I was remiss in not posting a final report yesterday - too much time spent in sorting and packing and attending to the great many details at the end of the tour - plus the magnetic attraction of the Open Golf Championship - all proved to be too much!

Nearly everyone has now left Bisley. A few people are touring in the UK or Europe and will come back here for a day or two before flying to Canada. Most have gone straight home.

The Team Dinner on Sunday was a great success. Only one team member had to leave early, so the family was nearly complete. We were pleased to be joined, as our Guest of Honour, by BGen Matthew Overton, Commander of CDLS(London), and several other family members and friends. All told 37 sat down to an excellent meal. Major recognition was accorded to: Jim Paton, top Canadian in the Grand Aggregate; Cadet Mary Patrick, top Under 25 Canadian and winner of the Gerry Ouellette Award, which will be presented  to her in Ottawa; and Renee Paquette, top Under 25 on the Bisley Team. The catering and housekeeping staff were warmly thanked for their tremendous work over the past three weeks. Following brief remarks by the Commandant and BGen Overton, we repaired to the front hall for cheese and port. Some had to rush upstairs to finish packing for early departures on Monday, others, more well organised perhaps, could relax and enjoy the evening.

So, it's over, and it's been quite an experience - certainly for me, and I think for our team members, new and old.

In a few days, after I've got home and gathered my thoughts, I'll offer some general observations on our team and its activities. For now it's time for a little rest!

JCT
       

Well, the shooting is now over and there is just one major function - the final Team Dinner this evening - before the "Captains and the Kings" start to leave tomorrow.

Yesterday was a long and busy day and evening! It was a fine, mild sunny day with a variable and tricky breeze. This made all the competitions challenging and "interesting". I must apologise for not writing a report late in the evening, but I doubt if it would have been decipherable.

The Donaldson Memorial Final was fired late on Friday afternoon. Richard Jeens was the winner at 75.17. Canadians: 23 Jim Paton 73.9; 45 Serge Bissonnette 71.7.

First thing yesterday morning was the Final of the St. George's. The winner after a tie-shoot was David Calvert on 149.21. Canadians: 28 Jim Paton 147.18; 53 Scott Murray 145.17.

Thence to the Mackinnon, long range teams of 12 shooters. This stretched us to the limit and we were very grateful for the assistance of Canadian Cadets with register keeping and the scoreboard. The team score at 900 yards was not too bad, but in the very tricky conditions at 1000 yards most of the wheels came off and I regret have to to say that we again finished in the cellar. Scores: England 1142.100; Ireland 1132.96; Wales 1114.90; Scotland 1111.88; Jersey 1105.90; Australia 1081.69; Guernsey 1068.58; Canada 1065.66. Top scorer for Canada was Cheryl Hearn with 94.7.

In the afternoon, the Queen's 100 fired the Final Stage in windy conditions. Our good friend David Calvert, of the RAF TRC, emerged as the narrow winner with 294.29, from John Warburton 293.35 and Glynn Barnett 293.30. Canadians, a little weary perhaps after the hectic week: 43 Jim Paton 285.27; 72 Serge Bissonnette 280.25; 89 Renee Paquette 277.29.

The Queen's also completed the British Open TR Championship - the "Aggregate of Nearly Everything". Winner was Glynn Barnett with a score of 993.132. Canadians: 14 Jim Paton 977.130 and 39 Serge Bissonnette 966.104.

I had the honour of pinning the gold badge on the winner's sleeve, after which he was enthusiastically carried off the range by the very large RAF contingent. Would that we had at least some TR shooters in Canada from the Canadian Forces to be able to do such a thing at Connaught.

The Prize Giving started at 6:00pm. at which I had the honour of presenting the awards. The array of silverware is tremendously impressive - with many of the trophies quite heavy and often not too secure on their bases. I shook a lot of hands and all in all it was a very warm but moving and exciting experience for me. The DCRA should share in this since my new Vice-Presidency of the NRA recognised the long and close links between our two Associations. I made reference to that in my brief remarks at the ceremony.

And into  the evening .. the chair, contents and bearers arrived at the Canadian Pavilion around 10pm. Dave Calvert was raised and took the Stetson and  cigarette proffered by the buffalo head; his health was drunk by the assembled throng and all went outside for him to fire the first shot from the cannon. The firings were under the control of Alan Bell for the large piece and Alan Fitch for the Sussex Home Guard (1944) RA, with Iain Robertson as "CRO". In addition to Dave Calvert, those granted a firing were: the Commandant with the Adjutant; Jim Paton, three times, for the St George's I and II and the Vee-bull aggregate, in company with members of the Peden family; Cdt Remy Rousseau for the Young Riflemans's Aggregate and Serge Bissonnette for the Police Rifle. The small SHGRA piece, made from .303 Canadian brass dating from 1994, was fired by Colin Brown who was actually in Sussex with the Canadian and then British Armies just prior to D-Day, and by Renee Paquette, the top Under-25 member of our team. It was a jolly evening. Some hardy folk then went on to other clubs to continue the festivities.  I didn't - that was all quite enough!

   

This will be a fairly brief report tonight, although some very improtant competitions were decided.

The premier team match of the meeting, the Kolapore, was fired in the morning. The somewhat tighter ICFRA, rather than NRA, targets were used, so scoring was somewhat lower than in the recent past. That smaller bullseye did not deter the GB Team at 300 yards since they recorded a perfect 400/400! The other teams did not match this at the shortest range but from then on the scores of each of the teams were fairly close. Our team worked very hard but struggled to some degree all morning. Results: 1. GBRT 1173.133; 2. Jersey 1163.115; 3. Australia 1157.107; 4. Guernsey 1155.93; 5. Canada 1149.87.

The Queen's Second Stage was fired in the afternoon. I'm delighted to record that three members of our team have qualified for the Final: Renee Paquette, Serge Bissonnette and Jim Paton. In addition, there are four Canadian Cadets in the Final: Y. Jin, A. Kurd, E. Clarke and M Patrick. Congratulations to all!

We had two firing this evening in the final of the Donaldson Memorial, Jim Paton and Serge Bissonnette. No detailed results yet available, but neither achieved first place.

First thing tomorrow, the Final of the St. George's will be fired. Jim Paton leads the field going in, with Scott Murray also in contention.

After that, there is the last of the team matches, the long range Mackinnon. This is for 12 firers which will stretch our resources to the limit.

The Queen's Final is in the afternoon.

The Prince of Wales was fired in the morning at 600 yards. This is the last match in Grand and so completes a very large number of aggregates. I can't list them., all. especially since, with optional entry, not all our team members were involved.

In the POW, there is a three-way tie between three shooters on 75.14, including R. Rousseau of the Canadian Cadet Bisley Team - congratulations! Canadians in the prize list are: 35 Cheryl Hearn 75.10; 45 Alix Voorthyuzen 75.9; 67 Renee Paquette 75.7.

And so, to the Grand - won by Dr. Glynn Barnett with 700.102 (ex 705), two full points clear of Richard Jeens. Top Canadians were: 15 Jim Paton 692.103; 92 Serge Bissonnette 686.79; 181 Scott Murray 681.67. I hope I haven't missed anyone in the top 200, but it's late and the list is not easy to search since it does not show club/national affiliation.
 
Jim Paton was in three tie-shoots today: narrowly losing the Gurkha Appeal but winning both the St. George's First and Second Stages. Congratulations, Jim !!!

The NRA site does not yet list those who have qualified for St. George's III, but I'm told that the cut-off is somewhere in the 149 region, 148 being no good. That's the sort of score that may persuade the NRA to reduce target dimensions!

In the Overseas Team Match, we did not fare too well. There were some late changes in the shooting/coaching arrangements, so some carefully laid plans went astray. We are well beaten by Australia 1239.143; Guernsey 1234.140; and Jersey 1231.133. Our score was 1213.133. The day started badly, but improved a bit towards the end. Given two or three more ranges, we might have been in it!

Tomorrow, we have the Kolapore, perhaps the most important Team Match in the whole week, in the morning and the Queen's II in the afternoon. A testing day for us all!

Theresa and her staff did wonderful roast lamb for dinner!

So, just when one really needs the results from the NRA, they are not there (as of 0021 BST)! Their system is efficient in some ways, but extraordinarily lethargic in others.

In the Queen's 1st Stage, the cut-off was 102.10. From the list on our board, we have qualified:
Serge Bssonnette 105.13; Daniel Chisholm 104.10; Paul Dudzinski 102.18; Jack McKellar 102.11; Scott Murray 104.13; Renee Paquette 102.15; and Jim Paton 104.17.

I can't tell you much about the Conan Doyle (900 yds) except that our top scores were: Serge Bissonnette 50.7; Paul Dudzinski 50.6; and Scott Murray 50.9. I hope to be able to tell you in the morning whether Scott has won it or tied or whatever.

Standings in the Grand are not yet available.

The last shoot in the Grand is the Prince of Wales tomorrow morning. In the afternoon' well be at it in the Overseas Team Match. The Cadets will be competing in the A.G. Bell.

**
Addendum, written at 0915 Thursday.  The NRA has arisen from its slumbers so that yesterday's results are now on the web site.

Jim Paton's tie-shoots for the St. George's I and Ghurka Appeal will be at 1215 today. The St. George's II will be fired this evening at 1800.

Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, David Luckman, won the Queen's I with 105.19, two vees ahead of his nearest rivals. Canadian's in the list are: 39 Serge Bissonnette 105.13; 56 Jim Paton 104.17. 82 Daniel Chisholm 104.10; 98 Scott Murray 104.13; 136 Tracey East (firing as an individual) 104.7; 251 Renee Paquette 102.15; 273 Paul Dudzinski 102.18; and 296 Jack McKellar 102.11. The Second Stage is fired on Friday afternoon. First Stage scores are not carried forward.

The Conan Doyle (900 yds): three tied at 50.10 for first place. Canadians: 10 Scott Murray 50.9; 48 Paul Dudzinski 50.6; Cheryl Hearn 49.6; counted out of the Class X list Serge Bissonnette 50.7.

Grand Aggregate to last night, with just the Prince of Wales to go: Glynn Barnett leads with 625.91, two points ahead of Richard Jeens. This morning is overcast with very little wind so far. The standings are not likely to change all that much. Canadians in the top 200 are: 16 Jim Paton 618.91; 92 Serge Bissonnette 612.71; 179 Scott Murray 608.61; 180 Paul Dudzinski 608.59.

More later.

For the Canadian Team, Tuesday is a relatively quiet day in the busy Bisley schedule. The first stage of the St. George's is fired in the morning. In the afternoon. there are inter-Counties and other team matches in which we are not involved.

At lunch-time today, Serge Bissonnette was in the tie-shoot for yesterday's Times at 300 yards. The shoot-off went on for quite a while with John Warburton, Huddersfield RC, winning over Steve Thomas, Central Bankers, on the ninth extra shot.

In the St. George's I, there is a tie between Jim Paton  and A.W. Gill of the Army Target Shooting Club, both scoring the perfect 75.15. The cut-off for the Second Stage was quite high at 74.4. Canadians advancing are: 38 Dan Chisholm 75.12; 126 Scott Murray 75.6; 159 Serge Bissonnette 74.12; 200 Roger Mullin 74.10; 288 Renee Paquette 74.6; 292 Paul Dudzinski 74.6.

Standings in the Grand Aggregate as of this afternoon have been listed. Glynn Barnett, OGRE, leads with 470.64, one point ahead of Richard Jeens and John Warburton. Canadians in the top 300 are: 11. Jim Paton 466.69; 175 Serge Bissonnette 457.51; 215 Paul Dudzinski 456.41; 231 Renee Paquette 455.42; 258 Scott Mirray 454.39;  300 Cheryl Hearn 452.37.

Tomorrow, is the first Stage of H.M. The Queen's Prize, and the last long range match in the Grand.

I have been remiss in not mentioning the F Class events, in which we have one individual firing F/TR, Francis Bezeau. The NRA has not been swift in posting results, with some even from Sunday still missing. Francis came 4th in the F/TR Grand Aggregate. Today, the F Class St. George's Final and Farquharson Final (renamed this year in honour of the late George Farquharson) are being fired. I'll try to summarise more of the results tomorrow.

Here is a scan of the 2015 Team photo. I'm afraid it's not very high res, but I hope you can recognise who is who!
 

As I start my report tonight, the NRA web site is even more lethargic than usual so that the postings of the current Grand Aggregate standings in TR and F Class remain a mystery. Before I sign off, I'll take another look, otherwise they'll have to wait until the morning.

Three more Grand Aggregate matches today, including, that often-crucial maker or breaker of hopes and fears, the 1000 yards Corporation.

The Times (300 yds): there is five-way tie for first place at 50.10, including Serge Bissonnette. In 22nd place, oh so close, was Renee Paquette with 50.9. I'll let you know about the tie-shoot in due course. Daniel Chisholm had 50.5, but was not in the prize list.

The Wimbledon (600 yds): three-way tie for 1st place on 50.9, no Canadians; 77th Alix Voorthyuzen 50.2.

The Corporation (1000 yds): three-way tie for first place on 50.9, no Canadians; and I could see no Canadians in the NRA list. Our top scores were several 48s.

The Stock Exchange Aggregate: 1. Richard Jeens 175.27; 49. Alix Voothuyzen 171.14.

The Police Rifle: 1. Serge Bissonnette 121.11.  

And I've just re-checked the NRA web site, the Grand is not yet there. They are obviously tired and in need of a good malt, as am I. Good night!!

 

Last things first .... we held a very successful reception at the Pavilion this evening. I, with Anna and Sarah Bezancon, Canadian Cadet Team Commandant, along with Sandy Peden and Colin Brown, formed the receiving line - it took us well over an hour to greet all our guests. The noise level, even to a deaf old so-and-so like me, was indescribable. Stan Frost has to check his files but has the feeling that the nine and a half bottles of gin dispensed may have set a new record. All our team members pitched in to help at the bars. The RCAC NRT assisted in looking after our guests, for which we are most grateful. And then at the end all set to work and the Pavilion was ready for the morning by 11 pm. A great team effort by all!

There was shooting today as well, in occasional showers, some quite heavy, and with the continuing blustery wind. The new GGG ammo seems to hold very good elevation at all ranges, but wind judgement is still the lot of the shooter.

Three matches today, plus a number of aggregates completed. I am taking details off the NRA prize lists, so please note again that entry to aggregates is optional so that not all of our names may appear. Everyone is in the Grand, so there should be no omissions there. I'm trying to list all of the Canadian Team who appear in the lists, but I may miss some who have not identified themselves as Canada.

The Alexandra (600 yds): 8-way tie for first place with 50.9; 21. Jim Paton 50.7; 57. Cheryl Hearn 50.6.

The Daily Mail (500 yds): 4-way tie for first with 75.13; no Canadian team members in the list.

The Duke of Cambridge (900 yds): 1. Chris Watson, N-L-R, 50.9; 19. Jim Paton 50.4; 83. Cheryl Hearn 48.6;

Sunday Aggregate: 1, Simon Osmond, Manchester RC, 175.22; 4. Jim Paton 174.22.

Weekend Aggregate: 1. H Pollock, Hampshire, 345.38; 8. Jim Paton 341.43.

Grand Aggregate to Sunday evening: 1. S. Osmond 248.32; 3. Jim Paton 247.34; 146. Cheryl Hearn 240.24; 156. Stefan Isaacs 240.22; 168, Scott Murray 240.21.

More tomorrow!

This will be a fairly brief report tonight since, as I write at midnight, the full results are not yet available on the NRA web site. Since some of our team members are not that swift in putting up their scores on the team board, my data and subsequent comments are incomplete. I hope to be able to edit these remarks in due course.

It was another warm, sunny day, with quite variable and fickle (depending on who you speak with) winds.

There were two non-aggregate matches, the Donegal (300 yds) and Lovell (1000 yds), plus the Daily Telegraph (500 yds) which is the first shoot in the Grand. Here is what I have so far, which I'll amend and/or add to tomorrow.

Donegall: 1. Parag Patel, 50,10; 24. Renee Paquette, 50.7; Daniel Chisholm just off the prize list with 50.7.

Lovell: 1. DA Taylor, Altcar, 50.5; 46. John Chapman, 46.5.

Tonight we went to the British Commonwealth RC for a reception. Perhaps it really is a sign of the times, but this, as was last night at the NRA, was also much smaller and quieter than I remember.

Tomorrow, there are three more Grand Aggregate matches, plus the Canadian Teams Reception in the evening   

This was the first day of individual competition, with two events: the Century (500 and 600 yds) and Admiral Hutton (900 yds). Depending on the squadding some people finished quite late in the evening. It was a fine, sunny and mild day, with a blustery wind. One report to me from Stickledown spoke of a fast fishtail ~7 left to ~3 right. Scores on the NRA lists are pretty high, a tribute both to the shooters and to the new GGG ammunition.

Not all of our team members have put their scores up on our board yet, but the NRA lists are out on the web site. Here is a brief summary.

The Century: 1. Colin Mallett, Jersey, 100.16; top Canadians 11th Scott Murray 99.13 and 22nd Daniel Chisholm 98.14.

The Hutton: Parag Patel, Old Epsomians, 50.10; 17th Scott Murray 50.7, 28th John Chapman 50.7 and 44th Paul Dudzinski 49.7.

The Friday Aggregate: David Calvert, RAFTRC, 149.21; 16th Jim Paton 147.14 and 26th Paul Dudzinski 145.20. Entry to aggregates is optional and Scott Murray seems not to have joined this one. His 149.20 would have placed him 2nd.

This evening there was the Overseas Teams Reception hosted by the NRA. A smaller event than some of those that I remember from previous years but it was a bit less of a scrum and perhaps more enjoyable as a result. Here are the four ladies on our team enjoying the evening: Anna Paton, Renee Paquette, Alix Voorthyuzen and Cheryl Hearn.


Tomorrow there are three more matches: the Donegal (300 yds), Daily Telegraph (500 yds) and the Lovell (1000 yds).  The Telegraph is the first event in the Grand Aggregate.

This is written on Thursday late evening.

The match with the Barbarians was fired at 900 and 1000 yards in interesting conditions. From what I heard, fairly rapid wind changes of some 6 or 7 left to 3 or 4 right, made it quite a challenge for the shooters and their coaches.

The match result was very close: 1. Barbarians, 721.39; 2. Canada, 718.42. Of particular note in the individual scores, was that of Julie Ousten, of the BaBas, who made an awesome 50.8 at 1000 yards, engineered by her coach Keith Trowbridge.

After the match, both teams repaired to the upper balcony of the LMRA for exchange of awards and some very well earned refreshment.

Earlier in the morning, we had the final rifle checks done by Fred James of the NRA, and then the team photos taken by Tim Webster. When I have one of the latter, I'll try to post it in a future report.

In the evening we held our usual Team BBQ, with guests welcome. Serge Bissonnette, ably assisted by Jack McKellar, looked after the steaks and chicken.The catering staff did wonders as always!

That is the end of our team shooting for a while. the individual matches start tomorrow with the Century and Admiral Hutton. I will try to report on scores when I can find them. Those who are more impatient might look at the NRA web site www.nra.org.uk and follow the links to 'Competitions' and 'Imperial Meeting 2015', where you will eventually find them all.   

Yesterday we fired the traditional International Teams match organised by the Royal Air Force Target Rifle Club. The location this year was at Stoney Castle Range.

The first of these matches was held in 1975 between Canada and the RAF. As far as we could ascertain yesterday there were only three people present who had been at that inaugural event 40 years ago: Chris Fitzpatrick, 'Chalky' White and myself!

We put in two teams of 8, with a mix and match of shooters and coaches. It's all part of the learning experience in trying to determine which are the most compatible working arrangements. The day was mostly fine, with a blustery wind and occasional showers. There are not many wind flags at Stoney Castle, which adds to the challenge.

The results of the match were:
1. RAF "Chipmunk", 1159.163; 2. Army TRC "Green", 1153.122; 3. Canada "X", 1144104; 4. West Indies "Mongrels", 1124.106; 5. Canada "Y", 1099.90; 6. RAF "Shackleton", 1087.88; 7. Army TRC "Red", 1070.92.

 The RAF hosted a reception at their Club House in the evening.

I should have noted earlier that Daniel Chisholm fired in the Match Rifle Competitions earlier in the week. He used his target rifle with a scope, but fired "off the elbows" with no rest (our old TR-O style). Daniel finished in 43rd place in the overall aggregate out of 102 competitors, a most commendable performance!

We have also been joined in the Pavilion by Francis and Marielle Bezeau. Francis will be firing as an individual in the F Class events starting tomorrow.

Today we are to fire against the Barbarians RC on Stickledown in the afternoon. This is the last team match before the major NRA events next week. The Team BBQ for members and their guests will be this evening.

Just back from the BBQ at the Commonwealth Club following the match. It's always an 'interesting' affair, not starting until late afternoon, and finishing in the gathering gloom of the evening. Today's match was fired in fine, sunny weather with a brisk breeze from the left. During the course of the shooting, the sun shines first on the front of the targets, then sideways and then from behind. The light changes were quite challenging, especially for older eyes, of which we have a number. We did have some fairly considerable problems!

The results were:
1. BCRC 1053.125; 2. Australia Captain's 1043.112; 3. Australia Manager's 1029.83; 4. Canada X 1011.78; 5. Canada Y 983.67

A little disappointing perhaps, but I am very heartened to see developing shooter-coach relationships, which I hope will stand us in good stead later on.

In the evening, the BCRC hosted us to this very enjoyable BBQ.

Tomorrow is the match against the RAF at the Stoney Castle Range. This match was first started in 1975, so this is a significant anniversary. We shall again be entering two teams.

 

Our two groups returned from the North and West yesterday. By all accounts, they were very well looked after in terms of both shooting and hospitality.

I have not yet been give the detailed scores from either of the matches.However, Huddersfield RC won both events in Yorkshire.

Against Wales, the match being held at Yoxter in Somerset, with seven shooters on each side, Canada won narrowly by two points 677 to 675 and 1 vee-bull.

Leo Poulin and Bruce Lister arrived yesterday, and with Roger Mullin's anticipated  arrival today, our TR team will be complete.

We have entered two teams of 8 firers in the British Commonwealth Club match this evening, so nearly everyone will have a busy time. The same thing will apply against the Royal Air Force tomorrow.

It continues relatively mild. Some showers are forecast for today, with a blustery wind.

Saturday 4th July. Greetings to all our friends in the USA!

It's been very warm at Bisley all this week, with temperatures reaching record levels in the UK on Wednesday. Last night there were some thundershowers, and it is a little cooler today.

The members of the Team have been gathering during the past few days. Daniel Chisholm arrived at around noon on Friday and was immediately pressed into service as a Coach in the match against the North London in the afternoon.

There had not been much time for practice, especially in team shooting, so the assignments for the match were somewhat ad hoc in nature! We had one team of eight shooters, along with a full complement of coaches and plotters. The North London put out two teams, both filled with strong and experience shooters. The wind on Stickledown was quite variable from the right all afternoon. All in all, the match was a good work-out for our shooters and coaches. We began reasonably well at 900 yards, but conditions at 1000 yards were quite challenging and betrayed our lack of previous work.

The results were:
1. NLRC "B", 752.69; 2. NLRC "A", 751.63; 3. Canada, 738.56. Our scorer was Scott Murray with 96.10, followed by Cheryl Hearn 95.8.

In the evening, the NLRC were our hosts for dinner at the Club. As always, this was a most pleasant occasion. Some commendably brief remarks were made, with awards and souvenirs being exchanged.

This morning, one group left quite early for matches in Yorkshire today and tomorrow. As I write this, the second group for the match against Wales at Yoxter in Somerset is preparing to depart. All are due to return on Monday, when I'll report next.