< PreviousSummer, 1946. Midland League Teams of five, best four to count, 10 shots each competitor at either 15, 20 or 25 yards. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . League tables up to March 3rd, 1946 DIVISION Kynoch A L e i c e s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t A Rolls-Royce A H i n c k l e y A Michelin A Bedford DIVISION 9. P e t e r b o r o u g h Tw e n t y A L.N.E.R., Chesterfield, A Daimler G.E.C., Coventry, A A l v i s A Wa l s a U A H i n c k l e y B . . . Kynoch B L e i c e s t e r B . . . G.W -R., BristoL A 3 r d W a r w i c k s A Sutton Coldfield A Rolls-Royce B W a r w i c k P o l i c e Nuneaton Lockheed A ... M i c h e l i n B . . . G l o s t e r A i r c r a f t Homme Green A ... P e t e r b o r o u g h Tw e n t y B A l v i s B S p r i n g fi e l d W o r k s . . . L e i c e s t e r a n d D i s t r i c t C Frecheville Police A Cafierata A Styvechale A Rolls-Royce C Mansfield and District Dunlop A DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION 4. DIVISION 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . M o d e m M a c h i n e T o o l s A A . S . S m i t h & S o n s A Chubb A ... British United Shoe Manufacturing A 3 r d W a r w i c k s B L e i c e s t e r C i t y Tr a n s p o r t Thirteenth A British Legion, Derby, A Wo o d t h o r p e H . G L.N.E.R., Chesterfield, B Michelin C L.M.S., Stoke DIVISION 6. Te r r y ' s A L u c a s A R u b e r y O w e n Bristol Invicta A G.E.C., Coventry, B B e l p e r H . G . A R o v e r A Rolls-Royce D Birlec Cafferata B B r i d g e S o U a r s H . G . A DIVISION 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. Ecton A Wa t e r l o w s Styvechale B B.S.A., Redditch, H.G. A ... 6 2 n d M a l v e m A L e i c e s t e r D i v i s i o n E Wa r d e n s Bakelite 4 0 t h W a r w i c k s A Stratford-on-A von A G.W.R., Bristol Lockheed B B r i d g e S o l l a r s H . G . B DIVISION 8. British United Shoo Manufacturing B Newcastle-under-Lyme Police L.N.E.R., Chesterfield, C A . S . S m i t h & S o n s B Painters A C h a n c e & H u n t . . . . . . . . . H o m m e G r e e n B . . . A Division Birmingham Police A Frechevdle Police B... Rolls-Royce E 4 0 t h W a r w i c k s B . W a l s a l l B ; ; ; s.W.D.L.P. Agg. 85 2 1 123166 8 3 3 2 93167 83 2 38 3166 82337 3166 8 3 1473137 821 5 5 3148 1 "s. W.D.L.P.Agg. 8512 11 3137 8422103139 84048 3137 831 4 73137 83147 3123 821553026 "s. W.D.L.P. Agg. 852 112 3125 8 52112 3121 85 1 2 11 3135 8350113129 8503103122 8503103118 8422 1031 1 1 8224631 15 83 05 63091 81 16 33096 81163 3093 810722687 ■ s. W.D.L.P. Agg. 7502102709 850310 31 14 741 29271 1 7 40382729 740382726 7 32 2 82716 740382706 7 3 0 462690 83 0 563097 8 1 2543085 7 1 15 32698 's. W.D.L.P.Agg. 88001631 10 85 121131 13 85 1 2113094 850310 3084 841393078 8 32 3 8 3079 8 4 04 8 3074 3 4 04 83051 8 3 2 382721 82 1 5 5 3076 8 10 723004 80080 2986 S.W.D.L.P. 751111 8503103089 7 5 0 2102706 7502102685 8 4 04 83060 74038 2695 731372692 73 137 2689 730462671 8116 3 2992 7 00701425 S.W.D.L. P." Agg. 86 2014 3075 86 02 123069 8 6 0 212 3066 8 503103076 850310 3069 8422103065 8 3238 3064 840483025 8 3056 3025 811633039 811632645 800801749 •s. W.D.L. P.Agg. 861 1 133067 8602 12 3087 8602123079 8602 12 3069 8512113069 8503 10 3073 84 048 2952 830562687 83 0562679 8206 4 3021 8 1 0722961 800801365 1 . M o d e r n M a c h i n e To o l s B 2. B.T.H., Rugby 3. Terry's B 4. R.O.F.. Notts 5. Cafierata C 6. Stratford-on-A von B 7. Thirteenth B 8. Dunlop B 9. Sutton Coldfield B ... 10. B.L., Derby, B 11 . B r i s t o l I n v i c t a B DIVISION 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. S h i r e b r o o k A 62nd Malvern B 3 r d W a t w i c k s C L.N.E.R., Chesterfield, D CresweU H.G Cafierata D Clent A We b l e y & S c o t t Tr e n t M o t o r s Sentinel A N u t s a n d B o l t s A CodsaU H.G. B.S.A., Redditch ... Ecton B Ta l b o t S t e a d Luton Borough Police O l d b u r y P o l i c e A . . . Dunstable H.G. Frecheville Police C Homme Green C ... L u c a s B Stratford-on-A von C Peterborough H.G. A S. 8 6 8 7 8 8 7 8 8 S. 8 7 7 7 7 8 8 7 7 7 7 DIVISION n. S. 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 DIVISION 12. 62nd Malvern C A . S . S m i t h & S o n s C 186 Coy. Beds. G.T.C B e l p e r H . G . B L u c a s C We l l i n g b o r o u g h O . C . A Painters B Bristol Invicta C A D i v i s i o n B i r m i n g h a m P o l i c e B No. 5 Coy. H.G. A L u c a s D Bridge Sollars H.G. C S. DIVISION 13. 1. Terry's C 2 . P a i n t e r s C 3. Stratford-on-Avon D 4. A.P.O., Droitwich ... 5. Gorsewood 6 . R . O . F. , N o t t s , B . . . I 7. Kenilworth Wardens 8. Lucas F 9. Stretton-on-Dunsmore H.G 1 0 . L u c a s E DIVISION 14. S. 7 6 6 7 6 5 6 7 7 7 "s. 1. Kettering 2. Shirebrook B 3. Bourton-on-the-Water Police 4. Midland Red H.G. A 5. Ecton C 8 6 . P e t e r b o r o u g h H . G . B 8 7 . S e n t i n e l B 8 8 . C l e n t B g 9 . L u c a s G 8 1 0 . N u t s a n d B o l t s B 8 11 . B i g g l e s w a d e 8 1 2 . H . Q . C o y. , 1 s t B n . L e i c e s t e r H . G . A . . . 8 DIVISION 15. S. 1 . C a r b o d i e s 7 2 . P a m t e r s D 7 3. Dunlop C 6 4 . 4 0 t h W a r w i c k s C 5 5 . W e l l i n g b o r o u g h O . C . B 5 6 . W e d n e s b u r y 4 7 . A . S S m i t h & S o n s D i . " 5 8 . N o . 5 C o y . H . G . B 6 9 . L u c a s H 6 DIVISION 16. S. 1 . O l d b u r y P o l i c e B 7 2 . P a i n t e r s E 8 3 . M i d l a n d R e d H . G . B 6 4 . B i r m i n g h a m H . G . F T r o o p 8 5. W ellingborough O.C. C 7 6 . H . Q . C o y. , 1 s t B n . L e i c e s t e r H . G . B . . . 4 W. D. L. P. 7 1015 602 12 5 1 2 11 5 0 110 50 3 10 4129 40 4 8 3 0 56 106 2 0 1 7 1 008 0 W. D. L.P. 710 15 412 9 4 129 40 38 40 3 8 4 04 8 40 48 3 1 3 • 7 3 046 10 62 007 0 W.D. L.P. 7 01 14 6 1113 60212 , 503 10 5 • 0 310 413 9 4 0 4 8 40 48 20 6 4 206 4 1 072 0 17 1 W.D. L.P. 70 114 602 12 5 1 2 11 503 10 50 310 50 310 404 8 31 4 7 3 0 56 206 4 2 06 4 00 8 0 W.D. L.P. 5 I1 11 50 ] 10 4 028 403 8 31 2 7 302 6 303 6 2 , . 0 54 205 4 0070 W.D.L. P. 70 114 70 114 70 114 6 0 212 5 0 3 10 4 0 48 4 0 . 4 8 3 0 ■ 5 16 305 6 10 72 107 2 00 80 W.D.L. P. 40 38 40 3 8 40 28 8 4 0 1 302 6 30 16 20 34 204 4 0 06 0 W.D. L.P. 601 12 50 310 50 1 10 30 56 304 6 004 0 Agg. 3062 2667 3039 2288 3007 2641 2997 3002 2204 2785 2580 ^o¥d 2669 2662 2656 2606 3005 2970 2631 2627 2488 2347 Agg. 3022 3037 3023 3037 3018 2286 3030 3029 2922 2918 2785 2913 ^9^7 3000 2892 2970 2940 2923 2983 2913 2567 2921 2907 1733 Agg. 2590, 2208 2208 2595 2225 1840 2227 2464 2460 2460 2986 2953 2946 2939 2877 2908 2847 2849 2728 2723 2458 1994 Agg. 2522 2518 2158 1790 1776 1420 1792 1741 2038 2796 2142 2781 1758 835 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKU.S.A. Chiefs Pay Tribute to Rifle Training V. .v^ ■■ .' •>■• ■'■. '-V vV^-ovvA' -'.-v-'' '-. ■'-•■'U.-.yIII Mllfc '"■e ^o -De = 5-, Ov Si' ii ■pj-, ivop., 29.'55 ■TOi. - O^ ^i^°s. •Si^iiaiii; ' ^.JK. ff o 'o<i Si WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWA R d e p a r t m e n t ^ the chief of staff WASHINGTON 30 October 1945 Dear llr. Llator; I wish to expreae to you and to al Hlrie Aaaoclatlon or America my ap.rocluonl '•■"ush ih. "I."!., .h. ™ .v.„r'r . r - - " " • - ™ t l o n d u r i n g t h e w a r h « , k " I f l e A a a o c l a . « ^ne war haa been one In which Ita ta.e great pride, .he naclon la Portunate In havir Sanlcatlon upon which It can rely ror the continued d^t Of proriclency 1„ the uae or amaU arms by the cltl c o u n t r y . ^ d t l z e n a o r t h l a 1 toko thla opportunity to extend to you nr. b„ . f o r t h e r u t u r e . ^ " ^ ' h e a Pfllthrully youra, 0 . B . L l e t e r / \ rnaels upon the Importance 3^ fundamental „f oompeUed to en- -"T und men in the uae more and mere urgent- 3 i t t a l A - f a c e d . 3 - ^ ^ c o x ^ / u n e r l c o - ,w"' ,tance 'alth program. Such ^ThVoved in.-anio to - in the i^r- •''' -ondered wUiinS^ ^nd _ ^ deserving highest preioe aeeietanoe Ver? truly yonn > 1 osta sinejerely WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKSummer, 1946. T H E R I F L E M A N ui N.R.A. TERRIT ORIAL ARMY R.A. I A Central Meeting of the Territorial Army R.A. is to be held at Bisley from 1st to I4th July, 1946, and in order to encourage all Te r r i t o r i a l s t o r e s t a r t s h o o t i n g , t h e e x e c u t i v e c o m m i t t e e h a v e d e cided to give prizes in N.R.A. events at the annual Prize Meeting at Bisley during this period. The only condition is that each officer ' o r m e n m u s t h a v e b e e n s e r v i n g o n a Te r r i t o r i a l c o m m i s s i o n o r . attestation on 3rd September , 1939. i It is most important that any pre-war Territorial desirous of competing in competitions should inform the secretary of the Terri- ■ torial Army R.A., Coneyhurst-on-the-Hill, Ewhurst, Surrey, sending name, rank, address, and name of unit, together with a certificate from a former officer of that unit to say that he was serving on 3rd September, 1939. T H E " G E N E R A L V E S E Y " T R O P H Y . The " General Vesey " Trophy has been won (for April 1946) by Teddington and District H.G. R.C. with 425 out of the possible 480 marks. Second Chesterfield, 421. Camberley A team, Aber deen A and Aberdeen B next in order of merit. This match, run by the N.R.A. for the benefit of Home Guard rifle clubs, is shot for w i t h S e r v i c e r i fl e s a n d p i s t o l s . P U B L I C S C H O O L S V E T E R A N S ' M A T C H . The Veterans' Trophy is decided, as usual, on Ashburton Day, Thursday, 4th July, and shooting starts at 5.30 p.m. The conditions are to be found in the Bisley programme, but will b e a r r e p e t i t i o n . It should be noted that the match is open to all old pupils, and i that service in the O.T.C. or J.T.C. is not a necessary qualification. A s c h o o l m a y e n t e r o n e A a n d a n y n u m b e r o f B a n d C t e a m s . The trophy and silver medals will be awarded to the winning A team, I the " Dulwich " and " Whitgift " Challenge Cups and bronze medals t o t h e w i n n i n g B a n d C t e a m s , r e s p e c t i v e l y. A and B teams may use S.R. (b)/ i.e. either the S.M.L.E., 1914 Pattern, or No. 4 rifle or all. C teams may use the S.M.L.E. (a) or (b), or both, with open sights ; also No. 4. The wind-gauge may be used. Slings may be us e d by a ll . It should be noted that where a school enters one or two teams only, one team may be nominated to compete in Class A, but that w h e r e t h r e e o r m o r e t e a m s a r e e n t e r e d o n e m u s t b e n o m i n a t e d t o compete in that class for the trophy. The shooting conditions are the same as in 1939, viz., teams of five ; 10 and 1 sighting shot per man at 500 yards in 75 minutes ; £1 10s. entrance fee to be paid by Tuesday, 2nd July. Adjoining targets are allotted to schools in proportion to the number of teams competing. The Aggregate Challenge Cup, presented by the late Major S. A. Pixley, will be awarded to the schoo whose A and best B and C teams, one in each category, shall score in the aggregate the greatest number j of marks. Ten schools entered three or more teams in 1938. A j claim ticket is necessary ; see programme book and team entry form. | Entrance fee, 2s. 6d. I The Lucas Challenge Cup, for which there were 30 entries in i 1938, will be awarded to the school whose Ashburton team and one | Veterans' team, which must be nominated in writing at the Central Office before the match, together total the highest score. A claim ticket is necessary ; see programme book and team entry form. Entrance fee, 5s., payable by the School Veterans. RAIL W A Y F ARES The Railway Companies are unable to grant the pre-war railway fare concessions, for the Bisley Meeting. Competitors will, however, be able to take advantage of the Monthly Return Tickets which are issued to the public generally at approximately single fare and one- third for the double journey on payment of the fare at time of booking, j no special vouchers being necessary. RA TIONING. It is notified by the Food Controller at Guildford that those sleeping in the camp and those taking all regular meals are to be regarded as being in the same category as hotel visitors and must produce their ration books if taking meals for a period of five con secutive days. PROGRAMME. The Programme of the 1946 Prize Meeting, 3s. 6d., post free (including purchase tax), and including Individual Entry Form, can be had by application to the Secretary, N.R.A., Bisley Camp, Brook- wood, Woking, Surrey. News CAMP ACCO.ALMODA TION. Forms of Application for accommodation at Bisley Camp can be had on request. T H E " S A T U R D . A Y . " First prize in the " Saturday " (Aggregate) will be a silver tankard, value £35, kindly presented by Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher, C.B.E. ERRA T A T O PROGRAMME. 1. Page 14.—Occasional occupation at other times than the Bisley Meeting for 6d. per night, read " 3s. 6d. per night." 2. Page 86 (appendix 3A).—Above " The Women's Aaxiliary Territorial Service " insert " Any part of the Home Guard." 3. Page 110.—Under Sweepstakes, last line but one on the page, add after the N.B. " 2. Cadets who have only taken part in the Ashburton or other Competitions reser\'ed for Cadets only, shall be considered to be Class II." 4. Page 111 (paragraph 3).—Line 3, for Friday, 21st July, read " Friday, 12th July." " N O M I N A T I O N S . " The Chairman of the N.R.A., Lt.-Col. Sir Philip W. Richardson, has very generously presented to the National Rifle Association 40 Nominations for the Bisley Meeting, 1946, and intends to make similar gifts for succeeding years up to 1952. These Nominations will be awarded through County Rifle Asso ciations to members who are eligible to-shoot in the Grand Aggregate a n d w h o h a v e n e v e r p r e v i o u s l y s h o t i n c o m p e t i t i o n s s h o w n o n t h e " Individual's Entry Form " for the Bisley Meeting. I n d i v i d u a l s w h o m a y b e m e m b e r s o f m o r e t h a n o n e R i fl e A s s o c i a t i o n t o w h i c h t h e s e N o m i n a t i o n s h a v e b e e n a l l o c a t e d , m a y o n l y shoot for one Nomination, which must be in his home area. E a c h N o m i n a t i o n w i l l p r o v i d e f o r t h e i n d i v i d u a l t o w h o m i t i s awarded free meals to the value of 6s. a day and free tent accom modation for seven days at Bisley (Tamp, and free entries for all competitions comprising the Grand Aggregate. The Nominations do not include entrance fees for sweepstakes. The vice-chairman, Major E. G. Monro, has also very generously agreed to pay the third-class monthly return fares to Brookwood for a l l i n d i v i d u a l s t o w h o m t h e s e N o m i n a t i o n s a r e a w a r d e d f o r t h e Bisley Meeting in 1946. The names of those to whom the Nominations have been awarded must be submitted so as to reach the N.R.A. not later than 17th June, 1946, the date on which entries for the Bisley Meeting close. The cost of a third-class monthly return ticket to Brookwood will be refunded to each individual awarded one of these Nominations on his arrival at Bisley on application for his Competition tickets, and on presentation of the return half of his railway ticket. * This year's Bisley fortnight, the first since 1938, will give Britains' Home Guards an opportunity of showing how skilled they became as marksmen in training to resist invasion. As past members of the Forces they have become eligible to shoot for the King's Prize, the honour most coveted bv British, Dominion, and Empire marksmen. Members of the A.T.S. and other women's Services will also be eligible to compete on a level with the men. The Victory celebration year meeting of the N.R.A. will be held at Bisley from 1st July to 13th July, when practically all the principal competitions will be re sumed. The three classes of marksmen, expert, medium and tyro, have been abolished, and all will be equal. * * At the Woking Transfer Lincensing Sessions recently, Mr. James Chuter, J.P., of Oakdene, Folly Hill, Farnham, was granted the licence of the famous pavilion at Bisley Camp, on lease from the N.R.A. Asked by the magistrates what experience of the trade he had, he said that he had held the licence of a club at Bordon Camp since 1938 and personally supervised it several days weekly. * * * The N.R.A. advises that it has been decided to revive the annual match for the East and West African Police shooting cups. The match was in abeyance during the war. This challenge trophy is competed for annually by teams of the police forces of Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and eight other colonies. The trophy is awarded each year for the highest score, and the name of the winning force is engraved on the trophy yearly, an engraved replica being given for permanent retention. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKiv . T H E R I F L E M A N Summer, 1946. Remin&on. .22 CALIBRE AMMUNITION FOR ELEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WA S W O N W I T H R E M I N G T O N A M M U N I T I O N . We much regret that we are still unable to obtain importation licences for shipments f r o m U . S . A . Hgmla^tsiL icig{gp> REMINGTON ARMS U.M.C. CO., LTD., Brimsdown, Mddx. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKThe rifleman journal of the society of miniature rifle clubs SMALL-BORE SHOOTING—A NATIONAL RECREATION XXXJX. No. 381 LONDON, AUTUMN, 1946. Qoaiteriy 6d. Annual SubKiiption 2t. 6d. pott Om to46 ' ^ t i r — Mae'"'®-'' --tfOO* . l<)» rtXaf** OW*" \9^* YORKSHIRE COUNTY meeting, ueeds! August3rd.Sth. 1946 No. 2 Con,p,tu,o„ . No. 4 Con,p„,«o„ Scor„ „f "9 and l«8 No. S Competition . Sco™, of "9 and 198 ^No. 6 Competition . Equal flnt (200) WW-"'®*® mT'»*• "*• ^ U'Scor. I ...^wamplonaWP"- and •• .,4 e« 500 iceriHG* otAerc„;^'*-««te,„, county ChamplonaWp-- Ty r o Champion'*''''"- SOO UtScoro ;;^,,500 and 3'^ •• ■,„eA«0 AWo Ui in tho Ladies' and lunlo"'- 1946 IS NOTABLE for the return of two popular brands of I.C.I. Ammunition : " I.C.I. NON-RUSTING" and " I.C.I. PISTOL" These favourites of sporting men are now available in their pre-war qualities. I.C.I. 22 AMMUNITION I M P E R I A L C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R I E S L I M I T E D , L O N D O N , S . W . I A.M.31 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKPA K K E K - H A L E SHOOTING EQUIPMENT AND CLEANING ACCESSORIES A B E O B TA I N A B L E T H R O U G H T H E S . M . R . G B I S L E Y W O R K S . PA R K E R - H A L E LT D . , B I R M I N G H A M 4 . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKThe Rifleman THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF MINIATURE RIFLE CLUBS. Evacuation Address MAYLEIGH," PETERSHAM ROAD, RICHMOND, SURREY. Telegraphic Address: "Rifleshot, Phone, London." Telephone: RIChmond 1444. "Patron : r a s M A J E S T Y T H E K I N G . President: H. H. ALDRIDGE, Esq. Field Marshal Viscount ALEX.ANDER. G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.S.L, D.S.O., M.C., A.D.C. The Rt. Hon. LEOPOLD AMERV, P.C., C.H. Field Marshal Lord BIRDWOOD, G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., M.A. Col. R. BODLEY, V.D., Chairman, Union of South Africa R.A. ALFRED C. BOSSOM. Esq., M.P., J.P. General Sir ALAN G. B. BOURNE, K.C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O. Major-General Viscount BRIDGEMAN, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. The Rt. Hon. S. M. BRUCE, P.O., C.H., M.C. Vi s c o u n t C A M R O S E . Admiral of the Fleet Lord CHATHELD, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., G.V.O., D.C. (Oxon). Col. The Lord COTTESLOE, C.B.. V.D., T.D. Col. The Rt. Hon. Lord COURTHOPE, P.C., M.C., T.D. Capt. RICHIE CRAWFORD, President New Zealand R.A. Brig.-Gencral The Lord CROFT, C.M.G. Admiral of the Fleet Viscount CUNNINGHAM, G.C.B., K.C.B., C.B., D.S.O. Major-General G. DALBY, C.B., D.S.O. T h e C o u n t e s s o f D A L H O U S I E . Ma or D. PERCY DAVIES, J.P. M a o r T h e L o r d D E N H A M , M . C . Ma or-Gen. Sir JAMES S. DREW, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. Brig.-Gcneral H. S. FRANKLIN, C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O. Air Vice-Marshal Sir PHILIP GAME, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., G.B.E., K.C.M.G., D.S.O. A i r M a r s h a l S i r L E S L I E G O S S A G E , K . C . B . , C . V. O . , D . S . O . , M . C . , D i r e c t o r General A.T .C. The Rt. Hon. EARL OF HADDINGTON, M.C. G e n e r a l S i r I A N H A M I LTO N , G . C . B . , G . C . M . G . , D . S . O . , T. D . V i c e - P r e s i d e n t s : Vi s c o u n t R A M P D E N , K . C . B . , C . M . G . The Rt. Hon. the Earl of HAREWOOD, K.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., T.D. The Right Hon. WILLIAM J. JORDAN, P.C., High Commissioner, New Zealand General Sir WALTER M. St. G. KIRKE, G.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L. Lt..Col. Lord LOVAT, D.S.O.. M.C. Major-General R. M. LUCKOCK. C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. The Rt. Hon. VINCENT MASSEY, High Commissioner, Dominion of Canada. General Sir IVOR MAXSE, K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O. Lord McGOW AN. K.B.E. Col. Sir CHARLES MERRETT, C.B.E., V.D., President C.A.R.A. M a j o r S i r C L I V E M O R R I S O N - B E L L , B a r t . The Right Hon. G. H. NICHOLLS, High Commissioner for South Africa. The Hon. S. M. O'KEEFE, C.M.G., M.C., High Commissioner S. Rhodesu. C o l . C H A R L E S P O N S O N B Y, T. D . , M . P. „ „ ^ Marshal of the R.A.F., Viscount PORTAL, O.M., K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C. L t . - C o l . S i r P H I L I P W. R I C H A R D S O N , B a r t . , O . B . E . , V. D . L t . -G e ne r al Sir N EH RI T CHI E, K. C. B. , C. B. E. , G . O . C. Sco t t is h Co m m a n d. Sir SAMUEL RUNGANADHAN, Dewan Bahadur, High Commissioner for India. Field-Marshal J. C. SMUTS, P.C., C.H, F,R.S., Prime Minister of South Africa. Dr . EDITH SUMMERSKHL, M.P. Lt.-Col. SIR HUGH TURNBULL, K.C.V.O., K.B.E. D r . C . H E Y G A T E V E R N O N . Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD, Bart., C.V.O., D.S.O., T.D. S. F. WATERSON, Esq. Lt.-Col. Sir W. E. G. A. WEIGALL, Bart., K.C.M.G., DX. H i s G r a c e T H E D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R . G . C . V. O . , D . S . O . F. W H I I A K E R , E s q . Col. The Rt. Hon. The Lord WIGRAM, P.C., G.C.B., G.C.V.O.. C.S.I. M i s s PAT R I C TA A . Y O U N G . M . B . E . * L t , - C o l . S i r L I O N E L F L E T C H E R , C . B . E . , •Lt.-Col. T. SUTT ON, M.B.E., F.S.A. I CECIL MACK, Esq. ! Major W. J. ARTIS, M.C. Capt. F. R. BACON. A. C. BOSSOM, Esq., M.P., J.P. Major-General Viscount BRIDGEMAN, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. Vi s c o u n t C A M R O S E . Col. G. R. CODRINGTON, C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., T. D . Major-General G. DALBY, C.B., D.S.O. W. D R E W, E s q . R. G. ELIAS, Esq. W. D . F I N D L AY, E s q . M a j o r F. M A C G R E G O R F R Y. T. J . G I B S O N , E s q . M a j o r R . W. G L E A D O W. Col. G. GOULD, D.S.O. Council, Chairman. Vi c e - C h a i r m e n . GEO. F. BOOTH, Esq., M.B.E., P. G . R I C H A R D S O N , E s q . , i Joint Hon. Treasurers C. G. P. HAINES, Esq. A i r V i c e - M a r s h a l F. C . H A L A H X N , C . M . G . , C.B.E., D.S.O., M.V.O. T. P. H A R T L E Y, E s q . N. C. HEADLAND, Esq. ROBT. B. HENDERSON, Esq., M.B.E. I. R. P. HESLOP, Esq., M.A. C H A R L E S L AY W O O D , E s q . , M . B . E . H. S. LONGHURST, Esq. D. McGHLIVRA Y, Esq. NORM.AN McMONNIES, M.C., Esq. Col. M. K. MATTHEWS, T.D., D.L., J.P. T. E . M I I X I G A N , E s q . Capt. J. L. MHNE. Col. C. G. MOORE, C.B.E., M.C., T.D., D.L. Superintendent M. PURBRICK, M.B.E. Executive Committee. Lt.-Col. Sir PHHIP W. RICHARDSON, Bart. O.B.E., V .D. P. V. R O G E R S , E s q . Sir HAROLD SCOTT, K.C.B., K.B.E., Commis- s i o n e r o f M e t r o p o l i t a n P o l i c e . M a j o r F. B . S M I T H , B . E . M . A. V. STANIFOR TH, Esq., A.M.I.Mech.E., M.I. Struct.E. Lt.-Col. I. H. ST OCKWOOD. L t . - C o l . S i r H U G H T U R N B U L L , K . C . V. O . , K . B . E . , C o m m i s s i o n e r o f P o l i c e , C i t y o f London. H i s G r a c e T H E D U K E O F W E S T M I N S T E R . G.C.V.O., D.S.O. Lt.-coi. K. wmnoN. Lt.-Col. J. D. CHALMERS. Lt.-Col. J. L. MOULTON, D.S.O., R.M., ROYAL MARINES R.A. L t . - C o l . H . A . WA R I N G , D . S . O . , T H E A R M Y R . A . Lt.-Col. R. F. SYMONDS, O.B.E., T.D., T.A., R.A. Col. A. A. E. CHITTY, D.S.O., late Inspector of the Training Corps, J.T.C. M r s . G . O . S A LT E R , W O M E N ' S R I F L E A S S O C I AT I O N . Capt. R. K. SPENCER, V.D., R.N.V.R., R.A E x - O f fi c i o M e m b e r s : Col. J. G. SANDIE, D.S.O., M.C., S.A.S., (PLATOON WEAPONS), THE WAR OFFICE, Chairman A.R.A. Wing-Commander J. L. K. PEARCE, O.B.E., R.A.F., R.A. S e r g t . W. C A M P B E L L , S C O T T I S H P O U C E S . B . R . A . Lt.-Gol. F. L. PETTMAN, BRITISH NATIONAL CADET ASSOCIATION. • M a j o r M , I . H E M S T E A D , P U B L I C S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L S C A D E T ASSOCIA TION. Mr. GEO. PETHARD, M.B.E., Secretary of the Society and Editor of the Society's Journal, " The Rifleman. Opinions expressed by our contributors are not necessarily those of the S.M.R.C. VOL, XXXIX, No, 381. LONDON.AUTUMN, 1946. Quarterly 6d. Annual Subscription, 23. 6d. post free. Editorial SURELY it is the most important business in life to be a friend and to make friends. Robert Blair happily expresses friendship as the " Mysterious Cement of the Soul, Sweetener of Life and Solder of Society," whilst Emerson proclaims that " He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare. The only way to have a friend is to be one." In the golden age of Elizabeth, from the plays of Shakes peare and his glorious companionship of poets, we have the praises of friendship sung in the most perfect form. A few examples, such as that in Richard II, where the poet makes Bolingbroke say, " I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a Soul rememb'ring my good friends " ; as expressed by Desdemona, " If I do vow a friendship, I'll perform it to the last article," or, perhaps most familiar to all, the advice of Polonius to his son : " The friends WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK2 T H E R I F L E M A N Autumn, 1946. thou hast and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy Soul with hooks of steel." The great but ill-fated Sir Walter Raleigh wrote the following in his poignant English : " Thou mayest be sure that he that will in private tell thee of thy faults is thy friend, for he adventures thy dislike, and doth hazard thy hatred ; there are. few men that can endure it, every man for the most part delighting in self praise, which is one of the most universal Tollies that bewitcheth mankind." That there are a great many friendships lying dormant in Britain is proved by the replies to a letter from a lonely soldier in Palestine, who recently wrote to six newspapers for friendly correspondence to cheer him up, and he received 1,200 mail-bags full of letters ! We maintain that our small-bore rifle-shooting fraternity contains all the necessary essentials in its constant friendly rivalry to shoot the best target on miniature ranges as a leisure-time recreation. It is our firm opinion that rifle clubs can make many lonely people happier and the world a better place to live in if they will first send to their local newspapers an invitation to the' public to come and find friends on the miniature rifle ranges and hold open evenings for disc shooting pairs as an introduction, one of the members pairing up with a newcomer . As leisure time available becomes extended, make it clear that social life need not be limited to visiting the public house, but can be enhanced and extended by the objectives of a rifle club, which can be as rich as any other cause in reciprocal benevolence, and solicitous for welfare of aU concerned. Increased leisure without adequate recreation to occupy the hours of freedom will pall, and we urge the officials of our affiliated units to do their utmost to take advantage of the situation as above-mentioned. At the S.M.R.C. Council meeting held on 11th September, it was reported that at 31st July the membership s t o o d a s f o l l o w s : — Ordinary affiliated units whose subscriptions have been paid ... ... 3,356 L i f e M e m b e r C l u b s ... ... 48 County Associations ... ... 50 Composite Affiliations ... ... 7 E n B l o c A f f i l i a t i o n s : — Air Training Corps 78 Army Cadet Force ... 138 Boy Scouts' Association 12 Church Lads' Brigade ... 21 Sea Cadet Corps 28 277 Total (with unpaid subscriptions not included) 3,738 Both the open meetings, the Scottish in Edinburgh and the British National at Ham and Petersham, have been most successful, the former with over 300 and the latter with over 600 competitors. In each case the range accom modation was insufficient, as 60 and 85 targets respectively failed to completely satisfy the competitors. It is evident that much more commodious ranges must be provided in the future if the A and B classes and the C and D classes are to shoot under one programme during the same period. In Edinburgh the attendance of English competitors was larger than ever before, with the result that a very strong team for England was available, and in scoring 2,931 against Scotland the former won the Ian Hamilton Trophy by 27 points, the top score of the whole match, 298, being made by young R. H. Johnson, of Darlington. The Grand Aggregate of the A Classification, which carries with it the championship of the meeting, was handsomely won by a newcomer, Mr. J. F. Chandler, of Twickenham, with the score of 1,382 ex 1,400. The Scottish Open Meeting Championship for the Earl Haig Trophy resulted in a splendid effort by J. D. Young, of Portlethen, with a total score of 789 ex 800. The Ladies' Championship of the meeting was won by Miss M. F. Millar, of Perth, with a score of 584, her sister being second,one point less, besides winning the B Classification Aggregate with the score of 1,368, which was tied by Messrs. W. Campbell, of Dundee Police, and J. S. Young, of Ardeer. The Pullar Targe for the Open Meeting Team Championship of Scotland was won by Perth City and County with the score of 798.5 ex 800. The full prize list appears elsewhere. The National Meeting at Ham and Petersham received a record entry and each day over 500 competitors and friends were present. It was an occasion for many old and new friends to come together again, the former to celebrate a revival of assemblies on pre-war lines. At the meeting the outstanding team match was, of course, the International, England again being successful, this time with a score of 2,927, four points lower than thgir score in Scotland and only beating the Scottish team by 12 points. Again the top score of the match was 298, this time by " The man of the meeting," V. H. Gilbert, of Ham and Petersham. For County Sextettes the Middlesex team brought off a double, as they not only won in Scotland with the score of 1,172 to beat Stirlingshire 1,169, but also won at Ham this time with 1,181, and Yorkshire runners-up with 1,167. Another representative match revived was that of the Inter-Railways, the Great Western and the Southern, being the only two of the four main line groups represented, the former wirming by nine points with a total of 1,944. The announcement that the Manager of the Southern Railway will replace the challenge shield destroyed by enemy action in 1941 was received With acclamation. Other trophies promised for replacement were the Daily Telegraph by Lord Camrose on behalf of the directors, and the News of the World Cup by the proprietors ; the pro prietors of the Daily Mail kindly revived their gift of prizes for the free entry competition for their trophy. The respective trophies were won by A. S. Wffitaker, Ham and Petersham ; W. J. Smith, G.P.O., and J. Cooke, Worplesdon. The A Classification Grand Aggregate for the Nobel Statuette and the Open Meeting Championsffip of Britain with the English Championship for the St. George's Trophy was won by V. H. Gilbert, of Ham and Petersham, with the grand total score of 1,387, five points better than the Scottish Meeting Aggregate and three points ahead of the runners-up on this occasion. The C ass B Aggregate resulted in a tiq with the equal scores of 1,382, the application of the tie rules allocating the first place to R. F. Lightfoot, of Witan, and H. J. Hawkes, of West Ham, to the second place. That this aggregate should equal the A Class winning aggregate in Scotland under more strenuous conditions and that the winning score in Scotland only took 11th place in England indicated the keen and better shooting necessary at this all National Meeting. The Ladies' British Championship for H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent Challenge Cup was a popular win WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKT H E R I F L E M A N3 for Mrs. N. Wilson, of Heston and Hounslow, with score of 590 ex 600, she being closely followed by Mrs. A. B. Culf, of Manchester, 588, and Miss D. 1. Nash, of Ayles bury, 587. The Women's Rifle Association Championship of Great Britain for the Flowers Trophy was another popular win, this going to Mrs. Culf with the spore of ,295 ex 300. The Junior Championship for the Rhodes Chal lenge Cup was won by A. Williams, a boy of 16, of the City of Cardiff R.C., who had recently won the Open Championship of Glamorganshire. He also put up numerous consecutive possible scores at this meeting. Whilst a full list of prizes and winners will not appear in this issue a list of all who won trophies and prizes in kind are printed elsewhere. Col. G. R. Codrington attended to present the prizes on the invitation of the Chairman, Lt.-Col. Sir Lionel Fletcher. At both meetings Brigadier Barlow authorised the loan of the W.O. new .22 prototype rifles, known as the No. 6. These were used only fbr competitions at 100 yards range. At Edinburgh the best single shoot was a 99 by D. Harkness, whilst at Ham a more serious single entry triple 100 yards shoot was staged with a £20 prize list. This resulted in a top score of 294 being duplicated by Messrs. M. Bergson of Bradford and D. McGillivray of Glasgow to divide the first and second prizes. Following these there were two scores of 293, two scores of 292, and five scores of 291 to take prizes. The rifle was generally admired and the criticism was constructive. The main question was how soon can we hope for production ! The Chairman and the Council with its subsidiary committees have been most active during the past three months. Unfortunately we have had the retirement of Mr. Edwin L. Bell after many years of invaluable service, whilst Capt. J. R. Hemstead, C.B., ex-officio member of the Council for the R.N.V.R., has also resigned after his retirement from active service. He is succeeded by Capt. R. K. Spencer, V.D. L t . - G e n e r a l S i r N e i l R i t c h i e , G . C . C . S c o t l a n d , a s announced elsewhere at the Scottish prize distribution, was invited and has accepted the office of a vice-president of the Society. Since the destruction by enemy action of the S.M.R.C. Headquarters Library in May, 1941, efforts have been continuous to build another collection of shooting books. In these efforts a constant searcher after shooting books has been Mr. W. T. Thurbon, of Cambridge, who has contributed many volumes. Quite recently, however, we have received three large consignments of valuable volumes from Lt.-Col. T. Sutton, a Vice-Chairman of the Society. Some of these are out of print and he must have denuded his own library to stock ours. We are deeply grateful to both these gentlemen and to a number of others who have contributed single volumes. The interesting news that the War Office intend to extend their assistance to rifle clubs via the operations of the County T.A. and A.F.. Associations and the N.R.A. and the S.M.R.C. is given in more detail elsewhere in the next column. That rifle clubs have proved themselves effective in cementing comradeship amongst Home Guards men was a foregone conclusion in our opinion as the result of so many years' experience with rifle clubs. Our only regret is the limitations in personnel and numbers' which the W.O. think it necessary to apply. It is our objective to encourage every British citizen to shoot. The date of the Extraordinary General Meeting to re\'ise the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which have operated so successfully since 1903, but now need bringing up to date on a more democratic basis, was fixed for Saturday, 7th December, 1946, in London. The promise made by the Chairman at the last annual general meeting to prepare a revised memorandum and Articles of Association has been implemented by the Council in June, who appointed a Special Committee to consider this matter in all its aspects and report. It has taken longer than expected. Rifle Qubs and the War Department (Official) 1. It has been decided that assistance shall be given by the War Department to rifle clubs, the National Rifle Association and the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs on the lines described below. A . H O M E G U A R D R I F L E C L U B S (a) Home Guard Rifle Clubs may, if they so wish, open their membership to civilians who arc, or have been, members of: (i) The Armed Forces of the Crown. ( ii) T he Po lice . (iii) The Civil Defence Ser\'ices. (iv) Sea, Army and Air Cadet units, who have qualified to fire under the regulations in force from time to time in their own organisations. (b) Membership of each club will be limited, as an interim measure, to not more than the total membership authorised f o r t h e H o m e G u a r d m e m b e r s h i p . (c) In order that information may be readily available in the future, should it be decided that membership can be further enlarged, clubs may maintain a waiting list oficligible persons wishing to join. B . C I V I L I A N R I F L E C L U B S (a) Civilian rifle clubs which wish to obtain the same facilities as are enjoyed by Home Guard Rifle Clubs must be spon sored by Territorial Army Associations. (b) Territorial Aimy Associations must .obtain approval from the War OfiBce before sponsoring in order that the overall total membership of rifle clubs can be restricted to 250,000. The restriction on membership has been introduced to test the effectiveness of the scheme and to enable possible lia b i l i t i e s t o b e l i m i t e d . C. W AR DEPAR TMENT RANGES (a) Approved Rifle Clubs may use W.D. ranges which are m military use. Application should be made to the Command H e a d q u a r t e r s c o n c e r n e d . . (b) A charge of Is. per member, per year, m accordance with R.E. Services 1940, Part I, para. 182, will be made to cover " wear and tear " ; any unfair wear and tear will be charged to and paid in full by the club causing the damage. (c) Whilst using W.D. ranges rifle clubs will strictly comply with War Office orders regarding use and safety precautions. The annual shoot for the Col. DanieU ChaUenge Cup (Special Constabulary) and the Chief Constable's Challenge Mugs (Re^l^ Police V. Special Constabulary) was held in August on the Pakefield Range. In spite of rainy conditions in the morning a high st^dard of shooting was seen, Halesworth Division wmnmg the Col. Darnell Cup with a total of 541 points, Ipswich Division being runners-up with 528 points. Eye and Lowestoft Divisions scoring 524 and 515 respectively. (Possible, 600). This was a popular win by Halesworth, who had gone all out to break a series of wins by the Ipswich Division, the latter being happy to congratulate the new holders. The six best shots from the Special Constabulary then enpged the^ opposite numbers in the Regular Police, defeating them by 413 pomp agamst 399 (possible, 450). The Chief Constable, in presenhng tte prizes, congratulated all concerned, and expressed thanks to Capt. H. St. G. Maxwell of the Suftblk County R.A., for takmg charge of the shoot and to the various persons responsible for the orgamsation. The day concluded in sunshine with an excellent tea, arrangements for which had been made by the Lowestoft Division, who also were responsible A for the range. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >