HISTORY - Hendon Rifle Club

A Bit of History

HENDON AND CRICKLEWOOD RIFLE CLUB

The Club owes its inception to the great generosity of Gustaf Roos, Esq., the Managing Director of the Normal Powder and Ammunition Company, Limited, of Hendon, who first mooted the idea of a local club, and then erected stop butts at his own expense on the Normal Powder Company’s grounds, and handed over two complete ranges of 25 and 50 yards to the Committee of the Club. In addition to this the Club have the ground rent free.

A strong local Committee was formed, representative of this growing north-western Suburb, and officials appointed in February last, and the public strongly supported the Club from the first.

Royal patronage has been given to the Club by H.R.H. Prince Christian; Lord Roberts also appears on the list of patrons, which further includes a long string of Earls, Lords, and other titled personages.

The inauguration of the range took place on the 19th of March 1906, by Field-Marshal Earl Roberts, before a distinguished and numerous gathering. A military band and guard of honour were in attendance, the Urban District Council presented his Lordship with an address the district was decorated, and all Hendon and Cricklewood were en fête.

Lady Aileen Roberts fired the first shot and scored a bull’s eye. The range has a capacity for 12 targets at each of the two ranges, and ·22 calibre rifles only are allowed. Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs’ Targets are used.

Already the Hendon and Cricklewood Rifle Club has a membership of 500, and, notwithstanding comparatively little practice, good shooting is seen at their meetings Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

"The Committee have decided to give a prize to the most consistent shot each week, with further valuable prizes monthly, and challenge trophies at other times during the year, because this should stimulate all the young men of the district not only to join the club, but also to practice most assiduously." (Field-Marshal Earl Roberts)