Victorian Sketches with Cut-Out
Pasteboard Heads Representing the Rifle Volunteer Movement
founded in 1859: A Social or a Military Activity?
The 'Liverpool Scottish Rifle Volunteers (XIXth Lancashire)'
were raised in 1859. The cards below bear the imprint of 'J.C.
Dollman Junior of Hove, Brighton'. The coloured heads have been
cut out from card and the facial features are rendered in high
quality print with a certain amount of embossed relief. They
presumably represent volunteer life in sunnier and more southern
climes than Liverpool. The interest is in the reflection they
give of the perception of the Volunteer Movement at the time. It
seems to be perceived as a pleasant and convivial activity of
gentlemen discharging their duty as citizens. However, it is
certain that the citizens of Liverpool took their military duties
in 1860 seriously enough to establish rifle ranges described as
'second only to those at Bisley'. The detailed
nature of the faces is of interest and it is possible that they
are caricatures of local Brighton worthies or politicians of the
time. Any information regarding their identity would be gladly
received.
The Butts:
This reflects the emphasis placed on shooting in the Volunteer
Movement. The rifle, as opposed to the smooth-bore musket, was a
fairly recent technical innovation and gave rise to specialist
regular units such as The Rifle Brigade. However, it is obvious
that a certain degree of social activity is taking place.
It is assumed that the
kilted figure in 'The Butts' is a member of The London Scottish
Rifle Volunteers (and a further card, not shown, represents The
London Scottish marching in line). The Altcar Ranges, in the sand
dunes on the coast between Liverpool and Southport, were
established in 1860 to accommodate the rush of citizens to arms
and thrive today. The activities of the Volunteer movement are
depicted in several contempory prints such as 'The Camp at
Crosby' and 'The Volunteer Games at Liverpool'
Click on image for enlargement
The March Past Before the Review:
All is in order for this march past (though age has taken its
toll on some of the pasted heads. the volunteers are in step,
rifles are carried uniformly horizontal at the 'trail'.
Click on image for enlargement
However ......... some time
later ....
The March Past After The Review:
A rather more relaxed attitude seems in evidence. 
The
Senior NCO on the left has his hand in his pocket, the man to his
left apparently with a pipe, a yawn in the middle of the front
rank and the left guide (on the viewer's right) is seemingly
raising his glass to the artist as he passes. The step seems less
than uniform and the rifles are being trailed at non-regimental
angles. Territorial officers and NCOs of the subsequent 150 years
might still occasionally identify with these problems.
Click on image for enlargement
These prints do not belong to the Liverpool Scottish
Museum but are part of a private collection to which the Museum
has access.
It is assumed that the
kilted figure in 'The Butts' is a member of The London Scottish
Rifle Volunteers (and a further card, not shown, represents The
London Scottish marching in line). The Altcar Ranges, in the sand
dunes on the coast between Liverpool and Southport, were
established in 1860 to accommodate the rush of citizens to arms
and thrive today. The activities of the Volunteer movement are
depicted in several contempory prints such as 'The Camp at
Crosby' and 'The Volunteer Games at Liverpool'
