Club History
The history of Leatherhead Rifle Club — an update (Nov 2017)
Formation 1900
The first official mention of the Leatherhead & District Rifle Club appears in an article in the Reigate Borough Advertiser dated 3rd April 1900. The article refers to plans to establish a local rifle club following the “popular and patriotic movement” of teaching young men to shoot — a movement initiated by Field Marshall Lord Roberts upon his return from the Boer War, where he had observed the lack of marksmanship amongst British soldiers compared to the Boers, who could pick off British officers at ranges in excess of 1000 yards.
Mr Walter Cunliffe, a future Governor of the Bank of England and resident of Headley Court, took up the mantle as president. The first committee consisted of Messrs Arthur Bird, F. De La Garde Grissell, George Dodge, Ronald Peake, Robert Taylor and John Thorn. Mr A H Tritton was honorary treasurer and Mr F Hue Williams the honorary secretary.
Funding to establish the club was estimated at £150 (around £17,000 in today’s money), helped by a donation of £5 from each founding committee member. Annual fees were set at 5s per annum (equivalent to about £56 today — not far off current membership fees). Membership was drawn from residents within the recruiting district of the 2nd Voluntary Battalion East Surrey Regiment.
The club rules then were not much different from now — proper instruction was provided for those not accustomed to handling firearms, with a competent instructor of musketry present on the range during firing hours. Members were required to make themselves proficient in simple drill and annually fire a set number of rounds to a standard required by the committee. The club was formally inaugurated in early 1901 with 85 members.
From Formation to WW2
Sadly we have no records of the club’s activities between 1900 and the Second World War, but we can confirm we existed as we maintained affiliation to the National Rifle Association. The Surrey newspapers carry a number of match reports of Leatherhead Rifle Club competing with clubs from other towns in Surrey.
The Second World War
WW2 led to the formation of the Home Guard. Leatherhead was home to F Company, 6th Surrey Home Guard. Competitive target shooting took place between Home Guard detachments — we hold the Aitkens Cup, the Ashtead Home Guard shooting trophy, presented by Major L J B Aitkens MC who commanded A Company, 6th (Leatherhead Battalion) Surrey Home Guard.
The 6th Battalion Home Guard was affiliated to the East Surrey Regiment. The castle in their cap badge was adopted as our club logo.
By pure chance we acquired this photograph of the detachment in 2022. We would welcome help with positive identification of those pictured.
At the stand-down of the Home Guard in December 1944, Leatherhead Home Guard paraded in front of the Council offices. The Surrey History Centre holds film of General Leggett presenting a trophy — the Leggett Cup is still competed for annually.
Formation as a Civilian Club 1944
With the end of the war in sight, Leatherhead Home Guard formed an association of ex-members, fielding darts and cricket teams alongside a target shooting club. The objective was to maintain the fellowship that had existed during 1940–1944 through miniature and full bore rifle shooting and other social functions.
The association was titled the Leatherhead Home Guard Association and Rifle Club from March 1945, meeting at the Drill Hall in Randalls Road, Leatherhead with a subscription of 5 shillings and sixpence. Officers were:
- President: Major Ball
- Treasurer: A W A Nunn
- Secretary: T Sholland and A Rice
In 1956 the Home Guard association name was dropped and the club has been known as Leatherhead Rifle Club ever since.
Indoor Ranges Used
- Drill Hall, Leatherhead — 1944 to mid 1970s
- Cobham TA Centre — mid 1970s to 1981
- St Johns School — 1981 to 2015
- Wotton — 2015 to date
Now and the Future
We hold almost complete records of the club’s membership and activities from 1944 to date and are pleased to provide details to those undertaking research into their family and friends.
With a membership of 75 and an active programme of rifle shooting we look forward to the years ahead.
