History

Bisley History

2016
2016
150th Anniversary of first NRA Meeting.
150th Anniversary of first NRA Meeting.
1990
1990
Centenary of NRA at Bisley celebrated.
Centenary of NRA at Bisley celebrated.
1986
1986
Geoff Cox used the Swing Rifle to win the Queen’s Prize
Geoff Cox used the Swing Rifle to win the Queen’s Prize

This was the first time the Sovereign’s prize was won with a stiff action rifle used in the final  – Third Stage. The Swing rifle was designed by George Swenson and Laurie Ingram. Wikipedia – Swing Rifle

1980
1980
Prince Charles took part in the Vizianagram Competition, shooting for the Lords against the Commons.
Prince Charles took part in the Vizianagram Competition, shooting for the Lords against the Commons.
1975
1975
Prince Charles becomes the Association’s 6th President.
Prince Charles becomes the Association’s 6th President.
1972
1972
Revolutionary ‘Swing’ rifle, developed by George Swenson, became available.
Revolutionary ‘Swing’ rifle, developed by George Swenson, became available.
1969
1969
Changeover from .303 to NATO calibre.
Changeover from .303 to NATO calibre.

End of the long reign of the SLME, No 4 and P14 rifles.

1960
1960
Visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Bisley
Visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Bisley
1952
1952
Closure of the Camp Tramway
Closure of the Camp Tramway
1950
1950
Military Extension dismantled.
Military Extension dismantled.
1948
1948
Cheap Fares for shooters restored by the newly constituted Southern Region of British Railways
Cheap Fares for shooters restored by the newly constituted Southern Region of British Railways
1947
1947
Running Boar Range re-opened but closed in 1953.
Running Boar Range re-opened but closed in 1953.
1946
1946
First Full Annual Meeting held following the War.
First Full Annual Meeting held following the War.
1945
1945
One day Meeting held.
One day Meeting held.
1945
WW2 Military Extension closed.
WW2 Military Extension closed.
1940
1940
Formation of Home Guard. Bisley became their primary Camp.
Formation of Home Guard. Bisley became their primary Camp.
1940
Military Railway Extension re-opened to Pirbright Camp only.
Military Railway Extension re-opened to Pirbright Camp only.
1939
1939
New Sniping and Sporting Range opened at Bisley
New Sniping and Sporting Range opened at Bisley

This included an automatic Running Boar Range.

1939
Outbreak of WW2.
Outbreak of WW2.

Camp again handed over to Military.

1938
1938
Retirement of Major C.R. Etches as Secretary
Retirement of Major C.R. Etches as Secretary
1931
1931
Arthur Fulton wins the Sovereign’s Prize for the third time.
Arthur Fulton wins the Sovereign’s Prize for the third time.
1930
1930
Marjorie Foster first woman to win the Sovereign’s Prize.
Marjorie Foster first woman to win the Sovereign’s Prize.
1930
Range Tramway equipment including the tram locomotive “Wharncliffe” disposed of for scrap.
Range Tramway equipment including the tram locomotive “Wharncliffe” disposed of for scrap.
1926
1926
Arthur Fulton wins the Sovereign’s Prize for the second time.
Arthur Fulton wins the Sovereign’s Prize for the second time.
1925
1925
Lord Cheylesmore, the NRA Chairman, dies after being involved in a car accident.
Lord Cheylesmore, the NRA Chairman, dies after being involved in a car accident.
1924
1924
The ‘Pavilion’
The ‘Pavilion’

The ‘Pavilion’ prefabricated refreshment Building from Wimbledon demolished and replaced by the present brick building.

1921
1921
Death of Lt. Col. C.R. Crosse, the NRA Secretary.
Death of Lt. Col. C.R. Crosse, the NRA Secretary.

Major C.R. Etches took over his position.

1921
War Office wartime control of Railway ceased.
War Office wartime control of Railway ceased.
1920
1920
Firearms Act
Firearms Act

Firearms Act, effectively restricting their use to holders of Firearms Certificates.

1919
1919
First post-war Meeting.
First post-war Meeting.
1919
Camp Tramway re-opened
Camp Tramway re-opened

Camp Tramway re-opened but however the wartime Railway Executive refused to countenance cheap fares for shooters. This was reversed when questions were asked in the House of Commons.

1918
1918
Military Railway handed over to LSWR to manage.
Military Railway handed over to LSWR to manage.

By December Military Railway Personnel demobilised causing LSWR to close Military Railway.

1917
1917
Military Railway completed
Military Railway completed

Military Railway completed and opened in 1917. Whole line, including Bisley Camp Station taken over by Military.

1917
Concerns over ownership
Concerns over ownership

Concerns over ownership of Camp Tramway and NRA remuneration by railway company put into the hands of the Associations Solicitors.

1916
1916
War Office decides to construct a Military Railway
War Office decides to construct a Military Railway

War Office decides to construct a Military Railway to Pirbright, Deepcut and Blackdown Camps starting at Bisley Camp.

1914
1914
Outbreak of WW1
Outbreak of WW1

Outbreak of WW1 Bisley Camp offered to Military Authorities for duration. Major General Lord Cheylesmore becomes Camp Commandant with Lt. Col. Crosse as his Adjutant.

1914
Formation of School of Musketry
Formation of School of Musketry

Formation of School of Musketry to train Instructors for the new British Armies.

1914
Last Meeting at which the Range Tramway was used.
Last Meeting at which the Range Tramway was used.
1912
1912
Arthur Fulton wins the first of his three Sovereigns Prizes.
Arthur Fulton wins the first of his three Sovereigns Prizes.
1906
1906
New SMLE tested by members of Council at Bisley
New SMLE tested by members of Council at Bisley

New SMLE tested by members of Council at Bisley but the Long Lee continued use in competitions until WW1.

1906
Lord Cheylesmore introduces Boys Camp
Lord Cheylesmore introduces Boys Camp

Lord Cheylesmore introduces Boys Camp (for schools without Cadet Corps) at Bisley.

1905
1905
King Edward VII visits the Camp.
King Edward VII visits the Camp.
1904
1904
New Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) first tested by British Army.
New Short Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) first tested by British Army.
1904
Death of George, Duke of Cambridge, the President of the NRA.
Death of George, Duke of Cambridge, the President of the NRA.
1903
1903
Lord Cheylesmore becomes Chairman of NRA.
Lord Cheylesmore becomes Chairman of NRA.
1901
1901
Formation of Civilian Rifle Clubs

The NRA gives its support to the formation of Civilian Rifle Clubs following the serious reverses to the British Army during the 2nd Boer War.

1901
Arthur Conan Doyle’s paper on formation of Civilian Rifle Clubs
Arthur Conan Doyle’s paper on formation of Civilian Rifle Clubs

He agrees to sit on the new NRA Rifle Clubs Committee.

1898
1898
Col Mackinnon falls seriously ill at end of Meeting and resigns in November.

He died in early 1899.

1898
Lt. Col C.R. Crosse appointed Secretary.
1898
Water Supply breaks down at height of Annual Meeting

Railway Company supply old engine tenders as temporary measure.

1896
1896
Lee-Enfield (Long Lee) Rifle (using smokeless ammunition) comes into general use at Bisley.
1892
1892
Lee –Metford permitted in United Services Cup.
1891
1891
Winifred Leale of the Guernsey Rifle Club becomes the first woman to shoot in NRA Competitions.
1890
1890
Prefabricated buildings and Range tramway, brought from Wimbledon, re-erected.
1890
Prince and Princess of Wales open Ranges and Camp Tramway on 12th July.
1890
Col. William Mackinnon, late of the Hythe School of Musketry, becomes NRA Secretary.
1890
Queen Victoria signs the NRA Charter of Incorporation.
1889
1889
Council agree site at Bisley by a large majority. Ratified by Spring Meeting
1889
Acquisition of land.

Acquisition of land assisted by fact that much of it was owned by the War Office. Local landowners would only sell all or large parts of their land.

1889
Royal Engineers start construction.

Royal Engineers start construction of ranges and earth works of Tramway to connect the new Camp with Brookwood.

1889
Capt.St John Mildmay resigned as NRA Secretary.
1888
1888
The .303 Lee Metford rifle.

The .303 Lee Metford rifle, still using black powder ammunition, replaced the Martini Henry. This rifle in turn was replaced some years later by the same calibre Lee Enfield (Long Lee) rifle using smokeless powder ammunition

1888
A reduced Council Meeting agreed that the best site was that offered by Lord Wantage, the NRA’s Chairman, on his Berkshire Downs estate.

Intervention of Lord Wemyss (the former Lord Elcho) postpones a final decision.

1888
Bisley site located by Hoey (Association’s Clerk of Works).
1887
1887
The safety of the Wimbledon Ranges became threatened by building development.

The safety of the Wimbledon Ranges became threatened by building development along with the increased range provided by the latest types of modern rifles and ammunition.

1887
The Duke of Cambridge, the NRA’s president serves notice on the Association, under the terms of the 1870 Notice of Determination Agreement.
1887
Efforts to find a new site instigated.
1887
James Loyd Lindsay, Lord Wantage, becomes Chairman of the NRA
1859
1859
Formation of the National Rifle Association
NRA Bisley

Volunteer Movement re-formed (originally disbanded after Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815).

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