INFANTRY DRILL 1896
H.M.S.O., 1896
printed by Harrison & Sons, London
'Should the enemy still continue to advance, the reserves with fixed bayonets will be led forward, prepared to charge the moment the firing line shows any indication of being unable to hold its own. In charging, the men will cheer, and drums and bugles will sound.'
A rare British Army Infantry Drill manual published in 1896. Introduced by the Commander in Chief of the British Army, Sir Garnet Wolseley, the book was no doubt greatly influenced by Wolseley's own highly influential 1886 manual, The Soldier’s Pocket Book For Field Service. First published in 1869, The Soldier's Pocket Book was the forerunner of the official War Office Field Service Pocket Book published almost 40 years later and widely used during the First World War.
Infantry Drill 1896 was to be the standard reference in late Victorian infantry drill and tactics. It was compiled by G. F. R. Henderson on behalf of Sir Garnet Wolseley during the lead-up to the Cardwell Reforms. It was updated and re-issued until the turn of the century, with the 1896 edition being the last major revision before the Anglo-Boer War. Subjects covered include: squad drill, formations, movements, bugle calls, company organisation, battalion drill, tactics, attack, defence, retreats, artillery fire, rifle fire, defensive positions, sentries, night operations, equipment and ammunition, marching, outposts, machine gun tactics, flags of truce, ceremonial duties, manoeuvres, shelter-trenches, rifle pits, working parties, etc. The book is ilustrated with plates depicting a range of drill maneouvres and tactical operations, including digging shelter trenches and lining rifle pits.
Field Marshal Sir Garnet Wolseley (1833-1913), 1st Viscount Wolseley, arguably the most famous soldier of the Victorian era, was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army. He served in Burma, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, China, Canada, and throughout Africa — including the Ashanti War (1873–1874) and the Nile Expedition against Mahdist Sudan in 1884-85. He was Commander-in-Chief of the Army from 1895 to 1900. His reputation for efficiency led to the late 19th-century English phrase "everything's all Sir Garnet", meaning "all is in order.” In favour of Army reforms, Wolseley gathered together a coterie of able officers known as the 'Wolseley ring' that included Redvers Buller, Evelyn Wood, Henry Brackenbury and George Colley among others. They accompanied Wolseley on his campaigns and supported his reforms.
Condition:
In very good condition. The leather-covered boards are in good condition, with signs of wear and use, a repaired crease to the front board, and some minor marks. The binding and hinges are good and secure. The text, plates and illustrations are in very good condition.
Published: 1896
Maroon leather covered boards with gilt titling
Illustrated with diagrams and line drawings
Dimensions: 90mm x 120mm
Pages: 300
