The Robin Hood Rifles Jul-Dec 1907
This page covers events in the second half of the year relating to the Robin Hood Rifles.
The first names the winners in the last stage of the Mason Long Range Competition and the overall winners. The names of George Allen and J Lane have been heard of before. Also those of Major Ashworth and Captain Payne.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 30 July 1907
The last of the four shoots in the Mason Long Range Competition took place at Trent Range yesterday, when, despite unfavourable conditions, some excellent returns were made. There was a strong cross wind and the light was constantly varying.
Ten shots, with two sighters, were fired at 800 yards, and out of a possible of 50 Sergeant J.R. Coupe scored 47, Lance-Corporal J. Lane and Private G. Allen following with 46 each.
The aggregate of the three highest scores counted for the prizes, and Quartermaster-Sergeant H. Tomkins came out at the head of the list with 136 points, Major J. Ashworth being second with 135 points, Lance-Corporal J. Lane third, and Captain P.M. Payne fourth.
The Sir Charles Seely handicap challenge bowl was shot for by the sergeants of the Robin Hood Rifles. The top gun score was 89 ex 105 made by Colour-Sergeant Instructor M. Watts; but it was beaten on handicap for first place by Lance-Sergeant J. Harrison with a handicap of two.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 20 August 1907
Shooting took place at Trent yesterday for the challenge bowl offered by Sir Charles Seely for competition amongst the sergeants of the Robin Hood Rifles and prizes presented by the non-commissioned officers' mess.
The conditions were as for the first stage of the King's Prize, namely, seven shots at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and in spite of a variable cross-wind, some excellent returns were made. Colour- Sergt. Instructor M. Watts registered a "possible" at the first distance, and only dropped one point at 500 yards, but his chance of creating a record was spoiled by a 29 at 600 yards.
Although his shoot was the best of the day, he was beaten for first place by Lance-Sergeant J. Harrison, who received two handicap points. Sergeant J.W. Hildyard obtained the maximum points at the intermediate range.
The cyclist companies went out for a 20 mile ride followed by a rapid-fire shoot in conditions of failing light. The report mentions that the hits score was low; but as the report does not mention how many men were in each team, it is difficult to say how bad the scoring was.
Nottingham Evening Post, Monday, 22 September 1907
The two cyclist companies of the Robin Hood Rifles (J1 and J2) competed on Saturday for the "K" Cup. The object of the contest was to test the capacity of teams of cyclists infantry in musketry after a military ride of not less than 20 miles, the time allowed for riding being at the rate of 10 miles an hour.
In spite of the fact that J Company, of the 2nd Battalion, were one man short the contest was a very close one, J1 winning by one point. The route of the ride was via Loughborough Road to Costock, East Leake, Zouch Mills, Hathern turning, Derby road via Kegworth and Sawley bridges to Trent Range.
It was getting dark when firing commenced, and this accounts for the comparatively small number of hits. At 600 yards ten rounds per man were fired independently in two minutes, after which the teams advanced to 500 yards and fired ten rounds from the magazine in one minute. The scores were:- J1, 69 hits; J2, 68 hits.
The Grantham range was the venue for the Sir Henry Wilmot Cup for teams of five officers from the North Midland Volunteer Infantry Brigade. Teams came from Robin Hoods and the 1st and 2nd Lincolshires.
The top score of 94 went to Major Marshall of the 1st Lincolnshires; but the Robin Hoods won the team event with 93's from Major Ashworth and Captain Hardstaff leading the team total of 448.
Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday, 24 September 1907
The Robin Hoods have won the cup given by the late Sir Henry Wilmot, to be shot for by teams of five officers from the different units of the North Midland Volunteer Infantry Brigade.
Only three teams competed on the Grantham Range yesterday, when conditions were all in favour of good shooting, the scores being:- Robin Hood Rifles 448, 1st Lincolnshire 425, and 2nd Lincolnshire 374.
Major Marshall, 1st Lincolnshire, was top scorer with a total of 94 for the three distances, and Major J. Ashworth and Captain J.R. Hardstaff, for the winners, came next with 93 each.
The Trent Range was in use for a match between Middlesex and Lancashire volunteers, presumably because it was a half way house with good rail connections for both sides.
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 5 October 1907
MIDDLESEX v. LANCASHIRE.
HEAVY SCORING AT TRENT.
There was some heavy scoring at Trent Range today in the annual match between teams selected from the various volunteer regiments in Middlesex and Lancashire, in spite of the fact that the conditions were not too favourable. The light was very dull, and there were occasional drizzling showers. Seven shots were fired at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and the teams were 20 aside.
Lieutenant Ward, of the Hon. Artillery Company, made 102 out of a possible 105, and Lieut. Paddie (London Rifle Brigade) and Lieutenant Newton (Hon. Artillery Company) were also century-makers.
Only two of the Middlesex men fell below 90, and the Metropolitans won by 28 points, the totals being:- Middlesex, 1,898; Lancashire, 1,870.
The highest scores on the Lancashire side were Private Mackey (Liverpool Scottish) 99, and Corporal Wagstaff (2nd Manchester) 99.
The Middlesex team was captained by Major Pixley (Victoria and St. George's) and Colonel Wilson (2nd Liverpool) commanded Lancashire.
This last report does not state exactly what is involved in "service conditions"; but could this be the start of service rifle shooting?
Nottingham Evening Post, Saturday, 14 December 1907
INTRODUCTION OF "SERVICE" CONDITIONS.
We are able to state on the highest authority (says the Standard) that the recent issue of the Army Council letter and memorandum in connection with bull's-eye target shooting, and the adoption, instead, of "service" conditions at meetings, is not intended immediately to apply to either the National Rifle Association or the county rifle associations.
The intention of the War Office is understood to be, first, to endeavour to frame the constitution of their own prize meetings more on the lines laid down by the Army Council, in the hope that other meetings will follow suit so far as lies in their power.
All the difficulties of voluntary rifle shooting are well known to the Army Council, who are not desirous of making them greater than they are now.
Transcripts from Nottingham Evening Post 1907
British Library Newspaper Archive