From the Parish Magazine
dated October 1872.
“
The great event of the past month has been the marching of the Troops forming
the Northern Army at the Autumn Manoeuvres through our Town, and the encampment
of a large portion of the upon the Down. Such a sight has not been seen in
Hungerford during the present century, and it may well be imagined that it
caused no little commotion in our quiet neighbourhood.
The Troops arrived in Hungerford on their way to Salisbury Plain, on Friday,
August 30, and in spite of the drenching rain they found the inhabitants
well prepared to receive them. From an early hour vehicles of every description
were driven in, loaded with passengers from neighbouring villages, business
was entirely suspended in the Town, and the whole population seemed to have
adjourned to the Newbury road, to await the arrival of the soldiers. The
whole extent of the road from Hungerford to Denford Lodge was thronged with
people, the favourite spot being the cross roads by Denford Farm. The first
to arrive was General Sir Charles Staveley’s Division, including the
Household Troops who encamped Froxfield and Oakhill. They were followed by
General Parke’s and General Sir R. Walpole’s Division, who were
to encamp at Hungerford. The Troops turned off the high road at Denford Mill,
and entered the Down at the eastern end, while General Walpole and his staff
rode round by Charnham Street and up through the High Street, and Park Street
to Hungerford Park. The Hussars encamped at the east end of the Down near
the Kintbury Gate, between the Railway and Hungerford Park.
The Royal Artillery
occupied the south side. And the 22nd and 100th Regiment of Infantry pitched
their tents between the roads leading to Kintbury and Hungerford Park. General
Parke with whom was H.R.H. Prince Arthur, had his headquarters a little to
the south, the Prince’s tent being distinguished by a purple flag.
The operation of pitching tents was witnessed with great interest by the
numerous spectators and the rapidity with which it was done seemed to astonish
everyone. In the evening the bands played for an hour, much to the gratification
of those assembled. Prince Arthur and the other Officers took luncheon at
Hungerford Park, and dined at Inglewood in the evening. The Prince visited
several shops in the Town, and purchased several souvenirs of Hungerford,
in the course of the afternoon. About five o’clock on the Saturday
morning the camp began to awake; fires were lighted; and breakfast prepared
and eaten with wonderful expedition; and in a very short time every tent
had fallen, and was packed up, and all was in marching order. The command
was given, and the bands struck up, and all marched through the Town, preceded
by General Walpole and Prince Arthur on their way to Pewsey.
W.H. Dunn .
Esq., of Standen Manor, acted as Commissioner for the County of Berks. Lord
Charles Bruce, M.P. T Chaloner Smith Esq., and H.R.Seymour, Esq., joined
the forces as Commissioners on their entry into Wiltshire.
Great as was the excitement and interest shown on this occasion, it was far
surpassed by that which was manifested at the arrival of the Troops on their
return march on Monday, 16 September. The Town was thronged with people,
and all business was made to give way to the engrossing occupation of receiving
and welcoming the Northern Army. The first indication of the approach of
the Army, was on Friday September 13, when a detachment of the 9th Lancers
was billeted here until the following morning.
On Saturday, the 1st and 2nd Life Guards, and the Royal Horse Guards Blue
passed through the Town on their way to Greenham. And on the same day the
13th Lancers entered the Town, and remained until Monday, when they left
for York, via Wantage. No sooner had these left than the advanced guard of
the great body of the Troops made its appearance. These consisted of General
Maxwell’s Division, being the 22nd, 30th, 46th, and 90th Regiments
of Foot, each being preceded by its band. The Royal Engineers arrived next
with their Pontoons, Printing Office, Field Telegraph, and all their necessary
tools and appliances. These were followed by the 10th and 19th Hussars; and
several batteries of the Royal Artillery.
The whole passed through the principal streets of the Town, up Park Street, on to the Down. The march into the Town, on to the Down, was witnessed by thousands, in fact, Hungerford was never so full before. The pitching of tents was eagerly watched by the numerous sightseers, as was the process of making fires, and cooking the viands. There was nearly double the number encamped on Monday, that was there on the march down; and yet there was room on the spacious Common for as many again; its advantages as a camping ground were very highly spoken of by the Soldiers, many of whom said it was by far the best place they had had on the whole march. The tents were pitched on the furthest end from the Town, the Headquarters being in the Park. The scene on Monday night was most picturesque in the moonlight, the long lines of tents having a very pleasing effect, while the groups of Soldiers around their camp fires cooking their suppers were watched with interest by thousands of spectators. About five o’clock on the Tuesday morning the camp was astir, and about seven the Infantry marched off with their bands playing. The Engineers soon followed, and then the Artillery.
The Cavalry did not leave the Park until nine o’clock. No sooner had they left, than the inhabitants of Hungerford were apprised by the entry into the Town of the advance guard of the other column of the Army, which had encamped at Wilton and Crofton. The route taken by this column on the way down was by Inkpen, Ham, and Shalbourn, and hundreds of people and many carriages were gathered there on Tuesday to see them pass back, but in this they were disappointed, as they all came through Hungerford. This consisted of the 6th Dragoon Guards, with band, several Troops of the Royal Engineers, C and H batteries 14th Brigade, Royal Artillery, 1st Battalion 7th Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion 88th Foot, and the 2nd Battalion 95th Foot. At the cross roads, Denford, there was a continual stream of Troops passing from seven o’clock till about twelve. Between fourteen and fifteen thousand Troops marched through the Town during the week.
More from the past next month. Fred Bailey