CALLING ALL OS SHOOTERS – 100 YEARS SINCE SEDBERGH FIRST WON THE ASHBURTON

This summer marked the one hundredth anniversary since Sedbergh first won the Ashburton and as OS shooters we should aim to do mark that event. It is notable that in the summer preceding the start of WW1, the drive for better marksmanship headed by Field Marshal the Lord Roberts in the wake of the Boer War came to fruition at Sedbergh. As we know many Sedberghians went on to fight in that war – many were seriously wounded or lost their lives and their memory is being marked by the OS pilgrimages now taking place. Needless to say members of the 1914 Ashburton VIII went on to fight and two of them – Oliver Tuke and James Hutchinson were killed as officers on the Western Front in 1917. These young men found themselves taking on a huge responsibility of commanding men in battle at a very young age and their obituaries highlight the spirit of true Sedberghians. It would be interesting to know how being members of the VII, the OTC and SS Rifle Corps, I influenced those young men no doubt drilled and coached by a keen SSI and encouraged by an enthusiastic shooting master.

Traditionally OS shooters have met to shoot at in the annual Public Schools veterans match at Bisley which takes place on the first Thursday of the Imperial Meeting after the Ashburton Shield competition, followed by dinner and a few drinks. However this year to mark the anniversary of that original great win and linked to the various WW1 memorial events, all OS s who were any way involved in the shooting team are specifically invited to OS day at Sedbergh to meet and enjoy the memories of the time that we spent shooting at Sedbergh. The goal is to get as many of us as possible together including some of our most successful shots as well as those who have not picked up a rifle since leaving school.

Please let me know if you are interested in attending and complete the attached Ticket request form and post it to Nigel Horsfall, OS Club, The Bursary, SEDBERGH, LA10 5RY & a place at the Shooters Table will be reserved for you.

Tickets are £30 per head (inc. wine) cheque payable to OS Club or BACS Sort Code: 20-45-28 A/c No: 00995754.