No. 6 gun room (Sergeant Kirk’s) boasted of an immense Union Jack. On the walls were various devices, and one over the fireplace was very significant. It was made of swords, with the words in the centre “For our Queen and Country.” There was a quantity of evergreen and coloured tissue paper decorations, whilst the windows were decked with greenery. Bombardiers Lily and Richards were the artists in this room.
Category: 19th century
Late 19th Static Defences; ‘Quick-firers v. Torpedo-boats.’
It is a piece that resonates with the Nothe fort as arming these static defences was an ever changing minefield. When they thought such matters had been cracked, so technology comes running up behind to give them a kick in the pants.
Military Dramas; Theatres and Thespians.
The A’Beckett family already had a connection with Weymouth, his great-grandfather ‘was an intimate friend of George III and often stayed with him at Weymouth.’ That relationship was forged again when this theatrical loving soldier resigned his commission in the RA to concentrate on his other passions. His first ‘top of the bill’ appearance was in Weymouth.
The Buffs on Portland; Authors and Convicts
While doing my research I sometimes stumble across some real gems. I was in the midst of seeing what I could find out about the 2nd Battalion Buffs (East Kent Regiment) based at the Nothe and Verne from 1923-1926, when I came across a link for back copies of The Dragon, the Buffs Newspaper that had been placed online and what a resource!
The Dorsets Invade Wyke Regis; WWI
In WWI the Dorset Regiment was billeted in and around Wyke Regis.During their posting ‘many thousands have been trained here and have departed for the various fronts. To feed the four active service battalions.’ (Western Gazette August 1919)
Soldiers Twixt Shore and Sea;Gun Drill 1896
Although primarily a sea service corps, their knowledge of land service artillery drill has proved of the highest use on several occasions during recent years-notably in Egypt. At Tel-el-Mahuta and Kassassin in 1882, and at El Teb in 1884, they rendered invaluable aid as land gunners in assisting the Royal Horse Artillery in the field, besides on their own account fighting captured Krupp field guns.
Tommy’s Christmastide in Barracks and Forts.
It is Christmas morning and the orderly men have fallen in to carry the rations to the cook-house, where the “Roast Beef of Old England” is destined to frizzle in a friendly spirit with turkeys, chickens, hams, and-but here we pause as dinner is not yet served.
Confessions of a Military Bookaholic
I love an old book, particularly those from the 19th century period, which not surprisingly is what I tend to write about. Not necessarily military either, but if they contain information all to the good. They are filled with the most glorious illustrations, not just those to enhance the stories or articles but also their…
Why the ‘Nutcrackers’ Are So Called. Stationed at Weymouth’s Red Barracks 1860.
Originally posted on TALES FROM AROUND THE VICTORIAN WORLD.:
(A nice bit of Victorian blood and gore for the littlun’s! ) Taken from ‘Little Folks a Magazine for the Young’ dated 1890. ‘The famous regiment of Buffs, used also to be known as the 3rd Foot, once rejoiced for a while in the nickname of…
The Drastic Demise of Private Jacob Damon; 51st Reg. 1869. British Military and the Problem of Suicide.
Life was brutal for the lower ranks in the Victorian army, they had much to endure.
One of their biggest issues was their soldier’s mental health and well being, but the powers that be cared little for that.
Sadly, a troubled troopers ultimate act was suicide, a problem that haunted the Victorian military.
NOTHE FORT AND BEYOND... 