36th Regiment 1860-80

IRELAND AND NEW COLOURS

In August, 1860 the regiment embarked from Plymouth for Ireland and the Curragh. They moved to Dublin in October by march route and returned to the Curragh the following April. This must seem rather a dull period but no doubt the regiment was kept busy training, shooting and holding inspections. In June the troops on the Curragh were formed into brigades. The 36th formed the 1st Brigade with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. H.R.H. The Prince of Wales commenced his military career this year having been appointed as Colonel on the Staff of the Curragh Division. He honoured the regiment by presenting new colours to replace those presented at Weedon in 1846. The old colours were later taken by an escort under Captain W. C. Hill to Hereford where they were hung in the Cathderal. The camp at the Curragh broke up towards the end of September and the 36th wintered in Dublin. No doubt they had a very pleasant time. In June, 1863 orders were received for Bengal and another change in establishment. The regiment was made up to strength with volunteers from the 9th, 11th, 13th and 68th regiments.

INDIA

The regiment embarked in three freight ships at Queenstown in August. Two ships arrived in Calcutta in November and the third a month later. The regiment was to relieve the 48th in Lucknow where they arrived, after several stops, in January, 1864. An epidemic of cholera attacked the regiment during the hot weather and 28 men died. The number would no doubt have been greater but for the care taken to isolate and move the companies as and when they were attacked. In consequence of this epidemic the regiment moved by wings to Moradabad and Shahjehanpore. In 1867 cholera again broke out in both places. The wings marched out into camp, frequently moving the sites and the epidemic subsided. When the 36th left Shahjehanpore for Peshawar in October some friends presented a silver cup to the Officers’ Mess. In 1948 this cup was handed over on loan to the Herefordshire Regiment T.A. until such time as the 36th should be raised again.

The regiment arrived at Meean Meer on 22nd December where they were inspected by the Commander of the Lahore Division. He commented very favourably on the smart appearance of the regiment after nearly two months marching. Christmas was spent on the march and the regiment arrived at Peshawar on January 23rd, 1868. The regiment remained here throughout the year.

 In 1896 a detachment of 200 men under Lt. Colonel Hunter took part in an expedition towards Kohat Pass to punish some troublesome tribes who disappeared into the hills and the expedition returned. However, the tribesmen were driven into the arms of another force advancing from Kohat and severely handled. In September cholera again broke out seriously. The regiment moved into camp but it was some time before the scourge abated. To the great sorrow of the regiment Surgeon Hill was among the victims, along with one sergeant and 115 rank and file. In November the 36th moved to Rawalpindi.

In 1870 a Regimental Dinner Club was established with Captain Carr, commanding the Depot, as honorary secretary. Sixty-four retired officers joined and at the first dinner held on the Wednesday of Ascot Week, twenty-four Officers attended. In December, 1872 the regiment left Rawalpindi for a camp of exercise at Hassan Abdul. After the manoeuvres the regiment returned to Rawalpindi until relieved in 1875, when they marched to Meean Meer. They left behind in the churchyard the graves of one officer, Quarter Master John Bryant, and 28 other ranks. The Q.M.’s tombstone and those of five other ranks were still standing and recognisable in 1938. In October, 1875 the regiment marched for Bombay where on November 13th they sailed for home in H.M.S. Euphrates. They landed at Devonport, after trans-shipping at Portsmouth, in December.

ENGLAND

During July the 5th Army Corps was mobilised at Homington Camp, near Salisbury. The 36th formed part of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division. Back in Raglan Barracks the regiment was inspected by the G.O.C. Western District and the Commander-in-Chief commented favourably in his report.

In November 1877, the regiment proceeded to Pembroke dock and was quartered in huts. Brevet Lieut. Colonel R. E. Carr now took command of the Regiment. I and K Companies were left at Devonport and proceeded shortly afterwards to form the combined depot with the 29th at the newly built Norton Barracks. At this time a number of men took advantage of the permission given for men of three years service to retire to the first-class reserve.

In April, 1878 the Army Reserve was mobilised because of a scare of war with Russia. The 36th received men from both the Hereford and Worcester Militia. These men were demobilised in July. In June whistles were authorised for Sergeants and Officers “when manoeuvering in extended order.” Whistles had previously been worn by the officers of the Light Cavalry.

In December a draft of 126 volunteers embarked for South Africa to join the 99th and take part in the Zulu War. One of these men was still alive in 1938 living in Wolverhampton. In 1878 the 36th took second place in the regiments at home for immunity from crime.

The first sign of the ” linking ” of regiments for draft finding occured in January, 1879 when 128 men were transferred to the 29th which was embarking for Bombay. The strength of the regiment was made up by general recruiting. In March the regiment proceeded to Lancashire and companies were stationed in Liverpool and Fleetwood while one company proceeded to the Isle of Man. At the end of the year 35 privates were transferred to the 29th, and “The Times” reported that the 36th “appears to be about the best conducted regiment on home service, although composed almost entirely of recruits.”

In July the Regiment returned again to Ireland and Cork.

IRELAND, 1881

General Order No. 41 of 1881 completely reorganised the Army. The Minister of War, Mr. Cardwell, is generally given the credit—or blame. The 36th now lost their old number and title and became the 2nd Battalion of The Worcestershire Regiment. The 29th formed the 1st Battalion. Looking back now it seems all right but it must have been very galling for such a senior regiment to become a second battalion. The next senior regiment to become such was the 46th who became the 2nd Battalion D.C.L.I. It may have been a consideration to be allied with a neighbouring county—some regiments were not so lucky.