Frederick William Broadhead (1846-1925) was an artist and photographer active in Leicester between 1869 and 1900.
For many years Broadhead was appointed sole photographer of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He had his own tent as part of annual encampments that took place in various locations around Leicestershire. According to newspaper records, this was hosted at the Belvoir Castle estate in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1891.
The Volunteers in Camp at Blackberry Hill
Leicester Chronicle - Saturday August 8th, 1885
The stores are in the charge of Quartermaster Brooks and Quartermaster-Sergeants Canner and Aucott, and have been of excellent quality throughout the week. The attendance of visitors during the day was the largest of the week, numbers being brought by excursion trains from Leicester, Nottingham, Melton Mowbray, and other towns. Among those who watched the evolutions of the men were Major-General Chippendale, General Blewitt, Major Rolph, Captain Creed, the Rev. Canon and Lady Adeliza Norman and party, the Mayor and Mayoress, Major Millican, and many of the principal residents of Leicester, and it was estimated that nearly 5,000 people entered the camp.
The afternoon was spent in dancing, or rambling about the beautiful gardens and grounds of the castle, the weather up to about six o’clock, being extremely pleasant. Shortly after that time, however, thunder was heard in the distance, and the storm which had apparently been raging afar broke over the camp. The lightning was very vivid, and rain came down heavily, having the effect of putting a stop to recreation, and soon clearing the hill of visitors. This was no doubt a great disappointment to many, and the earlier trains homeward were crowded. The nightly concert, however, was held, but the continuance of the storm put a premature end to the amusements.
1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment
Encampment on Blackberry Hill
Melton Mowbray Mercury and Oakham and Uppingham News - Thursday August 12th, 1886
After referring briefly but encouragingly to one or two of the movements, the performance of which, he said, would be made better by a little increased attention to the drill, Colonel Fryer went on to advise the men to wear their belts drawn a little tighter than they did. A well drawn belt made a man look smart, and helped him to get through with his work. Altogether they had performed the manoeuvres in a very creditable manner indeed, and he was glad to know that the conduct of the men had been all that could be desired.
They could not hold their camp in a more beautiful or suitable place, and the Duke of Rutland had very kindly placed it at their disposal for next year. He was sorry that the rough weather had been all against the shooting lately, but he would advise those who could to practice their exercises and position drills at home, and that would render them the more proficient when they went to the butts. In conclusion, Colonel Fryer again congratulated the men on their appearance, and expressed a hope that he would meet Colonel Sir Henry Halford and his men next year. The inspecting officer afterwards visited the outposts, and expressed himself satisfied with what he saw.
The inspection was not concluded until well on in the afternoon, and the men at once went to dinner. Later on the prizes for the smartest squads were awarded, the representatives of the Belvoir company taking first prize, and those of the Melton Mowbray company the second. In the evening there was a good deal of dancing, and the camp was visited by numerous excursionists from Leicester, many of whom also paid a visit to Belvoir Castle and grounds.
Everything connected with the camp has passed off most successfully. The men have enjoyed the best of health and behaved well. The ambulance department under Surgeon Bryan has not been called very much into requisition, only four men having been temporarily detained during the whole of the week. One man, however, had a very narrow escape on Thursday evening. A piece of cocoa-nut stuck in his throat, and he would probably have choked had a comrade not struck him a violent blow on the back. The blow knocked the man down and dislodged the piece of nut, and the man, who was in a very exhausted condition, soon recovered.
They could not hold their camp in a more beautiful or suitable place, and the Duke of Rutland had very kindly placed it at their disposal for next year. He was sorry that the rough weather had been all against the shooting lately, but he would advise those who could to practice their exercises and position drills at home, and that would render them the more proficient when they went to the butts. In conclusion, Colonel Fryer again congratulated the men on their appearance, and expressed a hope that he would meet Colonel Sir Henry Halford and his men next year. The inspecting officer afterwards visited the outposts, and expressed himself satisfied with what he saw.
The inspection was not concluded until well on in the afternoon, and the men at once went to dinner. Later on the prizes for the smartest squads were awarded, the representatives of the Belvoir company taking first prize, and those of the Melton Mowbray company the second. In the evening there was a good deal of dancing, and the camp was visited by numerous excursionists from Leicester, many of whom also paid a visit to Belvoir Castle and grounds.
Everything connected with the camp has passed off most successfully. The men have enjoyed the best of health and behaved well. The ambulance department under Surgeon Bryan has not been called very much into requisition, only four men having been temporarily detained during the whole of the week. One man, however, had a very narrow escape on Thursday evening. A piece of cocoa-nut stuck in his throat, and he would probably have choked had a comrade not struck him a violent blow on the back. The blow knocked the man down and dislodged the piece of nut, and the man, who was in a very exhausted condition, soon recovered.
1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment at Blackberry Hill in 1887
© ROLLR
Unidentified volunteer of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on Blackberry Hill
© ROLLR
© ROLLR
© ROLLR
Hand-drawn map showing the volunteer camp on Blackberry Hill and their target "The Devon"
© ROLLR
© ROLLR
Leaflet for the Officers' Mess at Blackberry Hill, Belvoir Castle
© ROLLR
Leicestershire Volunteers in Camp
Grantham Journal - Saturday August 6th 1887
His Grace the Duke of Rutland, K. G.
© Matthew Broadhead
This final portrait of the 6th Duke of Rutland was taken just before he passed away on March 3rd 1888. In the mid to late 1880's, F. W. Broadhead became official photographer to the Duke of Rutland and had prolonged involvement with the overlapping generations of the Manners family. Although the 6th Duke of Rutland passed away on March 3rd 1888, Broadhead continued to visit the castle to take photographs until 1907.
© ROLLR
Leicestershire Volunteers in Camp
Grantham Journal - Saturday August 6th 1887
Mr. Broadhead, photographic artist, of Leicester, whose artistic taste and excellence of work have won him no mean reputation, had a tent on the ground and has been busily occupied during the week. The gate receipts have been most satisfactory: it is estimated that about three thousand people visited the ground on Bank holiday alone. The sham-fight and inspection by Major-General Daniel, commanding the Northern District, took place yesterday (Friday). In defiance of the excessive heat, there was a large attendance of spectators, though the number did not appear to be so large as on inspection day last year.
Between 1888 and 1891 Blackberry Hill was not used for the annual encampment of the volunteers. There is little doubt that the site would have been used if it was available, but fortunately there were numerous estates in Leicestershire that could help host the event.
Between 1888 and 1891 Blackberry Hill was not used for the annual encampment of the volunteers. There is little doubt that the site would have been used if it was available, but fortunately there were numerous estates in Leicestershire that could help host the event.
The 1st Leicestershire Volunteers Under Canvas at Belvoir
Grantham Journal - Saturday 8th August 1891
Grantham Journal - Saturday 8th August 1891
The members the twelve Companies forming the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment have once again visited that delightful and secluded portion of the Belvoir demesne known Blackberry Hill, officers and men of this Regiment having been encamped there for the fifth time during the past week. Shut in the trees which enclose the spot on all sides, the campers-out are literally removed “far from the madding crowd,” always, of course, excepting those civilians who, thirsting for pleasure and sight-seeing, come to visit our citizen soldiers in their temporary homes.
The picturesqueness of the locality is too well known to call for comment, and the adaptability of this site for the purposes of encampment seems to be equally beyond question. The arrangements for the reception of the companies commenced on Wednesday week, when the fatigue party, under the command Col. H. W. Mansergh, Capt. and Adjutant B. G. Humphrey, and Capt. and Quarter-Master T. S. Brooks, left Leicester to receive the stores from York. The tents were pitched on Thursday, in the face of a violent storm of wind and rain. The camp was, however, arranged and other preliminaries got through most satisfactorily, and when the main body arrived on Saturday everything was completed and made ready for use and occupation.
The concise form which the camp was ordered has been the subject of general remark by all the visitors during the week. On entering from the carriage drive the police tents (where a number of officers were bivouacked under the charge of Superintendent Allen) were first encountered. Then came the concert marquee, Messrs. Broadhead’s place (photographers to the Regiment), tents for the guard, and Captain and Quartermaster T. S. Brooks on the right; the men’s canteen, the Belvoir Coffee-house buffet, and the Quartermaster’s stores and the kitchens running parallel on the right. Stretched across the ground, in twelve rows of ten each, were the tents of the Battalion, the several lines being occupied by separate Companies.
The concise form which the camp was ordered has been the subject of general remark by all the visitors during the week. On entering from the carriage drive the police tents (where a number of officers were bivouacked under the charge of Superintendent Allen) were first encountered. Then came the concert marquee, Messrs. Broadhead’s place (photographers to the Regiment), tents for the guard, and Captain and Quartermaster T. S. Brooks on the right; the men’s canteen, the Belvoir Coffee-house buffet, and the Quartermaster’s stores and the kitchens running parallel on the right. Stretched across the ground, in twelve rows of ten each, were the tents of the Battalion, the several lines being occupied by separate Companies.
Close by the side of the belt of trees, to the right to these, were the bandsmen’s tents, south of which came those for the sergeants, sergeants’ mess, and officers’ mess, while still further removed in this direction were the officers’ tents, arranged in a double line by the side of the drill-ground. A better site for manoeuvring than the latter, which was marked out by flags to the rear of the Battalion tents, could not be desired, for, being perfectly flat and roomy, it gives full for the military evolutions of a regiment of the strength of the 1st Leicester Volunteers. Accommodation was provided for the Ambulance Corps on the left-hand side of the camp, in an open space surrounded by trees, and the hospital was located near them.
© Matthew Broadhead
This final portrait of the 6th Duke of Rutland was taken just before he passed away on March 3rd 1888. In the mid to late 1880's, F. W. Broadhead became official photographer to the Duke of Rutland and had prolonged involvement with the overlapping generations of the Manners family. Although the 6th Duke of Rutland passed away on March 3rd 1888, Broadhead continued to visit the castle to take photographs until 1907.
Victoria Marjorie Harriet Manners
© Matthew Broadhead
Eldest daughter of Henry Manners (then styled Marquess of Granby) and his wife Marion Margaret Violet Manners (née Lindsay)
Eldest daughter of Henry Manners (then styled Marquess of Granby) and his wife Marion Margaret Violet Manners (née Lindsay)
Janetta Hughan Manners (7th Duchess of Rutland) holding Robert Charles John Manners (Lord Haddon)
© Matthew Broadhead
Robert Charles John Manners (Lord Haddon) was born on August 8th 1885. He died from injuries on September 28th 1894. Robert was the eldest son of Henry John Brinsley Manners, 8th Duke of Rutland, K.G. and Marion Margaret Violet (née Lindsay). This event meant that dukedom would be passed down to his younger brother John Henry Montagu Manners.
An oversize portrait of Henry John Brinsley Manners when he was styled as Marquess of Granby hangs in the castle. Henry was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in 1897.
Lady Victoria Manners, Lord Haddon, Lord John and Lady Diana
© Matthew Broadhead
Each generation of the Manners family are depicted in this silver punch bowl, which is normally seen on a solid marble plinth in the State Dining room. It is interesting that this object of solid silver was moved into the gallery especially for the photograph.
© Matthew Broadhead
The Prince of Wales at Belvoir Castle
Leicester Journal - Friday 12th January 1894
Exactly at 7.30 p.m. the doors of the grand entrance to the Castle were thrown open, and the Prince, accompanied by her Grace of Rutland, immediately afterwards entered the Guardroom, where the band of the 3rd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, under Mr. Henry Nicholson, struck up "God bless the Prince of Wales."
In the guard-room his Royal Highness was welcomed by the Duke of Rutland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Granby, Lord Edward Manners, and other members of the family. The Prince, who was looking remarkably well, gave unmistakable evidence of pleasure at his reception, and passed, laughing and chatting with her Grace, up the broad staircase to the Regent's Gallery - a truly palatial apartment, which was resplendent with light - and subsequently his Royal Highness was conducted to his apartments. At a quarter past eight dinner was served in the grand dining-room, covers being laid for twenty-nine. The table was effectively decorated with a profusion of flowers, and the service used was the “marine” service, perhaps the oldest and certainly one of the most beautiful services of plate in England. The room, with its numerous family portraits, its wonderful ceiling, and its gigantic silver punch-bowl - which will hold 52 gallons, and which weighs nearly 2000 ounces - is an ideal dining-room, and as the guests entered and took their seats, the band in an ante-room meanwhile playing The roast beef of Old England,” the scene was animated and pretty.
During dinner the band played a special selection. When this had been concluded, there was performed an interesting ceremony known as "following the drum." The band set out upon a tour of the castle, passing through the corridors on the ground floor and the basement, playing loudly the while, pausing a minute or two in the great kitchen to enliven the chef. M. Thevenot, after his busy day's work, and finishing the march in the Servants’ Hall. This tour is always performed when the band is at the castle, and is regarded with a sort of traditional respect. After dinner on Monday evening, the band played a short selection of dance music at the foot of the ballroom staircase.
