Thursday 2 June 1881

THE DORSET MILITIA AT WEYMOUTH

During the month the "boys of Dorset" have been undergoing their annual training on the Nothe. Various efforts have been made to promote the cause of temperance, or rather total abstinence from strong drink, in the ranks, and with this object in view numbers of the men have been invited to social gatherings, which have been of an interesting and beneficial character. The largest of the kind was that on Monday evening at the Holy Trinity Infant School room, where the local committee of the Church of England Temperance Association provided tea for two hundred men, and afterwards gave them a pleasant entertainment consisting of singing, music, conjuring, and speeches. Mr. and Mrs. Crabb of the "Three Cups" Coffee Tavern, were entrusted with the sole responsibility of providing the tea, and they fulfilled it right well. The School room was completely crammed, yet the wants of all were well attended to and the catering gave the utmost satisfaction. After tea the entertainment, which was of a most successful character, took place, several ladies and gentlemen kindly volunteering their services. Amongst these may be mentioned in the musical line the Rev. W.S. and Mrs, Shuttleworth, Miss Addison, Miss Dancey, Mrs. Hixon, Miss Dowding, Miss East, the Rev. R.C. Gilbert, and Major Gollop. Mr. R.G. Wilson created much amusement with his sleight of hand tricks, and subsequently appeared amongst the speakers, among whom were the Rev. J.D. Addison, Rev. J. Stephenson, and Rev. H. Pelham Stokes of Wareham. After tea the song "Britons shall never be Slaves" was sung, the men joining most heartily in the chorus, this being followed by "Home Sweet Home", sung by Mrs. Hixon, the Militia taking up the chorus. After a few remarks from the Rev. J. Eddison, Miss Dancey sang "Summer Showers", which was encored, and the Rev. W.S. Shuttleworth gave "My Polly". The Rev H. Pelham Stokes said he considered it to be a great honour to speak a few words on behalf of the cause which was so dear to the noblest in the land, and they ought to be thankful and rejoice that the army coffee tavern movement was so dear to the heart of the Commander in Chief, the Duke of Cambridge, as also H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, who was every inch a soldier. They all know some of their finest soldiers became victims of drink, and to whatever sin they yielded they were sure to be a slave to it. An American poet said:-

"They are slaves who dare not be
In the right with two or three".
Temperance medal
Temperance group