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Members of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps at work by torchlight in the gardens... 1862. Creator: Unknown
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Members of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps at work by torchlight in the gardens... 1862. Creator: Unknown
Members of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps at work by torchlight in the gardens of Burlington House, Piccadilly, clearing the ground for a drill-shed, 1862. Amateur navvies...[building] a new room of corrugated iron, 150ft. long by 50ft. broad, for the use of the companies of the regiment situated in London. It was found necessary to remove an immense bank of earth, containing many hundred cubic yards, so as to get the desired level for the floor of the drill-room...Lord Ranelagh, the indefatigable commandant of the South Middlesex, called for volunteers...[and]each night a squad of from 60 to 100 men have been at work from four to ten o'clock with pick, spade, and barrow, in true navvy style...The work was carried on by the light of cressets, with enormous fires in them, camphine lamps, and torches...To judge from the work done, the problem of fortifying London in case of invasion is at last solved. Our volunteer corps would, judging by this instance, turn out any number of most efficient navvies at a moment's notice to construct earthworks in the vicinity of the metropolis. The amount of skill and energy displayed by these amateur navvies...shows what can be done by our young men when they determine to carry out anything'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Members of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps toiling by torchlight in the gardens of Burlington House, Piccadilly, 1862, is an evocative image that captures the spirit of dedication and community among these volunteers during a time of national unease. The photograph depicts a group of men, dressed in military attire, working diligently to clear the ground for a new drill-shed. With pickaxes, shovels, and barrows in hand, they embody the true essence of 'amateur navvies,' as described by the Illustrated London News. The South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps, under the command of Lord Ranelagh, had undertaken the ambitious project of constructing a large drill-room, 150ft. long and 50ft. broad, to accommodate their companies based in London. The task at hand was significant, as it required the removal of an immense bank of earth, containing hundreds of cubic yards, to ensure a level floor for the new structure. Each night, volunteers numbering from 60 to 100 men gathered to work, driven by their commitment to the cause. They labored from four to ten o'clock, illuminated only by the light of cressets, camphine lamps, and torches. Their determination and skill were evident in the progress made, as the problem of fortifying London in case of invasion seemed to be increasingly addressed by their efforts. The dedication and energy displayed by these amateur navvies serve as a testament to the capabilities of young men when they come together with a shared purpose. This image offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the resilience and determination of the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps during a critical moment in history.
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