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Timaru Rifle Volunteers |
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Timaru Rifle Volunteers Volunteer fever hit Timaru in 1866 with the formation of two companies within a year and talk of Cavalry Corp being established as well. However while some joined the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, whose head quarters were in Christchurch, the other two companies soon found it necessary to merge. The No. 7 Company Timaru Rifles was gazetted on the 24th August 1866 but disbanded July 10 1868, when they merged with the Timaru Artillery Volunteers which was gazetted on October 31st 1866. Things moved quickly after a report in the Timaru herald on 1 August 1866 stating that "a movement is now in force for establishing a volunteer corps in this town" with 36 signatures having been collected. On the 13th September, a meeting was held Lieutenant – Colonel White, where 42 men were sworn in. A further meeting on the 20th saw the ranks swell to 64. Mr Stericker was elected as Captain, with Mr Fendall elected as Lieutenant and Mr Seymour elected as Ensign. Soon the bugle was heard in the township of Timaru twice a week, Monday and Friday evenings, summoning the volunteers to drill with usually very large musters taking place. The Harbour Master, Captain Beswick, gave permission for the volunteers to drill in the woolshed, until they had a proper drill-shed erected. Volunteers were required to attend at least 30 drills per year but as Lieutenant –Colonel White had stressed, they would need more to become efficient soldiers. Mr Pelvin was appointed as a temporary drill instructor but Sergeant Morgan of Christchurch was also sent down for a month to initiate the men in their drill exercises. The four cases of arms and 8 kegs of ammunition sent to Timaru by the Government were served out to the men, but the supply did not equal the number enrolled, and several are therefore still without their arms. ARMSTRONG GUN To march out in good order, every Corps needs a band and on 25 May 1867, after a shooting match, the men were marched through the town, headed by the drum and fife band, which played military airs in a very creditable style. Perhaps it is this band in the photograph below which may have been taken on the anniversary of the corps at their celebration at Saltwater Creek. Despite a handsome silver cup being presented by Captain Fendall as a shooting match prize for the company and the presentation by Mrs Luxmoore of a silver bugle to the company on behalf of the ladies of Timaru and district, it can be hard to keep up the enthusiasm for new venture. During 1867 it seems that while the company roll numbered some 80 men, it was hard to get sufficient men together for the purpose of drill. Some men were not able to get leave from their employers but others it was feared had volunteered just for "the uniform in which they could impress the servant girls". The lack of professional drill training also took its toll on the spirit of the company. With the news that an artillery company was being formed, a meeting was held on 6 June 1868 stating the majority of the No 7 Company, Timaru Rifle Volunteers wished to convert into a Corps of artillery. |
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