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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Paddington Rifles<br>36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles)<br>10th Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington)
|unit_name=36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles)<br>10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington)
|image=
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|caption=
|dates=1860–1912
|dates= 29 February 1860–31 May 1912
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[Territorial Force]]
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]
|type=Infantry
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|role=
|size=Battalion
|size=[[Battalion]]
|command_structure=[[169th (3rd London) Brigade|North London Brigade]]
|command_structure=[[London Regiment (1908–1938)|London Regiment]]
|garrison=Greville House (1869–1896)<br>Harrow Road drill hall (1896–1912)
|current_commander=
|garrison_label=
|garrison=[[Paddington]]
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|motto='Arm for Peace'
|colors_label=
|colors=None (Rifle regiment)
|march=
|march=
|mascot=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|battles=
⚫
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
}}
|battle_honours=
The '''Paddington Rifles''' was a [[Volunteer Force (Great Britain)|Volunteer]] unit of the [[British Army]] based in the London suburb of [[Paddington]] from 1860 to 1912.
|disbanded=
<!-- Commanders -->
|commander1=
|commander1_label=
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
⚫
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=
|identification_symbol_label=}}
The '''Paddington Rifles''' was a unit of the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]].


==Origin==
==Origin==
The enthusiasm for the [[Volunteer movement]] following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle, Artillery and Engineer Volunteer units composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular [[British Army]] in time of need.<ref>Beckett.</ref> One such unit was the '''Paddington Rifles''', raised at Hermitage Street, [[Paddington]], on 29 February 1860, which became the '''36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles)'''.<ref name = Regiments>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060228222534/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L10padd.htm Paddington Rifles at Regiments.org]</ref><ref name = Westlake>Westlake, pp. 172–3.</ref><ref>Beckett, Appendix VIII.</ref><ref name = Lwiki>[http://london.wikia.com/wiki/Paddington_Rifles Paddington Rifles at London Wiki.]</ref>Major-General David Downing (1802–88), late of the [[Bengal Army]], became the unit's first commanding officer (CO).<ref name = Westlake/><ref>Hodson.</ref> In line with the Volunteers' ''raison d'etre'', the Paddington Rifles adopted the motto 'Arm for Peace'.<ref name = Westlake/><ref>Beckett, p. 25.</ref>
The enthusiasm for the [[Volunteer movement]] following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle, Artillery and Engineer Volunteer units composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular [[British Army]] in time of need.<ref>Beckett.</ref> One such unit was the '''Paddington Rifles''', raised at Hermitage Street, [[Paddington]], on 29 February 1860, which became the '''36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles)'''.<ref name = Regiments>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060228222534/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L10padd.htm Paddington Rifles at Regiments.org]</ref><ref name = Westlake>Westlake, pp. 172–3.</ref><ref>Beckett, Appendix VIII.</ref> Major-General David Downing (1802–88), late of the [[Bengal Army]], became the unit's first commanding officer (CO).<ref name = Westlake/><ref>Hodson.</ref> In line with the Volunteers' ''raison d'etre'', the Paddington Rifles adopted the motto 'Arm for Peace'.<ref name = Westlake/><ref>Beckett, p. 25.</ref>


The unit had two companies on parade at the first Volunteer Review held in Hyde Park in 1860, with recruitment for a third well under way. Soon afterwards the Paddington Rifles had four companies, a cadet corps and a drum and bugle band. Headquarters was at the Vestry Hall of [[St Mary on Paddington Green Church|St Mary's Church]], [[Paddington Green, London|Paddington Green]], with weapons stored and drills carried out at the Hermitage Street Fire Station across [[Harrow Road]]. The Corps also had the use of two riding schools, Pearce's in [[Westbourne Grove]] and Gapp's in Gloucester Terrace.<ref name = Westlake/>
The unit had two companies on parade at the first Volunteer Review held in Hyde Park in 1860, with recruitment for a third well under way. Soon afterwards the Paddington Rifles had four companies, a cadet corps and a drum and bugle band. Headquarters was at the Vestry Hall of [[St Mary on Paddington Green Church|St Mary's Church]], [[Paddington Green, London|Paddington Green]], with weapons stored and drills carried out at the Hermitage Street Fire Station across [[Harrow Road]]. The Corps also had the use of two riding schools, Pearce's in [[Westbourne Grove]] and Gapp's in [[Gloucester Terrace]].<ref name = Westlake/>


After undergoing 30 recruit drills in their first 18 months in the unit, the basic annual requirement for Volunteers was to attend six company drills, three battalion drills and the annual inspection, but many enthusiastic volunteers did far more than this, In July 1861 the 36th Middlesex RVC held morning and evening drills every weekday leading up to that year's grand Volunteer Review on [[Wimbledon Common]].<ref>Beckett, p. 113.</ref> Discipline was, however, often lacking, and in December 1860 Maj-Gen Downing, had to appeal to his men to avoid insubordination. The following year he was openly criticised in the ''Paddington Newsman'' by his own officers. His successor, Lt-Col William Wood (late [[Royal Marines]]), appointed 12 March 1861, received the same treatment in the ''Paddington Times'' in April 1868.<ref>Beckett, pp. 175–6.</ref><ref name = List>''Army List'' various dates.</ref> On 22 July 1869, Wood became Honorary Colonel of the unit and was replaced as CO by Gordon Maynard Ives (later Girdon-Ives) of [[Bentworth Hall]] (1837–1907), formerly of the [[Coldstream Guards]].<ref name = List/><ref>[http://genealogy.links.org/links-cgi/readged?/home/ben/camilla-genealogy/current+c-ives111849+2-2-0-1-0 Geneaology inks.org.]</ref>
After undergoing 30 recruit drills in their first 18 months in the unit, the basic annual requirement for Volunteers was to attend six company drills, three battalion drills and the annual inspection, but many enthusiastic volunteers did far more than this, In July 1861 the 36th Middlesex RVC held morning and evening drills every weekday leading up to that year's grand Volunteer Review on [[Wimbledon Common]].<ref name="Beckett, p. 113">Beckett, p. 113.</ref> Discipline was, however, often lacking, and in December 1860 Maj-Gen Downing, had to appeal to his men to avoid insubordination. The following year he was openly criticised in the ''Paddington Newsman'' by his own officers. His successor, Lt-Col William Wood (late [[Royal Marines]]), appointed 12 March 1861, received the same treatment in the ''Paddington Times'' in April 1868.<ref>Beckett, pp. 175–6.</ref><ref name = List>''Army List'' various dates.</ref> On 22 July 1869, Wood became Honorary Colonel of the unit and was replaced as CO by Gordon Maynard Ives (later Girdon-Ives) of [[Bentworth Hall]] (1837–1907), formerly of the [[Coldstream Guards]].<ref name = List/><ref>[http://genealogy.links.org/links-cgi/readged?/home/ben/camilla-genealogy/current+c-ives111849+2-2-0-1-0 Genealogy inks.org.]</ref>


In 1868 a boy was killed on the unit's rifle range.<ref>Beckett, p. 113.</ref>
In 1868 a boy was killed on the unit's rifle range.<ref name="Beckett, p. 113"/>


==Expansion==
==Expansion==
In 1869 the Vestry Hall began to be converted into Paddington Town Hall, and the Rifles had to find a temporary HQ above the 'King and Queen' public house in Harrow Road. Later it moved across Paddington Green into Greville House.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> By 1870 the unit had at least seven companies, with No 7 Company at [[Kensal Green]] being made up mainly from employees of the [[Metropolitan Railway]].<ref name = Westlake/>
In 1869 the Vestry Hall began to be converted into Paddington Town Hall, and the Rifles had to find a temporary HQ above the 'King and Queen' public house in Harrow Road. Later it moved across Paddington Green into Greville House.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> By 1870 the unit had at least seven companies, with No 7 Company at [[Kensal Green]] being made up mainly from employees of the [[Metropolitan Railway]].<ref name = Westlake/>


In 1880 there was a reorganisation of the RVCs and the unit was renumbered as the '''18th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (Paddington Rifles)''', consisting of 12 companies.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> Under the [[Childers Reforms]] of 1881 it became the 5th (later 4th) Volunteer Bn of the [[Rifle Brigade]], without changing its title.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> It remained a 'Middlesex' unit even after its recruiting area became part of the new [[County of London]] in 1889.<ref name = Lwiki/>
In 1880 there was a reorganisation of the RVCs and the unit was renumbered as the '''18th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (Paddington Rifles)''', consisting of 12 companies.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> Under the [[Childers Reforms]] of 1881 it became the 5th (later 4th) Volunteer Bn of the [[Rifle Brigade]], without changing its title.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/> It remained a 'Middlesex' unit even after its recruiting area became part of the new [[County of London]] in 1889.


The [[Stanhope Memorandum]] of December 1888 introduced a Mobilisation Scheme for Volunteer units, which would assemble in their own brigades at key points in case of war. In peacetime these brigades provided a structure for collective training.<ref>Beckett, pp. 135, 185–6.</ref><ref>Dunlop, pp. 60–1.</ref> The Paddington Rifles formed part of the [[169th (3rd London) Brigade|North London Brigade]].<ref name = MAL>''Monthly Army Lists'', 1889–1914.</ref>
The [[Stanhope Memorandum]] of December 1888 introduced a Mobilisation Scheme for Volunteer units, which would assemble in their own brigades at key points in case of war. In peacetime these brigades provided a structure for collective training.<ref>Beckett, pp. 135, 185–6.</ref><ref>Dunlop, pp. 60–1.</ref> The Paddington Rifles formed part of the [[169th (3rd London) Brigade|North London Brigade]].<ref name = MAL>''Monthly Army Lists'', 1889–1914.</ref>
Line 46: Line 59:
The continued expansion of the battalion – transport and ambulance sections had been added – led to overcrowding at Greville House, and in 1895 the unit acquired property at 207–9 Harrow Road with sufficient land to build a drill hall and rifle range. It moved into this new HQ on 31 March 1896.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/>
The continued expansion of the battalion – transport and ambulance sections had been added – led to overcrowding at Greville House, and in 1895 the unit acquired property at 207–9 Harrow Road with sufficient land to build a drill hall and rifle range. It moved into this new HQ on 31 March 1896.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/>


During the [[Second Boer War]] the battalion formed a service company of volunteers to serve alongside the Regulars, earning the [[Battle honour]] '''South Africa 1900–1902'''. Other members, including the second-in-command, Lt-Col A.G. Pawle, served with the [[City Imperial Volunteers]] (CIV).<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = List/><ref name = Creswicke>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27353/page/5967/data.pdf ''London Gazette'', 10 September 1901.]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=y4HuxWgCUs4C&pg=PT463&lpg=PT463&dq=lieutenant+colonel+a.g.+pawle&source=bl&ots=5mq4YHW5QU&sig=yY1gc9nEs1lXjZFTIsFL9Q72ncE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiR2bq_1pXSAhULD8AKHbTdAYwQ6AEILDAD#v=onepage&q=lieutenant%20colonel%20a.g.%20pawle&f=false Louis Creswicke, ''South Africa and the Transvaal War'', Vol 3.]</ref>
During the [[Second Boer War]] the battalion formed a service company of volunteers to serve alongside the Regulars, earning the [[Battle honour]] '''South Africa 1900–1902'''. Other members, including the second-in-command, Lt-Col A.G. Pawle, served with the [[City Imperial Volunteers]] (CIV).<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = List/><ref name = Creswicke>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27353/page/5967/data.pdf ''London Gazette'', 10 September 1901.]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=y4HuxWgCUs4C&pg=PT463 Louis Creswicke, ''South Africa and the Transvaal War'', Vol 3.]</ref>


Freemasons within the unit formed their own [[Masonic lodge]] (Paddington Rifles No 2807) in 1900.<ref name = Westlake/>
Freemasons within the unit formed their own [[Masonic lodge]] (Paddington Rifles No 2807) in 1900.<ref name = Westlake/>


==Territorial Force==
==Territorial Force==
When the Volunteers were subsumed into the [[Territorial Force]] (TF) under the [[Haldane Reforms]] in 1908, all of the Volunteer Battalions in the Central London area became part of the all-Territorial [[London Regiment]] and were numbered sequentially through the London brigades and divisions, with the Paddington Rifles becoming '''10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington)''' in the 3rd London Brigade in [[56th (1st London) Division|1st London Division]].<ref name = MAL/><ref>Martin.</ref><ref>Money Barnes, Appendix IV.</ref><ref>Westlake.</ref>
When the Volunteers were subsumed into the [[Territorial Force]] (TF) under the [[Haldane Reforms]] in 1908, all of the Volunteer Battalions in the Central London area became part of the all-Territorial [[London Regiment (1908–1938)|London Regiment]] and were numbered sequentially through the London brigades and divisions, with the Paddington Rifles becoming '''10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington)''' in the 3rd London Brigade in [[56th (1st London) Division|1st London Division]].<ref name = MAL/><ref>Martin.</ref><ref>Money Barnes, Appendix IV.</ref><ref>Westlake.</ref>


==Disbandment==
==Disbandment==
In later years the battalion suffered from poor recruitment, and it failed to meet its required establishment. As a result, the Paddington Rifles was disbanded on 31 May 1912 and replaced by a new 10th Battalion, London Regiment ([[Hackney Rifles]]), while the [[3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment|3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)]] took over its battalion HQ at Harrow Road, and absorbed many of its personnel.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Lwiki/><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051226170346/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L03.htm 3rd City of London at Regiments.org]</ref>
In later years the battalion suffered from poor recruitment, and it failed to meet its required establishment. As a result, the Paddington Rifles was disbanded on 31 May 1912 and replaced by a new [[10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney), London Regiment]], while the [[3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment|3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers)]] took over its battalion HQ at Harrow Road, and absorbed many of its personnel.<ref name = Regiments/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051226170346/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L03.htm 3rd City of London at Regiments.org]</ref>


==Uniform==
==Uniform==
From at least 1876 (''ie'' well before it became a Volunteer Battalion of the Rifle Brigade) the Paddington Rifles wore a [[Rifle green]] uniform with black [[Facing colour|facings]], and as a rifle unit it was never issued with [[Regimental colour|colours]].<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/><ref>Money Barnes, Appendix III.</ref> The [[National Portrait Gallery, London]] has a ''carte-de-visite'' photograph of Col Gordon-Ives from November 1860 wearing what might be this uniform:
From at least 1876 (''ie'' well before it became a Volunteer Battalion of the Rifle Brigade) the Paddington Rifles wore a [[Rifle green]] uniform with black [[Facing colour|facings]], and as a rifle unit it was never issued with [[Regimental colour|colours]].<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = Westlake/><ref>Money Barnes, Appendix III.</ref>


⚫
==Honorary colonel==
[http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp93184/gordon-maynard-ives Col Gordon-Ives photo]
⚫
The following officers served as honorary colonel of the unit:

⚫
==Honorary Colonel==
⚫
The following officers served as Honorary Colonel of the unit:
* Lt-Col William Wood, late [[Royal Marines]], former CO, appointed 22 July 1869.<ref name = List/>
* Lt-Col William Wood, late [[Royal Marines]], former CO, appointed 22 July 1869.<ref name = List/>
* Col Gordon Maynard Gordon-Ives, [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Volunteer Decoration|VD]], late [[Coldstream Guards]], former CO, appointed 28 March 1889.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = List/>
* Col Gordon Maynard Gordon-Ives, [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Volunteer Decoration|VD]], late [[Coldstream Guards]], former CO, appointed 28 March 1889.<ref name = Regiments/><ref name = List/>
Line 69: Line 80:


==Prominent members==
==Prominent members==
* The Hon Alan de Tatton Egerton (later [[Alan Egerton, 3rd Baron Egerton|3rd Baron Egerton]] was commissioned as a Captain in the unit on 2 May 1877.<ref name = List/><ref>''Burke's''.</ref>
* The Hon Alan de Tatton Egerton (later [[Alan Egerton, 3rd Baron Egerton|3rd Baron Egerton]] was commissioned as a captain in the unit on 2 May 1877.<ref name = List/><ref>''Burke's''.</ref>
* [[Philip Hugh Dalbiac]], CB, [[Territorial Decoration|TD]] retired Captain in the [[Sherwood Foresters]], was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant on 3 June 1896.<ref name = List/> He later commanded the [[60th (2/2nd London) Division]]'s [[Royal Army Service Corps|Transport and Supply Column]] in [[Macedonian campaign|Salonika]] during [[World War I]]
* [[Philip Hugh Dalbiac]], CB, [[Territorial Decoration|TD]] retired Captain in the [[Sherwood Foresters]], was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant on 3 June 1896.<ref name = List/> He later commanded the [[60th (2/2nd London) Division]]'s [[Royal Army Service Corps|Transport and Supply Column]] in [[Macedonian campaign|Salonika]] during [[World War I]]
* Hon Col A.G. Pawle, VD, served as second-in-command of the [[City Imperial Volunteers]] during the Second Boer War and was [[Mentioned in dispatches]]<ref name = List/><ref name = Creswicke/><ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27256/page/8460/data.pdf ''London Gazette'', 14 December 1900.]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27353/page/5967/data.pdf ''London Gazette'',10 September 1901.]</ref>
* Hon Col A.G. Pawle, VD, served as second-in-command of the [[City Imperial Volunteers]] during the Second Boer War and was [[Mentioned in dispatches]]<ref name = List/><ref name = Creswicke/><ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27256/page/8460/data.pdf ''London Gazette'', 14 December 1900.]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27353/page/5967/data.pdf ''London Gazette'',10 September 1901.]</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==References==
==References==
* Ian F.W. Beckett, ''Riflemen Form: A Study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908'', Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, ISBN 0 85936 271 X.
* Ian F.W. Beckett, ''Riflemen Form: A Study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908'', Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, {{ISBN|0 85936 271 X}}.

* ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage,'' 100th Edn, London, 1953.
* ''Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage,'' 100th Edn, London, 1953.

* Col John K. Dunlop, ''The Development of the British Army 1899–1914'', London: Methuen, 1938.
* Col John K. Dunlop, ''The Development of the British Army 1899–1914'', London: Methuen, 1938.
⚫
* Maj V.C.P, Hodson, ''Officers of the Bengal Army 1758-1834'', 6 Vols, 1927/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, {{ISBN|978-1-84342-186-3}}.

⚫
* Maj V.C.P, Hodson, ''Officers of the Bengal Army 1758-1834'', 6 Vols, 1927/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-186-1.

* Lt-Col H.R. Martin, ''Historical Record of the London Regiment'', 2nd Edn (nd)
* Lt-Col H.R. Martin, ''Historical Record of the London Regiment'', 2nd Edn (nd)

* Maj R. Money Barnes, ''The Soldiers of London'', London: Seeley Service, 1963.
* Maj R. Money Barnes, ''The Soldiers of London'', London: Seeley Service, 1963.
⚫
* Ray Westlake, ''Tracing the Rifle Volunteers'', Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2010, {{ISBN|978-1-84884-211-3}}.

⚫
* Ray Westlake, ''Tracing the Rifle Volunteers'', Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-211-3.


==Online sources==
==Online sources==
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20051228103659/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/index.htm Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org – archive site)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051228103659/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/index.htm Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth (Regiments.org – archive site)]


{{LondonRegiment}}


[[Category:Military units and formations in London]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in London]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Middlesex]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Middlesex]]
[[Category:Rifle Volunteer Corps of the British Army|Middlesex]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Paddington]]
[[Category:London Regiment]]
[[Category:Rifle Volunteer Corps of the British Army]]
[[Category:Battalions of the London Regiment (1908–1938)]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1860]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1860]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1912]]
[[Category:Paddington]]

Latest revision as of 00:02, 28 March 2023

36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles)
10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington)
Active1860–1912
Country United Kingdom
Branch Territorial Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBattalion
Part ofLondon Regiment
Garrison/HQGreville House (1869–1896)
Harrow Road drill hall (1896–1912)

The Paddington Rifles was a unit of the Territorial Army.

Origin

[edit]

The enthusiasm for the Volunteer movement following an invasion scare in 1859 saw the creation of many Rifle, Artillery and Engineer Volunteer units composed of part-time soldiers eager to supplement the Regular British Army in time of need.[1] One such unit was the Paddington Rifles, raised at Hermitage Street, Paddington, on 29 February 1860, which became the 36th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers (Paddington Rifles).[2][3][4] Major-General David Downing (1802–88), late of the Bengal Army, became the unit's first commanding officer (CO).[3][5] In line with the Volunteers' raison d'etre, the Paddington Rifles adopted the motto 'Arm for Peace'.[3][6]

The unit had two companies on parade at the first Volunteer Review held in Hyde Park in 1860, with recruitment for a third well under way. Soon afterwards the Paddington Rifles had four companies, a cadet corps and a drum and bugle band. Headquarters was at the Vestry Hall of St Mary's Church, Paddington Green, with weapons stored and drills carried out at the Hermitage Street Fire Station across Harrow Road. The Corps also had the use of two riding schools, Pearce's in Westbourne Grove and Gapp's in Gloucester Terrace.[3]

After undergoing 30 recruit drills in their first 18 months in the unit, the basic annual requirement for Volunteers was to attend six company drills, three battalion drills and the annual inspection, but many enthusiastic volunteers did far more than this, In July 1861 the 36th Middlesex RVC held morning and evening drills every weekday leading up to that year's grand Volunteer Review on Wimbledon Common.[7] Discipline was, however, often lacking, and in December 1860 Maj-Gen Downing, had to appeal to his men to avoid insubordination. The following year he was openly criticised in the Paddington Newsman by his own officers. His successor, Lt-Col William Wood (late Royal Marines), appointed 12 March 1861, received the same treatment in the Paddington Times in April 1868.[8][9] On 22 July 1869, Wood became Honorary Colonel of the unit and was replaced as CO by Gordon Maynard Ives (later Girdon-Ives) of Bentworth Hall (1837–1907), formerly of the Coldstream Guards.[9][10]

In 1868 a boy was killed on the unit's rifle range.[7]

Expansion

[edit]

In 1869 the Vestry Hall began to be converted into Paddington Town Hall, and the Rifles had to find a temporary HQ above the 'King and Queen' public house in Harrow Road. Later it moved across Paddington Green into Greville House.[2][3] By 1870 the unit had at least seven companies, with No 7 Company at Kensal Green being made up mainly from employees of the Metropolitan Railway.[3]

In 1880 there was a reorganisation of the RVCs and the unit was renumbered as the 18th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps (Paddington Rifles), consisting of 12 companies.[2][3] Under the Childers Reforms of 1881 it became the 5th (later 4th) Volunteer Bn of the Rifle Brigade, without changing its title.[2][3] It remained a 'Middlesex' unit even after its recruiting area became part of the new County of London in 1889.

The Stanhope Memorandum of December 1888 introduced a Mobilisation Scheme for Volunteer units, which would assemble in their own brigades at key points in case of war. In peacetime these brigades provided a structure for collective training.[11][12] The Paddington Rifles formed part of the North London Brigade.[13]

The continued expansion of the battalion – transport and ambulance sections had been added – led to overcrowding at Greville House, and in 1895 the unit acquired property at 207–9 Harrow Road with sufficient land to build a drill hall and rifle range. It moved into this new HQ on 31 March 1896.[2][3]

During the Second Boer War the battalion formed a service company of volunteers to serve alongside the Regulars, earning the Battle honour South Africa 1900–1902. Other members, including the second-in-command, Lt-Col A.G. Pawle, served with the City Imperial Volunteers (CIV).[2][9][14][15]

Freemasons within the unit formed their own Masonic lodge (Paddington Rifles No 2807) in 1900.[3]

Territorial Force

[edit]

When the Volunteers were subsumed into the Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms in 1908, all of the Volunteer Battalions in the Central London area became part of the all-Territorial London Regiment and were numbered sequentially through the London brigades and divisions, with the Paddington Rifles becoming 10th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Paddington) in the 3rd London Brigade in 1st London Division.[13][16][17][18]

Disbandment

[edit]

In later years the battalion suffered from poor recruitment, and it failed to meet its required establishment. As a result, the Paddington Rifles was disbanded on 31 May 1912 and replaced by a new 10th (County of London) Battalion (Hackney), London Regiment, while the 3rd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers) took over its battalion HQ at Harrow Road, and absorbed many of its personnel.[2][19]

Uniform

[edit]

From at least 1876 (ie well before it became a Volunteer Battalion of the Rifle Brigade) the Paddington Rifles wore a Rifle green uniform with black facings, and as a rifle unit it was never issued with colours.[2][3][20]

Honorary colonel

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The following officers served as honorary colonel of the unit:

The position remained vacant from 1907 until the disbandment of the unit.[2]

Prominent members

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Notes

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  1. ^ Beckett.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Paddington Rifles at Regiments.org
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Westlake, pp. 172–3.
  4. ^ Beckett, Appendix VIII.
  5. ^ Hodson.
  6. ^ Beckett, p. 25.
  7. ^ a b Beckett, p. 113.
  8. ^ Beckett, pp. 175–6.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Army List various dates.
  10. ^ Genealogy inks.org.
  11. ^ Beckett, pp. 135, 185–6.
  12. ^ Dunlop, pp. 60–1.
  13. ^ a b Monthly Army Lists, 1889–1914.
  14. ^ a b London Gazette, 10 September 1901.
  15. ^ Louis Creswicke, South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol 3.
  16. ^ Martin.
  17. ^ Money Barnes, Appendix IV.
  18. ^ Westlake.
  19. ^ 3rd City of London at Regiments.org
  20. ^ Money Barnes, Appendix III.
  21. ^ Burke's.
  22. ^ London Gazette, 14 December 1900.
  23. ^ London Gazette,10 September 1901.

References

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  • Ian F.W. Beckett, Riflemen Form: A Study of the Rifle Volunteer Movement 1859–1908, Aldershot: Ogilby Trusts, 1982, ISBN 0 85936 271 X.
  • Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 100th Edn, London, 1953.
  • Col John K. Dunlop, The Development of the British Army 1899–1914, London: Methuen, 1938.
  • Maj V.C.P, Hodson, Officers of the Bengal Army 1758-1834, 6 Vols, 1927/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2001, ISBN 978-1-84342-186-3.
  • Lt-Col H.R. Martin, Historical Record of the London Regiment, 2nd Edn (nd)
  • Maj R. Money Barnes, The Soldiers of London, London: Seeley Service, 1963.
  • Ray Westlake, Tracing the Rifle Volunteers, Barnsley: Pen and Sword, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84884-211-3.

Online sources

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