A THRILLING spectacle was played out over the Solent when live shells were fired from the Western Forts on the Isle of Wight as part of a special gunnery practice.

It provided dramatic scenes for spectators looking out towards the west of the Island, according to the Daily Echo 100 years ago today.

The projectiles used were usually dummy or “plugged” rounds that would not burst, but this latest firing exercise, which was watched by General Sir H Smith- Dorrien (Inspector General of the Home Forces), General Nicholls (Inspector of Royal Artillery), and many military officers, employed live ammunition that demonstrated firepower as it would be in conflict.

In the morning firing took place from the heaviest guns from the Needles and Warden Batteries.

The deafening reports and the crashes of the huge shells as they burst over the targets well out in Totland Bay was reported in the Daily Echo as “quite thrilling – particularly for the visitors to the Island who were quite unused to such happenings”.

However, a much better sight was in store during the evening when the batteries at Cliff End and Hurst Castle, which guard the narrow approach to the Solent, rained shells from all guns upon a towed target that was being dragged through the channel by Government tugs.

The flashes of the guns, the bursting of the shells and the vivid play of the searchlights combined to create an exhilarating spectacle.

n CHARMING scenes were witnessed in Southampton when 1,400 children of the Independent Order of Rechabites assembled on the West Marlands before marching through Cumberland Place, Bedford Place, Milton Road, Howard Road and Shirley Road to the Shirley Cricket Ground, where the annual fete of the Order was held in glorious sunshine.

On arrival the children were allowed to roam about the ground and listen to the Southampton Post Office Band, before sitting down to enjoy an excellent tea.

Sports and races followed, and the children were then entertained by the mystifying conjuring displays presented by Mr W Woodley, which kept the young minds captivated.

After much dancing and fun, the children who took part in the earlier procession were each presented with two halfpennies cheques to spend on the stalls and rides in the grounds.