72 HISTORY OF THE DORSET VOLUNTEER FORCE. 



services, or from financial reasons, were disbanded in favour 

 of a new force, termed the " Local Militia." 



That Dorset possessed Battalions of this service is distinctly 

 proved by the pair of Colours now hanging in the Town Hall 

 at Blandford, with the inscription " East Dorset Local 

 Militia," within a wreath of rose, shamrock, and thistle, and 

 grass green ground. The uniform of the Battalion was scarlet, 

 with green facings, resembling the Dorset (Regular) Militia, 

 with which it must not be confused, the responsibilities of 

 service of the former being restricted to the county area, 

 whereas that of the latter were of a much larger and distinct 

 sphere. 



In 1859-60 Dorset, in common with the other counties, and 

 being sixteenth in precedence of rotation, raised independent 

 companies of Volunteers in the various towns, each wearing 

 its own distinct uniform of either grey or green. Eventually 

 the companies were amalgamated into an Administrative 

 Battalion, under the name of the 1st Volunteer Battalion 

 Dorset Rifle Volunteers, which adopted the green uniform, 

 with scarlet facings, and retained same until the disbandon- 

 ment of the Volunteer Force in 1907. 



As regards military relics of past days, probably there may 

 be many examples of badges, uniform, or accoutrements now 

 found in the county. If these could gradually be collected, 

 they would form a section in the museum both most interesting 

 and instructive to those who are proud of the consistent part 

 Dorset has always played in loyalty to the Sovereign and 

 in the defence of the country. 



