The Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club
Encyclopedia
Located in Earlsfield
in South West London
, the Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club is one of the oldest clubs belonging to the National Small-bore Rifle Association.
The club has indoor and outdoor ranges for small-bore rifle target shooting, as well as air pistol and air rifle facilities.
Council Lt. Genl. Sir Frederick Lance KCB and Mr F.J. Liddington started the club. Christening it the Earlsfield & District Rifle Club, they and the 70 members of the club were allowed to use the Public Baths as an indoor range during the winter.
It was in the following year that the club was renamed to the Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club and the borough council granted a piece of land near the River Wandle
of approximately two acres at a nominal rent for the erection of an indoor and outdoor range. The site is still occupied by the club.
When the First World War started, the club lived up to its motto, "For The Empire", providing facilities for drill and rifle shooting. Some 2000 men enrolled from the area and a large number of these joined the regular forces and saw action on the fronts.
The club has kept itself in the forefront of .22 rifle shooting since its earliest days Members have been selected to represent Great Britain
in Olympic
, Commonwealth
, Nordic & World Games. Other members have been selected to represent England & Scotland at NSRA Open meetings held once a year at Bisley and Scotland. Lady Members have also been selected to shoot in their respective County Teams
Earlsfield
Earlsfield is an area within the London Borough of Wandsworth, London, England.Earlsfield is a typical London suburb and comprises mostly residential Victorian terraced houses with a high street of shops, bars, and restaurants between Garratt Lane, Allfarthing Lane, and Burntwood Lane...
in South West London
South West (London sub region)
The South West is a sub-region of the London Plan corresponding to the London Boroughs of London Borough of , Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth. The sub region was established in 2008. The south west has a population of 1,600,000 and is the location...
, the Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club is one of the oldest clubs belonging to the National Small-bore Rifle Association.
The club has indoor and outdoor ranges for small-bore rifle target shooting, as well as air pistol and air rifle facilities.
History
The inception of the Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club dates back to 1903 when members of the Borough of WandsworthMetropolitan Borough of Wandsworth
The Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth was a Metropolitan borough under the London County Council, from 1900 to 1965.The borough was formed from five civil parishes: Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth...
Council Lt. Genl. Sir Frederick Lance KCB and Mr F.J. Liddington started the club. Christening it the Earlsfield & District Rifle Club, they and the 70 members of the club were allowed to use the Public Baths as an indoor range during the winter.
It was in the following year that the club was renamed to the Borough of Wandsworth Rifle Club and the borough council granted a piece of land near the River Wandle
River Wandle
The River Wandle is a river in south-east England. The names of the river and of Wandsworth are thought to have derived from the Old English "Wendlesworth" meaning "Wendle's Settlement". The river runs through southwest London and is about long...
of approximately two acres at a nominal rent for the erection of an indoor and outdoor range. The site is still occupied by the club.
When the First World War started, the club lived up to its motto, "For The Empire", providing facilities for drill and rifle shooting. Some 2000 men enrolled from the area and a large number of these joined the regular forces and saw action on the fronts.
The club has kept itself in the forefront of .22 rifle shooting since its earliest days Members have been selected to represent Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, Commonwealth
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
, Nordic & World Games. Other members have been selected to represent England & Scotland at NSRA Open meetings held once a year at Bisley and Scotland. Lady Members have also been selected to shoot in their respective County Teams