14TH HANTS RIFLES.—The 14th Hants Rifle Volunteers was formed in 1860, Alexander Leybourne Popham, Esq., of Littlecote, at that time living at Northerwood, being the first captain and mainly instrumental in establishing the corps. Clement Drak Esdaile, Esq., of Burley Manor, near Rigwood, was at first lieutenant, and became captain on Mr. Popham resigning and leaving this part of the county and going to reside at Littlecote. He is still captain of the 14th Hants Rifle Volunteers, and was made major of the 14th Administrative Battalion on Walter Williams, Esq., resigning. Walter Williams, Esq., was the first ensign of the 14th Hants, and a strong supporter of the corps, giving many handsome prizes to be shot for. he was made major of the 4th Administrative Battalion, but resigned when he left the neighbourhood. L. H. Cumberbatch, Esq., of Queen's-house, Lyndhurst, succeeded Walter William, Esq., as ensign and was made lieutenant on Mr. Esdaile being made captain. The corps has kept up its numbers notwithstanding that it is much scattered, one section at Ringwood, 11 miles, another at Burley, 6 miles, and another at Brockenhurst, 4 miles from the head quarters at Lyndhurst. There is at present no ensign. The corps has a good band under the direction of Mr. Loader.
See also Past & Present Volunteers in Hants