arrangements were made to accommodate the Battalion in the B lines in huts. The Battalion assembled on the 21st of May at Kempston Barracks, and early on the following morning proceeded to Shorncliffe. The Regiments at the camp were the 3rd and 4th Battalions Royal West Kent, 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and the 7th Dragoon Guards. On the 31st of May the Queen's Birthday was kept, the parade consisting of the 7th Dragoon Guards, Royal Artillery 1st Battalion, and 3rd Battalion the Bedfordshire. Regiment. The old Colours having been in use the regulated time of thirty years, new ones were issued by the War Office, of the new pattern, precisely the same as those carried by the Line, with the exception of the "badges." On the 12th of June the Duchess of Bedford came down to Shorncliffe, and presented the Battalion with the new Colours. The new Colours were handed to the Duchess by the two Majors, Lucas and Sharpe, who gave them to Lieutenants Pym and Greenway, both kneeling. It is a curious fact which, if it has ever happened before, has at all events not happened often, that an Officer has served in a Regiment longer than the Colours; but it did happen upon this occasion, as Lieut.-Colonel and Major G. B. Sharpe was one of the Ensigns who received the old Colours at Bedford in 1855, and as Major took part in the ceremony of receiving the new ones in 1883. The day for the ceremony was beautifully fine, and a large crowd assembled to witness it, Major-General Newdigate, C.B., Colonel Davis, and nearly the whole of the garrison turning out to see it. After the parade, the officers gave a breakfast in the mess-room, and a "dance" in the evening, which was largely attended. The old Colours were given to the Duke of Bedford; but with the thoughtfulness that so truly characterises. him, he wished them to be committed to another place. The Officers of the Regiment, past and present, had ordered a stained-glass window to be put into St. Paul's Church, Bedford, in memory of Colonel Sir Richard Gilpin, Bart.; and it was the Duke of Bedford's wish that the old Colours should be placed by the sides of the memorial window; and a better place for them could not have been found. On the 14th of June H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief, came down to Shorncliffe, and inspected the troops in the camp. His Royal Highness addressed the 3rd Battalion, and expressed his satisfaction. at the appearance, steadiness under arms, and good marching of the men, and His Royal Highness added that the Battalion was quite fit to take its place by the side of any Battalion of the Line, and to go anywhere; and that the general report of the Battalion he had received, reflected the greatest credit upon the Officers, non-commissioned Officers and Men. On the 15th the Battalion returned to Bedford, and was dismissed on the following day. Strength 701. I have now completed the records of the Battalion up to the present date. These pages do not pretend to be of any literary skill, or of historical value. I have taken a good deal of pains to trace out the records and services of the old Regiment, and I trust that my Brother Officers will continue to maintain and keep the records of the Battalion in the same careful manner as those who have served before us in the Regiment have done. |