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The Western Gazette Friday 28 Dec 1894
Page 7 Column 1 and 2
SOUTH PETHERTON.
THE YULETIDE FESTIVAL. - This festival was fully observed at the Parish Church on Christmas-day. There were three celebrations of the Holy Communion, at seven and eight a.m. and at the conclusion of the morning service, at which an appropriate sermon was preached by the Vicar (the Rev. F. A. LEFROY). In the afternoon a musical service was held, when the choir rendered an anthem, and Miss GURNEY, a guest at the Vicarage, most effectively sang “The Star of Bethlehem,” in addition to other sacred pieces. The decoration of the interior of the sacred edifice was very handsome, holly, as well as choice hot-house plants, being extensively used. Appropriate texts of Scripture were also advantageously placed around the walls. The musical portion of the morning service was very hearty and well rendered. The offertory was in behalf of the Sunday Schools.
ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DINNER.
The annual gathering of the M Company (South Petherton), 2nd V.B., P.A.S.L.I., took place at the Crown Hotel on Thursday evening. A large number sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. and Mrs. RATHER. The chair was occupied by Captain E. J. BLAKE, and he was supported by Colonel HOSKINS, Lieutenant-Colonel M. L. BLAKE, Lieutenant-Colonel PERRY, Lieutenant TRASK, Lieutenant MacILWAINE, Rev. F. A. LEFROY, Rev. A. WICKHAM, Mr. MacILWAINE, Mr. J. LEAN, Mr. Jos. HEBDITCH, Mr. C. PRITCHARD, &c.
Royalty being honoured.
Mr. J. LEAN submitted “The Navy and Army.” All of them looked with admiration to the senior branches of the service. (Hear, hear.) They could pride themselves on the fact that the Navy would be well handled in warfare by both officers and men. Though they had a small Army they had the quality to make up for the lack of numbers. (Applause.)
Colonel HOSKINS responded. The present gathering gave him the opportunity of publicly offering his congratulations to their former Captain, their late Major and their present Lieutenant-Colonel – (applause) – who had been so long connected with the Battalion. It was an old proverb “Palman qui meruit ferat,” and when properly translated meant that a man who had earned a prize should have it. Everyone would agree with him Colonel BLAKE, by the unflagging interest he had taken in the Battalion and the Company, of which, indeed, he was the chief author, by his enthusiasm and energy at its commencement in this place had richly deserved any honour which may be accorded him. (Applause.) The only thing which might, perhaps, mar his contentment might lie in the fact that he was taking the place of General PATTON, whose great merits as an officer were so well understood in this country, and that it would be hard, indeed, to equal them, and almost impossible to beat them. (Applause.) Whilst on the topic of retirements he would mention that the waning year had brought with it the additional loss to this Company of the late Sergeant-Instrutor LAMB, and though he (Colonel HOSKINS) was glad to believe he would be benefited slightly or considerably, he did not know which, by his transfer to a higher sphere of employment, he was sure Sergeant LAMB would leave nothing but regret behind him in the place where he had been for a few years past. (Applause.) He might remark further that Sergeant LAMB had earned the good will of everybody in South Petherton, not only in his military but also in his civilian capacity. (Applause.) As far as the Army and Navy were concerned they had nothing very stirring to add to the annals of the past year. They had simply marked time so to say, and they had recently spent their time mostly in looking on in pleasant wonder at the novel experience of the two nations which had always been so bitterly opposed to one another – The Russian Bear and the English Lion, now falling into one another's arms, and thereby augmenting the chances of peace at the expense of all those warlike enterprises which the Army so much delighted in. Considering the two nations engaged in it, he might remark it seemed as if the prophets of old were a little bit out of their reckoning, and they had mistaken the millenium for the battle of Armageddon. They must all congratulate themselves on the novel appearance of the peaceful years to come. While they were debarred from these exciting topics in Europe, it seemed they were not to be denied the luxury of war correspondents and picturesque reports being sent from abroad. Far away in the East they saw the Japanese nation – a nation of only 40 millions, a nation with hardly a full generation of what they called civilisation, yet encountering a nation of 400 millions, and in a short campaign of three months apparently utterly vanquishing them. It also gave them an object lesson in reference to the operations in the sea warfare, which had, hitherto, been untried. The experience was quite new, and the results which had been attained were being studied at home very carefully by experts in these matters. They had also taught them how an invasion might be carried out by a small Army so long as the Army was fairly equipped, as the plans were skilfully laid, and the soldiers were bravely led. He did not know anything had caused more surprise in this country than the extraordinary success which had attended them from the commencement, and the way in which their plans had been kept secret, and the Quartermaster-General's department seemed to be of the greatest excellence. This great triumph was rather owing to the fact that the opposing force had been utterly deficient in all conditions of excellence which had distinguished the Japanese. They had not a well-equipped force; they had not been skilfully led, and, as far as they could read, they were not the same brave soldiers. If a similar invasion should take place on these shores, he though the country would feel full confidence the Volunteer Army of this nation would not fail them in bravery, and would not fail them in good conduct. (Applause.)
Lieutenant-Colonel PERRY submitted “The Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese,” and the Rev. F. A. LEFROY and Rev. A. WICKHAM replied.
The CHAIRMAN proposed “Brigadier-General PATTON and the Staff of the 2nd V.B., P.A.S.L.I.” General PATTON had written stating how very sorry he was not able to be present. A better officer could not be found in the country. He gave every attention to detail, which went so far to make a good soldier. They regretted to hear General PATTON had, on account of his age, to give up the command of the Battalion in February next. They had two members of the staff present, Lieutenant- Colonel BLAKE and Lieutenant-Colonel PERRY. (Applause and musical honours.)
Lieut.-Colonel BLAKE replied. He should be speaking the feelings of every man in the Battalion when he said they would be more than sorry if Colonel PATTON carried out his intention to retire in February. Whatever smartness and credit they had earned as a Battalion was due to Colonel PATTON. When he came to the Battalion 10 or 15 years ago the Battalion was in a very different state to what it was at the present time. It would be a bad day for the Battalion when Colonel PATTON gave up the command. He hoped he would apply for an extension of time, for he was sure the Government would grant it seeing it was Colonel PATTON's work and energy which had made them what they were. If he (Colonel BLAKE) took command he knew they would assist him in keeping the Battalion up to a high state of efficiency. Referring to shooting, the speaker said the Battalion had gone back five points in its figure of merit this year. That was not the fault of M Company, which stood second now. They figured 208, but some were as low as 140. Every credit was due to the M Company for the high position it held at the present time. He hoped they would maintain it. Colonel PATTON was very anxious they should regain their lost ground. He trusted the Battalion would again go to Aldershot, and that he Company would be well represented. He should personally see the employers of labour to make arrangements for the men to be away from work to go to camp. Employers were now seeing the Volunteer force was doing a great work for the country, and was saving it a great deal of expense. (Applause.)
Lieutenant-Colonel PERRY also responded. He hoped they would all have the honour of the Battalion at heart. He congratulated Colonel BLAKE on his promotion. They knew how conscientiously he did his duty, and how great a study he made of tactics. They were sorry to lose Colonel HARBIN and Captain POLLOCK. The little they had seen of Captain and Adjutant PEACOCK was most favourable. He was a plucky officer in Burmah, and what more did they want in a soldier? He was pleased the G Company (Crewkerne) had succeeded in winning the Battalion challenge cup this year. They were so kind as to hand him the cup as his private property, in consideration of the work he had done for the Company. (Applause.)
Lietenant MacILWAINE gave “The Subscribers and Donors of Prizes.” The subscribers stood between the voluntary movement and conscription, and, therefore, they were pleased to give towards the Volunteers. He should like to correct and error the Volunteer shooters were a class of pot-hunters. If they got a number of Volunteer marksmen he would undertake to say they would beat any other body of men. Giving prizes was an inducement to the men to train in shooting. He hoped the day would come when the whole Company would shoot as well as the men whose names were on the challenge cups. Then they would have something to be proud of. (Applause.)
Mr. J. LEAN first replied, and remarked that he never gave a subscription more cheerfully to anything than to the M Company. (Applause.) He had always, also, endeavoured to get subscriptions to their funds. It was a satisfaction to the subscribers to be made aware of the efficient state of the Company. (Applause.)
Lieutenant TRASK, Mr. Josiah HEBDITCH, and Sergeant WILLEY also responded.
The CHAIRMAN then proceeded to distribute the prizes for shooting and attendances at drill. He remarked that next year there would be a regulation make that no prize should be taken by any member of the Company unless he did a certain number of drills, and also that their rifles were brought back clean and a the proper time when ordered. Several rifles had been returned this year in a very bad condition, and one, particularly, from Stoke was not a credit to any man. During the year they had failed to win the Colonel's cup, but on the whole they had done very well. A regulation would also be make with respect to that prize and the team selected. If any man of the team did not practice he would be disqualified, and the next best shot would take his position. Only five men of the Company went to the regimental prize-shooting, but they had two representatives at Bisley. Sergeant DABBINETT succeeded in obtaining a St. George's Badge for the second time. He would not be content until the Sergeant brought back one of the Queen's Hundred Badges. Another regulation he would suggest was that no man should take a prize at their annual competition unless he made a minimum score of 25 or 30. He was pleased to say Corporal GAYLARD was the best shot in the county, and had earned the bronze medal. (Applause.) The prized were then distributed as follows:-
First competition (for old members) - £4, Sergt. DABBINETT; £3 10s, Sergt WETHERALL; £3, Sergt. WHEELER; £2 10s, Sergt.-Instructor LAMB; £2, Corpl, GAVLEARD; £1 10s, Lance-Corpl. READ; £1 5s, Pioneer GEAR; £1, Priv. DABINETT, jun.; £1, Priv. DAVIES; 15s, Lance-Corpl. BAILEY; 10s, Colour-Sergt. BALDWIN and Priv. W. MALE; 7s 6d, Priv. J. BEST and Priv. MUNFORD; 3s?, Priv. A. WHITE, Priv. DABINETT, sen., Priv. STEVENS, and Priv. MASTERS. Recruits – 10s, Priv. J. HOSKINS; 7s 6d. Priv. H. DAVEY; 5s, Priv. PIDGEON, Priv. A. G. MALE, and Priv. G. HOSKINS; hat, Priv. G. TATE; hat, Priv. W. WEMBRIDGE; pair of leggings, Priv. S. FROST; rug straps, Priv. DENMAN; cup and saucer, Priv. J. TUCKER. Prizes for drill – 10s, Sergt. WHELLER; 9s, Corpl. WARRY, Colour-Sergt. BALDWIN, and Priv. NEVILL; 8s, Priv. FARRANT, Corpl. GAYLEARD, Lance-Corpl. IRELAND, and Priv. W. DAVIES; 7s, Priv. C. RAYSON, Lance-Corpl. READ, Priv. W. IRELAND, Priv. J. BEST, Priv. STEVENS, Sergt. WETHERALL, Priv. B. HILLARD, Priv. E. MALE, and Corpl. SATHERLEY; 6s, Priv. Gilbert BROWN, Priv. W. WEAKLEY, Sergt. DABBINETT, Priv. W. MALE, and Pioneer GEAR; 5s, Sergt. MALE, Lance-Corpl. BAILEY, Priv. ALLEN, and Priv. W. HAINES. Recruits – 5s, Priv. W. J. MALE, Priv. A. PALMER; Christmas cake, Priv. C. IRELAND; pair of slippers, Priv. JONES; pair of leggings, Priv. NAPPER; pair of slippers, Priv. E. MUNFORD; cake, Priv. BUTCHER; 2s 6d, Priv. H. DAVEY; fancy plates, Priv. J. HOSKINS; photo frames, Priv. J. HEBDITCH.
Lieutenant-Colonel BLAKE proposed “Sergeant-Instructor LAMB and the Sergeants of the M Company.” Without good sergeants it was very difficult to get discipline and orders carried out efficiently. Sergeant-Instructor LAMB had just been transferred to Bridgwater. He had done a great deal for the shooting, and he (Colonel BLAKE) was glad to hear Sergeant WILMOT, his successor, was also a good shot, and he hoped he would assist in carrying on the tradition of the M Company for shooting. (Applause.)
Sergeant-Instructor LAMB replied. He was sorry to leave the M Company, but received a hearty welcome at North Petherton. He hoped he should get on as well with his new friends as he had done at South Petherton.
Sergeant WILMOT, the newly-appointed sergeant-instructor, also responded. He was a native of South Petherton, and after serving his Queen and country for many years it was like coming back home. He would do his best to serve the officers and men of the Company.
Sergeant DABBINETT replied on behalf of the sergeants.
“The Press” was given by the CHAIRMAN, and acknowledge by Mr. W. G. W. WATSON, of Pulman's Weekly News.
During the evening the band of the Company played several pieces, songs were sung, and the time was pleasantly spent.