Ongar Volunteer Rifle Corp

In December 1860 the formation of the 18th Essex Volunteer Rifles was gazetted. They joined the 3rd Admin Btn. and became G Company of the new 1st Corps in 1880.

The following newspaper cutting gives as an idea of what they did!

On Tuesday last this corps, through the generous hospitality of their gallant comrade, private Sir Charles C. Smith, Bart., of Suttons, enjoyed one of those pleasant holiday excursions which, ending as they generally do with that popular English institution, a good dinner, go far to strengthen and encourage that esprit corps and hearty good feeling, which are the very life and soul of the volunteer movement. The corps mustering 36 rank and file headed by their excellent brass band and accompanied by Capt. Commandant Budworth, Lieutenant Meyer, Ensign Fane, and Hon. Assistant-Surgeon Potter started from the police-station, Chipping Ongar at three o'clock, and after a pleasant march of about five miles, arrived at Suttons, where they were hospitably welcomed by Sir Charles Smith, and invited to refresh themselves with draughts of nut-brown ale.

After short halt the corps marched to an adjacent field, in the occupation of Mr. Charlton, where they were put through a number of battalion and other movements, including marching past in quick time and quarter-distance column, forming square, manual and platoon exercise, and file and volley firing, the various manoeuvres, which were admiringly witnessed by large number of ladies and other spectators, being executed with a spirit and precision which reflected high credit both on officers and men, and especially on the indefatigable drill instructor, Howard, of Chelmsford.

At the close of the evolutions the corps, with appetites sharpened by their healthy and invigorating exercise, marched to the Talbot Inn, where, at the hospitable invitation of Sir Charles Smith, they sat down to a sumptuous repast, served up by Mr. Cooper, in style that gave great satisfaction to all, the wine, especially, of which there was an unlimited supply, being of excellent quality.

Sir Charles C. Smith, Bart., the founder of the feast presided, and among those present were Captain Budworth, Lt. Meyer, Ensign the Rev. F. A. S. Fane, Hon. Assistant Surgeon Potter, W. G. Gellibrand, Esq., Sergeants Johnson, Hart, Howard, Corporals Barlow, Darby, Webster, Ac, Ac.