IMPERIALCHALLENGE SHIELD

An N.R.A. MEDAL

WWI Imperial Challenge Shield Small Bore Rifle Silver Medal
Date: 1918
An accompanying letter with this medal reads:

"Trophy received as Member of Naval Team (Cadets Reserves) which won Imperial Challenge Shield Competition (World Competition) in 1918... for .22 Small Bore Rifle Shooting"

"Under the auspices of the National Rifle Association, the following annual competition, founded in 1910, will be held again in 1919 throughout the British Empire. A silver challenge shield, value £100, a bronze replica as well as silver and bronze commemorative medals, and many money prizes are again offered by Lieutenant-colonel Raymond W Ffennell, of South Africa. The Imperial Challenge Shield competition (junior): The object of this competition is to encourage every boy throughout the British Empire to learn how to use a rifle. In 1918 1,463 teams, or about 15,000 boys, entered for the senior and junior Imperial challenge shield competitions from all parts of the British Empire. It is the intention of the donor that the prize moneys should be utilised to help progress in rifle shooting of the units concerned, and not be given to the individual members of winning teams. This match may be fired on any day (except Sundays) between 1st February and 30th June 1919 (inclusive), on any range (open or covered) in any part of the British Empire. The competition is open to any Cadet corps throughout the British Empire. A team must consist of not less than eight, to fire at a distance of 25 yards, the targets used being (1) 200 yards Bisley 3rd class bull’s-eye target, 1913 dimensions reduced for 25 yards, (2) 500 yards Bisley 2nd class figure target, 1913 dimensions, reduced for 25 yards; number of shots – 20; 10 at each class of target; rifle, any single loading rifle taking ammunition not larger than .230. The foresight must be barleycorn, knife blade or solid bead, with or without a protecting hood. Back sights of any pattern, fixed or adjustable both vertically and laterally, but not fitted with glasses, telescopes, or levels. Minimum pull-off of 4lb; deliberate fire from a standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone position. The entrance fee is only 1s from each team. First prize the Challenge Shield, bronze replica, silver medals, and £15; second prize, bronze medals and £10; third prize, bronze medals and £5. Sixteen prizes of £3 and 11 of £2. Bronze medals will also be awarded to the fourth and subsequent teams in order of merit, in proportion of one set of medals for every 50 teams which send in complete register cards and targets. One prize of £2 will be added for every 10 teams (above 100) which send in complete register cards and targets. In addition, in order to assist towards the expense of ammunition and to encourage the poorer units, a prize of 20s will be given to all organisations whose teams average 70 points or over; and 10s where teams average 50 to 69 points – this is provided they do not participate in the prize list. Special prizes will be given to units that enter successfully a considerable number of teams. In 1917, £532 in cash and 162 silver and bronze medals were distributed in prizes to competitors for the Imperial Challenge Shields. The minimum team of any unit will be eight shooting members, and units whose strength of members (between the ages of 15 and 11 years on 30th June 1919) exceeds 30 must add one member for every 15 (or part of a5) members in excess of that number. For instance, a unit with strength up to 30 may enter a team of eight; a unit with strength of 31 to 45 a team of nine; and so on. As the strength of units will vary, the position of each team in the prize list will be decided not by the total score made, but by the average per member shooting. The date for making entries closed on 1st April, but post entries may be made till 1st May, subject to payment of 3s 6d – i.e. 1s entrance fee, plus 2s 6d post fee. On inquiry I find that 13 teams have entered from the Dunedin group and a total of 26 teams from the Otago military district, comprising a total of 289 Cadets firing. As only four teams entered for the whole of the Otago military district last year, it is extremely pleasing to note what an increased interest is being taken by Cadets in miniature rifle shooting in this district. All the lads in the Dunedin group are practising hard at the Kensington range, and the result of their efforts will be keenly watched for. I am afraid we cannot give the Dunedin public much of the credit for the evident increased interest on the part of our lads. As far as encouraging the Cadet movement generally, and their shooting in particular is concerned, Dunedin is absolutely dead. In all the other centres many large firms and organisations take a lively interest in the shooting of Cadets, and give handsome prizes for competition. Knowing how well Dunedin has responded to all calls, however heavy, during the war, I feel sure that it only requires a gentle reminder to stir up some enthusiasm in the Dunedin public to get them to come forward with prizes for competition and thus encourage the lads to become first-class shots. It may surprise some to know that, with the exception of the above Imperial competition and the Godley Cup competition, presented to the best shot in any one company throughout the Dominion, based on the class firing for the year, there is not a single competition held for all Cadet companies throughout the Otago military district. Wake up, Otago and see to it that our Cadets are not left behind through lack of support and encouragement on your part."

Return to: TOP of PAGE

See this website's Raison d'être