[2] Following the Crimean War, the British Parliament realized the need for a locally raised corps of volunteer citizen-soldiers to fulfill the role of home defence while the regular army and militia were serving overseas.

[4] The volunteer corps could only be embodied during a time of war or national emergency, and in such instance would be placed under the command of the county Lord-Lieutenant.

[5] In 1858, tensions between the United Kingdom and France increased drastically due to an attempted assassination of Emperor Napoleon III.

[8] On May 12, 1859, the Secretary of State for War authorized the formation of volunteer rifle and artillery corps in counties in England, Scotland, and Wales.

[18] The Dorset VRC companies trained and drilled for the most part in their respective villages and parishes, but the Battalion as a whole would gather at Maiden Castle for shooting competitions and parades.

[19] Inter-battalion shooting matches were common among the volunteers, not only providing necessary rifle training, but also fostering a spirit of comradery between the soldiers.

The top five shooters at the match were:[22] In September 1867, Weymouth was chosen as the drill and parade grounds for the Dorset Rifle Battalion, and the village was festooned for the arrival of the volunteers.

All twelve companies, 750 men in total, arrived at Weymouth Station and were formed up into ranks, marching down King Street towards the town centre.

[23] In 1872, the rifle volunteers were placed under the direct command of the Secretary of State for War, and were integrated with the local regular army units.