Colonel J. A. Phillips ; the
Royal Sappers and Miners, under the direction of Colonel
H. Sandham, R.E. ; and the depot of the Medical Staff
Corps, in charge of Major S. G. Bunbury, took part.
It had been arranged that the sports and games should
have taken place yesterday, and extensive arrangements
had been made for that purpose, but, owing to the in-
cessant rain which fell all sport was out of the question,
and they were postponed until this afternoon. The idea
of giving the troop 3 a day's sport originated with a few
officers belonging to the garrison, and on Colonel Eden,
the commandant, being communicated with, he not only
gave his consent, but entered warmly into the whole
undertaking, the first of the kind ever attempted at this
military station to provide healthy and elevating amuse-
ments for the troops. A committee of officers was at
once formed to make the necessary arrangements, con-
sisting of Major H. Marriott, Royal Marines ; Major
G. B. Rodney, Royal Marines ; Major S. G. Bunbury,
Medical Staff Corps; Brigade-Major C. S. S. E. Gordon,
76th Regiment; Captain W. Lyons, sth Fusiliers; Cap-
tain Fitzroy Somerset and Captain F. Brine, Royal
Engineers. A sufficient sum was promptly raised to en-
able the committee to give a variety of prizes to be con-
tended for. As soon as the programme of the sports
was announced the greatest interest was manifested by
the whole of the troops stationed here, and the entries
for the various races and games quickly filled, there
being no fewer than between 70 or 80 competitors for
some of the stakes.

The day unfortunately was dull, and gave early in-
dications of rains, but notwithstanding this drawback, a
large concourse cf persons assembled on Chatham Lines
to ‘vitn, AS the sports. Nearly the whole of the troops
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throwing the hammer, putting the shell backwards and
forwards, walking in heavy marching order, jumping,
wrestling, &c., in several of which the officers were corn.
petitors side by side with the men. The bands of the
Royal Marines and the Royal Engineers were in atten-
dance, and stationed in the vicinity of the grand stand.
The stewards for carrying out the arrangements
were Major H. Marriott, R.M. ; Major S. G. Bun-
bury, and Cwt. W. Lyons, sth Fusiliers. Major G.
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of clerk of the course in a very efficient manner. There
by the families of the principal officers of the garrison.
The first foot race was open to the whole of the corps
of Royal Sappers and Miners. The course was 300
yards ; and it was won by Corporal Pennington, Private
Ward being second. The Marine plate for the same dis-
tance was won by Private Bloomfield • Private Titlow
second, and Private Parsons third. The next race, for
which there were 34 entries, was open to the whole of
the troops belonging to the provisional battalion, and
was won cleverly by Private Milligan, 60th Rifles ;
Private Wilford, 81st Regiment, being second ; and
Private Marriott, 2711 Inniskillens, third. There was
also a race by the men belonging to the Medical Staff
Corps, which was won by an orderly of that corps named
Flint. The most amusing of this kind of sport was a foot
race between a number of veterans who have recently
returned wounded from the late seat of war. The dis-
e:etdtpoltoiied
Gordonsspe

-Lance was 100 yards, and there were six entries for this
" veterans' sciamble," several of the men being sul3-
Ported on crutches. The prize was won by Private
IVloore, of the 88th Connaught Rangers; Private Willis