The GLIO Site

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT VOLUNTEER PRIZE MEETING.

     The volunteer prize meeting, which took place at Browndown on Tuesday last, may be considered to have been a great success, when it is remembered that the proposal to hold a county meeting this year was only mooted a few weeks since, and consequently that the arrangements had to be made in considerable haste. The attendance of volunteers was very good, upwards of two hundred being present, and for one prize there were 160 competitors. The weather was remarkably fine, although not very favourable for shooting, a strong wind blowing during the day. Great praise is due to Col. Ford, Lieut. Kelsall, the hon. treasurer, Sergeant Pink, hon. secretary, (by whom, it is only due to him to say, the idea was started,) and the other members of the committee, who worked like Trojans to ensure the success of the meeting. Adjutants Gordon (2nd battalion Hants Rifle Volunteers), Cooke, (3rd battalion Hants Rifle Volunteers) and Naish (1st brigade Hants Artillery Volunteers), were present and rendered material assistance. The competition was spirited and well sustained throughout, and, happily, not the slightest accident occurred to mar the pleasures of the day. Mr. Coleman, of Fareham, supplied the refreshments and his catering gave general satisfaction.

     Some fine practice was made by the Isle of Wight riflemen, and it will be seen that of the £100 competed for, £76 was carried off by them; £14 comes to Portsmouth, £5 to Gosport, and £5 to Petersfield. Private C. Bullock, of the 4th Isle of Wight (Nunwell) Corps, was very fortunate and succeeded in carrying off the first prizes (£10 each) in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th competitions. The highest prize of the meeting fell to Private Cook, of the 7th Isle of Wight (Cowes) Corps, who also won the fifth prize in the third competition. The two carbine prizes of £5 were won by Portsmouth volunteers—the first Gunner Paddy, 3rd Hants A.V., and the second by Corporal F. Greetham, 2nd Hants A.V. Hythe position and Wimbledon targets and scoring—hits and points counting—were observed in all the competitions.

     We append the results of the day’s shooting, with the principal scores obtained in each competition. 

FIRST COMPETITION. —Open to all enrolled Volunteers of the County and Isle of Wight. £30 divided into six prizes. 1st prize, £12 ; 2nd ditto, £6; 3rd ditto, £3 ; 4th ditto, £2; 5th ditto, £2; and a prize of £5 to the highest score at 200 yards made by carbines. Ranges 200 and 500 yards. Five shots at each range. 170 entered for this prize and 160 fired.

     The first prize was taken by Private Cook; the second by Lance-Corporal Read; the third by Private Fidler; the fourth by Sergeant Blake; and the fifth Sergeant Rout. The four latter shot off their ties at 500 yards as follows: —Read, bull’s eye; Fidler, centre; Blake, outer; and Rout, miss. Gunner Paddy, having made the highest carbine score at 200 yards, was the winner of the prize of £5.

(12th Hants from Petersfield highlighted. Ed)

     In addition to the above, eight competitors scored 19, and eleven others 18. Among the former were Private McCheane, 5th Hants, Corporal A Pell and Private Hornsey, 2nd Hants, and Sergeant Blackman, 8th Hants. Among the 18’s were Private Riddett, Private Godwin and Private H Sperring, of the 5th Hants; colour-sergeant L Brett, of the 6th Hants; Private Jenkins, 2nd Hants; Private Hill, 7th Hants; Private Chitty, 17th Hants; and Corporal Knight, 20th Hants.

SECOND COMPETITION.—Open to all enrolled Volunteers of the County and Isle of Wight. £20 divided into four prizes. 1st prize, £10; 2nd ditto, £5; 3rd ditto, £3; 4th ditto, £2. Seven shots at 300 yards.

There were 154 entries, and 148 competed.

Private Bullock took the first prize; Private Compigné the second; Private Brook the third; Corporal Stratton the fourth. The last three shot off their ties, which created some little interest. At the first shot Compigné and Brook each made a centre, and Stratton a miss—he therefore stood fourth. The next shot Compigné and Brook each made a bull’s eye, and at the third shot Compigné made another bull’s eye; Brook then went on and missed; he therefore stood third and Compigné second.

     Among those who scored 13 were Sergeant Snape, 6th Hants; Color-Sergeant Bryett, 6th Hants; Sergeant Caplen, 12th Hants; Sergeant Pink, 7th Hants; Private Sperring, 5th Hants; Private Cousins, 4th Hants; Corporal Stubbs and Private Hall, 1st Hants; and four others. Twelve scored 12, among them being Private Godwin, 5th Hants; Corporal Pink, 7th Hants; and Private Knight, 7th Hants.

THIRD COMPETITION.—THE ASSOCIATION PRIZE.—Open to all subscribers of 5s. and upwards, being enrolled Volunteers of the County and Isle of Wight. £30 divided into seven prizes. 1st prize, £10; 2nd ditto, £6; 3rd ditto, £3; 4th, 5th and 6th, £2 each; and a prize of £5 to the highest score at 300 yards made by carbines. Ranges 300 and 600 yards. Five shots at each range. 158 entered and 129 competed.

     The first prize again fell to Private Bullock; and the second to Lance-Corporal Read (who also won the second prize in the first competition). In shooting off the ties of 25 at 600 yards, Fidler and List each made a centre at the first shot; in the second shot Fidler made another centre and List an outer. This decided the third and fourth prizes. The three ties of 24 then shot off. At the first shot Cook made an outer and the two others missed; cook therefore took the fifth prize. Quarter-master-Sergeant Ogburn then made a centre, and Corporal Tandy missed; the former therefore took the sixth prize.

FOURTH COMPETITION.—£20 divided into three prizes. 1st prize, £10; 2nd and 3rd ditto, £5 each. Ranges 150 and 250 yards. Five shots at each range. Single targets, no bull’s eyes. 149 entered and 138 competed.

     Private Bullock again took the first prize; Corporal Sibley the second; and Lieut. Chalcraft the third.

     The scores made in this competition were not by any means up to the average, which may be accounted for from the fact that the firing took place about sunset, and the sun was shining up the range in the eyes of the riflemen, which prevented them taking proper aim—in fact some of the targets were hardly discernible.

     Seven scored 19, among them being Sergeant Freemantle, 7th Hants; Colour-Sergeant Chestle, 5th Hants; Corporal Lee, 3rd Hants Artillery. Seven others scored 18.

     Pool firing was kept up with great spirit throughout the day, and some excellent practice was made at 500 and 600 yards, those being the only ranges at the disposal of the committee, the shorter ranges being occupied the whole day with competitors for the different prizes.