Ann Barrett

THIS IS JUST A FEW RANDOM ITEMS EXTRACTED FROM THE IW NEWSPAPERS THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS, I WILL ADD MORE IF I FIND ANY.

8 Oct 1864 – PETTY SESSIONS .. George PATTERSON, Reuben GREVES and William PARKER, gunners in the R.A. stationed at Sandown, were brought up in custody charged with having forged an order to defraud John HERBERT of Sandown, boot and shoemaker ……. (IW Observer)

26 Apr 1879 – CHARITY PERFORMANCE .. At Parkhurst Barracks, about £20 has been subscribed for the Widows & Orphans of the Heroes of the 24th Regiment. The officers and non-commissioned officers gave theatrical performances in aid of the funds on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Volunteer Hall. Capt H. FRANCIS Commandant of the Newport Volunteer Corps, placing the hall at their service, free of all charges. The performances went off extremely well, and the fine string band of the 56th Regiment (Pompadours), under the direction of Her Hansen, delighted the company at intervals. A full house each evening, evinced the strong patriotic feeling of Newport. (IW Advertiser, Ryde & Ventnor Times) ^

31 May 1879 – We are glad to hear that the 42nd Regiment is to return to England immediately, and to be re-quartered in the Isle of Wight. The cause of this removal, we understand, is the sickly state of the regiment since its arrival in Gibralta from Cypress. It has been wisely determined not to expose it to the risk of passing the hot summer months in Gibralta, lest it should suffer a recurrence of fever, the susceptibility to which it contracted first in Ashantee and again in Cypress. (IW Advertiser, Ryde & Ventnor Times) *

31 Jan 1885 – SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS .. Several pages detailing the War Service of this regiment & personnel…… (IW County Press)

24 Apr 1886 –  MUSKETRY – Major PROVOST’s E company of the Highlanders, the average is higher than that made last year by any company in the service.  The young soldiers of the company have shot remarkably well.  Drummer STEPHENSON made a total of 38 out a possible of 40 at one distance, whilst Piper MACKRAY, the best shot in the company, compiled a fine score of 223……  (IW County Press)

08 May 1886 – CRICKET .. On Saturday last a match was played between C and G companies of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, resulting in a victory for the former by an innings and a few odd runs.  On Monday C and D companies played what is known as a “stump” match, this caused much amusement…… (IW County Press)

24 July 1886 – MILITARY CHANGES .. The garrison of Parkhurst is to be changed next month, when the 2nd battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, after a sojourn of eighteen months in the Isle of Wight, go to Ireland.  They will be relieved by a rifle battalion, the 1st King’s Royal Rifles, the old 60th, from Kinsale…… (IW County Press)

31 July 1886 – The annual rifle meeting of the 93rd Highlanders was held on Tuesday and Wednesday last, when there was some excellent shooting.  (IW County Press)

4 Feb 1888 – PROMOTION .. Quartermaster RILEY of the King’s Royal Rifles, stationed at Parkhurst, has been promoted to the Quartermastership of the depot at Winchester. Mr RILEY is very popular with the regiment and his removal will be regretted by all ranks, as well as by the many personal friends whom he has made in the Island during his location at Parkhurst. (IW County Press)

21 Oct 1899 – MILITARY OPERATIONS .. Unusual interest has been manifested in the military operations for some time past in the district, in the removal of several big guns from Colwell to the Needles fort.  A new military road is being made from Alum Bay up to the Needles fort.  (County Press)

6 Jan 1900 – PARTING GIFT .. Trooper F.DENHAM has been presented with a handsome briar-pipe, silver-mounted and engraved, by the Newport Volunteer Fire-Brigade, of which he was a member, on the occasion of his approaching departure for the seat of war with the Island contingent of the Imperial Yeomanry. (IW County Press)

15 June 1901 – SEARCH .. 200 or 300 of the Northumberland Fusiliers from Parkhurst Barracks, armed with sticks, joined in the search of the countryside, for two escaped convicts. (IW County Press)

14 Sept 1901 – PROMOTIONS .. Corpl. WILSON and Bomb. PORTCH of the 42nd company, stationed at Yaverland Fort, have been promoted to the rank of sergeant and corporal respectively.   (IW County Press)

11 June 1904 – HEROISM .. A deed of spendid heroism was performed by one we are proud to claim as an Islander. Lieut. Clement Leslie SMITH. The brave young soldier who has a commission in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry was serving with the Somaliland Field Force and was in a desparate engagement with the Dervishes at Jidballi. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his efforts to save a fellow officer, Dr WELLAND …… (IW County Press)

01 Oct 1910 – The Ryde Rifle Band has been disbanded and the Territorial Rifles marched out on Thursday to the sound of drums and bugles.  (IW Observer)

08 Oct 1910 – The Worcestershire Regiment went into their new quarters at Parkhurst Barracks on Saturday.  It is not the first time the regiment has been on the Island, in 1710 when a French invasion threatened they were encamped here for some weeks.  (IW Observer)

24 Mar 1917 – GOOD SERVICE RECOGNISED .. A parchment certificate has this week been presented to Pte. E. BURGIN, who is a patient at Hazelwood, for “Continued good service as signaller since 1914.”  Pte. BURGIN’s home is at Sheffield.  (IW Observer)

30 Nov 1918 – AWARD .. Captain Ambrose KEEVIL, M.B.E – of the Munsters, son-in-law of Mr. A. ANDREWS, J.P., of Ryde, has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross.  A very good picture of Captain KEEVIL appeared in the Daily Sketch on Tuesday.  (IW Observer)

22 May 1919 – ITALIAN HONOUR .. Sergt. P. LANGDON No. 23 Divisional Motor Transport Co., R.A.S.A. (Ryde) has been awarded the Grace di Guerra by the King of Italy.  (IW Times)

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