"A Grand March humbly dedicated to Lieut. Col. Thompson of the Bath Volunteer Association by his obedient servant C. Henry Seine, to be had at the Author's No. 32 Kingsmead Street, Bath and at all the Music Shops in Bath and Bristol. Engraved and printed for the Author." It is unclear whether the march was commemorative, or was intended for band use. Earlier manifestations of the Bath Volunteer Association maintained a strong drum and fife band; at this period the band would have consisted of varied instruments: clarinets, oboes, horns, bassoons, serpents, in combinations the like of which are evidenced in James Brook's Thirty-six select pieces for a military band (it is interesting to speculate whether this band may have performed those pieces).

The Bath Loyal Volunteers, about 400 at their strongest, were formed in 1798 (in response to the attempted invasion at Fishguard of the previous year) and, with an hiatus around the Peace of Amiens, served until the threat of invasion had diminished permanently, in 1813. Lieutenant Colonel Thompson was appointed ab initio. The Volunteer Association was essentially a home defence unit, akin to an hybrid of the Territorial Army and the Home Guard of the following century. Activities included drilling in Sydney Gardens, reviews on Lansdown and Claverton Down, civic parades and banquets in the Guildhall. They also helped maintain civil order, particularly against fractious Mendip miners.