Thursday 1 January 1880

The half battery of non-commissioned officers and men who occupy the Nothe Fort, under Sergeant-Major Teesdale, trimmed their respective gun rooms in elaborate style for Christmas day, and were as merry a set of fellows as any could possibly wish to see, and also generous and free hearted. No. 6 gun room (Sergeant Kirk's) boasted of an immense Union Jack. On the walls were various devices, and one over the fireplace was very significant. It was made of swords, with the words in the centre "For our Queen and Country". There was quantity of evergreen and coloured tissue paper decorations, whilst the windows were decked with greenery. Bombardiers Lily and Richards were the artists in this room.

On entering No. 7 room there was an arch of evergreens and flags, with the invitation "Welcome all", whilst in another place were the words "Success to our Officers". The windows were nicely decorated, evergreen and coloured paper being in abundance.. On the left was a star of ramrods covered in coloured paper, and on one of the walls was another star of swords. The gas standards were elaborately trimmed, and from the roof of the room to the walls there was a profusion of festoons of evergreen and paper, with flags in all directions. Particular attention was paid to No. 7 gun, which was concealed by an immense flag, but under a kind of canopy were two figures representing a man and a woman, who seemed to come in for an especial share of attention. Mottoes of "God Save the Queen" and "To our comrades abroad" were on the end of all pictures, flags, and all evergreens to make a good display.

Turning into the next room, No. 8 , we found another evergreen and floral arch, with the words on it "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in guilt letters on a white ground. On the walls were devices of various kinds and mottoes, the men showing their loyalty by putting in a conspicuous place that of "Long Life to the Queen". On the left were several pictures, and above these a star made of swords and coloured paper, a similar device adorning another part of the room. There was an abundance of various kinds of devices, some of which were exceedingly good, whilst evergreens and coloured paper were placed in all available spots. The window was painted, one half representing the Union Jack and the other the Turkish flag. The room altogether looked very attractive.

No. 9 gun room was especially smart on account of the apartment having the advantage of several silk flags, which the proprietor of the Fountain Hotel had kindly lent them. Here, as in the other rooms, the ammunition lift was adorned with a star of ramrods, and coloured paper, whilst some "poet" in honour of Christmas had compared the following lines and placed them beneath the device:-

"Once a year we banish care;
One short hour of calm contentment
Such as this, within our reach
Banishes more of rank resentment
Than only sermon man can preach"