The Hull Packet & East Riding Times
Fri 9 Jul 1880
THE HULL ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS
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LORD LONDESBOROUGH AND
THE WAR OFFICE
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COL HUMPHREY AND OTHER OFFICERS
DISMISSED
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DISORDERLY PROCEEDINGS
On Monday night [5 Jul 1880] a parade of the members of the 4th East York Artillery Volunteers was called at the Barracks, Park Street, to meet the honorary colonel, Lord Londesborough. The muster was only a small one, numbering but one-fourth of their proper standard. Groups of volunteers who were present in their proper uniform did not fall in, and took no part in the proceedings except as spectators. The men who had fallen in were formed into line, and Lord Londesborough, accompanied by Colonel Field, inspected them. Subsequently the men were drawn up in close order facing the platform, upon which his lordship, Colonel Field, Lieut Colonel Collington, and Major Pudsey had mounted.
Lord LONDESBOROUGH then proceeded to read the decision of the War Office authorities on the recent events in connection with the corps. During the reading the attempts at applause were stopped by the gesture of Major Pudsey, who demanded "order". The document which his lordship read was as follows:-
Horse Guards, War Office, June 20th 1880
My Lord, - I have it in command from his Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to acknowledge the receipt of your lordship's letter of the 28th [sic] instant addressed to the Right Hon the Secretary of State for War, conveying your assurance that the consequences of your lordship's act in resigning your commission as hon colonel of the 4th East York Artillery Volunteers was such as you had not contemplated, and expressing your lordship's desire to withdraw the letter conveying your resignation. I am desired to inform you that his Royal Highness, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, is pleased to accept this explanation, and I am accordingly to intimate to your lordship that the letter conveying your resignation may be considered as withdrawn, and that you are continued in your position of Hon Colonel of the 4th East York Artillery Volunteers (applause).
In consideration of Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey's conduct, on the occasion of the meeting of the corps, held at Hull on the 16th instant, in permitting such a resolution so subversive of discipline to be put to the meeting over which he presided, his Royal Highness has, with regret, felt it to be his duty to submit to Her Majesty to dispense with the services of this officer, as well as those of Captains F W T Thorp, A G H Wellesley, and E T Sharp, who acted with Lieutenant Colonel Humphrey in a matter calculated to induce a spirit of insubordination. Orders will be given, through the general officer commanding the district, for the dismissal of Sergeant Major Pexton and Quartermaster Sergeant Morris, for the insubordinate example set by them to their comrades.
As honorary colonel, I am to request that you will convey to the remaining members of the corps the grave censure which their recent proceedings have brought upon them, and also to inform them that any officers, other than those whose services will be dispensed with who may desire to resign their commissions may now put their applications forward in the usual way; and any men who desire to quit the corps may be permitted to do so in accordance with the volunteer regulations. His Royal Highness further desires me to acquaint your lordship that he will be glad to consider the names of any gentlemen who you may recommend to fill the vacancies now caused in the corps, and especially invites your assistance in the selection of a Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, who may seem likely to restore and maintain the reputation and discipline of the Fourth East York Artillery Volunteers.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordship's obedient servant,
C H ELLICE, A G [Adjutant General]
PS A copy of this letter will be forwarded to the general officer commanding the northern district
Lord Londesborough then said he hoped that both the officers and men of the corps would perceive that their first duty was to the Queen, and that they must put aside all personal and private feelings. He had, as they knew, felt strongly on the question of their treatment by the War Office, into the merits of which he would not now enter, and he resigned his honorary colonelcy of both this regiment and that of the Rifle Volunteers; but when he found that his telegram to Colonel Humphrey might be considered to encourage what was really great insubordination, although unintentional, being involuntary, he felt it his duty to at once withdraw his resignation, which permission had been granted.
The regiment had hitherto stood as high as any regiment in the service for efficiency and every soldierly quality, and he trusted the men would now give proof of their discipline and patriotism by cheerfully submitting to the orders which had been received from the properly constituted authorities without thinking of their own private feelings.
In response to a request from Lord Londesborough, Colonel FIELD said he need not go into particulars on the case, but his lordship merely wished him to make a few remarks as he had been deputed by the general officer commanding the district to convey to the corps and to the late officers Her Majesty's decision, which his lordship had read. His duty was naturally a painful one, but the remarks Lord Londesborough made with regard to the corps found an echo from him, for, although, as they were aware, he had not much to do with the personnel of artillery volunteer corps, that point of vital importance was ever before him as commanding officer of this district – their efficiency as artillerymen. The Fourth East York Artillery had always been noted as being one of very prime efficiency and a very fine corps, and he would only express a hope that the concluding words of Lord Londesborough might find their echo from them all.
With the conclusion of Colonel Field's remarks the officers were leaving the platform, when a low sound of hissing was heard. Major Pudsey returned to the front, and called "Order". This was received by a call for "Colonel Humphrey" (who was not present), and on Major Pudsey again demanding order, a storm of howls arose, in the midst of which cheers were given for Colonel Humphrey, Captain Thorp, and Captain Sharp.
The efforts of the major to obtain order were unavailing, and at length he gave the command, "Attention, right about turn – dismiss." The brigade then broke up, but many of the men recognising Captain Thorp on the north side of the hall, gathered round him with hearty cheers, and subsequently "chaired" him out at the door. A large body of the men, accompanied by an immense crowd, afterwards proceeded to the residence of Colonel Humphrey on the Anlaby road, and cheered lustily for their late commander.