The 1875 County Rifle Association Annual Match
Three reports are on this page, two being the weekly Regimental Orders issued by the Robin Hood Rifles, which give some background information, and one on the shooting on the first day of the two day meeting.
The Regimental Orders for June 12th, 1975, cover a variety of matters.
First were the parades and drills for the coming week. Tuesday evening there was a Battalion Parade at Bulwell Forest for which the railway was used to move everyone to the parade ground. A second parade was intended for Friday, June 25th, at the Battalion Head Quarters at Nottingham Castle. On the Monday and Wednesday evenings there was rifle training.
The second order covered record keeping, and the third order was about resignations from the corps and the recovery of equipment from those leaving.
Order four brings us to the more interesting stuff as it gives permission for Long Range Shooting on the Town Butts at 900 and 1000 yards. The situation of the Town Butts is described elsewhere. Suffice to say that these two firing points straddled the road running up the east side of the range, putting the road well inside the danger area. This and other matters would lead to the eventual closure of the Town Butts on safety grounds in 1890.
The Butts were in frequent use during the week, as seen with the programme in order no. 5. This reveals that the County Rifle Association Meeting was to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22nd and 23rd.
The orders conclude with the details of the volunteers selected to shoot in the Belgian Challenge Cup for volley firing at 400 yards with a note of the four days on which they could use the range for practice firing.
The Nottingham & Midland Counties Daily Express,
Thursday, 17th June 1875.
ROBIN HOOD RIFLES
Head Quarters, Nottingham Castle, Monday, June 12th, 1875.By Major Francis George Rawson
No. 2 – Drill attendance books of companies will shortly be required at Head Quarters for the adjutant's examination. The Colour-Sergeants are requested to be most particular in marking up attendances in the columns appropriated to "squad", "company", or "battalion" drills, as the case may be.
No. 3 – RESIGNATIONS – Representations have been frequently made that members resigning, or leaving town, do not, in all cases, give up their uniforms and other regimental property, even though specially applied to, to do so. Whilst the commanding officer would much rather the regulations on this subject were carried out voluntarily, still when members pay no attention to orders, to take no notice of applications, he would recommend captains of companies to enforce compliance with the following extract from the regulations of the volunteer force:-
1 – Giving to the commanding officer of his corps fourteen days' notice in writing of his intention to quit the corps.
2 – Delivering up in good order, fair wear and tear only excepted, all arms, clothing, and appointments, being public property, or property of his corps issued to him.
3 – Paying all money due or becoming due by him under the rules of his corps, either before or at the time, or by reason of his quitting it, and thereupon he shall be struck out of the muster rolls of his corps by the commanding officer.
No. 4 – LONG RANGE SHOOTING. – Referring to the instructions laid down for the sergeant in charge of the Town Butts, the commanding officer relying on every precaution being taken to prevent accidents, authorises firing at the 900 and 1000 yards ranges up to the time of the Wimbledon meeting by members of the regiment selected to represent the corps at that meeting.
No. 5 – Class-firing, etc., next week as follows:–
| Monday, June 21st | Butts closed |
| Tuesday, 22nd Wednesday 23rd | }County Rifle }Association Meeting |
| Thursday 24th Friday 25th Saturday 26th | }Class firing }for any }company |
Volley firing, 400 yards
| Surgeon Wright | Sgt. Carder |
| Qt-Mstr-Sgt. Cuckson | Cpl. Lucas |
| Colr-Sgt. Hodgson | Cpl. Hollis |
| Sgt. Davis | Cpl. Templeman |
| Sgt. Warsop | Cpl. Draycott |
| Pte. Coles | Pte, Chambers |
The range will be placed at the disposal of Captain Hunt and the Belgian team for volley firing practice at 6.30 o'clock p.m., in the following days:–
| Thursday, June 24th | Monday, July 5th |
| Wednesday June 30th | Thursday, July 8th |
No. 7 - With the concurrence of Captains Lambert and Dobson, the following appointments are made:–
No. 2247, Bugler Henry K Bennett to be field bugler with the rank of Sergeant.
No. 3451, Bugler John Allen to be second field bugler with the rank of Corporal.
(Signed) J. WHITE, Captain and Adjutant.
Our second report gives details of the scores achieved on the first day of the County Rifle Association Meeting.
The listings cover the three ranges fired, 300, 500 and 600 yards, and include only the top scoring shooters at each range, as can be deduced from the Aggregate Scores table below.
The winner with some consistent scoring was Corporal R Hollis of the 5th Company RHR. Corporal J Mayfield and Private J Connell began well at the first two distances; but came to grief at 600 yards and ended up in 4th and 5th place in the aggregates.
Nottingham and Midland Counties Daily Express,
Wednesday, June 23rd, 1875.
COUNTY RIFLE ASSOCIATON.
The following are the scores realised yesterday at the Butts:–
| Cpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 32 |
| Cpl W Cook, 6h do | 31 |
| Col-sgt Cumberland, 8th do | 31 |
| Pte J Connel, 2nd do | 31 |
| Pte T Vickers, 7th do | 31 |
| Cpl J Freeman, 4th do | 31 |
| Pte J White, 10th do | 31 |
| Sgt Warsop, 10th do | 31 |
| Pte R Lee, 8th Notts | 30 |
| Sgt J Binks, 7th do | 30 |
| Cpl J Mayfield, 10th RHR | 30 |
| Qtr-mstr Cuckson, 5th do | 30 |
| Pte W Mitchell, 8th Notts | 30 |
| Cpl R Coupe, 9th RHR | 30 |
| Pte H Clayton, 5th Notts | 30 |
| Cpl Mayfield, 10th RHR | 33 |
| Cpl Templeman, 5th do | 31 |
| Pte TN Coles, 1st do | 30 |
| Pte J Connell, 2nd do | 30 |
| Sgt J Turnbull, 3rd Notts | 29 |
| Cpl M Pratt, 9th RHR | 28 |
| Cpl R Hollis, 5th do | 27 |
| Clr-Sgt W Brookhouse, 4th do | 27 |
| Sgt H Davis, 3rd do | 27 |
| Pte J Roe, 9th do | 27 |
| Clr-sgt J R Binks, 4th do | 27 |
| Qtrmstr-sgt Cuckson, 9th RHR | 28 |
| Cpl W Baker. 2nd do | 28 |
| Colr-sgt W Brookhouse, 4th do | 27 |
| Cpl R Hollis, 5th do | 26 |
| Sgt E Cartwright, 7th do | 23 |
| Pte E Hooton, 8th do | 23 |
| Pte RT Higham, 3rd do | 23 |
| Sgt F Walkler, 7th do | 22 |
| Pte James Stagg, 9th do | 22 |
| Pte St Leo Smith, 4th do | 22 |
| Pte S Derrick, 6th do | 22 |
| 200yds | 500yds | 600 yds | Tl | |
| Cpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 32 | 27 | 26 | 85 |
| Qr-mas-sgt Cuckson, 9th do | 30 | 25 | 28 | 83 |
| Col-sgt W Brookhouse, 4th do | 28 | 27 | 27 | 82 |
| Cpl J Mayfield, 10th do | 30 | 33 | 19 | 82 |
| Pte J Connell, 2nd do | 31 | 30 | 18 | 79 |
| Pte J M Stagg, 9th do | 29 | 26 | 22 | 77 |
| Sgt Warsop, 10th do | 31 | 24 | 22 | 75 |
| Pte J Roe, 9th do | 25 | 27 | 20 | 72 |
| Sgt G Carder, 9th do | 28 | 24 | 20 | 72 |
| Pte T N Coles, 1st do | 26 | 30 | 16 | 72 |
| Cpl W Baker, 2nd do | 22 | 20 | 28 | 70 |
| Pte S Derrick, 6th do | 25 | 23 | 22 | 70 |
| Sgt T Walker, 7th do | 29 | 16 | 22 | 70 |
| Sgt T Binks, 7th Notts | 30 | 22 | 19 | 70 |
The Regimental Orders published on June 28th after the County Association Match included the list of riflemen who would represent the Robin Hood Rifles at the National Rifle Association Meeting at Wimbledon. They would be firing in the Queen's Prize and the St. George's Challenge Vase.
And we learn from the announcement about the Prince of Wales' Prize that Sergeant George Carder had won the National Rifle Association bronze medal on the second day of the County Rifle Association meeting and was thereby entitled to an entry to this competition.
The Nottingham & Midland Counties Daily Express,
Tuesday, June 29, 1875.
ROBIN HOOD RIFLES
Head Quarters, Nottingham Castle, Monday, June 28th, 1875By Major Francis George Rawson
No. 1 - Parades and drills next week as follows:–
No. 2 - COMPANY DRILLS - Pressing business engagements, illness, and other causes having prevented many of the old and zealous members of the corps from fulfilling the requirements hitherto, it is deemed desirable to have company drills (under the Adjutant) at Head Quarters, on Monday and Wednesday in each week until further notice, commencing on Monday next, July 5th. To assemble at 8 o'clock in plain clothes with rifle only.
No. 3 - Progress returns of class-firing showing the number of each company who have completed the Government requirements from Thursday, April 1st, to Saturday, June 26th, 1875.
| Company | Numbers completed | No. of marksmen | |
| No. 1 | 51 | 8 | |
| No. 2 | 49 | 11 | |
| No. 3 | 70 | 20 | |
| No. 4 | 70 | 10 | |
| No. 5 | 79 | 14 | |
| No. 6 | 63 | 9 | |
| No. 7 | 47 | 9 | |
| No. 8 | 52 | 6 | |
| No. 9 | 54 | 12 | |
| No. 10 | 40 | 12 |
No. 4 - The non-commissioned officers in charge of squads are particularly requested to refer either to the Musketry Returns of their company's books at the Butts, and urge upon all those who have not fired, the necessity of fulfilling the Government requirements before the Annual Official Inspection, viz.: – Thursday, 5th August.
No. 5 - NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION - The undermentioned members will represent the corps at Wimbledon, and compete for prizes as follows:–
| Sgt G Carder | Pte A Atkin |
| Surgeon T Wright | Sgt G D Webster |
| Pte T Marshall | Pte S Walker |
| Cpl W Cooke | Cpl T Templeman |
| Sgt H Davis | Cpl R Hollis |
| Pte J Chambers | Pte S R Derrick |
| Pte St Leo Smith | Cpl W Baker |
| Sgt A Moore | Colr-Sgt W Brookhouse |
| Sgt T Hodgson | Assistant-Srgn J O C Hynes |
| Cpl J B McLellan | Cpl J Mayfield |
| Sgt F Warsop | Cpl T Gilliver |
| Pte A Slim | Pte R H Phillimore |
| Cpl T Freeman | Cpl E Dracott |
| Cpl W Lucas | |
| Cpl W Cooke | Pte R H Phillimore |
| Sgt T Hodgson | Cpl R Hollis |
| Sgt F Warsop | Cpl J B MCLellan |
| Cpl T Freeman | Sgt G Carder |
| Cpl W Lucas | Pte A Slim |
| Pte T Marshall | Cpl T Templeman |
| Sgt A Moore | Pte S R Derrick |
| Sgt H Davis | Cpl E Dracott |
| Assistant-Srgn J O C Hynes | Pte A Atkin |
THE PRINCE OF WALES' PRIZE
No. 6 - The winner of the bronze medal at the County Rifle Association last week (Sergeant George Carder) is authorised to compete for the above.
No. 7 - OFFICERS' COMPETITION. The third contest (1875) will be held on Thursday next, July 1st.
No. 8 - The following recommendation for promotion is hereby approved and confirmed.
Co. No. 1 (The Castle), or Captain Joseph Wright's Company.
No. 335. Corporal John J Black to be Sergeant, vice No. 8, Henry Redfern, who reverts to the ranks at his own request.
No. 464, Private Thomas N Coles to be Corporal, vice J. J. Black, promoted.
No. 9 - Class-firing next week as follows:–
| Companies | |
| Monday, July 5th | 1 and 2 |
| Tuesday, 6th | 3 and 4 |
| Wednesday, 7th | 5 and 6 |
| Thursday, 8th | 7 and 8 |
| Friday, 9th | 9 and 10 |
| Saturday, 10th | 1 and 2 |
(signed) J. WHITE, Captain and Adjutant.
Transcripts above from The Nottingham & Midland Counties Daily Express
17, 23 and 29 June 1875
British Library Newspaper Archive
Since compiling the above reports for the 1875 (15th) annual volunteers' match, the following report covering both days shooting and a fuller account of the conditions and scores has been located.
According to the report, the entry for the meeting was the highest ever at 107, the nearest previous entry being 97. The weather was good for both days; but the first day saw more changeable wind.
The details of scores also includes details of prize money won following the scheme set out in the report.
There was a change from the earlier meetings in that ties were not shot off; but the prize money was divided up between those who tied. This would undoubtedly have saved much range time and allowed for the increased entries.
Nottinghamshire Guardian, Friday, June 25, 1875
NOTTS. RIFLE ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL PRIZE MEETING
The 15th prize meeting of this Association commenced on Tuesday at the Nottingham Butts. Some idea may be formed of the magnitude of he meeting when it is stated that prizes of the value of £140 are to be competed for. It is very gratifying to find that the interest in the meeting is increasing every year, and that which commenced on Tuesday promises the most successful which has yet been held. The entries this year number 107, and in no previous year since the meeting started has the number of competitors reached higher than 97. The light yesterday was capital for firing; but the wind was changeable and somewhat impeded the shooting. In the competition at 200 yards 7 shots were allowed, and the prizes were 1 of £5, 1of £4, 1 of £3, 2 of £2, and 4 of £1. At the 500 yards range, 7 shots, the prizes were £5, £4, £3, 2 of £2, and $ of £1. and the same at the 600 yards range. For the aggregate shooting there were 1 prize of £5, 1 of £4, 2 of £3, 2 of £2, and 4 of £1. The following are the highest scores made on Tuesday, with the prizes divided according to the ties:–
| Corpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 32 | £5 |
| Corpl W Cook, 6th RHR | 31 | £2 each |
| Col-Sgt Cumberland, 8th RHR | 31 | |
| Privt J Connell, 2nd RHR | 31 | |
| Privt T Vickers, 7th RHR | 31 | |
| Corpl T Freeman, 4th RHR | 31 | |
| Privt J White, 10th RHR | 31 | |
| Sergt Warsop, 10th RHR | 31 | |
| Privt R Lee, 8th Notts | 30 | 2s 10d each |
| Sergt J Bink, 7th Notts | 30 | |
| Corpl J Mayfield, 10th RHR | 30 | |
| Q-M Sergt Cuckson, 9th RHR | 30 | |
| Privt W Mitchell, 6th Notts | 30 | |
| Corpl R Coupe, 9th RHR | 30 | |
| Privt H Clayton, 5th Notts | 30 | |
| Corpl Mayfield, 10th RHR | 33 | £5 |
| Corpl Templeman, 5th RHR | 31 | £4 |
| Privt T N Coles, 1st RHR | 30 | £2 10s each |
| Privt J Connell, 2nd RHR | 30 | |
| Sergt J Turnbull, 3rd Notts | 29 | £1 10s each |
| Colonel N Pratt, 9th RHR | 29 | |
| Corpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 27 | 12s each |
| Col-Sergt W Brookhouse, 4th RHR | 27 | |
| Sergt H Davis, 3rd RHR | 27 | |
| Privt J Roe, 9th RHR | 27 | |
| Col-Sergt J E Binks, 4th Notts | 27 | |
| Qr Master Sergt Cuckson, 9th RHR | 28 | £4 10s each |
| Corpl W Baker, 2nd RHR | 28 | |
| Col Sergt W Brookhouse, 4th RHR | 27 | £3 |
| Corpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 26 | £2 |
| Sergt E Cartwright, 7th RHR | 23 | £1 6s 8d each |
| Prvt E Hooten, 8th RHR | 23 | |
| Prvt RT Higham, 3rd RHR | 23 | |
| Sergt F Warsop, 10th RHR | 22 | 8s each |
| Sergt T Walker, 7th RHR | 22 | |
| Prvt James Stagg, 9th RHR | 22 | |
| Prvt St Leo Smith, 4th RHR | 22 | |
| Prvt S Derrick, 6th RHR | 22 | |
| 200 | 500 | 600 | Ttl | ||
| Corpl R Hollis, 5th RHR | 32 | 27 | 26 | 85 | £5 |
| Q-M Sergt Cuckson, 9th RHR | 30 | 25 | 28 | 83 | £4 |
| Col Sergt W Brookhouse, 4th RHR | 28 | 27 | 27 | 82 | £3 |
| Corpl J Mayfield, 10th RHR | 30 | 33 | 19 | 82 | £3 |
| Privt J Conell, 2nd RHR | 31 | 30 | 18 | 79 | £2 each |
| Privt JM Stagg, 9th RHR | 29 | 26 | 22 | 77 | |
| Sergt Warsop, 10th RHR | 31 | 22 | 22 | 75 | |
| Privt J Roe, 9th RHR | 25 | 27 | 20 | 72 | £1 each |
| Sergt G Carder, 9th RHR | 28 | 24 | 20 | 72 | |
| Privt T N Coles, 1st RHR | 26 | 30 | 16 | 72 | |
| Corpl W Baker, 2nd RHR | 22 | 20 | 28 | 70 | 5s each |
| Privt S Derrick, 6th RHR | 25 | 23 | 22 | 70 | |
| Sergt T Walker, 7th RHR | 29 | 19 | 22 | 70 | |
| Sergt J Binks, 7th Notts | 30 | 22 | 18 | 70 | |
WEDNESDAY
Shooting was resumed on Wednesday at the Butts, under the most favourable auspices, as far as regards the weather. The light was all that could be desired, and several good scores were made. Perhaps the greatest interest was attached to the competition for the bronze medal of the National Rifle Association, along with £5. The medal was won by Sergeant Carder, with a total score of 81. The winner of this prize is entitled to compete for the Prince of Wales' Prize at the approaching meeting at Wimbledon. A good many ties were made, and instead of being shot off, as on former occasions, the money was divided. Subjoined is a list of the second and last day's competitions, with the names of the winners, and the amounts of their prizes:–
| 200 yds | 500 yds | 600 yds | Ttl | |
| Sergt G Carder, 9th RHR | 27 | 28 | 26 | 81 |
| 500yds | 600yds | Ttl | ||
| Col-Sergt Brookhouse, 4th RHR | 32 | 33 | 55 | £5 |
| Q-M Sergt Cuckson, 9th RHR | 26 | 27 | 53 | £4 |
| Sergt F Warsop, 10th RHR | 23 | 29 | 52 | £3 |
| Sergt G Carder, 9th RHR | 27 | 24 | 51 | £2 |
| Privt S Derrick, 6th RHR | 29 | 22 | 51 | £2 |
| Privt E Hooton, 3rd RHR | 30 | 20 | 50 | £1 each |
| Corpl J Mince, 9th RHR | 23 | 26 | 49 | |
| Capt J Wright, 1st RHR | 22 | 20 | 22 | |
| Privt W H Baker, 2nd RHR | 30 | 19 | 49 | |
Last four scores quoted as printed
| Sergt J H Lowe, SNYC | 35 | £2 10s each |
| Corpl J Smith, SR | 35 | |
| Sergt J Caddick, SNYC | 34 | £2 |
| Corpl J Howard, SNYC | 30 | £1 |
| Corpl J Moss, SNYC | 28 | 8s each |
| Corpl W Clements, SNYC | 28 | |
| Corpl ES Burnaby, SNYC | 28 | |
| Corpl H Slater, SNYC | 28 | |
| Privt J Bradley, SNYC | 28 | |
| 200yds | 600yds | Ttl | ||
| Sergt G Carder, 9th RHR | 29 | 34 | 63 | £5 |
| Privt T Mallett, 4th RHR | 31 | 30 | 61 | £4 |
| Col-Sergt J Cumberland, 8th RHR | 29 | 30 | 58 | £3 |
| Corpl R Coupe, 9th RHR | 31 | 26 | 57 | £2 each |
| Corpl J Mayfield, 10th RHR | 31 | 26 | 57 | |
| Privt J Roe, 9th RHR | 29 | 27 | 56 | £1 each |
| Privt T Marshall, 8th RHR | 30 | 26 | 56 | |
| Sergt T Toplis, 10th RHR | 32 | 23 | 55 | |
| Capt T Lambert, 5th RHR | 25 | 29 | 54 | 6s 8d each |
| Corpl T Freeman, 4th RHR | 27 | 27 | 54 | |
| Surgean T Wright (Staff) | 31 | 23 | 54 | |
Transcript above from The Nottinghamshire Guardian 25 June 1875
British Library Newspaper Archive