Box Rifle Club Roger Oliver September 2022
The target end of the original Rifle Club building (courtesy Roger Oliver)
Box Rifle Club was formed because of the Boer War in South Africa when it was realised by the government and the military that the Boers were better marksmen than our troops. As a patriotic gesture, shooting clubs were started all over the country in towns and villages to respond better to any threats to the nation.
During the Boer War Robert Baden Powell was decorated for bravery at the siege of Mafeking. He realised the importance of scouts which were used to great effect during the conflict. They were very mobile and could shoot from horseback. When Baden Powell returned to England, he set about creating the Scout movement for boys, using the knowledge he had gained in the conflict. Scouts were also taught to shoot. This is why, to this day, there has always been a link between Scouts and the Rifle Club. Another connection is Mr Chris Sparrow, a solicitor from Queens Square, Bath, who lived at The Retreat, Box. He was active in both clubs for many years.
During the Boer War Robert Baden Powell was decorated for bravery at the siege of Mafeking. He realised the importance of scouts which were used to great effect during the conflict. They were very mobile and could shoot from horseback. When Baden Powell returned to England, he set about creating the Scout movement for boys, using the knowledge he had gained in the conflict. Scouts were also taught to shoot. This is why, to this day, there has always been a link between Scouts and the Rifle Club. Another connection is Mr Chris Sparrow, a solicitor from Queens Square, Bath, who lived at The Retreat, Box. He was active in both clubs for many years.
Roger’s wife Angela with Mr Birch at the original range in the late 1960s (courtesy Roger Oliver).
Early Rifle Club
The Box Rifle Club appears to have been formed in 1902 when Britain was still actively fighting the Second Boer War.
A newspaper report by Sir John Dickson Poynder MP in 1905 gave details of the early story of the club.[1] For a short time during the war, its membership numbered 80 people but the roll diminished after the patriotic fervour of the military engagement was over and when economic recession had made itself felt in Box. Thereafter, numbers fell back to 35 or so. The early organisers of the club were James E Milsom and Dr James P Martin. The club had borrowed £80 from a bank to get it started, which still needed repaying four years later. By 1905 there were some 200 clubs throughout Britain. Confirmation of the official starting date was given in 1906 when James Milsom was given a miniature rifle as a token of esteem for acting as hon secretary since the formation of the club nearly four years ago.[2]
There had been earlier attempts to get a Box Rifle Club started after the First Boer War. In 1896 David Milsom, father of James, had acted as warden of the Box Rifle Club.[3] David (known ironically as Eight-Foot because of his small stature) was a quarry foreman for the Bath and Portland Stone Firms, an active volunteer in the Somerset Light Infantry but too old to serve in the Great War. His commitment to military service found expression in the Box Rifle Club.
By 1906, the club had become a village institution with an annual Christmas shoot with members of the public awarding prizes, including Daniel Bingham, Ralph Skeate Ponting, Samuel Morgan Sweetland and Edwin Bishop. It reflected a general desire to equip the Empire with men who could be of useful service. In the club’s archives is a documentary report of a shooting match between Batheaston and Box on 17 December 1906.[4] The report said that the match was shot on the range of the former club on 17 December. Conditions: eight men a side, seven rounds each and one sighter. Roberts targets, Bisley scoring, distance 25 yards, any rifle. The Box shooters were James Edmund Milsom (captain) from 2 Rock Cottages, Box Hill; Dr James Pirie Martin;
H Gale, Ben Vezey, Edwin Skeate Pinchin, Edward Blake, Edward John Smith and George Bradfield. The report continued:
By NRA scoring the match was a tie. It had been agreed, however that, in the event of a tie, to decide the match on decimal scoring, which resulted in Box winning by five points. As this was Batheaston’s first match, they are to be congratulated on making such a creditable start. The scorecard read as follows:
The Box Rifle Club appears to have been formed in 1902 when Britain was still actively fighting the Second Boer War.
A newspaper report by Sir John Dickson Poynder MP in 1905 gave details of the early story of the club.[1] For a short time during the war, its membership numbered 80 people but the roll diminished after the patriotic fervour of the military engagement was over and when economic recession had made itself felt in Box. Thereafter, numbers fell back to 35 or so. The early organisers of the club were James E Milsom and Dr James P Martin. The club had borrowed £80 from a bank to get it started, which still needed repaying four years later. By 1905 there were some 200 clubs throughout Britain. Confirmation of the official starting date was given in 1906 when James Milsom was given a miniature rifle as a token of esteem for acting as hon secretary since the formation of the club nearly four years ago.[2]
There had been earlier attempts to get a Box Rifle Club started after the First Boer War. In 1896 David Milsom, father of James, had acted as warden of the Box Rifle Club.[3] David (known ironically as Eight-Foot because of his small stature) was a quarry foreman for the Bath and Portland Stone Firms, an active volunteer in the Somerset Light Infantry but too old to serve in the Great War. His commitment to military service found expression in the Box Rifle Club.
By 1906, the club had become a village institution with an annual Christmas shoot with members of the public awarding prizes, including Daniel Bingham, Ralph Skeate Ponting, Samuel Morgan Sweetland and Edwin Bishop. It reflected a general desire to equip the Empire with men who could be of useful service. In the club’s archives is a documentary report of a shooting match between Batheaston and Box on 17 December 1906.[4] The report said that the match was shot on the range of the former club on 17 December. Conditions: eight men a side, seven rounds each and one sighter. Roberts targets, Bisley scoring, distance 25 yards, any rifle. The Box shooters were James Edmund Milsom (captain) from 2 Rock Cottages, Box Hill; Dr James Pirie Martin;
H Gale, Ben Vezey, Edwin Skeate Pinchin, Edward Blake, Edward John Smith and George Bradfield. The report continued:
By NRA scoring the match was a tie. It had been agreed, however that, in the event of a tie, to decide the match on decimal scoring, which resulted in Box winning by five points. As this was Batheaston’s first match, they are to be congratulated on making such a creditable start. The scorecard read as follows:
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Box
JE Milsom (capt) 26 JP Martin 29 H Gale 30 B Vezey 29 ES Pinchin 27 E Blake 32 EJ Smith 25 G Bradfield 31 Total 229 |
Batheaston
AJ Smart (capt) 32 WA Bryant 29 H Lavington 30 R Compton 28 L Smith 30 I Packer 25 H Bence 28 HI Bath 27 Total 229 |
James Edmund Milsom took part in the first ever Queen Alexandra Cup at Bisley in July 1907, when he represented the county of Wiltshire.[5] His score was 158 (86 + 72) and that of T Howe 179 (96 + 83). Although he had missed out on winning the final, he still collected a medal at Buckingham Palace. Another early match was between the Chippenham Constitutional Club and Box on 3 July 1907.[6] The conditions were identical and much of the team was the same, except for J Wilson, P Vezey and A Bradfield. Chippenham won by 29 points.
The Box Range
The date of the first club house can also be established from a report dated September 1903: This club .. has recently had erected a commodious rifle shed, which will doubtless prove much more convenient than the National Schoolroom (Box School) where, up to the present, practices have taken place. The work was done by EJ Smith of Box.[7] This was the building shown in the headline photo.
Daniel George Bingham was very keen on shooting and, after his relocation to Cirencester, he set up a Bingham Hall Rifle Range in that town, which the Box Club visited in 1911. The Bath Tramways Motor Bus took the Box men to Cirencester and a newspaper report in April 1911 listed the Box participants as A Bradfield, WRH Ray, G Lodge, F Jennings, H Lodge, J King, R Reason, F Merrett, Dr JP Martin, G Bradfield and W Maslen.[8] The club was open to women shooters and Mrs JE Milsom outscored her husband and their son in a competition in 1912.[9]
We can find out more about the Box Club from the original club minute book and The Daily Mail Certificates that the Open Range at Box Hill comprised 10 shots at 50 yards on 6 April 1913 and in later reports that year it was 10 shots at 100 yards. This must have been in one of the many quarries on Box Hill, possibly in the Long Quarry near the Tunnel Inn.[10]
After the First World War, shooting resumed in local clubs. The people who kept the club going in these early years included Cecil Lambert, Francis Herbert Richards, G Sorbell, Francis Lambert, Mr Greenman, EJ Smith, Robert Bence, John Bence, Tom Bence, Dr James Pirie Martin, Percy Eyles, L Monk, John King, J Mullins and Mrs Scott.
Closure and World War II
The club appears to have closed in 1933 and was re-opened on 30 December 1941 by Cecil Lambert. The club building was in a bad state and had to be restored for the Home Guard who then used it for target practice in readiness for war training and peppered the target end with bullet holes.
There were more changes after the end of the war. Mr P Eyles retired having been club secretary from the date of its re-opening until 1946. His son Graham had just returned from South Wales where he had served as a Bevin Boy in the coal mines. Graham served as the club’s secretary for the next 15 years. The club records show that Graham rented an allotment at the range for
10 shillings (50p) after the war.
The date of the first club house can also be established from a report dated September 1903: This club .. has recently had erected a commodious rifle shed, which will doubtless prove much more convenient than the National Schoolroom (Box School) where, up to the present, practices have taken place. The work was done by EJ Smith of Box.[7] This was the building shown in the headline photo.
Daniel George Bingham was very keen on shooting and, after his relocation to Cirencester, he set up a Bingham Hall Rifle Range in that town, which the Box Club visited in 1911. The Bath Tramways Motor Bus took the Box men to Cirencester and a newspaper report in April 1911 listed the Box participants as A Bradfield, WRH Ray, G Lodge, F Jennings, H Lodge, J King, R Reason, F Merrett, Dr JP Martin, G Bradfield and W Maslen.[8] The club was open to women shooters and Mrs JE Milsom outscored her husband and their son in a competition in 1912.[9]
We can find out more about the Box Club from the original club minute book and The Daily Mail Certificates that the Open Range at Box Hill comprised 10 shots at 50 yards on 6 April 1913 and in later reports that year it was 10 shots at 100 yards. This must have been in one of the many quarries on Box Hill, possibly in the Long Quarry near the Tunnel Inn.[10]
After the First World War, shooting resumed in local clubs. The people who kept the club going in these early years included Cecil Lambert, Francis Herbert Richards, G Sorbell, Francis Lambert, Mr Greenman, EJ Smith, Robert Bence, John Bence, Tom Bence, Dr James Pirie Martin, Percy Eyles, L Monk, John King, J Mullins and Mrs Scott.
Closure and World War II
The club appears to have closed in 1933 and was re-opened on 30 December 1941 by Cecil Lambert. The club building was in a bad state and had to be restored for the Home Guard who then used it for target practice in readiness for war training and peppered the target end with bullet holes.
There were more changes after the end of the war. Mr P Eyles retired having been club secretary from the date of its re-opening until 1946. His son Graham had just returned from South Wales where he had served as a Bevin Boy in the coal mines. Graham served as the club’s secretary for the next 15 years. The club records show that Graham rented an allotment at the range for
10 shillings (50p) after the war.
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After the War In 1960 the club changed its name from the Box Miniature Rifle Club to the Box Small-bore Rifle Club in keeping with the latest trends in shooting events. Shooting continued in the old range building until 1972. By then the building was no longer suitable, described as made of wood and corrugated sheeting which had been in use since before the First World War.[11] Plans were made for a new premises. With grants from Wiltshire County Council and the Sports Council, the club amassed funds of £850 with plans to purchase and build a new club house. Most of the bureaucracy including planning approval was undertaken by Ken Edgell who worked at County Hall, Trowbridge. Andy Jackson of Shaw undertook most of the construction supervision and work, with members providing labouring manpower. Many members went home after meetings with aching backs and sore knees, as they weren’t accustomed to manual labour or working with wet concrete. |
The new range in construction with the old one in the background (courtesy Roger Oliver)
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The new range was completed in 1973 in the same area but in a different position. But it couldn’t open immediately. Before shooting could begin Major Ireland, the Army Safety Officer for the south-west, required changes before a safety certificate could be issued. By then, the cost of the building had escalated to £1,700, which necessitated more fundraising.
Two distinct shooting disciplines were undertaken: 0.22-inch rifle at 25 yards and 0.22-inch pistol at 20 metres. Because of the difference in styles between rifle and pistol, meetings were held on different evenings. The club membership at that time was 45 and Richard Browning of Brownings Garage donated a set of coach seats to line the club room and make the place very comfortable.
Two distinct shooting disciplines were undertaken: 0.22-inch rifle at 25 yards and 0.22-inch pistol at 20 metres. Because of the difference in styles between rifle and pistol, meetings were held on different evenings. The club membership at that time was 45 and Richard Browning of Brownings Garage donated a set of coach seats to line the club room and make the place very comfortable.
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The new Rifle Range (without roof) in construction 1972-73 Left: The old range and the Scout Hall in the background and
Right: Colin Worthing assembling the roof trusses (both courtesy Roger Oliver)
Right: Colin Worthing assembling the roof trusses (both courtesy Roger Oliver)
Club in 1970s and 80s
One of the club members, Alan Sutton, was chosen to shoot for the Great Britain Pistol Team, which he did for many years. Throughout the 1970s and 80s the club continued shooting in local competitions with varied successes. One of the highlights was the annual trip to the South West Counties Championship held either at Okehampton or Moretonhampstead. This was a weekend away and great fun. If the weather was stormy at Okehampton, those people about to shoot would look through their sights and watch in dismay as the wind blew the target off its frame, never to be seen again. And there was always a beer tent to restore everyone’s pleasure.
During these decades the club was run by Richard Haddrell as secretary and Tony Haddrell as chairman, brothers who unfortunately passed away at an early age. In the 1980s the Melksham 204 Rifle Club had to vacate their premises. They joined with the Box Club. This significantly increased membership numbers and some are still with the club in 2022, four decades later. Martin Adams of Melksham 204 became secretary in 1991, where he continues in 2022, having done a sterling job.
One of the club members, Alan Sutton, was chosen to shoot for the Great Britain Pistol Team, which he did for many years. Throughout the 1970s and 80s the club continued shooting in local competitions with varied successes. One of the highlights was the annual trip to the South West Counties Championship held either at Okehampton or Moretonhampstead. This was a weekend away and great fun. If the weather was stormy at Okehampton, those people about to shoot would look through their sights and watch in dismay as the wind blew the target off its frame, never to be seen again. And there was always a beer tent to restore everyone’s pleasure.
During these decades the club was run by Richard Haddrell as secretary and Tony Haddrell as chairman, brothers who unfortunately passed away at an early age. In the 1980s the Melksham 204 Rifle Club had to vacate their premises. They joined with the Box Club. This significantly increased membership numbers and some are still with the club in 2022, four decades later. Martin Adams of Melksham 204 became secretary in 1991, where he continues in 2022, having done a sterling job.
Left to Right: Graham Eyles, Colin Worthing, Ken Edgell, and Philip Martin (photo courtesy Philip Martin)
Changes after 1996
The Dunblane Massacre of 1996 put a stop to pistol shooting with live ammunition, promptly banned by the government and all pistols had to be surrendered to the police. Serious pistol shooters changed to air pistols 0.177-inch calibre /4.5 mm. Some also changed to air rifles. It was realised that the same competitions could be shot using air weapons as with 0.22-inch ammunition. The air weapons section flourished under Daryl Dobson and later Ralph Bellamy. Ralph was responsible for introducing shooting for the visually impaired.
It seems a contradiction in terms – how can people shoot when they are visually limited? The answer is that the rifle used has a telescope mounted on it which is full of electronics connected to earphones which convert light to sound. The target is 10 metres away and is illuminated by a powerful white light. The scope detects the light and sends a signal through the earphones. Once the rifle is aimed at the centre of the light, a hum in the earpiece changes from a hum to a high-pitched noise and the shooter pulls the trigger. An able-bodied person stands next to the visually impaired shooter as they start and says Up a bit, left a bit not unlike Bernie the Bolt in the television programme The Golden Shot.
The old club rifles have been replaced by modern versions and gradually the building has been modernised. Because of Covid, the coach seats donated by Richard Browning have had to be removed in order to properly sanitise the club house. During the restrictions, shooting had to be done by appointment in one-hour sessions until normality returned.
The Dunblane Massacre of 1996 put a stop to pistol shooting with live ammunition, promptly banned by the government and all pistols had to be surrendered to the police. Serious pistol shooters changed to air pistols 0.177-inch calibre /4.5 mm. Some also changed to air rifles. It was realised that the same competitions could be shot using air weapons as with 0.22-inch ammunition. The air weapons section flourished under Daryl Dobson and later Ralph Bellamy. Ralph was responsible for introducing shooting for the visually impaired.
It seems a contradiction in terms – how can people shoot when they are visually limited? The answer is that the rifle used has a telescope mounted on it which is full of electronics connected to earphones which convert light to sound. The target is 10 metres away and is illuminated by a powerful white light. The scope detects the light and sends a signal through the earphones. Once the rifle is aimed at the centre of the light, a hum in the earpiece changes from a hum to a high-pitched noise and the shooter pulls the trigger. An able-bodied person stands next to the visually impaired shooter as they start and says Up a bit, left a bit not unlike Bernie the Bolt in the television programme The Golden Shot.
The old club rifles have been replaced by modern versions and gradually the building has been modernised. Because of Covid, the coach seats donated by Richard Browning have had to be removed in order to properly sanitise the club house. During the restrictions, shooting had to be done by appointment in one-hour sessions until normality returned.
The firing point of the new Rifle Club in 2019 (courtesy Roger Oliver)
The Box Rifle Club has totally changed since its creation. It has moved with the times along with the increasing peacefulness of our society and with greater awareness of health and safety and security. But the one constant has been to challenge to the skill and expertise of the shooter, which is why it has become a regular part of the Olympic Games, the first of which was 1896, the year when the Box Club was first proposed.
References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 14 January 1905
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 20 October 1906
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 22 October 1927
[4] The Rifleman, February 1907
[5] The Rifleman, July 1907
[6] The Rifleman, August 1907
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 5 September 1903
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 8 April 1911
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 14 September 1912
[10] Suggestion courtesy Bob Hancock
[11] Courtesy Philip Martin
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 14 January 1905
[2] The Wiltshire Times, 20 October 1906
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 22 October 1927
[4] The Rifleman, February 1907
[5] The Rifleman, July 1907
[6] The Rifleman, August 1907
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 5 September 1903
[8] The Wiltshire Times, 8 April 1911
[9] The Wiltshire Times, 14 September 1912
[10] Suggestion courtesy Bob Hancock
[11] Courtesy Philip Martin