From the West Kent Guardian, 5 May 1838.

FAREWELL MESS DINNER OF THE LATE COBHAM TROOP.

On Wednesday evening last the farewell mess dinner of the late Cobham Troop of West Kent Yeomanry, was held at Mr. Pallister’s new and splendid "Clifton Hotel," Gravesend, being the first festival held on the premises. The dinner was laid in the magnificent room attached to this hotel; the style of which we seriously recommend to the corporation, the next time they set about erecting a Town Hall for the inhabitants. The table was laid in the first manner, and in the evening the beautiful new or-molu chandeliers were lighted with wax candles. The room was decorated with the colours of the troop. About 80 gentlemen sat down to the dinner provided with all the well-known taste and substance of Mr. Pallister, the worthy proprietor of the hotel. Three professional gentlemen, Messrs. Hudson, Furness, and Van Buren, who were engaged, added greatly to the pleasure of the evening by their spirited singing. John Batten, Esq., was in the chair. Thomas Munn Gladdish was deputy chairman. On the right of the chairman sat Lieutenant Gladdish, and Cornet Nicholson; and on the left, Adjutant Albert, and William Hubble, Esq. There were also present, Adam Park, Esq., Fras. Southgate, Esq., John Smith, Esq., E. W. Woodfotd, Esq., William Brown, jun., Esq., Henry Ditchburn, Esq., Thomas Collyer, Esq., Henry Rosher, Esq., William Manclark, G. J. Russell, and John Tilden, Esqrs., &c, &c. At about six o’clock the dinner was placed upon table, to which the justice it certainly deserved was done. After the removal of the cloth, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were drank with enthusiasm. The national anthem was sung in full chorus, and the songs, '‘Woman!" "The Flag that’s Braved a Thousand Years," and "The Return of the Admiral" by Messrs. Van Buren and Turness.

The Chairman then apologised for Major Kelly's absence by saying he was too ill to attend, which was not known until that morning.

Toast— "The Members for the County drank with three times three, and one cheer more.

The Chairman then observed that he hoped no political feeing of any description would be suffered to mar the pleasure of the evening. He hoped that anything even bordering on politics would not be known among them. He said this in order to relieve the minds of any one who might be anxious on that account, and to assure them, if he had thought the contrary would have been the case, he should not have had the pleasure of being there— (hear, hear).

Comic song— Mr Hudson.

The Chairman then proposed the health of the Earl of Brecknock—(cheers), their late highly esteemed colonel. During the period he was connected with the Yeomanry, how well they could all say, that he was an honour to, as he was honoured by, the troop— (cheers). He (the Chairman) spoke of him as an officer and a gentleman— (cheers). He (the chairman) had that day received a letter from their noble friend, to which he called their most earnest attention, begging again that they would divert themselves of all political feeling upon the subject, and look at the letter as men of principle, of honour, and understanding. He (the chairman) therefore earnestly requested them to attend at the "Falstaff," Gad's Hill, at ten o'clock on Monday morning next to receive this letter, and give it their most serious attention. He (the chairman) would now leave the toast in their hands— (drank with three times three, and one cheer more).

Song— Mr Higgins, amateur.

The Chairman, in an eloquent manner, proposed the health's of Captain Bligh, Lieut. Gladdish, and Cornet Nicholson— (cheers). He (the chairman) would be a hypocrite if he said he felt pleasure in proposing this toast under the circumstances. He regretted deeply to be separated from such men, for whom he had always had the highest feelings of respect and regard. He had asked them to drink the health of three individuals who, either collectively or individually were worthy to associate with Englishmen of any rank and honour— (cheers). It had been a pleasure to him, in the humble walk of life he had been placed in, to receive their smiles— (cheers). He did not have one thing, and mean another— he spoke as he felt— He did regret that as officers and men they must part- (cheers). He could no longer say he was proud to act under Captain Bligh. Lieut. Gladdish, and Cornet Nicholson. That time had passed— (cheers) — he hoped not for ever- (immense cheering). If he had had the advantage of a better education, or the benefit of more elevated or extended society, he might perhaps on such a subject, have spoken better— (cheers)

To Lieut. Gladdish they were under great obligation for the efficiency of the troop, he did not say this in disparagement of Captain Bligh, whose occupation precluded his paying more attention to the troop. He (the chairman) could at least say the troop had maintained its station in the regiment—(cheers). They had had disadvantages to combat against, and they had overcome them, and it was a high gratification to see them altogether, and at last, as then in good fellowship— (continued cheers).

Lieut. Gladdish rose to return thanks. He felt grateful for the honour the company had done him, and for the manner in which his name had been received. It was a gratitude that he should not forget to the end of his life— (cheers). He did not speak for his brother officer, who was well able to speak for himself, but he could say for both that the meeting had added honour to their names by associating them with Captain Bligh. He (Lieutenant Gladdish) was satisfied that Captain Bligh must have had weighty reasons for not then appearing amongst them. He (Lieut, Gladdish) had spent the proudest and happiest days of his life with the Cobhan troop— (cheers). They had been seven years together, during which time nothing had disturbed their cordiality, no party feeling, no political prejudices, were suffered to destroy the harmony that existed amongst them— (cheers). He could, therefore, but regret with the worthy chairman, that a dissolution had taken place, it must ever be a subject of regret, but in returning to private life, it must be understood that the subject always owes a debt of loyalty and obedience to the sovereign of his country, and whether at home or not, they would all feel happy to rally round the sovereign to uphold the constitution and preserve the laws and liberties of this great and glorious country— (immense cheers).

Cornet Nicholson then returned thanks. If he had at all shone in the troop, it had been from a reflected light from them— (cheers). He had always received from the troop the kindest expression of feeling, and he could conscientiously say that he had done all in his power to promote the interests of the body— (cheers).

Song. "Lads of the Village,”— Mr Furness.

The Chairman then gave the health of Adjutant Albert.— They all knew the duties of that office, and how efficiently they had and would be filled— (cheers).

Adjutant Albert returned thanks. He did not expect they would have done him so much honour. It was with great regret that it was the last time he might see them together as a body of yeomanry. He returned them his sincere thanks, and would again express to them the happiness he had always felt in drilling so orderly a troop. It was with much pleasure that he said, when they were at Maidstone, that they were the best troop there— (cheers). This they said to Lieutenant Gladdish. He (the speaker) must say that the disbanding such a troop was a dead loss to the service. He never in all his life saw so goad a troop— (cheers).

Comic song— Mr Coombe.

Lieut Gladdish, in a handsome manner, proposed the health of the respected Chairman, as quarter master to the troop, which office he had filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the troop— (cheers, drank with three times three, and one cheer more).

The Chairman eloquently retained thanks and said he always preferred the active duties of the field—(cheers), he had much pleasure in proposing the health's of Messrs. Hubble, Woodford, Tilden, Brown, Henry Ditchburn, and other members of the defunct troop— (drank with three times three).

Mr. Hubble feelingly returned thanks. He could see but one person who had enlisted at the same time with himself in the troop, but he hoped, and knew that the sons would deserve the fathers' names. With respect to the disbanding of the troop, he would say he hoped they might not live to see the want of such men. He had been told that sufficient protection was afforded by the troops under government. He was old enough to remember the time when those soldiers laid down their arms, and the Cobham yeomanry took up theirs— (cheers).

Mr. Woodford returned thanks. He had been twenty years a yeoman—they were always loyal men— (cheers).

Mr. H. Ditchburn also returned thanks.

The Chairman gave "Prosperity to the town of Gravesend"— (drank with applause).

Mr. H. Ditchburn returned thanks in a neat speech—he had done all he could towards allaying that spirit of dissension which had so much injured the town.

Song— Mr Coombe.

Mr. Hubble, sen., proposed the health of Mr. John Wilding, quartermaster of the Dartford troop— (three times three).

Mr Willing returned thanks.

Comic song— Mr Hudson.

Several other toasts were then proposed by the chairman as also the Earl of Winchelsea, which was drank with great applause, and the meeting separated.

Many jovial spirits “kept it up," however, until a late hour.