< Previous32 T H E R I F L E M A NMarch, 1943. reduced to set off the improvement in his shooting, but if a shooter is keen enough to buy a new rifle he does it with this very object, and if he improves from this or any other cause he ought to be encouraged by being allowed a chance to win a prize instead of having his handicap immediately pulled down. In any case he only wins once before his handicap is altered and cannot win a second time unless he makes a further improvement. T A B L E I . • Tabulated analysis of scores under various averages showing the different scores that go to make up the averages. O ~ z = 62 168 392 382 340 285 327 196 132 11 6 61 54 2515 15 12 12 15 14 10 7 85 < 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 87 86 84 83 81 78 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 ' 87 88 90 91 Va i e d f r o m 8 1 t o 9 2 78 to 94 73 to 93 74 to 93 72 to 86 35 to 91 65 to 87 1 1 5 1 4 3 2 3 4 11 5 7 12 1 9 2 2 6 12 13 6 15 3 6 2 2 4 10 12 22 14 11 8 6 3 9 15 20 30 21 20 13 5 5 9293949596979899 100 1 12 10 1821 1 24 1637 32 5224 362146 6572 816526 13 2532 47 8182 55 28 6 26 36 3846 724937 8 3 2341 43 49 35 34 12 8' 6 1 3646 57 43 34 17 3 272030 17 1644 1 23 15 14 9521 12111163 75 4 2 1 341 2600 To t a l T A B L E I T . Shows same results as Table I worked out approximately as percentages. o CD 11 <5 6299 168. 98 U n d e r 9 6 39297U n d e r 9 4 38296 U n d e r 9 2 34095 U n d e r 9 1 285 94U n d e r 9 0 327 93U n d e r 8 8 19692 U n d e r 8 6 13291 U n d e r 8 4 11 690 U n d e r 8 5 61 89U n d e r 8 4 5488 U n d e r 8 3 2515 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 4% 4% 3% 3% 4"'o 4% 4% An/'a ,o 5';; ' 7% 5% 97 % 1.6% 19.4 i'6 10% 22 19 98 % 99 100 % 29 31 % 34 14 0/ 5% 127718 27767 0/ /o 361«1m21277417111 "/ 4 717011113121 15 11 21 1 /o 31 1 8 74115 77 m12 42 1 31 4^191114771 13 7015 21 "L 2 221611111 141701158\8 2 21 /o 44% - ^1 4170115771771 91 701 7 411 1 44 67011391. 77701'91521 510 55 11 5 148 77 8 731 71 4 54 11171111 105712 85 under 2600 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 33 T A B L E I I I . Percentage of Targets shot above average, below average and precisely to average. Av e r a g e s . Below A verage. N o . o f c a r d s s h o t . % 99 23 = 37% 9860 = 36% 97148 38% 96130 = 34% 95 125 37% 37%94 105 9311 936% 92 7739% 9143 = 33°o 9049 rr= 42°o 8926 42% 8820■ = 37% 92537% Av e r a g e . No. of cards shot., 18 = 32 = 72 = 81 = 46 = 43 = 46 = 27 = 20 = 11 = 3 9 = 408 = Above A verage. 29% 19% 18% 21% 13% 15% 14% 14^% 15% 9i% 5% 17% 16°' N o . o f c a r d s s h o t . % 21 = 34% 76 45% 172 44° 0 171= 45°o 16950°o 137 = 48% 162 = 50% 92 464°/o 69 52% 56 = 484% 32 = 53% 25 = 46% 11 8 2 = 47% To t a l s 925 408 11 8 2 2515 cards Percentage of Targets shot near to average. Above average. T A B L E I V . Av e r a g e s . 99 98 97 95-96 91-94 89-90 Percentage.of cards precisely to average. 29% .19% 18% 17i% I4iro 104% 34% = 1 point over 3 1 % = 1 p o i n t o v e r 37% = 1 or 2 points over 3 6 i % = d o . 39% = 1 to 3 points over 39i°'o= 1 to' 4 points over 14% 7% m-o/ 10% 9i% more than 1 o v e r 2 „ 7 — 9 i 3 „ 4 „ 35% = 32% = 34% = 31i% = 29% = 29i% = Below A verage. d o w n t o 2 u n d e r 2 ° ' n = m o r e 9 3 4 4 4 AO/ t% 3°o 8% 11 % than 2 under „ 2 , . „ 3 „ „ 4 „ „ 4 „ 4 „ On the whole, a fixed start system seems to be the most generally advantageous, and competitions should be made to cover the shooting of two cards; averages should be taken over a whole season's shooting, and should be carried to three places of decimals, and the start allotted should also be carried to three places of decimals. Where competitions are shot over one card only, a fair allowance" would be. a fixed start equal to 60 per cent of the average of each competitor's dropped points. Where competitions cover two targets competitors might receive a fixed start equal to 70 per cent of their dropped points on each target, and where competitions include three targets start might be given equal to 80 per cent of the average dropped points on each of the three targets. A very fair maximum start would be eight points in the case of single card competions, 9 points on each card in competitions covering two cards, and 10 points on each card in competitions covering three cards. The system of handicapping by fixed start is in almost universal use in golf with a maximum limit, and golf handicaps are seldom revised oftener than once a year or after a win, and this system has received universal approval. If this fixed start system is adopted, the dropped point system in all its forms might very well be discarded, but the " Choose-your-own-start" or " Kickers" system might very well be retained as an alternative system. Some methbd has to be devised either to avoid ties or to seUle them, and the method of calculating averages and allotting starts to three places of decimals renders the chance of ties so small that they can be ignored. EXAMPLE. If 4 competitors. A, B, C. D are allotted a start as above suggested, A stems l7cards with a total of 1582. His average will be 93.058 c " ^1-:: :: :: 4^75 ■ : :: |666 D " . 5 2 „ 5 1 1 0 „ 9 8 . 2 6 9 The average of dropped points will be as follows A B . C . t J . 100 100 100 100 9^058 82 89.666 98.269 6.942 1810.334 1.731 In a competition covering 2 cards, A will get a start of 6.942 x .1 on each card or a total of 6.942 x 1.4 = 9.719 on the aggregate of ^'^^BTa'verage is so low that the calculated start is past the limit and he will only get 9 points on each target, or a total start ol 18, which is the maximum allowance on a two cards shoot. C will get 10 334 xl .4 = 14.468 on the aggregate ofhis two cards. D will get 1.731 X 1.4 = 2.423 on the aggregate of his 2 cards. Name. i A v e r a g e . Average of Dropped Points. ; 1st Card. 2nd Card |Total Start t = Dropped Points Xl.4. To t a l S e o r e . Posi tions. A B C D i 9 3 . 0 5 8 ' 8 2 ; 89.866 . 9 8 . 2 6 9 1 6.942 18 1 10.334 : 1 . 7 3 1 90 76 92 98 94 90 95 i 100 1 j 9.719 i 1 8 ! 1 4 . 4 6 8 i 2 . 4 2 3 193.719 184 201.468 200.423 3 4 1 2 It wi 1 be seen that the chance ot a tie is remote. In a single card shoot the start will be the average of dropped points X .6, and in a 3 card shoot it will be the dropped points x . 8 on each card or dropped points x 2.4 to give the total start on the accrecate of the 3 cards. x* • i i * For Club offlcials who do not like the arithmettc involved in working to 3 places of decimals, the averages and the starts allotted could be worked out say to the nearest half point, and ties settled by one of the recognised methods it ties occur. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK34 the rifleman March, 1943. Winners S.M.R.C. Home Guard Competition -No. 16 Plat. D Coy. 71st WEST RIDING BATTN. (STAINCROSS GROUP) vunrTh ii 9^ Competition for the Mack- worth Praed Challenge Cup and prizes was much simpler in its con- conipetition than the first. At the same time being for shooters it maintained the principle of endeavouring to wirl iL individuals as possible but on this occasion they representing platoons instead of companies. The fact were popular is proved by the entry of 2,336 teams which the Society received by 30th November, 1942, the date n S h n / f ' h a t e a c h c o m - S h H Tin H.t hre ten shots over a 25 yards range at the S.M.R.C. h'nif hilni? i K u particularly difficult. It is a top n iln in- , h bottom half sand on grey. To score a bull's-eye for Thnrnfnrl One has to hit a circle 5/16 of an inch in diameter. Sen w' consider that an average of 90 per man showed a imS hi^ standard of skill. The fact that so many as 392 ?eamirSnrrnS indicates that the standard of the teams concerned is well above the average. The full conditions of shooting were as follows Teams :—10 Competitors. Shots :—10 each man. Range 25 yards. Rifles Amy . 22 rifle. Backsight:—Either Aperture or Open. Foresight;—Blade, Barleycorn, Bead or Ring (Telescopic Sights not allowed) Slings .-—Slings allowed. R e s t s R e s t s a l l o w e d . SpottingSpotting and Coaching allowed. A competitor may also spot for himself. Targets S.M.R.C. 5-bull Tin Hat cards. Two shots to be fired at each bull. No shot hole must be gauged or other wise interfered with. Scoring Bull's-eye 10 points, other circles 9, 8, 7,6, 5. Outside rings no score. The dotted inner circle was not to be used in this competition unless more than one team made the highest possible score, of 1,000 points in the final stage. f.,. gauges were used to decide ties in the first stage for the leading ten places. The issue of all stamped match targets and the assessment of all scores were undertaken by the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. It was thought advisable to shoot the first stage under witness of the platoon commanders or their nominees and to appoint special hi members of the Society for the final stage that will h ' W e w a r m l y c o n g r a t u l a t e a l l the teams vyho achieved the above mentioned standard and we have to join with their fellow competitors in our appreciation of the admirable scores made by the leading twelve teams whose names are given below and whose scores work out at the high standard of. 987 down to 96?! As It happened that the scores of twelve teams qualified for advancement it was unfortunate that the teams to take part in the final were limited W ten. Therefore, a decision had to be made to select the one team which achieved the closer grouping in the three equal scores of 967 made respectively by the Headquarters Plat. Blackburn Aircraft, Hn ^fi ,h Bn the Headquarters Plat. E Coy. 38th Cheshire Bn ' and the No. 3 Plat. A Coy. 4th Aberdeenshire Bn. It will be noted that after u^ing the .22 gauge the .25 was used and that gave fhe decision m the order of the teams as mentioned. We are now looking forward to a very keen and close final stage : but with the increa.sed strain on the personnel shooting, which invariably accompamp any final shooting team match, we can hardly expect i anything like the top rate scores which were achieved by these teams !u ^'uge. The fact that the slightest mistake might mean shootfng° down has a great affect on most individuals The scores of 1554 teams who returned full sets of shot targets in the first stage have been published and distributed in a separate I printing to all tcarns entered, but we give below a repetition of the first i fifty placings in the first stage, as we feel that so many high team i average scores of 95 per cent needed to be emphasized. ! FIRST ST AGE. 59th East Lancashire Bn. .. 987 I 5 C o y - . " S t W e s t R i d i n g B n . . . 9 8 2 A !e°' 1-7 ui'- c-9?^-' County of London Bn. ' 972 ' 4. No. 17 Plat. F Coy., 3rd Perthshire Bn. .. 971 9. 10. j;°- ? 59'- Coy., 1st Lindsey Bn. .. N o " ' 2 l h G l a m o r g a n B n . : : ' V j l S o P i " ' ; - C i t y o f L o n d o n B n . . . - - 5 ) 5 N n ' i D i D u m b a r t o n s h i r e B n . . " 0 7 0 h h ; . p ? ; ' 2 3 r d M i d d l e s e x B n . . . g S M d ' " : & . 2 5 g a u g e ) 13. 15. 18. 21. 22. 24. 25. 30. 32. 35. 38. 46. 47. n o . - 2 3 « - , g e ) ! ! M°' Q P f '^oy., 6th Ayrshire Bn. .. " -' ' - M ! pf J? y-' ^tit Nottinghamshire Bn. No' 6 ? i;" Coy., 3rd Somersetshire Bn. !! XI i 59 - ® Coy., 2nd Morayshire Bn. k^°- Coy., 8th Suffolk Bn. .. n5' Pp^'^'-A^J^ioy., 2nd Morayshire Bn. kf"- Coy., 1st Caithness Bn. .. No. 19 Plat. Hdqrs. Coy., 30th Middlesex Bn. tra- 5i? ^ Coy., 2nd Ayrshire Bn. .. Hdqrs. Plat. D Coy., 1st Sufrolk Bn. .. S°- 3 Plat. A Coy., 2nd Lindsey Bn. .. N°' '®t Aberdeenshire Bn. S ° - ® C o y. , 1 5 t h D e v o n s h i r e B n . •■ . . No. 19 Plat. C Coy., 39th Warwickshire Bn. Prestonpans Plat 4th Coy., East Lothian Bn. .. Hdqrs- Plat. A Coy., 92nd Lancashire Bn. H d q r s . P l a t . A C o y . , 8 t h E s s e x B n . . ^ ^ 3 c i ' . " ■■ ■■ - - s -- - :: ? No 4 P nf' n r°3' ' (G.P.O.) Bn. ! ' '' ' 954 S i 5 9 £ ° y - ' ' ' t i t N o r t h u m b e r l a n d B n . - - q s a No- 6 P at. A Coy., 3rd Bedfordshire Bn. -' - - 515 No. P at. A Coy., 35th London Bn. .. " -- --5,5 No- I Plat F Coy., 4th Wiltshire Bn. .. 5,5 Analaby Plat A Coy., 2nd East Riding Bn. 515 N 5 £" ? £°y- Leicestershire Bn. .. '' '' "553 No. 5 P at. B Coy., 8th Shropshire Bn. .. 5,5 No. 5 Plat. A Coy ., 4th North Riding Bn. 5,5 Hdqrs. Plat. 5th Coy., 12th Glamorgan Bn. ! '^3 n5' k P "5' P £°y-' County of London Bn. No- 6 P at. B Coy., 60th County of London (L.T.P.B ) Bn No. 6 Plat. F Coy., 32nd Surrey Bn. . ■•-.n.ian... M ° ' ? n m ' - D m - h a m B n . . . ! No. 10 Plat. D Coy., 19th Glamorgan Bn. 967 967 965 965 964 964 964 962 962 962 961 960 960 959 958 958 958 958 958 957 952 951 951 50. No. 2 Plat*; F rnv ."^ • 951 950 above" state®°"3'T'enting upon our remarks '' I don't think you sufficiently bringi out the really amazing achieved by all who entered. I feel you adjudged it from the expert shot point of view rather than from the standard one IS accustomed to with Service shots. htanoaro one Now, at 25 yards, with .22 ammunition, a Service shot gets 15 L°'gets'alT "-."larksmkn's standard, provided Hnn hi Hn r I "ng that exceeds your 5 points scoring i '^^Iculate that he would get the marksman's 17 were whinh^-n nff shots m thc cquivaicnt of your 6 points scoring ring, m h says jha' your competition all who got 60 or over ^nnHnrnr® .5®^'®3'ed the marksman's standard as judged by Service r S u r n s o f 1 5 ' o ' " ' i n d i v i d u a l returris ol 15,440 did achieve marksman's standard. fhp y°3"' ""opprt of the result—in line 15— the Tord " vp?v°"^ • -Justifiably be replaced with either 1 , 7b exceptionally," because, for the H.G. or for Service shots, the standard is, without doubt, exceptionally high Regular Army anything I have ever encountered in the c . t o d o i s t o c o n v i n c e t h e a u t h o r i t i e s t h a t t h e You win Mi'dn b b '''''°''® "'® shots standard. You will hard y do this by showing as you do—say in effect—in your first paragraph thai^t "3,920 individuals of total returns of 15 440 individuals achieved a reasonably " high standard of skill " p o o r l h o w ' " ® ^ " " ' ® ^ P " ' " P " Again in your last paragraph of the introduction to the score list yoti say "We can hardly expect to find anything like the topTcores which were achieved by these teams in the first stage." Surely you are pessimistic. My highest team at 961 shot below their average and I am prepared to put them down again under a witness to be sent by under conditions such as will rule in the final, and will back 'o , ®M "3eir first stage score, that is to say. should they fail to do so I will contribute £10 to St. Dunstan's providing anyone who cares to take up the challenge will contribute £10 to'St. Dunstan's w h e n t h e y h a v e b e a t e n i t . s WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKV March, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 35 do feel that there is no reason to suppose that the scores in the final will vary appreciably from those in the first stage." The final scores follow, all shot under special witnesses appointed by the S.M.R.C. FINAL ST AGE. RESUL T . 1 . N o . 1 5 P l a t . D C o y. , 7 1 s t W e s t R i d i n g B n . ( S t a i n c r o s s G r o u p ) . . 9 7 8 Sgt. J. Sanderson .. 100 L/Cpl. W . Hill .. Cpl. H. Hauli .. 100 Sgt. S. Middleton L t . H . J . L i n d l e y . . 9 9 S g t . A . P e a r s o n P t c . A . E . M i i n e r . . 9 8 L / C p l . J . A l d e r s o n L/Cpl. L. Lockwood . . 97 Pie. T. Bedford Witness : E. Barraclough, Esq., Barnslcy. 2. No. 4 Plat. 60th Coy., 23rd Bn. Middlesex L / C p l . T y l e r . . . . 1 0 0 C p l . R e y n o l d s . . P i e . N o r t h . . . . 9 9 L / C p l . L e n e y . . C p l . L e t c h . . . . 9 9 P t c . J . C o o k . . P i e . E m e r y . . . . 9 8 L / C p l . S p r a i t . . P t c . J o n e s . . . . 9 8 C p l . E v e r e t t Witness : G. Pethard, Esq., M.B.E., S.M.R.C. 3. No. 1 Plat. A Coy., 4th Dumbartonshiie Bn. 4. A. A. Arncil ..iOOW, M e i k l c97 T. J . C h a l m e r s 99 P. M c C a n n97 J. McDonald .. 99T. R u s s e l l96 H. O. Mackay98 D. A. McGregor 95 R. Auchenvale .. 98J. Johnston93 Witness : Capt. A. B. McKenzie, Stirling. No. 1 Plat. A Cov., 1st City of London Bn. * .. P t e . R . L . S . S a u n d e r s 9 9 C p l . D e n n i n g . . P t e . S p e n c e r . . . . 9 9 P t e . T h o m a s Cpl. Hubble .. .. 98 L'Cpl. Hobbah.. C p l . M u r r a y C o x . • . 9 7 P t e . P h i l l i p s P t e . B l a n k l c y . . . . 9 7 P t e . R . C . F . S a x b y Witness : P. J. Tucknolt, Esq., S.M.R.C. 5. No. 2 Plat. A Coy., 1st Lindscy Bn. Ptc. W . B. Bray 100Cpl. C. Cowling Lt. E. L. Burgess 99 Cpl. J. Stanworth Sgt. Mercer 98 Pte. W . Mann .. S g t . A . B r a y . .98Pie. R. Scaton .. Ptc. A. Williamson 98L/Cpl. Epton .. ICQPte. J. Fulwood97 99 Capt. R. L. Robinson 96 98 Cpl. E. Little ... .. 94 98 Pte. E. Sleight .. 93 98 Cpl. A. E. Smith 92 W i t n e s s : A . G e a r y , E s q . , S c u n t h o r p e . Headquarters Plat. Blackburn Aircraft, 2nd East^Riding Bn. L t . D a v i e s . . r , . , r - , 2/Lt. R. Deighton Sgt. J. Hall Pie. E. Alton .. Cpl. E. Garland Witness : W. McCloud, Esq., Hull. S t . H e l e n ' s P o s t O f fi c e P l a t . , 5 9 t h E a s t L a n c a s h i r e B n . . . Lt. A. Bell .. .. 98 Pte. A. Whitfield Cpl. A. T . Gaskell .. 97 Pte. R. W est .. Pie. J. C. Wilson . . 96 Cpl. J. C. Cox Cpl. E. W . G. Evans.. 96 Cpl. G. Mercer .. Pte. V . R. Bolton .. 95 Cpl. E. C. Perkins Witness : J. Reddy, Esq., Liverpool. No. 17 Plat. F Coy., 3rd Perthshire Bn._ L/Cpl. M. Henderson.. Pte. J. McNicol Pte. D. Anderson Pie. D. Lakie .. Pte. W . McLagan Witness : J. D. Nicoll, Esq., Perth. No. 2 Plat. No. 1 Coy., I2th Glamorganshire Bn. Sgt. R. L. Harding .. 99 Lt. D. O. Sirns.. C p l . J . R o d e r i c k . . 9 9 P t e . W . G . G r i f fi t h s P t e . H . B . S i m s . . 9 7 S g t . W . H . L e a r L / C p l . 1 . E v a n s . . 9 4 L t . W . E . B r e n t Pte. J. Fitzgerald . . 94 L/Cpl. D. Griffiths Witness : I. L. Roberts, Esq., Swansea. 10. No. 1 Plat. A Coy., 45th County of London Bn. 7. 8. 9. 100Pte. F . Jacobson 95 98 Cpl. F . Brough.. 95 97 L / C p l . J . S h e p h e r d s . 94 96 Sgt. J. McGregor 92 95 L/Cpl. A. Cochrane 84 Pte. C. Luther Pte. .1. Everett .. Ptc. R. Skerton Pte. Hams Pte. F\ Albastcr 98 96 96 95 94 Pie. J. J. Whiting Sgt. T . R. Thomson Pte. B. Hcnson L/Cpl. P. Culver Pte. C. C. Oakham 97 97 97 97 96 98 98 97 96 92 97 96 96 95 95 97 97 96 96 • 8 9 95 95 94 93 92 93 93 93 92 91 93 90 87 84 83 975 972 969 968 965 951 946 945 916 Witness : G. Pethard, Esq., M.B.E., S.M.R.C. The Council of the S.M.R.C., in view of the large entry for the competition, have decided to increase the number of prize awards to six sets of ten, the winning team to receive ten small silver cups, suitably engraved, instead of medals, besides holding the Mackworth Praed Challenge Cup until the next competition. Hearty congratulations on their splendid shooting are extended to the Staincross Group H.G. and these will be publicly made when the formal presentation, now being arranged, takes place. Seven of the ten members of the winning team are employed at collieries and an eighth member was a colliery worker until a few months ago. The team shot under witness appointed by the S.M.R.C., Mr. E. Barraclough of Barnslcy, to whom, with other special witnesses in the final stage as named above, we express grateful thanks. It will be seen that the winning score worked out at an average of 97.8 per man, an achievement on which the whole team unit officials, together with the Group Commander, Colonel Haliam, and the citizens of Mapplewell and Staincross, may well take very great pride. Of the hundred men shooting in this final stage only seven obtained possible scores of 100 points. Among these was Corpl. Harold Hault, 33-year-old miner, employed at North Gawber Collieo', who a day or so previous to the team shooting had his hand badly crushed in the pit by a fall of stone. He was determined to keep his place, and, with his hand bandaged, he justified his own faith and that of his team captain, by scoring full points. The team \vas coached by Mr. Clarence- Marris of Mapplewell, the Yorkshire champion .22 marksman and a recent England champion. As expected there was a falling-off in final stage scores compared with those of the first stage, but 965 or over for the first six places was excellent, and for this reason the prize list has been extended to that extent. Praise and congratulations have been well earned by all reaching that high standard under the arduous conditions of such an ' important final stage shoot. The B r o w n e M a r t i n " C u p Competition Teams of four, each competitor firing 20 shots, 10 each at two " Match " targe t cards. Teams fired at 25 yards unless otherwise staled. FIRST ROUND. Ham and Petersham B 795 beat Hampstead Electricity Supply' B 605. City of London Police A 793 bent Hampstead Electricity Supply A 660. E m b a n k m e n t 7 9 3 b e a r H a w k e r A i r c r a f t A 7 8 6 . Ham and Petersham A 791 beat John Wright and Sons Ltd. C 6^4. Metro. Police T Division 791 u-.o., I.C.I., Siivertdwn, C cards not received. Twickenham A 791 beat Netting Hill Police A 771. Walthamstow Ensign 791 heat S. Smith and Sons Ltd. B 747. Lyons 790 beat Hendon and Cricklewood B 784. Alexandra Palace A 789 beat A.I.D. Unit, Kidbrooke, B (20 yds.) 7:)6. T w i c k e n h a m B 7 8 9 b e a t M e t r o . P o l i c e A D i v i s i o n A 7 8 0 . West Ham and District A 789 beat South-East Ham Wardens C 655. H a m i l t o n A 7 8 7 b e a t W a t n e y C o m b e R e i d 7 7 4 . Heston and Hounslow A 787 beat W allington B.L. 781. Alexandra Palace B 785 beat City of London Police C 770. W e s t H a m a n d D i s t r i c t C 7 8 5 b e a t L . T. , B a k e r S t r e e t , A 7 8 4 . H e n d o n a n d C r i c k l e w o o d A 7 8 4 b e a t N o r t e l s A 7 4 0 . S.T.C,, New Soulhgate, 784 beat Hampstead Electric Supply C 634. A d d i s c o m b e 7 8 3 b e a t M e t r o . P o l i c e A D i v i s i o n B 7 7 5 . Hackney Trolley Bus 782 beat Nortels B 717. 3rd Middlesex Bn. A 780 beat No. 8 Plat. 60th Surrey Bn. B 751. City of London Police B 779 beat 1st American Squadron A (20 yds.) 681. Heston and Hounslow B 778 heat Barnes Coy. H.G. A 768. Natural Historv Museum 111 beat 1st American Squadroit C (20 yds.) 697. L.T., Enfieia. 774 beat Metro. Police v. Division 771. Midland Bank 774 beat South-East Ham Wardens B 674. Eliham A.I.D. A 773 m'.o.. I.C.I., Silvertown. A cards not received. West Ham and District B 770 beat L.T., Baker Street, B 765. A.I.D. Unit Kidbrooke A (20 yds.) 768 beat 1st American Squadron B (20 yds.) 717. No. 1 Plat, A Coy, 45th London A 765 beat Hawker Aircraft E 751. E l t h a m A . I . D . B 7 6 4 b e a t H a w k e r A i r c r a f t D 7 4 1 . S. Smith and Sons Ltd. A 761 beat Notting Hill Police B 757. Netting Hill Police C 760 beat No. 8 Plat. 60th Surrey Bn. A 755. H a w k e r A i r c r a f t B 7 5 6 b e a t H a w k e r A i r c r a f t F 5 6 0 . Harrow B.L. 743 heal No. 8 Plat. 60th Surrey Bn. C 718. No. 16 Plat. D Coy. 41st London 737 beat John Wright and Sons Ltd. B 677. A Coy. 2nd Middlesex A 734 u-.o., I.C.I., Silvertown. B cards not received. City of London Police W.A.P.C. A 729 beat John Wright and Sons Ltd. A 684. City of London Police W.A.P.C. B 721 beat South-East Ham Wardens A 706. Hawker Aircraft C 709 beat South East Ham Wardens D 602. SECOND ROUND. Ham and Petersham A 796 beat London Transport, Enfield, 782. Metro. Police T Division 796 beat West Ham and DLstrict C 771. Ham and Petersham B 795 beat Hawker Aircralt C 723. Hamiltons A 794 beat Walthamstow Ensign 790. Addiscombe 793 beat West Ham and District B 785. Lyons 793 beat Heston and Hounslow B 773. A l e x a n d r a P a l a c e A 7 9 0 b e a t M i d l a n d B a n k 6 7 0 . Twickenham A 790 beat Molting Hill Police C 762. City of London Police A 788 beal A.I.D. Unit, Kidbrooke, A (20 yds.) 756. Heston and Hounslow A 786 beat No. I Platoon A Coy. (L.P.T.B.) 775. Twickenham B 786 beal Citv of London Police W.A.P.C. A 717. West Ham and District A 786 beat Natural History Museum 760. 3rd Middlesex Bn. A 786 beat City of London Police B 783. Embankment 785 beat S.T.C., New Southgatc, 781. Hamiltons B 783 beat HaCkney Trolley Bus 778 Hendon and Cricklewood A 783 beat A Coy. 2nd Middlesex A 757. Alexandra Palace B 778 beat Eltham A.I.D. A 767. S. Smith and Sons Ltd. A 774 beat Eltham A.I.D. B 736. Hawker Aircraft B 756 beat Harrow British Legion 754. 16th Plat. D Coy. 41st County of London Bn. 745 beat City of London Police W . A . P. C . B 6 9 2 . THIRD ROUND. Ham and Petersham A 797 beat Metro. Police T Division 781. Lyons 796 beat City of London Police A 785. Ham and Petersham B 790 beat 3rd Middlesex Bn. A 786. Hamiltons A 790 beat 16 Plat. D Coy.. 41st County ot London Bn. 749. Alexandra Palace A 789 beat Addiscombe 788. Embankment 789 beat Twickenham A 786. West Ham and District A 789 beat Twickenham B 576. Hamiltons B 782 beat Alexandra Palace B 781. Hendon and Cricklewood A 782 beat Hawker Aircraft B 748. Heston and Hounslow A 780 beat S. Smith & Sons, Ltd. A 779. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK36 T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. C l u b A w a r d s W i n n e r s Ye a r Name of Club No. D a i l y M a i l Certificate Daily Telegraph Certificate News of the World Certificate 1942 A C o y. , 1 7 t h N o r t h u m b e r l a n d H . G . 3436L/Cpl. W. PurdyL/Cpl. W. PurdyPte. R. Churchill 1942 A.F.S., Ramsgate1342 M i s s C l a y t o n W. P r y o r 1942 Ashton A Coy. H.G. 3379 F. A r n fi e l d 1943 Air Service Training 2868 J. Squires G; DavisJ. Brookes 1943A.T.C. 1917 Squadron ; 3821L. McGrathL. OsbornCdt. Whitlock 1942 B Coy., 32nd Warwicks H.G.; 3 8 2 2 F. C . R o b e r t s F. W. E d g i n t o n J. G. Thomas 1942 British Legion, Wembley and Sudbury Branch1 2 7 6 5 C. J. Hatton C. J. Hatton H. H. Budge 1942 Blackpool Police : 1 4 2 9 Insp. G. Bragg P/C. T. Burrows P/c. T. Burrows 1942 Bolton and Harwood1 2304J. WhittleJ. Crankshaw R. Blackburn 1942Bournemouth and District2590B. R. SnuddenB. R. SnuddenB. R. Snudden 1942B.P.C.M., Swanscombe 1 2515 S. G. ShuterG. LesterS. G. Shuter 1942 B.P.C.M., W ouldham, 6 8 F. B . H y d e R. W . RodwellS. Gristwood 1942British M.A.R. Co.3668L. ParkerMrs. P . M. Sgt. L. E. Hose Huddleston 1942 B r u n s w i c k S c h o o l3222A. P . L. Whishaw M. J. M. Long M. J. M. Long 1942 Bucks Const. (N. Western Division) 3305K. EwensH. MairsC. Marsh 1933C D i v i s o n M e t . P o l i c e2848H. Palmer E. Parker 1934C D i v i s i o n M e t . P o l i c eE. Parker H. PalmerJ. Odell 1938C D i v i s i o n M e t . P o l i c eL. ThompsonL. ThompsonL. Thompson 1939C D i v i s i o n M e t . P o l i c e J. Odell E. ParkerA. Lake 1940C D i v i s i o n M e t . P o l i c eA. Dare J. OdellJ. Beadle 1942 C D i v i s i o n M e t . P o l i c e E. Curling E. Thomas S. Hooper 1942 Cardif f City 933W. R . R i t c h i eA. BolsomE. T . Lewis 1942City of Sheffield Police286 J. W. Naylor J. ShawG. M. Praties 1942Commer-Karrier669R. FlittonR. Flitton R. Jeakings 1942 Croydon A District Wardens 3633Mrs. V . P . Davies A. Jef fries N. Hodges 1940Dalkeith Buccleuch 11 2 3D. S. Black D. S. Black Mrs. J. Burnett 1941 Dalkeith Buccleuch11 2 3 J. Reid, Snr. M i s s C . D o d d s 1942 Dalkeith Buccleuch11 2 3A. DodsA. Dods A. Dods 1940Darlington Forge 184E. Kershaw F. S . P o r r i t tF. S . P o r r i t t 1941Darlington Forge184 T. G o l i g h t l y D. Ashman T. G o l i g h t l y 1942 !D o n c a s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t944C. Norman G. H. Watling C. Norman 1942 East Ham (North) Wardens 3787S. W . KettleW. C . N e w t o n Naomi Ryan 1942East Hull ■ 1282 ' A. Redmore J. Purling E. Alton 1942Epsom College J.T.C.3910 A. R. Longhurst R. M. LiscombeA. F . Eminson 1942F a l m o u t h G r a m m a r S c h o o l673G. Carter P. H . B l a c k J. W oodfield 1942F e l t h a m a n d D i s t r i c t 1 1811 G. A. Bylett G. A. BylettJ. V oss 1942 5th Plat. E Coy., 2nd Bn. Surrey H.G. ' 3443 ■ A. W atson H. E. FrewcrG. R. Jobson 1942Forgrove447 , E. Dale A. W oodhead D. Keep 1942 F r o d s h a m R . C . 1094 G. Whitby J. .NichollsE. W . Sutton 1942Glasgow Academy1179 . G. McChlery G. J. BurnettR. M. A. Smellie 1942Guardbridge648 1 C. MuckersieC. Muckersie ■'C. Muckersie 1942 Hampton Police3581 A. Murray A. MurrayJ. Ryans 1941 H a w k e r A i r c r a f t ( A c t o n ) 1710 L. T. Cooper W. H . H a r m o nF. W . E v a n s 1942 H a w k e r A i r c r a f t ( A c t o n ) 11 J. G. BarnettD. T . JacksonA. E. Bolt-Seabrook 1942 Hemel Hempstead 1571L. E. Killick K. BaileyK. Bailey 1942Kimberworth 1842 M r s . V. - E . B a r k e r 1 M i s s C . F i t z m a u r i c eMrs. V. E. Barker 1942 L a i n g a n d C r u i c k s h a n k ; 2215 , J. V . ParkerW. E . O x f o r dH.-C. W ells 1942 Leeds City Police 301 E. T . Wilkinson F. G . B r o w n W. B r i s t o w 1942 Lewisham 2813 F. G r i f fi t h s E. O'Donnell F. G r i f fi t h s 1942 London Transport486 F. B a l lC. Oakham P. J e n k i n s 1942 London T ransport . R. Lunnon H. Bedborough C. Oakham 1942 London Transport A. Pumfret J. Gladdy H. T ribble 1942 London TransportH. Bedborough F. B a l l J. Gladdy 1942 London Transport C. OakhamH. Norris G. Dyche 1942 London T ransport J. Gladdy A. J. Brand R. Spratley 1942Lowestoft and District ^ 1007 A. Folkard B. Riddleston A. Borrett 1943Livingston and Doughty 906 G. H. Livingston W. H . G a m b l e A. N. Brown 1941 Maidenhead and DistrictE. Norkett 1942 Maidenhead and District *6501. Winkworth F. W e t t o n W. F . H o r w o o d 1942 Mapplewell and District 255 W. Wa i n w r i g h t R. Allott W. Wa i n w r i g h t 1942.Meridian 2554 P. Wy k e s L. BurrowsD. Robertson 1942 M e t . S p e c i a l C o n s t . J D i v. R . C . : 2423 T. J . P a r k i n sG. Hof fmanE. W . T urner 1942 Millerston 1 3426 W. S y m i n g t o n M. MathesonN. Leslie 1942M i n i s t r y o f L a b o u r 2883 A. H. W . CleeA. H. W . CieeA. H. W . Clee 1942No. 4 M.U. R.A.F .3216M i s s D . H o r s m a nE. J. EccbstoneR. Preston 1942Newtongrange W. P o r t e o L i s T. i / i c G u i r eR. Fenwick 1942 N o r b u r y P o l i c e3592 . E. BrowneH. E/ans A. Chinnery 1942Nortels1813H. E. HainesMisj H. Dashfield'H. M. Stack 1942 O m e s R . C .3866W. H o w a r dC. E. C. MeadeV. L o d c r 1942 Roll.s-R yce11 , F. Simpson D. R. PrattD. W . Hall 1942 S. Smith & Sons (M.A.) Ltd.2177 ! J. WheelerR. LeeF. F r o s t 1942 Sheffield University 371P. H . Y a t e sJ. G. Can- F. H o g g 1942St. Albans , 1337 ' L. J. SwainG. KingG. Mitchell Chas. R. E. Bell Medal or Certificate L/Cpl. T. Lowther R. M. Ellison D. Davis Cdt. T atham j H. Ebrey . D. G. Smith P/c. G. Clayton R Y a t e s L. J. Mallett H. Raven P. S . L e e I W. Gardner i Q. J. Ballard . E. Bloxham H. Palmer L. Thompson W. J . A t k i n s o n J. W. Naylor G. Sharratt C. T . Dalton D. S. Black J. Reid, Jnr. A. Dods F. S . P o r r i t t , J . L o w e r y : G . H . Wa t l i n g j T. L. Blades ; W. M i t c h i s o n 1 S . H a c k i n g I J. Woodfield i G. A. Bylett ! Capt. J. A. Nash i E. H. Lazenby H. Bradley I K . D . M . C a m e r o n C. Muckersie A. F . W yatt 1 O. J. Beasley R. N. H. King L. E. Killick Mrs. R. Whittington J. C. Davies T. W . L a m b E. O'DonncIl C. Oakham T. T h o m p s o n J. Gladdy E. Spiriti J. Orchard C. Clarke Mrs. W . Keeble A. W and F. W a d h a m s W. W a i n w r i g h t G. Clarke A. J. Denslovv W. S y m i n g t o n A. H. W . Clee M i s s H . R o u s e D. Slater O. Bissett M i s s S . W a d e J. Morton F. Simpson J. Wheeler E. Moore F. H a r r i s o n (Continued on pagefiO) WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 37 W i s d o m a n d H u m o u r From The Globe and Laurel, Journal of the Royal Marines. General Sir Alan Bourne, K.C.B., D.S.O., M.V.O., has vacated the appointment of Adjutant General, Royal Marines, and on behalf of all our readers we bid him farewell, in the literal sense of the word. Sir Alan has had a long and distinguished career of exceptional variety and interest. To have held a commission on the Active List continuously for 434 years, and under five Sovereigns, is a record which, we think, coniiparatively few men can ever have achieved. He carries into his retirement our best wishes for many years of health and happiness to Lady Bourne and himself. (We are proud to have him as a Vice-President of the S.M.R.C.—Ed.) We o ff e r o u r c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o L i e u t . - G e r i e r a l T. L . H u n t o n , C.B., M.V.O., O.B.E., on his appointment as Adjutant General, Royal Marines. ^He is also a warm supporter of rifle shooting.—Ed.) COSMETIC NOTE. " Does your wife get her good looks from her mother ? " " No, she gets them from her father." " I s h e a P a r a d e I n s t r u c t o r ? " " No, he's a chemist." Y O U ' R E T E L L I N G U S ! C o m m a n d e r a s k e d i n t h e H o u s e o f C o m m o n s day ; " Are women equal before the law to men ?" Commander, the average woman is equal to anything. the other T H E M O R M O N . Extract from a patent medicine te.stimonial : " Since taking your tablets regularly I am another woman. My husband is delighted." (From " Blig/ity.") H O W T H E R O W C O M M E N C E D . Two recruits limped into the Orderly Room covered in bandages. " What started the trouble between you ?" asked the C.O.' " It was like this. Sir," said one ot the recruits, " first he throws his beer over me, then I hits him in the face with a bottle—then he' cuts me head with a poker, so I pushed him through a window—and the next thing we knew we were having a row." ( F r o m " T h e S a p p e r. " ) T H E D E P O T S H O O T I N G . In February the Inter-Company Shoot resolved itself into a fight for the lead between " D " and " A " Companies. " D " who led by only 7 points by reason of a fine shoot by " A " Company, who pro duced the highest score so far recorded, i.e., 690, with an average of 85.13. "G" and "F" are fighting to avoid the last place. ^ The s c o r e s a r e a s f o l l o w s : — Oct. Nov . Dec. Aggregate. " D " 6 8 0 6 4 4 6 4 9 1 , 9 7 3 " A " " . . 6 4 6 6 3 0 6 9 0 1 , 9 6 6 " C " . . 5 7 3 5 5 9 6 4 6 1 , 7 7 8 " B " ' . . 6 1 9 5 1 7 5 7 1 1 , 7 0 7 / " G " 6 0 9 5 1 5 5 6 5 1 , 6 8 9 " F " . ! . . 5 5 8 5 3 2 5 9 6 1 , 6 8 6 Sergeant Maylor, of" A " Coy., won the prize for highest individual score, with 94. We had only one match last month, in which we received a beating from R.M. Holding Battalion. Scores Depot 760, R.M. Holding Battalion 781. This month we have two against R.N.E.C. (one peep and one open). Matches have also been arranged with Malvern School and Chatham, later in the spring. I.S.S. W. R . N . S . O F P O R T S M O U T H . | Shooting.—Wrens here had the temerity to challenge certain I R.M. officers to a friendly shooting match with . 22 rifles. We knew j that our opponents had little chance of shooting for some time, so we j thought some regular practice on our part might even things up a ! little. It did—and we surprised ourselves, we beat the officers by the I narrow margin of three points! j AMBITION. An ambitious young officer heard of the death of the Adjutant. Being full of self-confidence he hurried to the C.O. and said ; " Sir, can I take the Adjutant's place ?" " Certainly," replied the C.O, " if you can fix things with the undertaker." ( F r o m " T h e S a p p e r. " } y M I N D I N G T H E B A B Y . Much has been said of women taking over the jobs of men, and it has been suggested that men should take on the household chores^ including the job of minding the baby. We heard of a sailor taking this literally, and a certain Naval Establishment is just recovering from the shock inflicted on it by a certain matelot—a very new " sprog," and H.O., incidentally. When home on leave he wired asking for two days' extension, stating that his wife was ill and he had to mind the baby. The Com mander wired back that the extension was not granted, and he must report back immediately. He did—next day—complete with ba^S The sight of the sailor carrying a baby into Naval Barracks, having travelled many miles by rail and part by boat, will not be forgotten f o r s o m e t i m e . The baby was cared for by local WIV.S., and the ne.xt day the sailor was sent home with it. So he got his two davs' extension after all! T. T. CARROTS! A youth in America had " put in a request " to his boss as to why he had not been promoted to supervisor. " I'm senior," he said, " I'm never late, I do my job properly, no o n e fi n d s f a u l t w i t h m e . " " Yes," said the manager, " you're all that." After a pause he asked, " Do you ever do any gardening ?" " Yes," replied the employee. " Have you ever grown carrots ?" The man replied that he had grown carrots. " Do you notice any difference in a row of carrots ?"' No, they all looked alike to the man. " Would you notice if an onion appeared among the carrots V " Oh yes, of course." " Well, son," said the boss, " that's the answer. You're a carrot, not an onion." And now a little conversation piece :— One of our newly-appointed Wrens, on her first day with the R.M.E.'s : " With whom shall 1 be working ?" Sergt.-Major You will have to work with two Colour-Sergeants." , Wren : " Oh dear, I'm not keen on working with black men!" We are indebted—very much—.to " H.J." in " Punch " for th^ following :— " In days gone by B. Smith was a small game hunter because, he said, he would leave big game to poorish shots and concentrate on hunting that really needed skill. In the course of his career he shot some of the smallest animals 1 have ever seen, though his enemies accused him of artificially shrinking them when dead. 'A point which often troubled him was whether it was fair to use a very large bullet on his tiny prey, and he finally worked out a kind of scale. By an attachment to the sights of his rifle he could roughly work out the dimensions of his quarry, and then by reference to the table, decide the proper size of the shot. When, however, he was once persuaded to join a party hunting big game he took his tables with him and found that for an elephant he should use a two-pounder shell. This caused various legal and social difficulties, and he was never invited agaia. AG. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK3S T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. Parkeriflinq A G A I N M A K E S N E W S : His wonderful shooting and the present condition of the barrel is a striking tribute to the excellent workmanship and materials."—S.M.R.C. This valued appreciation of Parkerifling was recorded after Mr. F. H. Bowden, of Brighton, had fired in the " News of the World " individual Competition—and here are the facts : Mr. Bowden scored 298 points ex 300—on his 71st birthday—with a gun Parkerifled THIRTEEN YEARS ago. We now quote Mr. Bowden after his remarkable feat "I first started shooting In 1927 with a new gun, shot with it for three years, then had it Parkerifled in 1930, since when I reckon I have put at least 70,000 rounds through it and the barrel is still in perfect condition as you can tell by my present shooting—in the last Summer League my aggregate was 1088 f o r 1 1 m a t c h e s . " PAEKifSlftlKG THE PROCESS ILLUSTRATED bored out the P ARKER. INSER TED.MAKIMG TO RECEIVE RIFLED TUBE A SUPER ACCURATE L O N G E R A C C U R A T E W H I C H I S R I F L E P a r k e r i fl i n g f o r S u p e r A c c u r a c y F u l l d e t a i l s o f t h i s s e r v i c e c a n b e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e S O C I E T Y O F M I N I A T U R E R I F L E C L U B S WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 39 Warmest congratulations are ofTered by small-bore marksmen to Lt.-Col. W. B. Rowntree, member of the Lensbury and Britannic House R.C., who has been awarded the O.B.E. (Military Division) for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Middle East during April-October 1942. Colonel Rowntree who, at the commencement of war was a Captlin in the Territorial Army, has seen active service in the Egpyt and Libya campaigns and was in the Tobruk battle. A colleague, Signalman J. G. Ellis, who was a member of the all-conquer ing Lensbury team, and Welsh and British International, was also in the Middle East and on one occasion they met quite by chance and .swopped yarns. R. E. Allen, the club secretary, who tells us this news, is now located in the Bristol district, where he is on important Govern ment work. He sends warmest greetings to all his shooting friends. « * * Hampshire Home Guard Zone Command have organised a 22 calibre rifle league for Battalion teams under S.M.R.C. rules, the winner to hold the Hampshire Challenge Cup. The League is under the personal supervision of Lt.-Col. J. W. H. Seldon, and Mr. H. M. Reed Hampshire County Captain and S.M.R.C. Advisory Committee representative, who is Company-Sergeant-Major Instructor, has suDolied the scores. At the time of writing the Itchen Battalion, the 12th (Southampton E) Bn. and the 21st (4th S.R.) Bn. share the lead with ten wins in eleven matches. * * * Durham County Constabulary has taken up shooting with an enthusiasm unequalled in County police forces at the present time. Each of the Divisional rifle clubs has become affiliated to the S.M.R.C. and great keenness is shown throughout the area. Teams of si.x representing divisions were divided into North and South sections and the winning teams. Castle Eden and Houghton-le-Spring met for the final match when the first named won by 557 to 545 points. Best scorer was Inspector Corner of Castle Eden with 99. We con-, gratulate all concerned and especially P.-c. Moore of West Hartlepool, the League secretary. * * A War-time League has been started at Worthing, where a local Association has been formed with eight teams competing in each of two divisions. Southdown A, beating Chatsworth A on aeereaate only, and Rescue Service were respective winners. Cpl. Richardson of Southdown A and Cpl. Docket of Southdown B returned best scores in the last seven matches in each division. An attempt to organise a Junior League was for various reasons not successful and the future system will be to encourage officers in the pre-service organisations to run their own show. The Spring League starting this month will fill the gap until a more full Summer League i s a r r a n g e d . * * * A Vice-President of the Barling Magna Home Guard R.C., Southend-on-Sea, has provided a pavilion on his land where a most comfortable range has been established, and has supplied two S.M.L.E. .22 rifles with aperture sights. Three club members have their ovyn target rifles and the club bids fair to become firmly established to c o n t i n u e a f t e r t h e w a r . * An outstanding achievement is recorded by Mr. F H. Bovvden of the 13th Brighton B.B. Old Boys R.C., who, on his 7 st birthday, scored 298 x 300 points in the Nem ofthe Work! Individual Compe tition and returned an aggregate of 1088 points m eleven Summer League matches. He is using a rifle which has fired. 70,000 rounds since it was Parkerifled thirteen years ago. Mr. Bowden s two sons are also expert mark.smen and have won County and National prizes. Even now they are in the Forces they manage an occasional shoot. * The Dundee, Angus and District Association is to hold their annual summer meeting on Saturday, May 29 At the time of writing Guardbridge with 29 match points, head the Winter League hist division table, with Perth City and County 27 points and Park Wynd 26 points close behind. Blairgowrie, four points clear of Dundee City Police A are probable second division champions. * * * Hawker Aircraft R.C. produced a most exceptional second annu^ report with a membership of over 100. Teams had been entered ia all S.M.R.C. competitions, an inter-departmental league has been organised and matches have been fired with Home Guard units in the district. Mr. A. E. Bolt-Seabrook, the honorary secretary, is a most hard working official and to him undoubtedly is due the success of the club. The Works Manager. Mr. R. Wall, has presented a cup for the Club League, and, reviewing the year's activity, the Chairman, Mr. S. L. Wbittaker, formerly a member of the R.A.E., Farnborongh, R.C., attributed the keenness of the members to their sporting spirit A special effort is to be made to win one of the Marksman Badge shields. * * * Mr. J. W. Nayler, who won the Earl Roberts Small-bore British Championship at Bisley in 1925, has retired from his position as Postmaster of the Northern Postal District after 41 years in the service. He had 21 delivery offices 18 branch post-offices and 180 sub post- offices, with a total of 2,500 staff, under his charge and there were few that he had not met. Mr. Naylers interests are varied and his life has been extremely full. He was at one time in charge of the Indian mail service and at the time of the big earthquake at Messina he wns in Southern Italy. Our best wishes are offered to Mr. Nayler for a happy retirement which we know will be fully and usefully employed. * * At the half-way stage Kynoch and John Hall of that club headed the first division table and individual averages of the Midland League. Other leaders were G.E.C., Coventry (second division), Alvis (third division), Kynoch B (fourth division), Kettering (fifth division), and A Division Birmingham Police C team (sixth division). Each division has its own executive officer who, after scoring cards, sends a written r e s u l t s h e e t a n d t a b l e f o r S . M . R . C . d u p l i c a t i o n a n d i s s u e . T h e General Secretary is Mr. L. G. Cork, whose hard work has made this League possible in an area which, being concentrated on war produc tion, leaves little time for leisure. * * * Mr. C. F. Hobbs, the club secretary, has won the championship cup in the Kinibcrworth R.C. and Mrs. V. Barker, who is secretary of the n e a r b y R o t h e r h a m R . C . , w o n t h e L a d i e s ' C h a m p i o n s h i p . M r. H . Smith and Mrs. R. Whittington shared first place in the handicap Dr. Clarke Cup, but Mr. Smith won on the re-shoot. The Mappin Cup, also fired on handicap, was a tie between Miss Fitzmaurice and M r s . B a r k e r, t h e l a t t e r w i n n i n g b y t w o p o i n t s o n t h e r e - s h o o L Seventy-five per cent of the prizes were won by the lady members. * » * Lanarkshire Association proposes to hold in June an open prize meeting, which will include sections for the Home Guard and Cadets. In August the West of Scotland Open Meeting is planned under s i m i l a r a r r a n g e m e n t s . T h e L a n a r k A s s o c i a t i o n r e c e n t l y a r r a n g e d a competition in separate sections for the Home Guard and civilians, whereby £17 IDs. was rai.sed for the Red Cross. * * Mr. D. McGillivray, appointed secretary of the Glasgow Police Club for the tenth consecutive year, is secretary of the Lanarkshire Association and chairman of the W est of Scotland Rifle Association. Recently he was appointed to the Council of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs in recognition of his valued services to rifle shooting. His inclusion in the controlling body will be of the utmost benefit. It is c l a i m e d t h a t h e i s t h e fi r s t W e s t o f S c o t l a n d m e m b e r t o b e e l e c t e d t o the Council since that body was formed in 1902. * * * Since reporting that Captain A. J. Wliitcombc, winner of the Earl Roberts British Small-bore Championship Trophy in 1934, was missing, we have learned that he is a Prisoner of War in Japanese WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK40 T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. hands. With his wife he had been in Malaya for seven years. He c a m e f r o m L e w i s h a m . * * * Of special interest to Southampton district shooters is the achieve- mCTt of Miss V. Cooke, hon. secretary of the Curdridge R.C., the only lady to return a highest possible 300 in the first stage of the News of Me (ror/a Individual Competition. For several years now Miss Cooke ^ been shooting extra9rdinarily well, but her latest achievement is by far the best and a fitting reward for excellent and effective services to rifle shooting. * * * Formed in July last, the Balards R.C. of Addington, South Croydon, with its own 25 yards outdoor range, is becoming firmly ^bhshed. Most of its members are Wardens attached to the local Post- Recently they met a team, from the Reconnaissance Corps and tot them by 130 points. They next engaged the Croydon A District Wardens team on the latter's range, their first attempt at 15 yards ndoor shooting, and were beaten by a very jiarrow margin. * * * Croydon A District Wardens, whose three teams in the S.M.R C league are shooting consistently well, formed their club in September 1^, and already one of their members, Mr. N. Hodges, who started footing in late November, has scored a highest possible. Besides league matches they have met several local teams in friendly visiting matches, which, with one exception have been won. Aircraft Elements (Mitcham) beat them on their range, but in the return match fired this month the Wardens had a four points margin. When the members met for the annual meeting recently they learned that in the period 31st August to 31st December 20,000 rounds of ammunition had been fired. The club is in a sound financial position and the members are r^ivmg regular instruction. It is hoped eventually to maintain the nfle club for open public membership in Norwood, a district which has long needed a shooting centre. * * * We warmly congratulate Mr. A. T. Hooper, formerly of Amalga- nated Press and Addiscombe R.C.s, upon the success of his coaching of Aircraft Elements R.C. (Mitcham) teams. At the time of writing ^ Wartime Winter League team heads the twenty-seventh division In Home Guard shooting Aircraft Elements are without rivals in the Battalion. * * * Automotive (Twickenham) R.C. formed a few weeks ago has sixtj^ne members and to Mr. A. E. Taylor fell the honour of scoring ^ first possible in a match which was fired against Acton Bolt and Fine Thread Home Guard at the range of the Telegraph Condenser Company R.C. Eighteen of the sixty-one members are ladies, and Miss Parsons, a iathe hand in the Piston Shop, is regularly scoring 98's. Mr. F- D. Galloway, the hon. secretary, is adapting the Home Guard range on the premises of a parent concern at Hanworth for 25 yards outdoor shooting. * * * Lewes R.C. marksmen met for their annual meeting in January,' when Mr. J. G. Co.\, the hon. secretary, was congratulated upon the TOund state of affairs, despite call-up of members and other difficulties. The range and equipment is regularly used by the Home Guard and ^e Air Training Corps. Assets exceed £71 and liabilities are nil. £34 ss held in Defence Bonds and cash, an increase of £8 over the previous y^r The President, Sir George Boughey, Bart., O.B.E., who, since the formation of the club has taken the keenest interest in its doings is a t o w e r o f s t r e n g t h . , ' * * * The Women's Transport Service of Eastbourne includes shooting m its activities and the results achieved earned the high praise of Brig. Terrot, Commanding Officer of the Home Guard, when he presented the prizes recently. Mrs. Grant-Dalton won the Club Championship and the Miss MacKenzie Cup was won by Mrs. Norris. After the refreshments a team of visitors fired against the W.T.S., which included the S.M.R.C. Executive and Counci member M a j o r T . S u t t o n , M . B . E . ' * * * Examination Hall (London) R.C. has completed its second year with fifty-four members, an increase of seven, made up of thrity-three men and twenty-one women. Personnel from the nearby Wardens' Po.st have joined, and the few club men of experience among them will help the less experienced members. The satisfactory balance of £15 and a total ot 12,390 rounds fired during the year was reported. Warm thanks arc due to the officials for maintaining interest at such a high level. * * * The women's team of the Lythani St. Annes R.C. has had a most successful year in its matches against H.M. Eorces. Police, Civil Defence, Rifle Clubs and Home Guard teams. Of fourteen matches fired on home and away ranges, ten were won. One of these, against a Home Guard side was fired with H.G. rifles in the sitting and standing positions, a completely new innovation, but despite this there were only three points between the final totals. The local Royal Observer Corps was beaten by 35 points. * * * Cottingham (East Yorkshire) R.C. has embraced the local Civil Defence Services in an Internal League. Six teams competed and the Special Constabulary won with an average per man of 93.46. Teams of nine fired, and the best six targets counted. Competitions such as this will ensure an influx of new members when the various services are disbanded and civilian rifle clubs come into their own once again. » * » Shooting is on the upgrade in the Frodsham R.C., and when the Cheshire Association revives its Leagues they will be assured of regular entries. Mr. S. E. Ravenscroft, the secretary, is still not satisfied with the standard of marksmanship achieved, and is doing everything possible to encourage his members to hold just a little better, squeeze more accurately, and, he hopes, score possibles. * * * Brighton Special Constabulary R.C. has fired nine home and away matches, and won five. In the Inter-Divisional event twenty-four matches were shot. Seventeen members firing at five variations of targets, competed for the Individual Championship and thirteen series of spoon events and six other competitions were arranged. Mr. A. N. March, the secretary, would welcome postal matches from other Special Constabulary teams, who should write to him at 53, West Street, Brighton, 1, Sussex. * * * Only two members are left of the Arthur and Hinshaw R.C. of Glasgow. Mr. J. Brady, the secretary, however, is kept more busy than ever instructing the Home Guard. The range is open three evenings and Sunday afternoons each week ; Home Guard, Civil Defence and Police making full use of the equipment. * * * Mr. J. C. Walker, the " News of the World " and " South Wales Echo " cartoonist, is one of the best Service and small-bore shots in Wales, and recently was photographed with Miss Marjorie. Holmes, who was playing Aladdin during a pantomime season at Cardiff. They had much in common because Miss Holmes is a Bisley shot. In an interview with a local paper Mr. Walker emphasised the value of the S.M.R.C. organisation. * * When the Lincoln Constitutional R.C. Christmas Shoot prize list was circulated, the winner of a sucking pig had to be content with a duck. Probably a great disappointment in these days of rationing. Several useful prizes were distributed to ten members who had fired on metric targets. Mr. G, Robson was the winner with a possible. Mr. Don Oswin, the scretary, won the Vachel Cup, Mr. L. Kennet the Hardy Cup, and Mr. L. Beckham the Ruston Rose Bowl, City Championship and Medal, after a tie with F. Troop, who was awarded the S.M.R.C. Association Medal. Three members won Master-Shot badges, the only ones in the Lincoln district, and Mr. R. Burley received the S.M.R.C.'s Long Service Medal for five years' secretaryship. * * * The Nortels R.C., which is formed of North Area London Telephone Region Sports and Social Club members of the Post Office, is giving full service to the Army Cadet Force, Civil Defence Services and the Home Guard. The ranges and equipment are regularly used and the members spend many hours giving instruction. * * X c Cardiff City R.C. held its fourth annual general meeting on 30th January, 1943. The report for 1943 was most encouraging. Forty- eight new members were enrolled, including eight lady members. The club held a shoot for the benefit of the Cardilf Royal Infirmary and a sum of £40 was raised. In the club competitions the " Goddard " Cup was won by Mr. C. F. Barton, who also won the "Col. Homfray " Cup. The Captain's Cup was won by Mrs. Bolsom. The Cardiff City A team, shooting in the first division Summer League, finished fourth and held second place for the first eight matches. The ladies' team is slowly but surely improving, the members being very keen. The club has already enrolled thirty-seven new members this year, including twenty-eight members of the Women's Home Defence, another thirty of whom are joining shortly, and the club has now a membership roll of over five hundred, many of them on active service. The range is occupied each evening,- being used by Home Guard, A.R.P. Wardens, A.T.C. and Women's Home Defence, etc. The following officials were elected for 1843 President, Councillor C. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 41 Baden Smith : Chairman, O. J. Smith ; vice-chairnian, A. Bolsom ; secretary A. E. H. Smith ; treasurer, Llew Jones ; Ran^ge Officer R. Sea^di; Captain and match secret^ Ritchie" / are C F. Barton, H. Jopson, H. Williams, W. B. Ritchie, W. J. Arkinson, T. Groves, O. Pinnell, E. T. Lewis, Mrs. Bolsom, Miss We b b e r . * * * i l A whist drive organised by Park Wynd R.C. in aid of the British Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund was an outstanding ^ucmss. A^^^^ 120 competitors attended, and among them personalities from the district. Mi. J. Jarvis, President of the club introduced Mrs. A. Alexander, who presented 'J?® ^ that £11 was handed to the Red Cross is an e.xcellent tribute to Park Wynffis genial secretary, G. G. Home, who carried out all the arrangements and acted as cardmaster.^ Mr. A. H. W. Glee, who started shooting after passing his sixt^th year won all four S.M.R.C. Certificates awarded by the Mmistrj of r/bour and National Service R.C. "^^"5y mpn of advancinc years to persevere in a sport wnicn is generally reearded as suitable for younger persons. Scores made in the Veterans the Canadian Military Headquarters at the Marylebone Range, when, to use a hackneyed phrase, "A good time was had by all. The International Miniature Rifle League, a new organisation the demand for which was created by wartime conditions, has been founded by Miss Gladys Courtney and Mr. B. Evans. The club house anTrangeL at 97, New Bond Street, London, W.l, and membership is nnl m various Service organisations and the Women's Home Defence. Xe PresTdentIs the ^ Chairman, Lt. -Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher, CBE RM., amd Sir William Crawford, K.B.E., is the chairman. Dr Edith Summerskill, M.P., leader of the Women's Home Defence, is vice-chairman. * * * The " A" Company 1st Cadet Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, is anxious to arrange postal matches with other Cadet units and those interested are asked to contact P. H. S. Black at Falmouth Grammar School, Tregenver Road,^Falmouth, Cornwall. The Guardbridge R.C., only Scottish team to win the News of the World Challenge Cup, has-recently moved its range, and to mark tne onenlne in their new home club members entertained the honorary members to a match captained by the President, Mr. G. P. Adam, and by the landlord, Mr. J. R. Adamson. Tea was served by the Committee and the general arrangements were much appreciated and enjoyed by the guesFs. The change of home has not in any way interfered witri the scoring of possibles, as evidenced by the club's high position in the Dundee, Angus and District Association reported elsewhere. The Forfar and District R.C., secretary Mr. J,. C. Fleming, tells lis that despite wartime difficulties they do not propose to give up shooting without a fight. The rifle range, which cost £400, is used almost to capacity and the lady rnembers are showing progress. Mr I W Jackson, hon. secretary of the Peterborough Twenty R.C., and secretary pro tem of the Northants and Hunts County Association, has sTnce it was started, instructed the Home Guard as a civilian fo/r ffights a /eek and claims at least 1,800 hours Home Gmird service He says that the club rifles are now shot out and in need of ?ebarrelling Many clubs will have had similar experience and no doubt amicable arrangements can be made with the Home Guard. In the No. 42 (Founder) Squadron of the Air Training Corps at King"s Lvnn Norfolk, training in miniature rifle shooting has been ffi tL hands of the Adjutant, F/O. H. V. Rutherford and was com menced in the summer of 1941. Owing to difficulty in obtaining use ffie incCr ranTL the local drill hall, cadets cycled ten iniles on Su/dav mornings to practice in a quarry, which tljey converted into a 25 varL r/ng/ They have now constructed a go^d 20 yards range in thefr headcuarters most of the timber used being out of bombed memis/s Shooti m held on one or two evenings a week and Sarrdav afternoons Besides numerous inter-flight competitions, fffirXn mat/hes have been held with Home Guard, Royal Observer Corps and other Service teams, eight of which have been won by he r-nHptc In -A match aeainst an R.A.F. Station last year, in wnicn fhe teLs were nine a sfde, the Cadets lost by forty-four PO>nt| th^'r avpraup score was 90 against the R.A.P. 94.9 per cent. The btation Commander was so pleased with their shooting that he presented them w.X /oOO rounds of'^ammunition. Having got their own indoor range working so well the Cadets are looking forward to a successful year's shooting. * * * „„,jx.rTjc A representative gathering includii^ Mn G ^^thard M.B Secretary of the S.M.R.C., supported Captain ^aughton, the Chiet "Warden of Westminster, when he opened a new range in Thorndike Street, Pimlico, built in a damaged garage by Pimlico \\ardens. Mr. S. Marchant, the secretary, whose previous shooting activities have been with the Grosvenor Rifle Club, tells us that since opemng m February, the club has been prospering Its 9 almost to anyone in the district, thus providing a long-felt want where membership of most clubs is restricted to employees, etc. The shooting standard is on the upgrade and the finances are fir^y established in the " A " Company 17th Bn. Northumberland Home Guard. Matches with a neighbouring Battalion and the AT.^ have all been won, a good record for a club which only recently passed i t s f i r s t b i r t h d a y . » « * . r . i The British M.A.R.C. R.C. at Grantham had six teams 3 Platoon Competition for a cup presented by the O.C., Major W . D. Kendall, M.P. Headquarters beat the A.A. Gunners Platoon in the final, Mrs. M. Wood and Miss E. Andrew have won the ladies monthty spoon shoots. Despite long hours worked by most of the mernbere the standard of shooting is improving and 24,000 rounds of ammunition has been used since the club started in July last. * * * Few instructors in rifle shooting can equal the record of Mr. T. H. Northcott, who has been with the Tavistock Grammar School Cadet Corps for twenty-five years. Mr. Northcott is one^of the oldest workers in the movement and has held office in the Tavistock R.C. since 1918. * * „ ^ , j - Four of the six members of the .Atlas and Norfolk R.C., including sixty-one-year-old Mr. R. Staniforth, reached the second smtge ot the News of the World Individual Championship. Last month the members received from Mr. Mark Firth, one of the directors, prizes won during the previous season and received his warm congratulations upon winning the Engineer's League Shield No. 2, fired C9ncurrently vvith the S.M.R.C. League, as well as runners-up prizes in the Yorkshire L e a g u e . , * * . r > u u At the general meeting of the Ilminster and District S.B.R.C. held in January, the secretary reported a larger membership than ever before and the treasurer showed a balance of £65. Mi^ F. E. Uight, who will be well known to Londoners, was awarded the Championship , Knockout Cup and Mr. G. W. Winter, the secretary, r^eived the Field Championship Cup for the highest aggregate during 1942. Proceeds from other competitions were used to purchase silver cups tvvo ot which were handed to the Home Guard and the other to the Bminster Cadets to encourage their shooting" activities. The Prpident, R. T. Graham, Esq., who was re-elected, expressed the thanks ot the members to Messrs. Spinks (treasurer) and Winter tor their good work. * * Mr. J. C. Patrick, chairman of the old established Falkirk Lord Roberts Club, presented League medals and trophies to the niembers when they gathered at the club range in Oswald S.reet. b-ventn division National League, fifth division S.M.R.C. Summer League, and West of Scotland S.B.R.A. Summer League prizes were received b y t h e m e m b e r s . * ' * Two Girl Guides, Madge and Hilda Miliar, are members of the Perth City and County R.C., and they have both scored possioles on S.M.R.C, targets. The club has recently established a new indoor range, which we understand is niost comfortable. Sir James Grigg, Secretary for War, is investigating the use of the Warrington (Service) rifle range ; he stated m a written reply to Mr. Noel Goldie, K.C., M.P. for Warrington. Mr. Goldic. who is Recorder of Manchester, asked Sir James by whose authority tiring has been resumed on this range after its condemnation by Ins depart m e n t a s u n s a f e . * * The Danish Riflemen's Association, states the Danish pro-Nazi paper, "Facdrelandet," is holding shooting competitions all oyer Denmark in February and March. Tne Danes' interest in rifle shooting has increased significantl^y since the outbreak ol war. A challenge trophy presented by Genera! Sir lyo Vesey, late Chief of the General Stall'. India, eight silver and eight bronze medals given by the National Rifle Association, are available tor pisto shooting competition between companies or equivalent units ot the Home Guard twice annually. The first competition, which closed on J 1st December, resulted in a win for the " A Company 3rd Middlese.x Battalion " D " Company, 7th Gloucester Home Guard, were second. Particulars of the next competition will be forwarded by the secretary, N.R.A., Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Surrey, on request. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >