Wednesday 1st August 1906

VISIT OF LORD ROBERTS

Field Marshal Distributes Prizes to Miniature Rifle Clubs

SUCCESSFUL LADY SHOTS

Remarkable Achievements by the Ham and Petersham Rifle Club

The picturesque range of the Ham and Petersham Rifle Club again presented an animated scene on Saturday, the second and concluding day of the meeting of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs. Friday saw much preliminary shooting, but it was the following day which afforded the principal sport. Prominent shots abounded, and excepting a very high wind the weather was approaching the ideal. The function was given a social distinction by Lord Roberts (President of the Society) consenting to distribute the prizes, and there was a fashionable gathering to meet him. The occasion was a part fulfillment of a promise of the Field Marshal, who earlier in the Summer signified his willingness to open the newly constructed range, near Twickenham Ferry. Prior engagements, however, prevented, and, therefore, Lord Roberts agreed to present the prizes won at the club's first shoot, and the opportunity then arose to give away at the same time th prizes won at the annual meeting of the Miniature Association.

Lord Roberts, in company with Lady Edwina Roberts, motored down form town and was entertained to tea by the Earl Dysart at Ham house. thence accompanied by Lord Dysart, who is Patron of the local club, Lord Sudeley, who is President and Colonel WHFD Frodsham, Commanding 31st Regimental District at Kingston, he walked to the range, under a canopy of bunting. At the entrance were drawn up in two lines a guard of honour of the East Surrey Regiment from the depot, about sixty in all, under the command of Captain de la Fontaine, with whom was Lieutenant Whale. In the near background was the band. As the Field Marshal arrived he was met with a general salute, and the band played "General Salute Coburg"

Prizes distributed

Lord Roberts, who was dressed in the usual frock coated attire, evinced an interest in the guard of honour and accompanied by Colonel Frodsham, inspected the lines, chatted with the medal men, and on leaving, heartily shook hands with the Captain and addressed a few words to the Lieutenant. As he made his way to the range, the hero of Kandahar and many an other hard fought field, exhibited a sprightliness that betokened fifty rather than over seventy years. Bemedalled veterans abounded in the enclosure, and each came in for a kindly word from him. An inspection of the range was then made under the guidance of Lord Sudeley.

The crowd was gathered round the table, on which was a magnificent collection of prizes. Amongst those present were Earl Dysart, Viscount Colville (who was a member of the range committee), Lord and Lady Sudeley, General Lord Methuen, General Mackinnon, General Lance, General Sir Robert Biddulph, General C Luard, General Sir Harry Prendergast, Col Frodsham, Capt C Sergison, Mr. W J St. Loe Strachey, Sir James Szlumper, Sir Charles Elliott, Mr W Sandover (Mayor of Richmond) and Mrs Sandover, Mr G Cave KC (MP for the Kingston division), Miss Cavendish-Bentinck, Messrs J Walker, Fowler, GT Biddulph, Albert Chancellor and others

Lord Sudeley said he would open the proceedings by calling upon Field Marshal Earl Roberts to present the prizes. It would be the merest presumption on his part to say a single word in introducing him: the name of Earl Roberts was known to every one of them (Applause). Earl Roberts had endeared himself to every man in the country, not only for his great and brilliant achievements in the past, but because at present he was deeply devoting himself to a work of great magnitude with a wonderful ability and an untiring energy. Lord Roberts desire was to show the people of this country how entirely unprepared they were for any great national crisis, and his endeavour was to make it a reality that all men in the country were trained in rifle shooting. When that was really accomplished, every body would be able to defend their hearth and home. (Applause)

Lord Roberts' Ideal

Lord Roberts, who received an enthusiastic ovation, said it was a real pleasure for him to be present that afternoon, and to find himself among so many people who must of necessity be interested in rifle shooting, or they would not be there that day. It was impossible to tell how gratified he was that the Ham and Petersham Rifle Club, which he believed was started only a few months ago, had proved to be so successful. Their arrangements, the range itself, and the butts were excellent, while certainly he never expected to see such a magnificent show of prizes. That the Club has prospered was due not only to the interest which the members had taken in it, but also to the great encouragement which it had received from friends and neighbours. (Applause) Lord Sudeley, Lord Dysart (the owner and the lessee of the site of the range) and the prize donors all deserved the utmost credit. He would give them his most sincere thanks for the help they were giving to the great work he wanted to see carried out - rifle shooting to become a pastime all over the country.

He did not think he would need to take up much of their time, but he would tell them in a few words why he was so keen about rifle shooting. He had been in situations with men who could shoot and with men who could not shoot, and he left them to judge what his feelings were to the respective sets of men. He thought that they would feel, as he did, that men should be taught to shoot before they were sent to the field./ It was undoubtedly an absolute necessity, that all able bodied men should use a rifle with some kind of skill, and his view was that if long ranges could not be acquired, miniature ranges should be secured. They would not always get such excellent miniature ranges as this, but sites could be found in vaults, the tops of warehouses, long warehouses and underground passages. Recently he had opened a good many ranges in such places, and they were doing excellent work.

Lord Sudeley had touched upon an excellent point about which there was no secret. He was very keen that in addition to rifle shooting, all able-bodied men should have some drill to enable them to take their parts, if necessary, in defence of their hearths and homes. (Loud Applause) By the enthusiastic manner in which this last sentiment was generously received throughout the country, if was his belief that the introduction of some kind of universal training was not regarded by the majority as so terrible a thing as some would make them believe. Training such as that gave them qualities which were attributes in civil life. That day for instance he had been delighted to see so many men, who had served him in many parts of the world, all looking respectable. Of course not all ex-soldiers could succeed; but there were many poor fellows who failed in all walks of life. He hoped the time would not be far distant when all men and boys in particular would understand the necessity of making themselves able to defend their country.

He wished the Ham and Petersham Club all success. It had begun well, and he believed it would go on well. He thanked Lord Sudeley and all others who locally had helped in the furtherance of his great wish, from the bottom of his heart. (Applause) The prizes were then distributed, with the exception of one or two attaching to competitions in which the results were not yet known, and Miss A M Robertson's prize, which is to be a portrait of Lord Roberts. The latter in person, however, shook hands with Miss Robertson, and congratulated her upon her success. Lord Sudeley's Trophies were made by himself and were clever specimens of workmanship.

Australian Interest

After the ceremony, the Mayor of Richmond proposed a vote of thanks to Lord Roberts, whose presence had made a successful meeting even more successful. Such a gathering as that must be an encouragement to the Field Marshal in the propagation of the work he had taken up. As an Australian, belonging to what was veritably a nation of shots, he (the speaker) could say that Lord Roberts' scheme was attracting interest throughout the length and breadth of that land, and from it came a wish for the success of this patriotic work.

Mr. George Cave MP seconded the resolution. Lord Roberts returned thanks and expressed pleasure that among the winners should be ladies. He believed in ladies taking an interest in shooting; they would infuse a similar interest in their husbands and children. Then the gallant Earl stopped in some confusion, but a sympathetic ripple of laughter from the ladies showed him his silence was as well understood as any expression could be. Lord Roberts and Lady Edwina Roberts then left for town by moor car.

Results (Ham and Petersham interest)

London Centre Championship Cup Competition (at 50 yards and advanced at 25 yards) 2nd G S Powell, 4th R Wickham, 5th G Taylor, 10th W Collins. A special prize goes to G S Powell presented by the "Richmond and Twickenham Times" which was to be awarded to the member of any Rifle Club at Richmond, Twickenham, Petersham, Kingston, Surbiton, Mortlake and Sheen, not being the winner of the first prize but who occupies the next highest position in the competition.

The "Regiment Challenge Team Competition (egg shooting at 100 yards) 1st Ham and Petersham 2nd Team, 2nd Southfields 2nd Team, 3rd Borough of Wandsworth.

A remarkable feature of this competition was the misfortune of A E Warner, a member of the Ham and Petersham 2nd team who accidentally shot himself through the right foot. He was conveyed in a carriage to Richmond Hospital, where his wound was treated, and is now making very satisfactory progress. The 2nd team, who were in the final, were thus heavily handicapped, but Southfields, to whom they were opposed, in a most sporting way, stood one of their men down.

The "Broome Martin" Challenge (at 25 yards) 1st Southfields, 2nd Ham and Petersham 2nd team

"Daily Telegraph" Challenge Cup (at 25 yards and 50 yards) 1st Ham and Petersham 3rd team

Lord Sudeley Challenge trophy 1st A Keen (Wandsworth) 83 after tie, 2nd H A Mathieson 83, 3rd G S Powell (Ham and Petersham) 80

New Zealand Challenge Shield 1st G S Powell (H&P) 285, 2nd Miss A M Robinson (Richmond and H&P)

The "Cockburn" Cup moving target at 25 yards 1st H J H Taylor 90

The "R" Challenge Shield (at 50 yards) 1st R Wickham (H&P) 93 after a tie

The "Gosling" Cup (at 25 yards) 1st H J Galloway (Windsor House) 96, 2nd H J Taylor (H&P) 93

Luard Competition (at 25 yards) 1st E Thorne (H&P) 35 hits, 2nd G S Taylor (H&P) 32 hits.

Addition to article in Saturday Edition

Mr J Warner has been notified during the week that the prize offered by Messrs Leach Bros of Richmond in connection with the Cockburn Cup, to any local who obtained the highest score after the prizewinner has been won by W Collins of Ham and Petersham with a score of 84

In the Daily Telegraph competition Ham and Petersham entered three teams all of whom got placed. The 2nd team, as already stated was first, the 1st team was second with 751 and the 2nd team third with 740. They were only permitted one prize however.

The Welsh Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs will hold their annual meeting at the Ely Racecourse on Aug 22, 23, 24 and 25. the Ham and Petersham Club are sending a team to compete.