Nottinghamshire Rifle Association

Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 18 June 1907

ROBIN HOODS FOR BISLEY
THE SELECTED TEAM

The Bisley team of the Robin Hood Rifles will be:-

Maj. J. Ashworth, V.D.	Lce.-Sgt. J. Harrison
Capt. J.R. Hardstaff	Cpl. J. Lane
Captain H. Hanson	Lc.-Cl. A.E. Whitworth
Lieut. G.H. Stubbington	Lc.-Cl. W. Harrison
Lieut. T.S. Black	Lc.-Cl. H.S. Freestone
Qmr.-Sgt. W. Comery	Lc.-Cl. F. Bottoms
Cl.-St. H. St. Leo Smith	Pte. J Barnes
Col.-Sgt. D. McCaig	Pte. B.T. Fletcher
Sgt. J.W. Hildyard	Pte. Geo Allen
Sgt. W.A. Barrow	Pte. T. Wood
Sgt. H.A. Young

Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 24 Jun 1907

BISLEY ENTRIES
INCREASE OF NEARLY A THOUSAND

For the National Rifle Association meeting, which opens today fortnight at Bisley, a marked increase in entries has been made. The increase reaches nearly a thousand, the grand total being near 13,000, as against about 12,000 last year, and the post entries have yet to be added.

The National Rifle Association have not been so splendidly supported in advance of the meeting for many years past. The Canadian, Australian, and Uganda teams have arrived on the ground, and marksmen are coming also from India, Singapore, New Zealand, Natal, Rhodesia, Transvaal, Cape Colony, Bechuanaland, United States, Egypt, and Central Africa. A colonial lady shot has arrived, and will practice this week.

The following figures show the increase in the entries of some of the chief events:–

	Ordinary	Closing
	1907	1906
The King's Prize	1233	1215
St. George's	1205	1156
Alexandra	1139	1025
Stock Exchange	1225	1099
"Graphic"	1059	1045
Secretary of State	570	511
Duke of Cambridge	510	467
Donegall	313	214
All Comers' Aggregate	854	765
Grand Aggregate	716	655
Volunteer Aggregate	616	588
Waldegrave	66	45
Bass	60	45
Albert	58	49
Revolver Medals	29	25

The match rifle shooting over the long ranges in the first week of the meeting has drawn a fine list of entries from officers, the universities and the counties.

Nottingham Evening Post, Friday, 19 July 1907

THE KING'S PRIZE.
SHOOTING FOR THE SILVER MEDAL.
AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEST.

VICTORY FOR ENGLAND.

With the conclusion of the first stage in the King's and St. George's the great majority of the volunteers have departed from Bisley Common, no doubt many of them with disappointed hopes, but with the plucky resolve to endeavour to do better next time. That is one of the features of rifle shooting. A man seldom. if ever, once he has settled down to the pastime, abandons it, for there is always the chance that his turn of luck will arrive. Thus it occurs that so many well remembered faces are met with there.

There turned up, for instance, this morning, "just for the fun of the thing", the familiar figure of Armourer-Sergeant J. Scott, of the Border Rifles, an ex-Silver Medallist, who came up specially to see the international match, never before having had the opportunity of witnessing it, as he hitherto has been engaged at the time in in some other competition. At daybreak the common was enveloped in a thick mist which took some hours to dissolve, leaving behind it however the promise of a very hot day, which was amply fulfilled.

NATIONAL CHALLENGE TROPHY.

Prior to the second stage of the King's when the 300 shoot for the Silver Medal and places in the final 100 who to-morrow try conclusions for the Gold Medal, Gold Badge. and prize of £250, given by his Majesty the King, to-day was devoted to the international match for the National Challenge Trophy.

This is an annual event of importance for service riflemen who are volunteers. It is popularly known as the "Twenty" match, as the teams are 20 a-side representing the nationalities of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Ireland, of course, has no volunteers, but there are many Irishmen distributed among the British and colonial volunteer battalions, who are always ready and eager to do battle for the old country.

The following was the position of the various twenties at the conclusion of the 200 yards range: Scotland 652 Ireland 625 England 644 Wales 623

At 500 yards the relative positions of the twenties were: Scotland 1,294 Ireland 1,252 England 1,292 Wales 1,241

Proceeding to the 600 yards range, Sergeant Ommundsen, of the Queen's Edinburgh, finished with the fine aggregate of 103, made up of 35 at 200 yards and 34 at each of the other ranges.

For England, the best aggregate was 101, made by Lieutenant Farnell, 2nd Middlesex, and for Ireland also 101 was made by Sergeant Crossan, 3rd Lanark. The best aggregate made by the Welsh twenty was 96, by Corporal James, 2nd Welsh.

The following was the final position: England 1,904 Ireland 1,820 Scotland 1,893 Wales 1,794

The full scores of the winners were as follows:

	200	500	600	Tl.
Lieut. Parnell, 2nd South Middlesex	34	33	34	101
A.-Sergt. G.E. Fulton, 13th Middlesex	33	34	33	100
Captain Bates, L.R.B.	34	33	31	98
Major Varley, H.A.C.	33	32	33	98
Corporal A.G. Fulton, 13th Middlesex	33	34	30	97
Corporal Gillman, 20th Middlesex	32	33	32	97
Armourer Padgett, 1st East Yorkshire	33	32	32	97
A.-Sergt. Cowber, 2nd East Surry	32	33	32	97
Sergeant Fenby, 1st Warwick	33	33	29	95
Private Robinson, 2nd Manchester	31	35	29	95
Corporal Hall, Salop	32	31	32	95
Private Skilton, L.R.B.	31	33	30	94
Corporal Samways, 1st Dorset	33	32	29	94
Captain Fletcher, 2nd Liverpool	31	30	32	93
Sergeant Rogers, Essex	32	32	29	93
A.-Sergt. Cunningham, 2nd Nor. Fus.	31	33	29	93
Private Burr, L.R.B.	33	32	28	93
Corporal Cole, 1st Dorset	32	30	30	92
Lieut. Ward, H.A.C.	30	30	31	91
Sergeant Tatlow, 2nd Warwick	31	33	27	91

SECOND STAGE OF THE KING'S.

On the marksmen going to 600 yards range in order to commence for Silver Medal, the conditions so far as the weather was concerned were most excellent, there being scarcely a breath of wind and a dull steady light. The Duke of Wellington, Earl Waldegrave, and seven members of the council went down to witness the opening rounds, and behind the ropes there was a crowd of spectators, largely composed of volunteers in uniform scanning the marking boards. The slight wind that prevailed was blowing from left to right of the range, and apparently varying very little in force. With such conditions bulls were continually signalled from end to end of the butt.

THE SILVER MEDALLIST.
A RECORD SCORE.

The Silver Medal was won by Private E. Buckley, 4th Manchester, with the record score of 199 points. This marksman dropped only one point in his 20 shots, making the inner with his eighth, all the others being bull's eyes. Nothing was marked for his sixteenth shot, but on challenging it he was credited with a bull. Captain Bates, Bronze Medallist and Sergt. Ommundsen, Queen's Edinburgh, were next with 197.

LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS.

The following were prize winners in the first stage of the King's:

£2	Colour-Sergeant Bonner, 2nd Lincolnshire Regt.	94
£2	Lance-Corporal Knowles, 2nd Notts and Derby	94
£1	Corporal Jameson, 2nd Notts and Derby	93
£1	Sergeant Barrow, 1st Notts	92
£1	Lance-Corporal Christopherson, 2nd Notts	92
£1	Sergeant Gibson, 1st Notts	92
£1	Colour-Sergeant McCabe, 1st Notts	91
£1	Lance-Corporal Townend, 1st Lincolnshire	91
£1	Corporal J. Smith, 1st Lincolnshire	91
£1	Captain Hanson, 1st Notts	90
£1	Lance-Corporal Freestone, 1st Notts	90
£1	Captain Hardstaff, 1st Notts	90

The following were the local prize-winners in the St. George's, first stage:

£2	Col.-Sergt. Bonner, 2nd Lincoln	64
£2	Sergt. Smith, 3rd Lincoln	64
£2	Col. J. Smith, 1st Lincoln	64
£2	Sergt. Dickinson, 1st Notts and Derby	63
£2	Lance-Corpl. Knowles, 2nd Notts and Derby	63
£2	Sergt. Barrow, 1st Notts	63

Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 22 July 1907

ECHOES OF BISLEY.
AGGREGATE PRIZE WINNERS.
LOCAL SUCCESSES.

Those whose duties compelled them to remain under canvas last night had to undergo the discomfort of a downpour of rain, which lasted for several hours and was accompanied by heavy thunder and vivid lightning. This morning the weather continued in an unsettled condition, there being frequent rainstorms, rumblings of thunder, and frequent lightning flashes.

The statistical department were busily engaged in clearing up arrears of prize lists. The results in the Grand Volunteer and Martin's Aggregates have issued. The Grand is made up of the highest aggregates in the King's and St. George's, first stages, the Alexandra, the Daily Graphic, and Daily Telegraph, and the Graphic: the volunteer of the King's and St. George's first stages; and the Martins of the scores in the Burtpixley, Running Man and Wantage.

The following are the leading prize winners in each event:–

GRAND AGGREGATE (S.R.).

Challenge Trophy, N.R.A. gold cross and £20: Armourer Padgett, 1st East Yorks. Regiment 336

N.R.A. silver cross and £15: Sergt. Tatlow, 2nd. Royal Warwickshire Regmt 330

N.R.A. bronze cross and £10: Colour-Sergt. Galloway, 2nd Ayr 329

N.R.A. bronze cross and £5: Capt. Bates, London Rifle Brigade 329
Corporal Hall, 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry 328
Private Melton, Australia 328
Corporal Morren, 1st Elgin 328
Corporai Somers, 14th Middlesex 328
Armr.-Sgt. Lawrence, 1st Dumbarton 328
Armr.-Sgt. Cunningham. 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers 327
Lieut. Dawson, R.C., Australia 327

LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS.

N.R.A. bronze cross and £2: Lance-Sergt. Brace-girdle. 1st Notts. and Derby 317
£2 Sergt. Hildyard, 1st Notts 317
£2 Capt. Miller, 1st Notts. and Derby 316
£2 Capt. Martin, 1st Leicester 315
£2 Col.-Sergt. Holland, 1st Notts and Derby 314

VOLUNTEER AGGREGATE (S.R.).

Challenge trophy and £15: Armourer-Sergeant Padgett, 1st East Yorks Regt. 168
£10: Captain Bates, London Rifle Brigade 167
£5: Sergeant Ommundsen , Queen's Edinburgh 167
£5: Colour-Sergeant Galloway, 2nd Ayr 167
£5: Private Cutler, Australia 166
£3: Private Durston, 1st Essex Regiment 166
£3: Corporal Somers, 14th Middlesex 166
£3: Armourer-Sergeant Martin, 10th Lanark 165
£3: Lieutenant Addison, W.C., Australia 165
£3: Arm.-Sergt. Cunningham, 2nd North Fusiliers 165
£3: Captain Keen, 1st Devon and Somerset 164
£3: Corporal Morren, 1st Elgin 164
£3: Sergeant Williams, 2nd Welsh 164
£3: Corporal Britton, 1st Sterling 164
£3: Private Kydd, 2nd Forfar 164

LOCAL PRIZE WINNERS.

£2: Sergt. Tinker. 1st Nott's and Derby 161
£2: Col.-Sergt. Holland, 1st Notts. and Derby 160
£2 Private Allen, 1st Nott. 160

MARTIN'S CHALLENGE CUP (S.R.).

Challenge Cup and £15: Private Denny, L.R.B. 97
£10: Captain Fletcher, 2nd Liverpool 96
£8: Sergeant Tatlow, 2nd Royal Warwick 95
£7: Sergeant Armstrong. 4th Manchester 95
£6: Mess-Sergeant Martin, Lanark 94
£5: Private Wirgman, London Scottish 94
£5: Sergeant Ommunsen, Queen's Edinburgh 94
£5: Corporal Law, 3rd Aberdeen 93
£5: Private Chick, London Scottish 93
£5: Lance-Corporal Gillman, 2nd Middlesex 92
£5: Private Newton, H.A.C. 92
£4: Private Cutler, Australia 91
£4: Captain Ranken, Royal Scottish 91
£4: Lieutenant Martin, Queen's Edinburgh 91
£4: Private Macleary, London Scottish 91
£2: Captain Miller,. Notts. and Derby 83

CHAMPIONSHIP AGGREGATE. (S.R.).

This is made up of scores in the King's short ranges, Elkington long ranges, and Martin's rapid firing.

"Financial Times" Challenge Cup and Championship Gold Jewel: Sergt. Tatlow, 2nd Ryl. Warwick 553
Championship Silver Jewel: Sergt. Ommundsen, Queen's Edinburgh 542
Championship Bronze Jewel: Sergt. Grist. 2nd Gloucester 535
Sergt. Alton, 2nd Middlesex 533
Capt. Fletcher, 2nd Liverpool 533
Sergt. Reid, 1st Lanark 532
Lance-Corpl. Gillman, 20th Middlesex 532
Armr.-Sergt. Cunningham, 2nd Northumberland Fus. 530
Capt. Miller, 1st Notts. and Derby 510

In the skilled shot badges, seven shots at 600 yards, Mr. Thol, City Rifle Club, with the highest possible, won £3, and Mr. G.L. Richie, Beds. Engineers Rifle Club, with 34 won £2.

WEBLEY AUTOMATICS (REVOLVER).

(Six in 30 seconds at a stationary target, twenty yards distance.)
Webley Fosbery revolver, value £8: Warrant Officer Raven, R.N. 42
Ditto, £6: Capt. Lynch Staunton, Northumbld. Fus. 42
Ditto, £5 5s: Mr A.W. Read, N.R.A. 41

Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 27 July 1907

LOCAL SUCCESS AT BISLEY.
RECRUITS' GOLD CROSS WON
BY A ROBIN HOOD.

The Recruits' Gold Cross, shot for in connection with the competition for the St. George's Vase at Bisley, has been won for the first time by a member of the Robin Hood Rifles, Private G. Allen, of G Company, 1st Battalion, having been declared the winner. The gold cross is competed for by winners of the N.R.A. Recruits' Bronze Medal - one of the bronze medals presented annually in each battalion of the Robin Hoods, being won by the recruit who makes the highest score in two out of three of the battalion aggregate competition shoots - and it is awarded to the man who obtains the highest aggregate place in the St. George's Vase competition. The scores which gave Private Allen the honour were 35 at 500 yards and 30 at 600 yards, a total of 65 in the first stage, and 64 out of 15 shots at 900 yards in the second stage, making an aggregate of 129. He thus won the Gold Cross and £5, while in the St. George's Vase competition itself his score obtained for him a badge and £7.

Private Allen joined the Robin Hood Rifles last April, being transferred to the corps from the 1st V. B. Notts. and Derby Regiment, which he joined last November. He learned to shoot with the miniature rifle on the Midland Railway rifle range at Derby.