Hampshire Artillery Volunteers

 

The revival of the Volunteer movement was a result of the three main factors, the invasion panic, concern about the state of the regular army and a wish to revive the 'old constitutional force, the militia. The impetus came form outside teh regular army, moreover it would avoid the expenditure of increasing both the regular army and militia.

By 1888 the Artillery Volunteers had been formed into Brigades or local "Batteries of position".

 

1st. Hants Artillery Volunteers Bitterne Southampton

 

The 1st Hants Volunteers were formed at Southampton on 25 April 1860. They practised at Hamble Common and were under Captain-Commandant Bance, later Colonel, (served from 1863 to 1896). The land on which the battery was sited was rented from Winchester College for £1 per annum although in 1878 the College withdrew permission for the carbine range to continue on site. In June 1879 an explosion occurred at the battery when the 24pdr gun was being drilled on. An enquiry found that it was caused by a defect in the metal of the extreme end of the bore. Two men were seriously injured and one had a narrow escape when the breech weighing 12cwt passed close in front of him making a large hole in the earthworks, and passing back again damaging the gun carriage. The Volunteer Artillery Drill Hall, later their H.Q. (built in 1889), became the St. Mary's Sports Hall in St. Mary's Road Southampton. A prime mover in the erection of the building was Col. Edward Bance, three times Mayor of Southampton in 1890, 1904 and 1910.

 

2nd. Hants Artillery Volunteers Portsmouth

 

The 2nd Hants Artillery Volunteers were formed at Southsea in May 1860. In January 1878 the corps paraded at their headquarters and marched out headed by their band, described in the press as "excellent". Lieut-Col. Owen was in command. On 22nd July 1879 they paraded on Governor's Green Portsmouth where 450 officers, NCOs and men were present. The press reported that "The march past was most satisfactory, the military bearing of the men calling forth frequent encomiums from the assembled spectators." . A few battalion movements were then created after which the men proceeded to gun and gyn drill. At the conclusion of the inspection the corps proceeded to Portchester where they had tea, returning to Portsmouth at 10:20 p.m. The 2nd Hants drilled on the guns at Southsea Castle.

1860: S. Hall Captain Commandant; In March 1861 he retired as Major Hall

August 1864 Captain Galt promoted to Major.

1865 Lieutenant-Colonel Galt Commanding. (He was mayor in 1869)

 

 

3rd Hants Artillery Volunteers Portsmouth

H.Q. and drill shed on Governors Green Porstmouth.

1861: Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Sturdee commanding.

1869: Lieutenant Colonel Francis T Weston commanding

 

 

 

 

Forts Society Fort Nelson Portsdown Hill Road Fareham Hampshire U.K. Registered Charity No. 294293