A HISTORY OF DORSET 



down convict disturbances in the Bathurst district. In 1833 they were at 

 Madras and Bangalore, in 1834 took part in a punitive expedition against 

 the Rajah of Coorg,^ and in 1837 quelled an insurrection in Malabar. 

 In 1843 ^^^ regiment formed part of the 5th brigade of the 'Army 

 of Exercise ' in Gwalior. It took, part in the succeeding operations, 

 and was distinguished at the battle of Maharajpore.* Part of the 39th 

 was with Sir Charles Napier's expedition in 1845 against the hill-tribes of 

 Baluchistan, the mountain desert robbers. In 1847 the regiment returned 

 to England. 



The ist battalion of the Dorset Regiment is nicknamed ' the Green 

 Linnets,' from the old green facings, and from the habit of singing while on 

 the march. The 2nd battalion is nicknamed ' the Flamers.' This battalion 

 is the old 54th regiment, formerly called the West Norfolk. Cobbett served 

 in it as a sergeant-major. The 2nd battalion was sent out to Natal immedi- 

 ately on the outbreak of the South African War in 1899.^ It served with 

 distinction under General Buller, taking part in all the battles leading to the 

 relief of Ladysmith. At Alleman's Nek the heights were carried by the 

 Dorsets. In October, 1902, it returned to Portland,* and it embarked for 

 India 4 October, 1906. The ist battalion saw no active service during the 

 South African War, remaining in India, chiefly in the Punjab, during the 

 entire campaign. The 3rd battalion (the Dorset Militia) was embodied at 

 ShornclifFe, 14 December, 1899, and proceeded to Kinsale in March, 1900.' 

 It returned, however, to Dorchester in October, 1901.' 



The earliest in date of the twelve Dorset volunteer corps raised 

 by June i860 was the Wareham Corps. It was formed by 28 January, 

 i860 ; one of its earliest supporters was His Majesty King Edward. There 

 is a Cadet Corps at Sherborne School. 



Six troops of Dorset Yeomanry were raised in 1794, viz. Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Darner's (Dorchester) troop, Major Frampton's (Moreton) troop. 

 Captain Churchill's (Wimborne) troop. Captain Grosvenor's (Wareham and 

 Charborough) troop. Captain Weld's (Lulworth) troop, and Captain Browne's 

 (Maiden Newton) troop. The latter recruited as far south as Weymouth 

 and Abbotsbury. Later in the year a seventh troop, under Captain Travers, 

 was formed at Bridport.'' The troops met for the first time for exercise at 

 Dorchester, 8 May, 1794, under Colonel Lord Milton. After that they 

 met at different places once a week, as appointed by the captains. On 

 17 September the king reviewed them under Maiden Castle. Exercise was 

 continued till 22 October, when it ceased for the winter. The strength of 

 the force at this time was 250. They clothed and horsed themselves, 

 receiving from the Government only a sword, one pistol, and holsters. They 

 also requested the colonel to refuse any money offered by the county to assist 

 them in expenses. No exercise apparently took place during haymaking 

 and harvesting.* In 1795 the number of the troops was reduced to five, 

 since the king could not sign the commissions of Captain Weld and his 

 son (the cornet of the Lulworth troop) as they were Roman Catholics. 



' Hist. Rec. of the Brit. Jrmy, 39th Dors. Regt. 73. ' Ibid. 90. 



' Jrmy Lists, Sept. 1 899, Jan. 1 900. ' Ibid. Oct. 1 902, Jan. 1903. 



' Ibid. J.in. 1900, March 1900. ' Ibid. 



'Captain M. F. Gage, Rec. of the Dorset 1'eomanry, 173. 



' C. W. Thompson, Dorset Teomanry, 12, 14-15. 



173 



