EXETER AND THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT, 1868.

The Editor of the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (19th June 1868 was alarmed that the Volunteers in Exeter were underfunded.   The Exeter Volunteer battalion depended on local subscriptions and, as always in more peaceful times, these were drying up.

"EXETER is bound to stand by the volunteer movement.  In the year 1859 all England awakened to the important fact that the best possible method by which a country could gain the prestige abroad of being a well-fortifed land was that of arming the flower of its citizens., and teaching them how courage and patriotism might be utilised to the end of preserving our shores from foreign invasion."

When he looked at the continent of Europe the Editor saw that: 

"Numberless schemes occupy the minds of Sovereigns and Ministers, and, for the most part, they are not schemes of commerce or peace, but of war; of changes of dominions, of re-arrangements of empire." 

"It is true that for the last year or two we have been less prosperous than heretofore, but to cease to encourage and subscribe to the Volunteer army now would be to yield a point of nationality which might prove the worst piece of economy ever practiced in England."

"We believe the momentary error will soon be amended, but it is expecially depressing to the pride of the city which writes Semper Fidelis on its banners, and whose civilians did not wait for the crowing of the French colonels before they put themselves under arms, to be told that the Exeter battalion languishes, not for want of men or military zeal, but for lack of public subscriptions".

The Exeter and South Devon Volunteers, formed in 1852. were the premier unit of the national Volunteer Force.  The City was proud of them. 

The Gazette was proved right to fear that there would be further threats of invasion and, however remote the possibility may seem, the threat of an armed invasion of our shores never altogether disappears. 

When did I last see, hear or read of territorials (Reservists) in Exeter?  They seem to keep an amzingly low profile.  I hope we still have some.