NAM.1987-07-32-1

Diary of Maj Gen C E Lawrie, 5th Battery, Royal Artillery, 1884-1885. Containing, at the front, an account of his time on the 'Short Course' at Shoeburyness, 7 Jul- 17 Sep 1884, and at the back a description of his journey from Colchester to Ceylon, and service there 19 Nov 1884- 30 Jun 1885. On the course he learnt about the various types of heavy artillery in use, gun drill, carriage mountings, the use of artillery, artillery in 'modern' battles, co-operation with infantry, the bombardment of Alexandria by the fleet in 1882, Shrapnel shells, dericks, bridges, and howitzers. At the end of these entries there are 'Orders for the Subaltern Officer on Battery Duty Colombo 23-12-84', and a sample form of report by the officer. On 19 Nov 1884, he left Colchester, and sailed from Portsmouth in an unidentified ship for Ceylon, by way of Gibraltar (26 Nov), Malta (29 Nov), Alexandria, and the Suez Canal, reaching Colombo on 24 Dec. On 1 Jan he proceeded with a draft to Trincomalee, where he remained until 17 Jun when he began a month's leave in the centre of the island. He led a very social life, dining with Admiral Hewitt, playing polo, shooting- including elephant hunts, as well as sitting in on the occasional court martial.