Boys Brigade (1892)

Post date: Oct 19, 2013 8:14:51 PM

Extract from South Eastern Gazette 11 June 1892.

1ST WATERINGBURY COMPANY BOYS BRIGADE.

INSPECTION BY COLONEL SAFFORD.

On Saturday the second annual inspection of the above Company by Colonel Safford, commanding 50th Regimental District ( Maidstone), took place in glorious weather at Wateringbury Place, the resi­dence of the Captain of the Company, Colonel H. D. Davies. In addition to the parents and friends of the boys Colonel Davies had invited a large number of the resident gentry of the neighbourhood, and amongst those present were : Major Warde, Lieut.- General Schneider, Lady and the Misses Login, Capt. Login. Colonel, Mrs., and the Misses Davies. Dr. and Mrs. Fry, Miss Horne, Colonel and Mrs. Urmston, Mr. and Mrs. Hennah, Lady Lister Kaye, Mr. M. H. Dalison, Colonel and Mrs. Safford, the Rev. Spencer Phillips, Dr. and Mrs. H. Monckton, the Rev. J. G. Biugley, the Rev. C. Hole, Mr. and Mrs. Jude, Miss Boucher, the Rev. J. C. Colquhoun, Mr. Walter Fremlin, Mr. Henry White, Miss Jessie Pouk, the Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Spooner, Captain and Mrs. Reeves, Mrs. Lamplugh, Mr. H. Wickham, Mr. Royal, Mr. Blest, Mr. B. Goodwin, jnr., Mr. and Mrs. Key, Miss Patterson, &c.

The Company mustered in good force and pre­sented a smart appearance as they were put through their various drills on the lawn in front of the house. During the course of the afternoon they were joined by the 1st Yalding Company, under Captain Galpin, who kept the ground, and at intervals the band of the Wateringbury Company played appropriate tunes. It may be mentioned that the instruments of the band (a drum and fife band) have been provided by Colonel Davies. The Company was afterwards closely inspected by Colonel Safford, who, in the course of a brief address, expressed himself as, on the whole, satisfied with the general appearance and conduct of the boys.

The report was then read, and stated that the Company had this season had two great drawbacks to contend with—the retirement of Sergt.-Major Brown, the Drill instructor, who had left the Army, and the influenza epidemic. Continuing, the report added that Colour-Sergt. Austin, Royal West Kent Regiment, had been selected to fill the vacancy of Drill Instructor. In spite of these difficulties 44 drills had been held, as against 53 last year, the average attendance at which had been 26, as against 23. There was also a large increase in the average attendance at Bible class, and the present strength of the Company was 33. After referring to the work of the Company during the past season, the report, in conclusion, mentioned the appointment of Messrs. Arthur Clemetson and Clements as addi­tional lieutenants.

Both companies were entertained at tea by Lieut.-Colonel Davies, at the conclusion of which the prizes were distributed by Mrs. Davies, as follows :—

Attendance, silver medal, maximum marks 69, boys who have never missed either drill or Bible Class. Sergt. Richard Heath¹, clasp 1892, Corp. Robt. Huggett, Privates Uyed. Chapman, Teston, and William Hayward; 2nd prize, 68 marks, book, missed once through illness of self or relatives, Sergt. William Curd, Private Henry Moore ; 3rd prize, 67 marks, book, Privates Walter Hayward, Charles Smith, and William Cox, Teston; 4th prize, 66 marks, book, Private James S mith ; 5th prize, 65 marks, book, Col.-sergt. Alfred Latter, Privates Charles Wallond and Charles Field ; 6th prize, 64 marks, presented by Mrs. John Harris, Private Horace Lawrence.

Certificates of attendance at Bible Class, nine boys who have never once missed, Sergt. Curd, Serge. Heath, Corp. Stevens, Corp. Huggett, Privates Fredk. Chapman, William Cox, William Hayward, Charles Smith, and Charles Wallond.

Bible Class Marks, 1st prize, presented by Mr. Amos Baker, Colour-sergt. Latter, 89 marks ; 2nd prize, presented by the Rev. S. W. Phillips, Private C. Wallond ; 3rd prize, presented by Mr. Taylor, Sergt. Heath and Corp. Huggett.

Essay Prizes, 1st, presented- by the Rev. S. W. Phillips, Colour-sergt. Latter ; 2nd, books, Sergt. Heath and Sergt. Curd .Squad attendance Prize, pocket- knife with instruments, presented by Mr. Taylor, No. 3 Squad, Sergt. W. Curd. Band Attendance, books. Band GoVp. Sidney Smith and Private Walter Hayward. Good Conduct, silver medal with clasp and inscription (won last year by Sergt. Latter) with 5s. presented by Mrs. Davies, Sergt. W . Curd; 2nd prize, Corp. 8tevtms, 5s , and Lance-corp. C. Ashby,

bat presented by Mr. Knell; 3rd prize, Sergt. Heath, Corp. Huggett, and Private James Smith, 2s. 6d. each from Mrs. Featherston; 4th prize, Lance-.corp. Robert Hook. ls. 6d., and Private Charles Wallond, knife presented by Mrs. Taylor.

Prizes for Good Manners, presented by Lady Login, Colour-sergt. Latter, Corp. Huggett, and Lance-corp. Charles Ashby.

The inspection then concluded, the Yalding Com­pany being escorted a short distance on their way home by the members of the Wateringbury Brigade.

Notes:

1. Richard Heath enlisted at Chatham in 1894 as a Royal Marine and was killed at Gallipoli on 30/4/1915.