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Leader Magazine
WINTER 1961.
SEVENTEEN TROPHIES.
by J/L/Cpl. ANDREWS, 'A' Company, and J/L/Cpl. COLDWELL, 'D' Company.
Regimental Shooting Team
PLEASE QUOTE REF: lead031
THE REGIMENTAL SHOOTING TEAM
Standing - Left to Right
J/Sig. Dickason - J/Pte. Wishart - J/Gnr Hankins - J/Tpr. Cosby, - J/L/Cpl. Andrews - J/Tpr. Chippington - J/L/Cpl. Plowright - J/Tpr. Kent - J/Tpr. Sherratt.
Seated - Left to Right
J/Cpl. Shipway - J/Sgt. Pomroy - Capt. J. Sheppard, R.A. - Colonel J.F. Lake, M.C. - J/Sgt. Boss - J/L/Cpl. Coldwell - J/Sig. Davidson.
Fourteen members of the regiment returned early from leave, at the beginning of term, to practice for the Western Command Weapon Meeting at Altcar. After a lot of hard practice, two teams of six went by Minibus to Lancashire. Sergeant-Major Hopkins (Daddy, to his admirers) and Sgt. Bielby escorted the luggage in a Land Rover. The two reserves travelled to Altcar on Thursday with the Commandant.
On arrival at Altcar we first had a good meal, and then Captain Sheppard, the team captain, took us to the ranges where, the following day, we would be competing. We were very impressed by these well kept ranges, which seemed enormous.
TARGETS AND PLATES
On the Thursday morning at 10.30 a.m., both teams were shooting the first two practices in the Junior Leaders' and Young Soldiers' match. Nine teams were taking part; three from the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion, three from the R.A. Junior Leaders, one from the Depot the Lancastrian Brigade, and our two teams.
Most of us felt a little nervous when the time came for us to shoot, but we soon settled down after we had fired the first shots down the range. The first practice was a deliberate shoot of ten rounds from 300 yards, and the second was a run-down from 300 yards to 200 yards when five shots had to be fired in ninety seconds. We were excited to find that after these two practices we were in the lead. We kept this lead throughout, the 'A' team finishing first with 552 points followed by the 'B' team with 517 points. The Infantry Junior Leaders Bn. 'A' team were placed third with 447 points.
On the Saturday, the two teams shot in the Junior Falling Plate Competition. The 'B' team reached the final, only to be beaten by one plate by the Junior team of the Worcestershire Regiment.
THE SUCCESSFUL TEAMS
Immediately afterwards we were presented with our trophies, seventeen in number, by Lieutenant-General E.D. Howard-Vyse, C.B., C.B.E., M.C., General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command. This was a great honour, and a grand finale to a very successful meeting. Throughout, a great team spirit prevailed and our success was greatly assisted by the permanent staff instructors, whose experience and encouragement proved invaluable.
The teams were: 'A' TEAM: J/Sgts. Boss (Captain) and Pomroy, J/Cpl. Shipway, J/L/Cpl. Plowright, J/Gnr Hankins and J/Sig. Davidson.
'B' TEAM: J/L/Cpls. Coldwell (Captain) and Andrews, J/Tprs. Cosby, Kent and Sherratt and J/Sig. Dickason.
Reserves: J/Pte. Wishart and J/Tpr. Chippington.
In the last twelve months the shooting team have won two major trophies, twelve small trophy cups, four tankards, eight silver medals (A.R.A.), one silver medal (N.S.R.A.), one bronze medal (N.S.R.A.) and twenty-five marksman badges (N.S.R.A.).
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