Victorian Volunteers

Introduction

Volunteer companies were revised in the 1850s in the UK, somewhat later these were formed into Administrative Battalions, so called as the companies were financially independent but with a requirement for regular assembly with other companies for drill and manoeuvres. These administrative battalions were re-organised in 1880.

On the Island the first such battalion was the Administative battalion of Volunteers raised in 1860, first led by the Lt Governor Major Francis Poynton Piggot, replaced in June 1863 by Major William Douglas Scott until 1865 when Major John S Goldie Taubman became commander until 1873.

The various Companies were

• 1st Castletown Volunteer Rifles founded 1860, disbanded March 1870
• 2nd Douglas Volunteer Rifles founded 1860, became 7th (Isle of Man) Volunteer Battalion the King's Liverpool regiment in 1888 until 1908
• 3rd Ramsey Volunteer Rifles, founded 1860, disbanded 1863
• 4th Crosby Volunteer Rifles, founded 1866 disbanded March 1870
• 1st Douglas Volunteer Artillery, founded 1861, disbanded December 1875
• 2nd Laxey Volunteer Artillery, founded 1864, disbanded December 1872

Though all (except the already disbanded 3rd) attended a united drill in November 1868, only the 2nd Douglas had a lengthy period of existence; it was attached to 15th Lacashire Volunteer Corp between May 1873 until April 1877, then the 64th Lancashire R,V.C until June 1880, then the 15th Lancashire R.V.C in Jan 1885.

It performed a number of ceremonial duties on the Island, usually Guards of Honour at Tynwald and other formal occasions; however it had annual camps in England with other units.

William Henry Hough, in uniform 1892

There was also a Band, which played at Cronkbourne in 1902 during visit of King Edward VII.

Reference

Bertram Edward Sargeaunt, The Military History of the Isle of Man Arbroath: Buncle [1949] Chap VI