< Previous42T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. Colonel Sir Norman A. Orr Ewing, Zone Commander of the Home Guard, Glasgow Area, has donated a trophy for the Home Guard and Service teams taking part in the Stirling County Small-bore Rifle Association competition. This gentleman has been interested in S.M.R.C. work for many years. * * * Grandtully R.C. has sent a donation of £12 to Perth Royal Infirmary through its treasurer, Mr. James Kidd. The club, which "is one of the most live societies of its kind in the county, has given consistent and valued support to the Infirmary. * * Expert woman shot. Miss Ida Oakley, land girl and horsewoman of Broseley, won the two principal trophies offered for competition by Bridgnorth and District R.C. last season. At the annual meeting of the club when Miss Oakley received the Lord Berners Challenge Cup (for the second year in succession) and Welch Memorial Plate, she was heartily congratulated by the captain, Mr. Fred Head, and other speakers. " She does not suffer from stage fright. She simply planks bulls in at her leisure, and we have to stand by and see her do it," declared Mr. Head. * * The Ely R.C. has set aside one evening each week to coach the women of the town who wish to " know how." * * * In an exciting match with an Army side the G.W.R. Staff Associa tion Newton Ahhott R.C. won by seventeen points. » * * * Sgt. Sidney Pullinger, whose home is at Waltham Chase, has been injured in one eye whilst taking part in the attack which led to the rout of Rommel's force in North Africa. He was in command of a tank, the top of which was hit by enemy gunfire. Sgt. Pullinger was a popular member of the Curdridge R.C. * * Land Girls are among the many recently enrolled members of the Fakenham R.C. Mr. S. Fuller, the club's secretary, said the girls are very keen and are making good progress. * * * Maldon Ladies' R.C. is making fine progress, the past year having started with six members and ended with forty-one. Of fourteen matches shot they won nine, drew one and lost four. A silver cup for highest points, presented by the President, Mrs. Basil Bright, has been won by the Captain, Mrs. A. Joslin. * * * 1 ' At the annual meeting of the Manaton R.C. the President, Col. Cotgrave, presiding, the hon. treasurer, Mr. E. J. Ferryman, presented a satisfactory financial report. Col. Cotgrave was re-elected president, Mr. John Howe chairman, Mr. E. J. Ferryman treasurer and Mr. R. Cowling hon. secretary .The silver spoons won during the year were presented to Messrs. P. Ferryman, G. Shilston and G. Andrews. * * * The Burnham (Somerset) R.C. reformed in 1941. held its annual rneeting recently when Mr. M. Burford expressed the opinion that a little more shooting was desirable. 18.750 rounds had been fired during the year. Competitions in aid of the Red Cross and the local hospital had been arranged and matches fired with local clubs. The financial report was satisfactory and Mr. M. J. French, secretary, would welcome enquiries from prospective new members. * * # The annual " Trophy Night " of the Rotherham R.C. arranged by Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Barker (captain and secretary respectively) was held just before Christmas, when Mr. H. E. Brown, the president, presented the prizes. A long list was published in the local paper and included National League medals. Marksman and Master-Shot Badges and the Duk lof Connaught's Shield won by the local Boy Scouts team, which is coached by the Rotherham R.C. members. A new indoor range established by this club had, a few days previously been opened by the Chief Constable, Mr. R. Hall. * * Another husband and wife combination in shooting executive is Mr. and Mrs. J. Harrisom, who are captains of the male and female sections of the Taunton R.C., both winning several prizes, which were distributed by Mr. T. A_. Bushel, the chairman, in the absence of the president, .Mr. G. L. Sidey, when the annual meeting was held in December. All officials, including Mr. P. E. Arlidge, the hon. secre tary, were re-elected. The range is open five nights a week and many new members have joined from A.R.P. Services and Women's Home Defence. * * A ten-a-side League for units of the Women's Home Defence in Scotland has been organised and some excellent .scores arc being recorded. .Miss Dodds, who won the All-Britain Individual Shoot arranged by the Women's Home Defence, is the leading light in the Ldmhurgh team, which in the second series of the League scored 884 points, two less than Stirling. The latter have, since won the com- , petition. * * * The Stirling Women's R.C. is shooting exceedingly well and we .are interested to note that the wife of our old friend. Captain A. B. ^Kenzie, appears in the lists with the score of 92. His daughter ^rs. Crossland), however, appears to top the score. Mrs. D. W. Foster, whose husband is so well-known in the shooting' world, is firing with the Bridge of Allan women's team. She scored 98 in a recent match. The final round of the Kent Home Guard Competition, the fifth of a , series, will be completed this month when Mr. T. P. Hartley, secretary I ol the Kent Rifle Association Small-bore Section, who is the organiser, will undoubtedly report better scoring than in the previous 'compe- titions. Forty-six teams returned better totals in the second round Tu Vn sixty-two teams improved in the second division, t he 19tfi (Farningham) Battalion occupied twelve out of the first thirty places. The divisions are in open and aperture sights sections. * * * Sgt. Mayie of the Wisbech Special Constabulary has presented a 5^"? for inter-section shooting, to be competed for half yearly. Ifie Wisbech Police have a lively club, which invariably beats its visitors in the numerous friendly matches which are arranged * * * Presenting his 30th consecutive reoport as secretary at the 4Ist annual meeting of the Hartlepool R.C., Mr. R. C. Smith reported a more or less successful year. They had accomplished nothing out standing, but in these difficult times had maintained the club which after all, is an achievement in itself. Twenty-two spoon shoots were arranged and friendly matches fired, whilst special competitions were organised during Hartlepool's " Holidays at Home" week. The balance of stock in hand more than covered a small deficit in the accounts. * * ^•'^sburgh A and Leiston A tied with 396 each in the seventh round of the Suffolk County R.A. League. Despite present conditions the League is representative of clubs in all parts of the county and is running in four divisions. * * » ^ Warmest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Thomas of Swansea^ who celebrated their golden wedding in January. Mr. Thomas, who is captain of the Swansea R.C., has been a keen shot for twenty-five years. The club members presented Mr. Thomas with a silver-mounted' walking stick and his wife with a silver mounted umbrella as a token of their goodwill and congratulations. * * * The first annual meeting of the Hutton R.C. was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Ralph Gregson, who pointed out that the primary object of the club was to train members in the use of the rifle. Matches had been fired with various branches of the Civil Defence, including the Police and the Home Guard. Wardens from the district regularly attend the club range for instruction. * * * Tredegar and Tafarnaubach R.C., for both of which Mr. J. H. Thompson is secretary, celebrated their successes in the S.M.R.C. Leagues at a special function when Major Ivor Edwards of the Home Guard, deputising for the Battalion Commander, presented the medals. Captain T. Pollard thanked the visitors and expressed his appreciation for the work done on the miniature ranges, and congratulated all concerned upon their excellent shooting. * * * The 1st Cadet Battalion K.R.R.C. are arranging contests to select cadets to shoot at Bisley during the Whitsun holiday. A high standard is required to qualify for the privilege. * * Lieut. G. G. Adams of the 55th Kent Battalion Home Guard, who first became associated with the S.M.R.C. as secretary of the Sun Life R.C., now suspended, has organised a shooting championship which attracted 160 entries. The sixteen highest scorers competed in the final, .which was a shoulder-to-shoulder knockout, the ultimate winner being L/Cpl. H. Davies of West Wickham. * * * The Lewisharn Squadron A.T.C. fired a match against a Canadian Army unit and beat them by twenty-one points. Their civilian instructor, Mr. Frank Slater, secretary of the Lewlsham R.C., is quite used to these lads beating adult teams. In his report for the 1942 year he stated that financially the Lewisharn R.C. is in a sound position, and that over 70,000 rounds of ammunition had been fired, even though many members had joined H.M. Services. Over 100 A.T.C. Cadets had been passed through the Table " A " Course WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 43 and several members of the local Women's Home Defence unit have proved good pupils. » » * The Nottingham Civil Defence organisation has arranged a Cadet Corps Rifle League, and in the latest results eighteen-year-old Sgt. Bates scored 99 points and C/S/M. Woodhead scored 98 for the second time. A Company leads the other six companies by four clear match points in the League table. ^ British Legion, Swanley, R.C. has established a new range and the members are already settling down to high scores, Mr. C. iSortham returning two " possibles." Mr. C. A. Beech, the secretary, Mr. F. L. Barber and Mr. F. A. Williams were winners of monthly competitions. * * * Wood Top R.C., Hebden Bridge, has won the LeedsjWsociation Own Start Competition. In the final they beat Leeds R.C. by 399 to 397. * * * Chief Inspector A. Robertson, D.C.M., in the presence of S/D. Inspector McDonough, G.M., and Inspectors Taylor, Pnor and \ell, opened a 25 yards outdoor rifle range behind Plumstead Police Station earlier this month. The range, which was designed by Mr. K. E. Foster, of the Architect and Surveyor's DepartnTem, who is a well- known marksman and member of the Addiscombe R.C., was built frojn bomb debris and was certified as safe by the S.M.R.C. on behalf of the War Office Sgt. Eric Liverton, the secretary of the newly formed club, has supplied the S.M.R.C. with a full li^?t of members which promises well for a very successful club. This list includes two Policewomen. Ninety tons of coke had to be cleared by the men before the range could be built. . * * * Guardbridge, 29 points, lead Perth City and County and Park Wynd 27 and 26 points respectively, in the Dundee, Angus and District League, which is fired by teams of six, all scores to count. Scoring throughout both divisions is very high. * * * Besides two divisions in their Civilian League, the County of Lancaster Association is running a Home Guard League in eight divisions. Secretary of the Association, E. Scholes of Oldham, is congratulated upon this good work for the promotion and improve ment of rifle shooting in the Home Guard. * * * In the latest round of the Stirling County League premier division, the Bridge of Allan team, comprising D. C. Ferguson, D. W. Foster, D. J. Munro and J. R. Sutherland, scored the highest possible 400 points. The League is in four divisions, two for rifle clubs, one for Home Guard and Services and one for women. * * The Lindsay Cup Shoot for Civil Defence Services in the Lytham St. Annes District of Lancashire, has reached the semi-final stage. The Royal Observer Corps first team beat St. Annes First Aid Post, and the Royal Observer Corps B team beat Lytham Specials to qualify for the penultimate shoot. Unfortunately the two R.O.C. teams are drawn against each other. The other semi-final match is between Lytham Home Guard and Headquarters Home Guard. G. E. Miller of Lytham Specials leads the individual averages. * * * Several Pairs in the Aberdeen and District competitions scored the highest possible 200. There was a large entry. In the semi-final of the Association Cup Bonaccord A and B teams are opposed and Keith A meet Portlethen A.^ ^ ^ The new Rotherham and District Rifle Association Handicap League has attracted twenty team entries, and up to the middle of February nine matches had been fired, with Maltby Civil Defence first team in the lead. The secretary of the new Association is Mrs. V. Barker, who holds a similar office in the Rotherham R.C. * * * A lad of fifteen forcibly entered the Swansea R.C. premises and stole a .22 rifle and 650 rounds of ammunition. He fired off all the ammunition and boys in a field nearby took cover behind trees which were struck by bullets. A lady sitting in her lounge escaped,serious injury when a shot narrowly missed her head and struck the wall ot the room. The petrol tank of a larm engine was riddled with hullet holes. The same boy was involved in luiother house-breaking incident when he was caught^ ^ ^ When seven battalions of the West Sussex Home Guard met at the Petworth R.C. range to fire for the Stern Cup, they were repre sented by men who had joined the Force since 1st January, 1942 and had not fitken part in any competition of a similar nature. Firing with open sights, the 4th (Steyning) Battalion beat the 25th (Southern Railway) Battalion by 47 points. Teams from Brighton, Hove, Chichester, Worthing and Arundel also competed. Mrs. Stem, the wife of the donor, Col. F. C. Stem, C.B.E., M.C., the Group Commander, presented the cup to the winning team. * * * Dumfries and Maxwelltown beat the strong Glasgop Police team by one point in the West of Scotland League last month, but lost to Renfield in a National League with scores of 788 to 792. * * * Since the introduction of shooting, the London Passenger Transport Board Sports Club at Grays, Essex, has made vast strides and attracted many new members. 145 targets were returned in a recent shooting match, which was won by Mr. Freeman. Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Henson tied for first place in the Ladies' Section, and in the re-shoot again tied, so it was decided to share the prize. Friends from the B.P.C.M. Wouldham Works nearby, Messrs. W. R. Marshall and R. W. Rodwell, acted as range officers and scqred the targets. * * * Sir Harold Harmsworth was present when his Home Guard unit entertained the Lamerton Home Guard, who beat them by 16 points. Sir Harold said that they were beaten by a better team and he hoped they would come again. The teams were entertained to tea, and Lt. H. Williams of the visiting side expressed the pleasure which was felt by his men. * t * The " Keighley News " has presented a Silver Rose Bowl for annual competition by members of the Keighley R.C. This was announced at the annual meeting presided over by Mr. G. L. Bennet, the president, when Mr. H. Tovey, the secretary, revealed a year of considerable activity and progress. * » * The Sheppey United Services Rifle League has been formed to improve the standard of shooting in Home Guard and other Services stationed in that part of Kent. Five ranges are available for use by the twenty teams who will compete for the De Sola Cup. An indi vidual trophy is being provided for the highest aggregate in fifteen shoots. * * In addition to the thirty-nine rifle club teams competing there is a strong Home Guard division in the Aberdeen and District Association League. In the first division Bonaccord A have a slightly better aggregate than the leaders, whose match average is 393.6. Bon-- accord and Portleffien share the first division team record with 393 points, Ellon having a similar record in the second division. Scoring improves with each round in the Home Guard section and thus serves the purpose of the competition. In the following round Ellon A team (second division) made the score of 399 points, adding three points to the record. Divisions five and six were completed with the seventh round and championship honours are accorded to Portlethen and Bonaccord, both teams being undefeated. * * * A satisfactory start to the Swinton Special Constables R.C. was reported at the general meeting held in January, when a balance of £6 was reported by the secretary-treasurer, Mr. J. A. Toal. There are forty-one members and two teams are shooting in the Rotherham and District Association League. * * * H o m e G u a r d s i n t h e S o u t h W o o t o n d i s t r i c t o f K i n g ' s Ly n n , Norlolk, have formed their own rifle club, which has become affiliated with the S.M.R.C. In its first match against the local Air Training Corps the Cadets won bv a narrow margin. The secretary is Mr. W. R. Howett, the treasurer Mr. S. Hayes and the captain is Mr. J. To d d . * * * The first annual competition for the Coliseum Rifle Shooting Trophy presented.to the Fareham Police Division was wqn by the Regulars whose team included Supt. A. J. Appleton and Inspector W. G. Rowell. The last-named arranged the competition, which was fired on the Fareham R.C.'s range when Lt. Mackie of the Home Guard w a s t h e o t i i c i a l s c o r e r. * * * - Newcastle Wing of the Air Training Corps plans to build a rifle range in the basement of its headquarters. Seven houses have been acquired and equipped, and by removing the dividing walls a 25 yards range in the basement is thus possible. Major G. Stirling Newall, one of the original members of the Committee, has supplemented his gift of £50 towards the cost of £200 by the promise of a Silver Challenge Cup for competition amongst the Cadets. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK44 T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. Prizes in the 11th Bucks R.C. draw include a Vickers .22 Target Rifle which was won by Miss D. Parkins, who was prompty offered £12 cash by the club. It is estimated that £45 will be added to the club's fund despite the very fine prize list. No doubt Mrs. M. E. Strickland, who won seventy-five cigars, envies the Amersham Company Home Guard which won a lady's silk underwear set, and all the winners will envy Mr. Willoughby who won a bottle of Vat-250 20-under proof Scotch whisky. Likewise Peter Cower of Amerham will be flooded with offers for his prize of ladies' silk stockings ! * * Approwmately 1,200 members of various units, including Home Guard, Civil Defence, A.T.C. and Police are registered in the books of the Twickenham R.Cs, whose annual meeting was held recently at the Marsh Farm Road range, when Mr. F. Fish, chairman, paid tribute to the memory of the late Captain, Mr. VV. Robins. The hon. secretary, Mr. J. G. Duke, reported progress during the year and the several officials were re-elected, including Mrs. B. Moorshead, revolver captain. * * * The Huntley and Palmers R.C., Reading, has been revived recently and has entertained several local clubs in friendly matches on' their excellent range. Mr. Bennet Palmer presented prizes at the social club earlier in the year to winners of the Self-Handicap and the Gun Score competitions. * * * One of many clubs formed out of the Home Guard, tyhich shows distinct promiseof \yinnmgNational honoursafter the war,isatCheam, Surrey. The captain and chairman is Mr. M. H. Sears, who learned his shooting with the Embankment R.C., and the joint secretary with Mr. \\. G. Holdron is Mr. J. E. Lister, formerly secretary of the Embankment R.C. With their experience in the club which won the News of the World Championship two years running, the Cheam Home Guard R.C. should prosper. A very fine 25, 50 and 100 yards outdoor range has been constructed in a cutting near Banstead Southern Railway Station. One of the best in the South of England, it will become a busy centre'when leisure is not so limited. The club's two teams of men and one of ladies are shooting very well in the S.M.R.C. League. * * * Lancing Home Guard, like its neighbour at Worthing, has formed a rifle club. The originator, Mr. A. E. Brown, has stated that member ship, though at present limited to past and present members of the H.G. Company, will be open to the general public as soon as possible, and the club will be kept going after the war. * * * Within a few hours of the birth of the Local Defence Volunteers, Mr. Harry Stuart Kent of Chatham became a recruit, and since then he has not-missed a single parade despite three, four, five and once six, times a week being called to duty. He is just as proud of the Home Guard as he was of the Regular Army, in which he served in three theatres of war in 1914-18. He holds the Home Guard rank of Company-Sergeant-Major and, when shooting with the Cranbourne R.C.,.several years ago he won several prizes. * * * The Home Office Order that rifle actions should be removed when rifles are left unattended ensures that theft becomes useless, especially if the actions are locked away in another part of thebuilding. Ammu nition should also be safely stored in a separate container. It is natural with the many duties involved that the club secretary cannot always attend to the closing of ranges, and a special arrangement should be made for the officer on duty to attend to this very important Home Office order . * * * The Beckenham Wardens R.C. held their inter-district competition for the trophy presented by the Honorary Chief Warden at their range in the converted Squash Courts building at Beckenham Cricket Club's ground. No. 7 District were the winners, and amongst the fourteen highest individual scores was R. S. Tonge, a regular big prize winner in S.M.R.C. competitions in the middle 1920's. * « * Since the Prescot R.C. became affiliated with the S.M.R.C. in 1910, it has experienced both prosperity and adversity. Now with a fine indoor range, enthusiastic and efficient officials and keen members the club is on the crest of the wave. There are 100 members, including a large ladies' section formed quite recently. Captain P. K. McCill, the secretary, has shot for Lancashire, Kent and Yorkshire. * * * Captain T. D. Walsbaw, the founder and secretary who has left Ashton-under-Lyne to take up an appointment at Loughborough College, will be interested to learn that the annual meeting of the Home Guard Rifle Club was held last month, when 2/Lt. F. Andrew team captain, occupied the chair in the absence of the chairman. Captain W. Hague. Very encouraging reports were rendered by the captain, the treasurer and the secretary. The new secretary is Mr. E. M. Dakin. Lt.-Col. F. R. Halliwell, M.C., is the president. * * * A representative gathering, including Mr. G. Pethard, M.B.E., Secretary of the S.M.R.C., supported Captain Norton, the Chief Warden of Westminster, when he opened a new range in Thorndike Street, Pimlico, built in a bomb damaged garage by Pimilco Wardens. Mr. S. Marchant, the secretary, whose previous shooting activities have been with the Grosvenor R.C., tells us that since the opening in February the club has been prospering. Its membership is open almost to anyone in the district, thus providing a long felt want where membership of most clubs is restricted. * * * Major Thomas Sutton, for many years a member of the Council and Executive Committee of the S.M.R.C., is second in command of the 21st Sussex Battalion of the Home Guard, Eastbourne. We join with innumerable members who know him, in warm congratulations on his being awarded the M.B.E. in the New Year's Honours List. He has been a member of the Home Guard since its very early days. During the last war he was Adjutant of the 2nd H.C. Brigade, R.A., and served in India. A native of Eastbourne, he is an Alderman of the Borough of Lewes, where he lived for some years, and was hon. organiser and training officer there before returning to his native town. He is a member of the Lewes Rotary Club. A well-known rifle shot, he has shot for England in small-bore and full-bore matches and captained Great Britain successfully against the U.S.A. He has also captained British teams to Spain, Italy and Finland, and has fired six times in the King's Hundred at Bisley. » T H E L A S T P O S T . It is our sad duty to record the death of several gentlemen connected with rifle shooting, and our sincere sympathies are offered to their r e l a t i v e s a n d f r i e n d s . Mr. J. W. Dods, a veteran of the Volunteer movement for over 30 years who retired with the (gnk of Captain, has died at the age of 94. At Wimbledon and'later at Bisley he won many premier prizes for t e a m a n d i n d i v i d u a l s h o o t i n g . H e fi r e d i n t h e B r i t i s h - A m e r i c a n matches at Creedmoor, U.S.A., and at Wimbledon. In 1885 he was in the Dumfriesshire team which won the famous China Cup. He often recalled the review and sham fight which took place in 1868 at Queen's Park, Edinburgh. The death of Mr. Samuel Henry Page, of Mapperley Plains, Nottingham, has removed one of the oldest members of the Robin Hoods, which regiment he joined 58 years ago. A good rifle shot, Mr. Page took part in competitions at both Wimbledon and Bisley. H e w i l l a l s o b e r e m e m b e r e d a s t h e w i n n e r o n t w o o c c a s i o n s o f t h e Robin Hoods race at the Forest Sports. He was awarded the Victorian long service medal, and was the holder of the vellum of the Royal Humane Society for saving a boy from drowning in the Nottingham Canal. As a Freemason he was a past master of the Duke of Portland Lodge and a founder of the Dame Agnes Mellers Lodge. One son, who is in the Forces, in Ceylon, and three daughters survive him. The interment took place at Ecclesfield of Mr. Clement Hohson (70), of 29, Norfolk Hill, Grenoside, Sheffield. The service was conducted by the Rev. E. Moses. Mr. Hobson was the senior partner of Messrs. C. Hobson and Son, brass founders and barfitters, of Nursrey Street, Sheffield, and a founder of the Birley Carr Rifle Club. He was also a vice-president of the Birley Carr Horticultural Society. L/Cpl. White, 22-years-old member of the Cafferata R.C., Newark, Nottingham, is reported killed in action in N. Africa. He leaves a wife and a young son. He was a valued member of the Rifle Club, and in 1941 qualified as an " A " Class Marksman. M r. C l e m e n t S o r r e l l , a f o r m e r m e m b e r o f t h e n o w d e f u n c t Dartford.R.C., of which he was captain, has died at the age of 74.' M r. W i l l i a m J . L o n g f o r d , a g e d 6 1 , h o l d e r o f t h e M e r i t o r i o u s Service Medal of the General Post Office, died at Bromley last December. He was a member of the Territorial Units R.C., which, until a few years ago, was active in Kent County Association compe titions. The death of Mr. H. E. A. Wiggett, J.P., of Binfleld, Berkshire, is a great loss to_ rifle shooting enthusiasts both in the Binfleld Scouts R.C. and the Binfleld^ R.C., of which he was a valued supporter. During the last war he was himself a good shot, and at his own expense trovided the Binfleld range. Since then he always met the lighting, leating and maintenance cost in addition to giving donations for prizes. His death at the age of 74 robs us of a most generous and respected gentleman. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N ©bituaiies SIR REGINALD PINNEY. President S.M.R.C. Dorset Small-Bore R.A. Served in Home Guard Ranks after Brilliant Army Career. Sincere regret has been occasioned throughout Dorset by the death on Thursday, 25th February, of Major-General Sir Reginald John Finney, K.C.B., of Racedown, near Bridport. He had a long and distinguished career of active service in the Army, extending over 35 years, and he had also given useful and valued service in a public capacity. Born on 2nd August, 1863, Sir Reginald was the eldest son of the Rev. J. C. Finney, vicar of Coleshill, Warwickshire, and his mother was the third daughter of the Rev. J. Wingfield Digby, belonging to a family associated for generations with Sherborne. He was born at Clifton, Bristol, in the house of his grandfather, Charles Finney, who was Lord Mayor of Bristol at the time of the famous riots. Racedown, \vhich ^ was formerly a farm, came into the possession of Sir Reginald Finney in the late nineties, when he and Ladyi Finney made i t t h e i r h o m e . The poet Wordsworth and his sister were in residence there for a short time, and it was inherited by Sir Reginald through his cousin. Colonel Finney, the last M.F. for Lyme Regis. Lady Finney, .who still works energetically for the Women's Institute movement, was before her ntarriage in 1900 Miss Hester Head, eldest daughter of Mr. Henry Head, J.F., of Shoreham, Sussex. Commanded Brigade and Division Sir Reginald, who was educated at Winchester and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, joined the Royal Fusiliers in 1884 and passed through the Staff College in 1890. He saw service in the South African War, and commanded the 4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers from 1903 to 1907. He became Brevet-Colonel in 1906 and Assistant Adjutant General in Ecvpt in 1909. In 1913-14 he commanded the Devon and Cornwall Inftintry Brigade, and in 1914-15 the 23rd Infantry On promotion to the rank of Major-General he commanded first the 35th Division and then the 33rd Division in France and Belgium. He was in charge of the last-named division from 1916 to 1919, and in 1918 was created K.C.B. In 1917 he became both C.B. and Commander of the Legion of Honour. The name of Sir Reginald Finney figures prominently in the official history of the fighting on the Western Front during a critical period of the last war. In April, 1918, he fought a highly important action to a key position at Meteren against the advancing enemy, being at this time in tactical control and administrative command of the 34th Division and part of the 25th and 19lh Divisions, in addition to his own. The official record says it was the resolute handling of the machine-gun battalion of the 33rd Division, which contributed most to holding the Germans back from Meteren. A picture highly prized by Lady Finney shows her husband shaking hands with Clemenceau, the " Tiger " of France. Soon after the Armistice Sir Reginald Finney retired, but he continued to take an active part in ' military affairs as Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) from 1924 to 1933, in which regiment he maintained the closest interest up to the last, and he did valuable work for the Territorial Army as Honorary Colonel of the Dorset Coast Brigade, R.A., from 1921 to 1928, and as Honorary Colonel of the 4th Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment from 1928. He was a member of Dorset Territorial Army Association for 20 years, including five years as chairman. No one was keener in furthering the interests of the British Legion in Dorset than Sir Reginald. He was formerly president of the county association, and at the annual, conference at Dorchester last November was made a life vice-president in appreciation of his services for 21 years. . . , , , When the Home Guard came into being he joined a local u n i t a n d s e r v e d i n t h e r a n k s . r , Sir Reginald was prominent m the civil affairs ot the county of Dorset, being a D.L., and in 1923 was High Sheriff. He qualified as a J.F. in 1908. From 1923 to 1937 he, repre sented Broadwindsor electoral division on the County Council, and for three years was chairman of the Mental Deficiency Acts Committee, also acting as treasurer to the Dorset Voluntary Association for Mental Welfare. He was lord of the manor of Broadwindsor . Sir Reginald and Lady Finney suffered a heavy-bereave ment towards the end of 1941 by the death on active service in the Middle East of their eldest son. Major Bernard Finney, M.C., commanding a battery of the R.H.A. On the first day of the opening battle of the campaign in Libya his battery figured in a gallant episode, and for his part in it he was recommended for the V.C. On the following day, however. M a j o r F i n n e y w a s k i l l e d . The official citation regarding the manner in which the battery resisted a tank attack and saved an important position said : " Major Finney's action was one of most conspicuoiis gallantry and devotion to duty. His total disregard for his personal safety in the face of overwhelming odds was an inspiration to all who saw it." The other members of the family are two sons and three daughters. Mr. Robert Finney gave up farming in New Zealand to become a trooper in the Middle East New Zealand Divisional Cavalry, while the youngest son, John, after leaving Oxford, joined the Royal Fusiliers, of which his father had been colonel, serving as a private. Upon obtaining a commission he was directed by the Colonial Office to become District Officer at Embu, Kenya. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Basil Marsden-Smedley, who vyas living in the Low Countries just prior to the German invasion of France, Belgium and Holland, is now a lecturer for the Army Educational Corps. Mary, the second daughter, is the wife of Colonel Edward Walker, of Toller Fratrum, late of the Indian Cavalry, and the youngest daughter, Mrs. Rachael Cocuzzie, is training to be a doctor. As president of the S.M.R.C. Dorset Small-Bore Rifle Association he took a keen interest in our shooting and always attended the prize and other meetings of that body. Our membership, particularly in the area, feel deeply the loss of his inspiration and friendship. DEA TH OF MR. C. FORBES. M r . C h a r l e s F o r b e s , who was for fifteen years h o n . s e c r e t a r y o f t h e Aberdeen and District Small-bore Rifle Associa- t ion, and for nearly 46 years in the service of the Aberdeen Fost Office, died in Aberdeen Royal Infir m a r y o n F r i d a y , 1 5 t h January, 1943, in his 77th year. He had been pain fully ill for some time. Born in the parish of Logie-Buchan, Mr. Forbes b e g a n h i s c a r e e r i n t h e Fost Office as a messenger in f88L In 1919 he was appointed an overseer in the telegraph department, and retired in 1927. He was a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders for twenty-four years, and retired with the rank of colour-sergeant. Fractically all his life he was keen on rifle shooting, and when the Aberdeen range was on the Links he won the Mac Kinnon Cup three times in succession, making the trophy his own property. JMr. Forbes, however, was best known through his connec- tion'wilh the Aberdeen and District Small-Bore Rifle Association of which he had been secretary from 1927 until his death. For the past eighteen months Mr. Forbes contributed the weekly notes on small-bore rifle shooting to the .Aberdeen Evening Express and for a longer period to other local papers. Mr. Forbes, who resided in Aberdeen, is survived by his widow, one son, Mr. Frank Forbes, who is on the staff of Telephone House, and two daughters. By kind permission of rhe Aber deen Pr ess and Jo urn al . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK46 T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. ®b\l\\?{X\C5—continued It is not possible to find adequate words to explain all the work his friends in the small-bore shooting world knew that he had done for them and the S.M.R.C., let alone the many other unostentatious acts which it was his nature to carry into eifect. We learn that his last conscious thoughts were of the honorary duties he had undertaken for his friends in our movement. At the time when the S.M.R.C. Scottish Meeting was held in 1936 there was a record attendance,besides having a visit from Russian shooters for the first time in the Society's history. During that Meeting Mr. Charles Forbes was always beside Mr. W. D. Findlay, assisting him and the Secretary of -the S.M.R.C. in every possible way. A deep loss to us all, we shall ever remember our good friend. MR. ALFRED ERNEST WOOLGAR, Portsmouth City R.C. F o u n d e r o f t h e P o r t s mouth City R.C. over 30 years ago and secretary since that date, the death of .Mr. A. E. Woolgar at t h e a g e o f 7 5 l e a v e s a v a c a n c y w h i c h w i l l n e v e r be filled. Mr. Woolgar's w o r k w a s w e l l k n o w n t o Hampshire marksmen, and rarely did he miss a rifle match or meeting in the running of which he could help. He was also pro minent in organising the Portsmouth and District Association and the Ports m o u t h t e a m s i n t h e Hampshire Advertiser Inter-City Championships. H e w a s b o r n i n S o u t h - sea, and lived the whole of his life in the district, giving much of his time to social wo rk wi th th e Po rtsmouth Brotherhood and the Foresters' Court Fellowship, of which he was treasurer. At 13 years of age he started at Messrs. Badley's in Commercial Road, and when he obtained possession of the shop he renamed it " Badley Tuffuns." He retired from business seven years ago. The accompanying picture, which is reproduced by the kind courtesy of a local newspaper, shows his remarkable resemblance to Mr. Lloyd George, for whom he was mistaken on many occasions. Married for nearly 50 years, Mr. Woolgar is survived by his wife, to whom, on behalf of the rifle shooting fraternity, wc offer deeply sincere sympathies. MR. CECIL PERKINS. It is with sincere regret that we have to announce the death at the early age of 38 years of Mr. Cecil Perkins, Chairman of the G.E.C. (Coventry) Rifle Club Committee. He was employed for many years as a Telecommunications Engineer on the Techiiical Staff of the G.E.C. Telephone Works, Coventry, and was highly respected and esteemed by all with w h o m h e c a m e i n c o n t a c t . Although he suffered from a physical disability which pre vented his participation in the more athletic forms of sport he was an enthusiastic motorist and amateur yachtsman, being one of the original members of the G.E.C. Motor Club. When the G.E.C. (Coventry) Rifle Club was formed in 1939, he became an ardent member, quickly bccorning one of the best shots in the club—if not indeed the best—and obtained his Master Shot Badge in 1942. During the period of the war, his activities have been mostly in the service of others. He utilized his capabilities as a marks man to give valuable service to the members of the G.E.C. Company of the local Home Guard as an instructor in shooting. He was also a regular helper with the Warwickshire Cinema Troops Committee. He enrolled In the Coventry A.R.P. Wardens Service at its inception in 1938, was a Senior Warden until his recent appoint ment as Head Warden, and rendered yeoman service to the city during every air raid. He combined a steadfast integrity of conduct with great charm of manner, and with truth it can be said " He endeavoured to do unto others as he would that others do unto him." A. J. D. ' MR. FREDERICK ROSE, H o r s h a m R . C . Rifle shooting generally and the Horsham R.C. In particular has lost one of its stalwart supporters by the tragic death of Mr. Frederick Rose, who for over 20 years was secretary of the Horsham (Sussex) R.C. Himself an excellent shot, he made it his business to welcome new members and to show them everything he knew about the sport which he loved so well. Many possibles had he scored in local, county and national competitions, in which he won his full share of prizes. Mr. Rose was an employee of the Southern Railway for the whole of his working life. Although crippled by a stroke two years before his death and laid up for twelve months, he resumed his employment as a foreman and, as he would have wished, his death came whilst at work. A tragic end tc 40 years of railway service, 20 years of which were speiil at H o r s h a m S t a t i o n . His colleague and friend, Mr. P. J. Stanley, the hon. treasurer, tells us that the man to whom they all turned for advice will be sorely missed. The S.M.R.C., who had presented Mr. Rose with a Distinguished Service Award, places on record its sincere sympathies and condolences to those who will mourn the loss of their colleague and friend. Mr. Charles Lambert died at the ago of 63 at Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, last month, whilst staying with his daughter. Mr. Lambert was a well-known and highly respected resident of Wimbledon, and had had a very successful Army career. He joined the East Surrey Regiment, and attained the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. He did a great deal of recruiting for the Home Guard in the early days of its founding, but was compelled through ill-health to resign about two years ago. He vyas a very keen marksman and had won the King's Prize at Bisley, and he had also won many cups and medals for shooting. Former champion rifle shot of Fife and a member of the Scottish Twenty, Mr. James Taylor (73) died in Dunfermline early this month. He was chairman of Dunfermline Building Society. Mr. John Mair, who died at Glasgow in his 79th year, was well remembered by old Volunteers. He figured prominently in team shoots of the 1st Lanark at Bisley and Darnley, and held the Long Service Medal. For seventeen years he was captain of the Titwood Church Company of the Boys' Brigade. Canadian shooters are mourning the death of Mrs. Ruth E. Miller Watson, who, in Toronto especially, was most popular. A tribute to the Editor of the Canadian small-Bore Bulletin by one of its contributors reads " Many shooters have been privileged to shoot on the 25 yards range in the basement of the Watson home and to enjoy her lea and cakes afterwards. The quiet-spoken lady is certainly going to be missed at the m a t c h e s l o o . " WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 47 Ammunition and Rifle Boxes As our members and club officials are aware, explosive matter is not allowed to be sent through the post. There fore all transmissions of ammunition must be made by road and/or rail. By far the most is by rail. One of the strict regulations under which such goods are accepted tor delivery is that all ammunition must be packed m wooden or otherwise safe containers. It will be appreciated how very difficult it is to provide any new wooden boxes. Therefore we have to rely on the service of old boxes used over and over again. Hence the small charges made, viz. : 61- for containers of 5,000 to 10,000 3 1 - „ „ „ 2 , 0 0 0 t o 4 , 0 0 0 21- „ » >. 1,000 or under 7/6 „ rifle box.— It is now essential that we get back for re-use the largest possible number of the boxes we send out. Please help ! Otherwise the time may come when only those who return a b o x c a n h a v e a m m u n i t i o n . , , " , All empty ammunition boxes can be returned by post if covered by wrapping. It is then best to leave S.M.R.C. address label on the box. When returning boxes, carriage paid, to enable us to identify sender please write label as follows :— To S.M.R.C., " Mayleigh," Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey. From. R.C. Affiliation No If you do not receive credit note within 18 days of sending a box please notify carriers immediately of non delivery . _____ S.M.R.C. County Associations in being Affiliate units in the re.spective areas arc requested to keep in touch Rorkshirc'^"""' "e. "A"^°Pudsey-Dawson. Lynd'hurst, Park Crescent, B c r k s l i i r c A b i n g d o n . Buckingliamshire . . M. W. J. Kirby, 70, Station Road, Stoke Mandeville. w. Roach,'28, Beresford Avenue, Bcbington, T^ilrhvafirp'' F. W. Bracegirdle, 186, Porter Road, Derby.' . O. C. Vidler, Widcombe, Icen Way, Dorchester, uorsei .. • D w. Garnham, 1, Crossbrook Street,WalthamCross. Vk„„; " " T.' P. Hartley, Laddingford Croft. Yalding. *r c E. Scholes, 44, Prince Edward Avenue, Oldham. Eancs. .. Chambers, 39, Bargate, Grimsby. T Ifnrinn " " W. Cornish, 22, Hart Grove, Ealing, W.5. XT .r..!!, ■ ■ OF Green, Woodview, Telegraph Lane, Norwich. Northlberiand '.'. H. G. Bisset, 8, Hodgkin Park Crescent, Newcastle- on-Tyne 5. W Hurt, 25, Gilead Street, Biilvvell, Notts. Snmciset " " E.'C. Mullings, 58, Stackpool Road, Bristol 3. ' It .Col. N. M. Cowan, 9, Market Square, Stafford Suffolk !! Major H. St. G. Maxwell, Pcttistree Grange, Wick- A 'T"^Hardy, 108, Frome Road, Trowbridge, Wilts, n'orkshirc" C.' Laywopd. M.B.E., 47, Christ Church Road, Clamorcan E ^""crimth, Kemble Villa, Mountain Ash, Glam. Abrdfen :: G Christie, 14. West Mount Street, Aberdeen. •nnndtT Ancus W Campbell, 82, Woodlands Terrace, Dundee. B?nffsWri ' ■ J A. Lawrence, 105, Mid Street, Keith, Banff. Dunffrifs " j Cowan, 8, Victoria Park, Kircudbright, jjumtries .. . . ^ Wilson, Foundry House. Crossgatcs, Fife. Lanarkshire !' D. McGillivray, 22, Thorncroft Drive, Glasgow, S.4. Edinburgh and^n j h. Hayhoe. 21, Frederick Street, Edinburgh. Perthshire A- R- MacNaughton, Badaness, Strathtay, Perth. SUrlino . A. Logie, 9, Pretoria Road, Larbert. 8 • ■ R. H. G. Boys, " Mount Salus," Dalkey, Co. Dublin. M o s t A c t i v e . Extracts from "American Rifleman" {Continued from page 12.) Lyudmila, after graduating from high school, went to work at a large " Arsenal " plant first as an unskilled labourer, then "as a turner's apprentice, and last in the drafting department. From childhood Lyudmila was engaged in various sports—running, jumping, grenade-throwing and rowing. At the factory she was an active member of the Athletic Society. Sometime later she became interested in target shooting and trained a great deal, and made good progress. In 1938" she graduated from the Snipers' School. While working at the factory Lyudmila prepared for her higher education, and in 1937 entered the history department at the Kiev University. Her ambition was to become a teacher or a learned historian. The outbreak of the war, however, drastically changed all of these plans. T h e o u t b r e a k o f w a r — 2 2 n d J u n e , 1 9 4 1 — f o u n d h e r at the sanatorium in Odessa. Lyudmila Pavlichenko immediately applied as a volunteer for the army. She was not accepted at once, but later she had her way and became a sniper in a military unit in the Odessa area. Up to October, 1941, Pavlichenko was in the ranks of the defenders of Odessa. Then, together with the troops evacuated from Odessa, she was transferred to Sevastopol, where she fought practically to the last day. As an ardent patriot and fearless soldier Lyudmila Pavlichenko destroyed three hundred and nine enemy men and officers—more than any other sniper. She trained eighty other snipers, who have already destroyed over two thousand Hitlerites. ■ She was wounded four times, -but never abandoned her fighting post. Pavlichenko has been promoted to the rank of Senior Lieutenant and decorated with the Order of Lenin 1 H O M E G U A R D POCKET BOOK SECOND EDITION by Brig.-Gen. A. F. U. GREEN, C.M.G., D.S.O., p.s.c. This book, which has enabled thousands of members of the Home Guard to obtain the high state of proficiency recognised as necessary in this force, has been completely revised by the author in the light of all modern developments. OVER 26,000 SOLD ORDER YOUR COPY NOW Price ONE SHILLING—postage extra O b t a i n a b l e f r o m a i l B o o k s e l l e r s o r d i r e c t f r o m Major J. W. WHITLQCK Z O N E D E M O N S T R AT I O N U N I T S U S S E X H O M E G U A R D WEST DEAN P ARK, CHICHESTER WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK+8 T H E R I F L E M A N March, 1943. Correspondence The Editor , I The Rifleman. COUNTY AND AREA ASSOCIA TIONS. I have read R. A. Kelso's article on the question of Area or County Associations with great interest as it is a question which I have had in mind for some time. (See p. 21 December, 1942, issue The Rifleman) I do not agree, however, that Area Associations should supersede County Associations, as in my opinion there is room in the small-bore shooting movement for both bodies provided they work in harmony and each play their own part in the furtherance of shooting. The closely knit and active County Association providing competition between clubs in a small area, the members of the various clubs probably being well acquainted with each other, is perhaps the most important unit in small-bore shooting. This factor has always been recognised by the S.M.R.C., and as stated by R. A. Kelso, the whole framework of that organisation has been built up on County Associa tions. At the present moment there is nothing to prevent any County Association operating, except perhaps the lack of enthusiastic workers in the county concerned. The outstanding success of the West of Scotland Association can, no doubt, be partly attributed to the desire of many of the clubs to participate in competitive shooting without themselves contributing to the management of the Association. This must be obvious from the undue haste shown by the counties con cerned, Lanarkshire excepted, in suspending their activities at the outbreak of war without first waiting to see how it was to effect small-bore shooting, and the position now is that instead of the work of maintaining the Associations being spread over many officials it is the " willing horses " running the larger body who are getting the whole of the load which ought to be borne by the executives of the defunct County Associations. The Association of which I am secretary has continued to function throughout the war, except for a period of about three months at the end of which it was seen that it was possible to carry on and an emergency league was constituted for the remainder of that season. Since that time the Association has functioned normally, and has also arranged leagues and competitions for Home Guard units. Since the outbreak of war the Association has managed to get its old open air range re-opened and has run the largest and most successful summer meeting in the history of the Association. An open-air meeting for Home Guards and Air Training Corps was also arranged. This Association does not confine its activities to the boundaries of the county, but freely admits clubs from neighbouring counties. Whether or not this is advisable is debatable, and I feel that a position similar to that in the west of Scotland, but to a minor degree, is gradually developing here. Clubs which ought to be the mainstay of their County Association are content to allow their own Association to lapse so long as they can, without undue exertion on their own part, enter the leagues and competitions of their neighbouring County Association. | I am of the opinion that if, instead of entering directly into an Area | Association or entering the competitions of neighbouring County I Associations, clubs were confined to their own County Association where they could maintain the close contacts and stimulate the friendly rivalry of a properly organised county unit, the desirable expansion I of competition coiild be brought about by three or four County 1 Associations (not individual clubs) combining to form an Area Association which could operate in addition to the County Associa tions. The management of.the Area Association could be carried out by ; a committee formed by the appointment of three or four delgates from i each County Association interested. This would provide a sufficient i number of keen active memlDcrs who could fill the offices of the larger body without excessive duties being placed on the shoulders of any j individual. The policy of the Area Association would be regulated by the wishes of the majority of the County Associations. The cost of maintaining the larger Association could be met from ' the entry fees paid by the competing clubs, and the sum necessary to ' start it ofi could be provided by the County Associations in proportion | to their affiliated strength. The club teams affiliated to the County Associations concerned j could be graded according to their strength, and thc'Area Association ! could organi.se a league in .several divisions according to the number of County Associations interested where, in addition to competing in j their local league against local teams, clubs would compete against teams of their own standard drawn from a wider area. ; During the summer the County Associations could arrange their half or full day meeting confined to their affiliated clubs, and at a suitable time the Area Association could arrange a two or three day meeting either open or confined to members of the attached County Associations. The combination of the two Associations, if it should prove workable, and I see no reason why it shouldn't, would answer most of the arguments against area associations, and would bridge the gap between the local competitions of the County Associations and the national competitions of the S.M.R.C. I would like to see the scheme tried out after the war in this area, as I am of the opinion that it would be an asset to small-bore rifle shooting, providing as it does wider competition between clubs and still allowing the County Associations to control local affairs. I would be very pleased to learn the opinions of other county officials who have considered this matter, and also to have the experiences of officials who have operated combined associations of any kind. W. C A M P B E L L , Hon. General Secretary, Dundee, Angus and District Association of Small-bore Rifle Clubs. The Editor, The Rifleman. N.R.A. ANNUAL REPOR TS. Dear Sir, I am short of years 1862, '64, '65, '66, '68, '69, and '70. Can any friends oblige to eqable me to complete my set of all years' issues to date. If so, please state price required. Yours sincerely, LIONEL FLETCHER. c.o. S.M.R.C. The Editor, The Rifleman. R E V I V A L O F I M P O R T A N C E O F M U S K E T R Y TRAINING. Dear Sir, One of the features which strike a student of the present war is the ever increasing sobering up of public opinion from the general illusion of the entire self-sufficiency of the "modern " supermechanised warfare which prevailed in the first stages of the drama we witness. In 1939-40 the rifle and bayonet have been described as " obsolete useless weapons " and the press, exulting upon tanks, 'planes and bullet hosing from the hip at bank hold-up ranges, repeatedly suggested a total suppression of the rifle. What a change now, after cold steel Greeks' exploit in .Albania, glorious defence of Crete, marvellous feats of Russians and what Montgomery's boys have shown to Rommel, not to speak of Manila's ports held chiefly by the rifle, and the recent New Guinea actions. All importance of the rifle and the decisive value of the infantry's " last word " are once more put in clear evidence and in the light of facts all this armchair flap-doodle against "obsolete weapons " is now merely rubbish. Hence, the utmost importance of individual quick-firing deadly accurate marksmanship on a nation wide scale as a timely preparation of all who will or can be called up for using the rifle. Tanks, bombers, massed artillery, machine guns, mine throwers, tommy guns, hand grenades—all are O.K., but take away the good old rifle and the bayonet, or attack with men who are poor clumsy shots and do not trust their rifles—and we shall not go far. In the light of these facts the question of the nation wide or rather Empire wide scheme for compulsory musketry training of every male British subject above the age of fourteen is getting to be the business not only of Ministries but also of the nation wide public opinion. Only a few years ago the air training consisted of teaching men directly to fly, letting them fly independently after several lessons together with the instructor, in a double-steered two-seater. This method implied a tremendous toll of smashed "planes and lives. Nowadays the airmen try their wings after being thoroughly taught on the ground how to behave in the air by means of purely mechanical devices stimulating the feelings, forces and nervous reflexes which do really occur in the air. And owing to this synthetic method of training the heavy toll of broken machines and lost lives has been r e d u c e d t o i t s s e n s i b l e m i n i m u t n . Similarly the newest synthetic method of tnusketry training cuts short the waste of the ammunition and time which were so far the outstanding features of the so called " normal "musketry "training WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943. T H E R I F L E M A N 49 methods, and, which is even more important, cuts to a minimum the huge percentage of total failures which were normal with "orthodox " ways. The impossibility to explain to certain men their errors because of lack of mechanical means to record them on the target itself, and the consequent loss of the most efiective use of men who are otherwise physically fully fit to be marksmen is due to the wrong method of teaching. This can be compared to the loss of lives in the early stages of the history of flying. It does great credit to R.A.F. that they were first to clearly under stand the immense advantages of musketry training's mechanisation and to have the self defence of their airfields by making their ground staff's excellent shots in the quickest and most economical way by using the Swift Training Rifle. BRIGADIER GENERAL X. 26, Cleveland Park Avenue, Wa l t h a m s t o w, E . 1 7 . 31 J/ December, 1942. The Editor, The Rifleman. " A S I S S U E D A N D / O R ' A N Y A I D S . ' " Dear Sir, T h e r e m a r k s a b o v e t h e s i g n a t u r e s o f M c M o n n i e s a n d B a l f o u r appear to imply a feeling of dissatisfaction on the grounds that the sport of rifle shooting as at present organised in this country, is the sport of the rich by reason of the fact that some riflemen use better equipment than others and by so doing obtain an advantage. My experience teaches me that rifle shooting calls for a very high degree of precision and to obtain that precision the first consideration is to obtain equipment designed for that special purpose, the sport ceases as such if one continues to use a rifle in which the user has no confidence. Quite the opposite of "detriment of the democratic spirit," and I think most marksmen will agree with me, is the sport of these Islands (compared wiith in most other countries where hair triggers, etc., are permitted) conducted, I have previously mentioned in these columns the S.M.R.C. offers every assistance in normal times to encourage the less financially fortunate, but nevertheless enthusiastic, riflemen to obtain the best possible equipment through the medium of easy payment arrangements. I have been most happy in the past to be associated with some of the finest .22 shots this country lias known whose enthusiasm was sufficiently strong as to overcome their difficulty by availing themselves of the facilities so offered, on the other hand, have had happy associations with equally fine shots whose names invariably appeared in the prize lists in spite of their use of most humble equipment, it should, however, be stated that although the equipment was humble, the confidence of the user was in all cases By all means let Us use natural shooting as a means of learning the arts of holding, aiming and trigger pressure, but let us also put more confidence in our equipment and be honest with ourselves by blaming the user who is much more frequently at fault. To those anticipating participation m the future of one of the finest of sports I would offer this advice, practice with more practice, learn and correct your faults and always remember " No difficulty baffles great zeal." Yo u r s s i n c e r e l y, R. "W. BROWN; p s jvir Pethard, Mr. Tucknott and all members of the staff of the S.M.R.C., my very best wishes for 1943, and here's to the next meeting.-^R.B. Putney, S.W.I5. The Editor, The Rifleman. " A S I S S U E D A N D , O R ' A N Y A I D S . ' " ^'^ The'quarterly publication of The Rifleman is truly an oasis in the d r e a r y d e s e r t o f W a r . , . u r . c . ■ lt is a great pleasure to me, after more than forty years rifle shooting, to be able to read in its pages articles and letters from many of my old friends As a Home Guard W.T.O., I get far more shooting than■ ever J did, and though it is real and not fancy shooting 1'enjoy every round fired. , , • j u 1 was very interested in a letter m your last number signed by Messrs. McMonnies and Ballour, and endorse every word that they write. Trust the hardy Scot for grasping thistles, but, please, if there is any sign of an argument, may an Jrishmim join in. There are well over a million Home Guards now with some experience of shooting, and, what's more, they like it. It's up to the R.A. and the S.M.R.C. to take care that a good percentage of this million remain with us. Let's be optimistic and hope that 10 per cent become .22 fans, and 5 per cent carry on with the .303 : then the sport will have gained a larger bunch of newcomers than it has had for many ^ ^ What is required are ranges, travel facilities, ammunition and there are now in increased numbers. It's up to us to see that they are not closed down. Travel facilities are a matter for arrangement with the railway authorities. I understand that the N.R.A. have this m mind and suggest that the S.M.R.C. should ask for a resumption of their facilities such as they used to have as sports clubs, etc. Ammunition. There will be enormous stocks of .303 after the War. Steps should be taken now to see that it is not all broken up for scrap metal, or otherwise disposed of. Riflemen will readily buy it at scrap metal prices. - Rifles. And this is where I am, and have always been, in agreement with the views expressed by your correspondents.- If we are to increase our numbers it must be by arranging so that the average man can participate on level terms as far as equiprr.e.Tt goes, aqd not by allowing those with deep pockets to acquire gilt-edged guns and so produce an atmosphere of superiority-inferiority which is always unwholesome. No one in arranging a 100 yards race would expect to see the winner in ordinary boots, while other competitors wore track shoes. If rifles capable of performing surgical operations on bumble bees at 100 yards are necessary (and I doubt it) they can be restricted to competitions demanding something superhuman, such as all shots through one hole, with two shots on each bull, or something equally silly. As your correspondents suggest, let the gunmakers produce a standard weapon at a limited price. Let the grouping powers of this ' class of weapon be established, and scale your target accordingly ; then everyone is on the same base line. .The ammunition question would also need taking care of. Standard muzzle velocity and standard price. The .303 people under the N.R.A. have an easier row to hoe. The new Army rifle (No. 4 Rifle) is a tremendous advance on its predecessors. After the War there will be an ample store for loan or hire at a reasonable rate, and if windgauge sights are not allowed under 900 yards, conditions should be fair to all. ^I would suggest allowing slings for 500 and 600 yards, but no aids at 200 or 300 yards. But I've no doubt that these details will be attended to. Lastly I do wish to emphasize that now is the time to make plans to keep people who are interested from losing that interest. If you wait till peace comes they will have gone, and so will our opportunity of enlarging our ranks and stabilising our sport. Yo u r s f a i t h f u l l y, W. L E S T E R S . A L T O N . Belfast, 30//; January, 1943. The Editor, The Rifleman. S.M.R.C. MEETING, BELF AST 1912. Dear Sir, With reference to the letter from Mr. C. H. Mullings dated 28th October, ^942, "Speaking on the effect of wind on the .22" at above meeting, which appeared on page 49 in the December, 1942, issue of The Rifleman. The mention of this meeting; brought back to me very happy memories of the many sporting friends 1 made not only at the Belfast meeting, but also at Edinburgh 1912, Liverpool 1913, Dundee 1913, Sheffield 1914, Perth 1914. and London 1915, after which, owing to the trouble in Dublin in 1916, the British Government prevented us carrying on our sport in Ireland, and with regret we have to say good bye to the good old times as far as rifle shooting was concerned until a comparatively few years ago. However, my main object in writing to you is to correct or make clear some of the statements made by Mr. Mullings. First of all he states " The Championship included a 100 yards rapid, 10 in 9(1 sees." 1 would respectfully remind Mr. Mullings that the Championship included a deliberate and a time limit at each distance, viz., 25, 50 and 100 yards h.p.s. 600. Incidentally the limedimit (rapid) cards in those days were a dull green colour, with elliptical targets (egg- shaped) with eccentric rings having very narrow spaces at each side of the carton, a little wider at the top, and wider still at the bottom, having a most disastrous elfect on scores if insulficient attention was given to 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock winds, or trigger pull (41b. at that time). I might also add that the black targets on both deliberate and time-limit cards only included the 9-ring and not 8 as at present. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A NMarch, 1943. Further, Mr. Mullings states that "Mr. J. M. Pyle of St. John's R.C. wanted only 85 to win the championship," but eventually, owing to a change of wind, only scored 80, " and finished about third as it was." And he himself "got 95 which had him well up." I am afraid that Mr. Mullings' memory has been playing tricks with him, or is it " wishful .thinking " ? as Mr. Pyle would have required to score at least 97 instead of 85 to win the championship ; actually he finished twentieth instead of third, with an aggregate of 558 e.x 600. and as for Mr. Mullings himself " finishing well up," he ' does not appear at all in the championship prize list of 31 out of 160 competitors.The championship was won by myself with an aggregate score of 581 ex 600 equalling the record at that time. Second place by E. B. Connor of Cregagh R.C. with 574, and third place by H. Donald son, the captain of my present ciub (C.I.Y.M.S.), also with 574. All the scores that I have quoted can be verified by reference to theS.M.R.C. Handbook for 1913. I therefore trust that Mr. Mullings will pardon me for drawing his attention and correcting the inaccuracies i n h i s l e t t e r. Yours sincerely, GEO. F . WEBB. Sedbergh, Yorks. 6th January, 1943. The Editor, The Rifleman. JUNIOR TRAINING CORPS, Etc. Dear Sir, I was more than interested to read the "Hints to Musketry Instructors of the Home Guard "" on page 19 of the December issue of The Rifleman. The difficulty of creating the correct atmosphere in a miniature range, after the recruit has received his preliminary training with the M.17 and then finding himself handling another weapon entirely unfamiliar and unsuitable, is appreciated. Correct handling is the foundation of all rifle shooting, in fitct this applies to all hand v/eapons, so when the recruit starts his miniature range training and has to handle a weapon with a beautiful pistol grip, with possibly a light trigger and one pressure, he feels at the least up against it. This problem appears as real today, as when the Home Guard was first formed. Fortunately our local unit had the use of the buildings and minia ture range of the J.T.C., by kind permission of the C.O. This also included a number of .22in. S.M.L.E.s. At the time 1 was acting as W.T. officer to the Company (also R.S.M., J.T.C.). In happier times the J.T.C. had a Veterans Rifle Club, which competed annually at Bisley. The rifles used were S.R.b. and were stored by me. By permission of the C.O. 1 transferred the aperture sights on to the .22ins. and carried out miniature range training with them. The advantages were paramount. For handling purposes the weight was about the same, you had the second pressure, a more natural .feel with the rifle and, most important of all, the aperture. I feel sorry for anyone who has to use the open sight in artificial light, more so the Home Guard and anyway this problem ought not to arise. Training on the open range was also carried out under the same conditions when supplies of .303in. were available and not .300in. This again was a great advantage, as when the very limited supplies of .300in. came along the men, having already had their initial feel of let-ofl", were able to gather a good deal of information about their own individual rifle. 1 have put this forward as though other units may have adopted this method 1 have not seen it discussed before, and surely there are a number of aperture sights lying dormant in the country which could be put to a very real use. Yo u r s f a i t h f u l l y, T. W . S L O M A N . JUNIOR TRAINING CORP MATCH, MICHAELMAS, 1943. With the approaching use of the No. 4 Mark II Service rifle, to which is attached rear aperture sights, the conditions of the S.M.R.C. annual match for the personnel of the Junior Training Corps have been reconsidered, and it is proposed to allow the use of any metallic peep rcarsight provided the use of telescope sights is not included. Of course it is proposed to confine the metallic foresight to the blade. C o m m e n t s w i l l w e w e l c o m e d . As usual, the prospectus of this competition will be isssued in the June Rifleman, and we should like to have comment as early as possible before that issue. The formal prospectus will be issued shortly after The Rifleman.—EonoK. " C A L L I N G A L L H O M E G U A R D S " Correction, page 7, December issue The Rifleman. Owing to an unfortunate confusion of two proof sheets, the " Answer by Mr. A. G. Banks " in our last issue contained incorrect figures. The following should be substituted :— The M.V. 2440 tables are not, of course, accurate for the M.V. 2700, but the differences up to 450 yards are not much. If you take seven-eighths of the rises at intermediate ranges given for the .303 you will not be far wrong. The difference becomes more marked at longer ranges. For wind take two-thirds the .303 figures. What is far more important than this to the H.G. is that hardly any of the battle sights are really correct for point of impact aiming at 450 yards. It is impossible to turn out mass-produced rifles which a l l s h o o t t o t h e c o r r e c t z e r o . T h i s i s n o r e fl e c t i o n o n t h e r i fl e s . All that is necessary is to fit the correct height of foresight, to make any given rifle shoot to the marked elevations. There are a dozen different heights made for this purpose. But you can't get them. So all you can do is find out, on the target, how your particular rifle shoots with the standard sights. I tested a dozen .300's recently and found the battle sights correct at these respective ranges : 150, 250, 250, 250, 300, 350, 350, 400, 400, 450, 450, 450. Three of the d o z e n w e r e a s i n t e n d e d . The best rough (very rough) rule for Home Guards is :—Shoot first at 100 yards with the leaf up and adjust the slide until it hits 8 in. above point of aim at this distance. This, is your correct elevation for 450 yards and the leaf should be used, thus adjusted, for deliberate shooting at this distance, and in between. The battlesight will, of course, have to be used in emergency or advance, and you can find how much high or low it is by comparison between your correct 450 yards elevation and the 450 yards mark on the leaf. (There are no actual 50 yards marks, but if the setting com.es between two of the hundred-year markings the amount must be judged.) For example, if the leaf slide has to be placed at 650 for shooting at 450 yards, the gun is shooting 200 yards short on all sight markings, and the battlesight will be shooting at 450 less 200, i.e. 250 yards. A. G. The Editor, The Rifleman. Sih February, 1943. " C A L L I N G A L L H O M E G U A R D " Re December issue, page 5. My attention has been called to two errors which have crept in : (1) In referring to the Rest. Answer (/;). In all range practices we insist upon the wrist or forearm—not the rifle resting on the cover. This should be standard practice. jPlease amend. ( 2 ) L a s t q u e s t i o n a n d a n s w e r fi r s t c o l u m n . 1 w o u l d l i k e t o substitute : Q From the point of view of the Fire Unit Commander and in relation to Controlled Fire, for practical purposes up to what range can the trajectory be said to be flat. A. P . 17. Rifle about 450x. P . 1 4 . R o s s a n d S - M - L - E . 4 0 0 x . Yours sincerely, I O . U N D E R H I L L , The Editor, The Rifleman. Glasgow, February, 1943. " A S I S S U E D " — " A N Y A I D S " Dear Sir, N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h a t i n t h e l a s t p a r a , o f t h e i r l e t t e r i n y o u r December issue, my friends McMonnies and Balfour imply that they are not particularly interested in the views of small-bore riflemen in Scotland, I venture to offer sopte observations on their letter. They assert that the Society's policy of allowing considerable freedom in the choice of rifles and aids is undemocratic in principle and most unfair in practice. The second of these assertions points to their being rather hasty in claiming that your suggestion, regarding a section for rifles " as issued " and another for " any aids," is exactly on all fours with a motion proposed by them at the A.G.M. of the Lanarkshire Associa tion some six or seven years ago. You suggest an alteration because experience during the present war has indicated that the policy lacked something. If true, an unfortunate discovery perhaps, but not one involving blame, since the Society could not be expected to foresee events shaped by circumstances outwith its knowledge and control. It is, however, a very different matter to contend that the Society's considered policy for upwards of 30 years has imposed on some WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKMarch, 1943.T H E R I F L E M A N 51 competitors " a rriost unfair handicap which even a higher skill in « actual shooting practice could not overcome." That is charging the Society with having fallen short in matters of fair play and sportsman ship, subjects in which it was its obvious and paramount duty to keep itself fully informed and proficient. Moreover, your suggestion, if adopted, would not necessarily mean that the conditions of, for example, the championship competitions must be revised. It would be quite consistent to leave the conditions of these competitions as they have always been and at the same time initiate and encourage shooting under other conditions. But if it were decided that a change was necessary for the purpose of removing an injustice, that injustice could not continue to be perpetrated in the Society's leading com petitions. Competitions for " any aids " there might be. but neither their importance nor their number could ever raise them to the status o f a s e c t i o n . I f t h e r e b e u n f a i r n e s s a s b e t w e e n " a s i s s u e d ' ' a n d a i d s generally, there must be as great unfairne.ss as between ditferent kinds of aids. The Society could not frown on the former and encourage the latter. It would probably find itsejf reduced to restricting com petitions to " standard " rifles with and without the sling. My recollection is that in the motion submitted to the Lanarkshire Association " as issued " included the sling. When you spoke of " as issued " you probably meant without the sling. Be that as it may, reference hereinafter to " as issued " includes the sling and to " aids " or " special aids " excludes it. (" As issued " means a .22 - rifle comparable with a Service rifle and the limited aids allowed there with.—Ed.) It is difficult to see in what way the policy complained of is un d e m o c r a t i c . D e m o c r a c y s u r e l y d o e s n o t m e a n u n i f o r m i t y. Ye t the suggestion that the remedy is standardisation would appear to imply that that is the view advanced. Standardisation seems to be more in keeping with the rigid regimen of dictatorship than with the f r e e d o m o f d e m o c r a c y . The gravamen of the complaint lies, however, in the charge.that the policy operates most unfairly. As indicated above, this charge, if proved, must lead inevitably to fundamental and far-reaching changes. No attempt has been made to prove it. Not one item of evidence has been adduced. In these circumstances the fact that the policy has been givgn such a long lease of life by the Society, ever alert and jealous to guard its high reputation for integrity, and the fact that comparatively recently the policy was endorsed, after full and careful consideration, by the Lanarkshire Association, can reason ably be taken as establishing that the charge is not well founded. It may not, however, be out of place to mention further refuting evidence. In the Daily Record competition, a club rifle, used as issued, tied for first pitice with 299 in 1934, and for second place with the same score in 1936. In 1934 a B.S.A. No. 12 rifle, purchased in 1921, fitted with a new barrel in 1934 and tised as issued, created the existing record for the " Earl Haig " competition under pre-war conditions. The same rifle at the same meeting and again as issued led the Scottish team with 298, a score that was equalled only by the leader of the English team. Many other similar instances could be quoted, but these may suffice meantime. They at least show that the charge can be challenged by facts, against which mere opinion or deduction can hardly prevail. It is pot suggested that, special rifles and special aids are not advantageous, but it is maintained that they are not advantages that cannot be overcome by ordinary skill and reasonable care well within the range of any aspiring marksman, and that lack of these advantages does not in the very least constitute a handicap in the popular sense. The mere possession of a private rifle, even if it is a common model and tised as issued, gives its owner an advantage over the user of a club rifle. Amongst other things there is no need to check or adjust sights and sling every time one goes to shoot : a very marked advantage, indeed but obviou.4y not one that cannot be readily and satisfactorily overcome. Several other so-called aids might equally fairly be described as nothing more than conveniences, or even as merely appeals to laziness Very important and material contributions mayhap to comfort and pleasure, but not direct aids to higher scores. Handstops and moulded or fluted, etc., stocks, designed to insure that the hand on the fore-end automatically finds the same place for each shot, are but other members of this family. My own tests have persuaded me that special rifles and special aids, within the wide scope allowed by the Society, possess extremely little, if indeed any, virtue in themselves. They are, however, ex- ceedinglv useful in that they stimulate interest and induce practice. Fancy and weighted stocks are particularly valuable in this connection. Much painstaking practice accompanies their evolution. Trial and error, frequent and abundant, not a blue print, determines the pattern. And it is the trials that improve the shooting, not the fearful and wonderful substitutes for the product of the gunsmith's art. Could the same sustained interest and intensive practice be reached with a rifle as issued there would be the same improvement in the score. Practice and yet more practice is the only indispensable and certain aid to closer grouping. There does not appear to be any need to abolish or even to curtail, on the ground of unfairness, the freedom that has multiplied many times the interest and the enjoyment of a large number of enthusiasts who have helped substantially to build up the sport. ■ In my opinion standardisation will neither attract nor hold members in sufficient numbers to keep the movement popular and expanding. In the long view one main purpose of the sport must be the provision of recreation and relaxation to the greatest possible extent. That purpose cannot be achieved through the irritating and monotony c o m p e l l i n g r e s t r i c t i o n o f s t a n d a r d i s a t i o n . O u r w e l l - t r i e d f r e e d o m is essential. Round and on that much may be built, but it must remain the centre and the foundation. With it retained and honoured experiments in competitions or in sections without slings or without special aids or otherwise may be tried with safety. With it gone or discredited there will be considerable danger of stagnation with its inevitable decay. Jiist one other point. Now is not the time to decide to introduce drastic prohibitive measures which would change the character of the sport. Many riflemen that before the war contributed largely t o t h e s u c c e s s o f t h e m o v e m e n t h a v e n o t m e a n t i m e e i t h e r t h e t i m e o r the opportunity to express their views or desires. To so act in these circumstances would be undemocratic, and might not unreasonably be regarded as unfair. Yo u r s f a i t h f u l l v, THOS. BURR Y . Cambridge, \2lh March, 1943. To The Editor, The Rifleman. B O O K S O N F I R E A R M S . D e a r S i r , To every book lover, and to those interested in the history of firearms and shooting, the destruction of the Society library was a tragic business, and I suggest that it is in the interest of all members ' that we should endeavour to rebuild the library as far as may be possible. May I suggest to my fellow members one possible source—the secondhand bookstall. One must sift much chaff here, but now and again an exciting'find results. We cannot hope to replace the more rare and valuable books from these stalls, but we may have the fortune —as I have had on one or two occasions—to find books which will , fill up gaps in the Society's shelves. So I hope many others will t join in the hunt and give Mr. Pethard the opportunity of marking , up a good score in the Library Handicap ! Yo u r s , e t c . , W. T . T H U R B O N . Colne, Lanes. The Editor, The Rifleman. PUBLICITY, AND GETTING TOGETHER. Dear Sir, Referring to the article by Mr. Sutcliffe in September's Rifleman, may I make the following observations, which are a summarisation of a debate held by my club. In general we agree with Mr. Sutcliflfe's ideas to stimulate a wider general public interest and following in our sport and that much of what he suggests should be quite capable of sound development if properly handled. We feel that all rifle clubs will agree with us. This is a major point and should be given the utmost consideration in any plans the S.M.R.C.- may have in its " post-war schemes." But why wait for that time to come ? Great stimulus has been given to interest in shooting due to the war. This is evident by the increase in new clubs affiliated to our parent body, but we feel that many of these clubs will become decadent when hostilities cease unless action is taken now. Since criticism is useless unless constructive we would submit the following ideas. Mr. Sutclifl'e appears to favour that the inter nationals should be the matches to be made the experiments for securing our aim—public interest and support. We feel this is the opposite method by which we would tackle things.' Our view is that geographically regionalisation of leagues is required to capture and cultivate public interest. In football circles the fact that, say. Bury are meeting, say, Lincoln leaves the public cold, but when Bury meets Bolton one joins the queue I Our club team shooting in the Winter League has a very limited lollowmg, but in a shoot against a neighbouring club we get quite WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >