The history of the 1st Batt. Wilts Volunteers, from 1861 to 1885

This volume traces the origins and early development of a modest yet determined volunteer battalion raised in Wiltshire during the turbulent years of the late nineteenth century. Beginning with the national call for civilian rifle corps in 1859, the author charts how local gentlemen, tradesmen, and even women rallied to equip and train men for a force that existed before any battle was ever fought. Readers discover the practical hurdles faced by these part‑time soldiers—securing weapons, uniforms, drill halls, and travel allowances—while navigating a fledgling bureaucracy that offered scant support.

Through vivid accounts of meetings, correspondence, and the steady work of officers and retired sergeants, the narrative reveals the spirit of perseverance that kept the battalion afloat. It also highlights the role of community patronage and the modest government aid that gradually turned an ad‑hoc collection of rifle clubs into an organized rifle volunteer battalion, setting the stage for its continued service through 1885.