Image: Inspection of the Civil Service Volunteers at Somerset House by the Prince of Wales

Description: ON Wednesday [15 June 1864] the Prince [Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII] lunched with the Mercers' Company, and afterwards visited St. Paul's School (it being Apposition K , and was present at the course of scholastic exercises common to e day. Subsequently the Prince and Princess went to Somerset House and inspected the Civil Service Volunteers. His Royal Highness afterwards rode out. The Princess, attended by the Marchioness of Carmarthen, took a drive. The Prince dined with the Duke of St. Albans. WE present an Engraving of the inspection of the Civil Service Rifle Brigade by the Prince of Wales, its honorary Colonel, on Wednesday week, in the quadrangle of Somerset House. This place had been carefully prepared for the occasion, and a vast quantity of coloured bunting had been employed in the erection of several handsome trophies, in the decoration of the buildings, and in the fitting up of a beautiful kiosk, with raised dais, on the western side of the square, for the Prince and Princess. Round the sides of the quadrangle seats were arranged, accommodating a large number of spectators. The windows, and even the roofs, of the buildings were also crowded. A strong body of the Metropolitan Police, in their new uniform of tunic and helmet, under Superintendent Durkee and Inspector Denning, kept the ground. The Civil Service regiment mustered strong, the following companies, equalised to twenty files each, being on the ground:– A Company, Captain Hawker, Audit Office; B Company, Captain Harrington, Post Office; C Company, Captain T. Du Plat Baylor, Post Office; F Company, Captain Tom Taylor, Whitehall; G Company, Captain Mills, Whitehall; H Company, Captain Willis, Admiralty; D Company, Captain Dalbisc, Inland Revenue: E Company, Captain Ennis, Inland Revenue. Lieut. Colonel Lord Bury was in command; Major Mill, late 26th Foot, and Captain and Adjutant Limbard, late 11th Foot, being also on parade. The field state gave a total of four hundred men. of whom sixty were recruits recently passed into the line. '1'hey went through all their movements with creditable steadiness; but our Artist has sketched their appearance when they had faced to the front, formed fours, and prepared to receive cavalry in the way which, in future warfare, with troops properly trained in musketry, will supersede the square, the two front ranks kneeling, the two rear ranks ready for file firing. Soon after this, the regiment formed square; the Prince went inside, the men faced inwards. and the Prince addressed them as follows:–“ Gentlemen of the Civil Service Regiment –I have asked your Colonel to call- ‘on here that I might tell you how very much pleased I am to have been present at this inspection. am quite sure that, under your able Colonel, you have had ‘every opportunity of learning your drill, for Lord Bury studied the duties of a soldier in the Fusilier Guards, under General Knollys, a distinguished regiment to which I myself belong. I have observed that a l ranks have paid great attention to their drill, and have acquired an exceedingly satisfactory degree of steadiness. Your muster to-day is very good: for I understand that only sixty men of the whole regiment are absent.” His Royal Highness then handed the challenge cup, which he had presented for annual competition, to Lord Bury; and then presented a smaller silver cup to Mr. Burroughs, private in the Whitehall company, the first winner, as a momento of his victory. The regiment gave three times three cheers, and presented arms when the Prince and Princess retired, amidst the popular acclamations of the Strand. Illustrated London News, 25 June 1864
Title: Inspection of the Civil Service Volunteers at Somerset House by the Prince of Wales
Credit: Inspection of the Civil Service Volunteers at Somerset House by the Prince of Wales
Author: Unknown; first published in the Illustrated London News in 1864. Details of photographer not given.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No