West Sussex County Times and Standard, 18th October 1930.

HORSHAM v. STEYNING.

Rifle Match between Ex-members of the Royal Sussex.

The annual match between ex-members of the 4^th Royal Sussex Regiment from Steyning and Horsham took place on the open range at Steyning, the home team proving the victors. The arrangements for the Horsham team, who travelled by road, were made by Mr A. Tompsett (captain), Mr D. Etheridge and ex-R.S.M. W.F. Rainsford. The shooting was at 200yds, and 500yds. At 200 yds the Steyning men were 53 points up; but at the 500yds shoot they only gained five points.

Six prizes were provided by each side, those for he Horsham men being presented by the Royal Sussex Club at Horsham. Details:

STEYNING

HORSHAM

West Sussex County Times and Standard, 2nd October 1931.

TERRITORIAL RIFLE SHOOTING.

Ex-Horsham Members Defeated by Steyning.

Teams of e-members of the 4^th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment from Horsham and Steyning met in the annual friendly match op the open range at Steyning on Sunday. The Steyning members won by 65 points.

The Steyning members were the winners in the seven shots fired on the 200 yards and 500 yards ranges. Ex-Sergeant Grigg, of Steyning, was only two short of the “possible” on the two ranges. At 200 yards he scored five “bulls” and two inners, and at 500 yards all his seven shots were “bulls”.

After luncheon the Horsham members took part in a captain’s team versus vice-captains team match. The captain’s team, led by Mr F. Rainsford, beat Mr L.R. Browning’s by 149 to 148.

HORSHAM

STEYNING

West Sussex Gazette, 19^th October 1933.

STEYNING.

EX-TERRITORIALS SHOOTING.

The annual open range shooting match between ex-members of the 4^th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment from Horsham and Steyning took place on the Steyning Range on Sunday. Prizes had been given by the Royal Sussex Club at Horsham and Steyning tradesmen. The Steyning team won by six points – three at each of the 200yds and 500yds firing points, and G. Coleman, of the home team, was top scorer, wit h44. Ex-R.S.M. T Friend was in charge of the shooting. Scores; Steyning, G. Coleman 200yds, 23; 500yds, 21; total 44; D. Moody, 19-18-37; G. West, 25-19-44; E. Adcock, 18-7-25; H.W. Moody, 22-11-33; E. Green, 22-21-43; A. Coleman, 24-15-39; T. Moody, 23-15-46; total 305. Horsham; D.B. Etheridge, 200yds. 23, 500 yds. 14, total 37; A. Tompsett, 22-21-43; H. George, 18-14-32; W. Short, 20-16-36; R. Browning, 24-15-39; T. Friend, 23-18-41; E. Cook, 25-15-40; T. Charman, 20-11-31; total 299.

South of England Advertiser, 17^th January 1935

A RIFLE RANGE QUESTION.

The Lands, Buildings and Ranges Committee reported that the War Office could not agree to increase the accommodation at the Steyning and Wellcombe Bottom rifle ranges at the coat of Army funds in order to provide specially for the local O.T.C contingents and the R.N.V.R, and suggested that the association should approach those bodies  and enquire what sum they would be prepared to provide towards the estimated cost of extension, which is estimated at £200 for each range. Asked for their views, Brighton College made no reply; Brighton Grammar School offered £10-£15; Ardingly College stated that the present number of targets was sufficient for their needs; Hurstpierpoint College offered £3-£10, if the extension was approved, but beyond being a great convenience to them the extension was not of vital importance; and the Sussex Division R.N.V.R. made no reply. In view of these circumstances the committee recommended that no steps be taken for at least a year to extend range accommodation, but in view of a request from the Officer Commanding the 44^th Division for extra target accommodation at Steyning, supported by the O.C., 4t Batt., Royal Sussex Regt., the matter was referred back to the committee.

Reference was made in the agenda to the willingness of the War Office to provide new buildings for those “past economical repair”, but in other cases it will continue to expect repairs and re-painting to be effected by the association, although grants may be made to meet special cases.

The Mid Sussex Times, 17^th September 1935.

4^th BATTALION ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT.

ANNUAL RIFLE MEETING AT CISSBURY AND STENING.

The annual rifle meeting in connection with the 4^th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment has been held recently on the Cissbury range, and at Steyning. About 120 officers, warrant officers, N.C.Os and men took part, and the general standard of shooting was very satisfactory. Captain J.I. Mason, M.C., the Adjutant, was responsible for the arrangement, he being assisted by Major and Quartermaster E.J. Upton, M.M., R.S.M. C. Pocock and the Battalion staff. Lieut-Colonel R.J.P Wyatt, M.C., Commanding Officer, distributed the prizes. “A” Company (Haywards Heath and East Grinstead), which won the “West Sussex Gazette” challenge cup last year, lost the trophy to H.Q. Wing (Horsham\), the latter team scoring 437 points against 411 by the holders. In the Young Soldiers’ Competition “A” Company represented by Private Woodhams, Dale, Eldridge, Knight, Rusell, King, Lee and Botting, gained third place with 125 points. Sergeant E. Wickens and C.S.M C. Milton, M.M., both members of “A” Company, secured third and sixth positions respectively in the Battalion championship. In the class for officers, W.O.s and Sergeant, the first prize was won by Sergeant E. Wickens and the third by C.S.M Milton. Two teams of four representing “A” Company were knocked out in the semi-finals of the snap shooting competition by “C” Company teams.

The West Sussex Gazette, 4^th March 1937.

TERRITORIALS MAKE MERRY.

The Territorials held a most enjoyable dance on Friday at the Town Hall, which is the drill station of the recently formed Steyning section of the 209^th Field Coy., 4^th (H.C. Divisional Royal Engineers). Sergt. E. Bowden R.E. (T.) was responsible for the organisation, assisted by members of the Steyning section. The hall had been tastefully decorated, and Sapper Tom Neale, as M.C., kept the 170 dancers in merry mood until the early hours, to the music of Eddie Wooter’s Band. Refreshments were in the capable hands of Mrs G.T. Chalcraft, Mrs F.G. Chalcraft, Mrs F. Langridge, and Mrs Naldrett. The unit, which now numbers 28, has made good progress in the short time it has been in existence. The Steyning section Rifle and Sports club and the Steyning and District T.A. Recruiting Committee wil benefit considerably by Friday’s effort.

West Sussex Gazette, 9^th September 1937.

BARTTELOT CUP SHOOT.

The shoot for the Barttelot Cup will take place on the Steyning range at 2pm on Sunday next, September 12^th. The cup is for teams of four from each town or village West Sussex. At least one member must be a serving member of the Territorial Army. Fifteen rounds per man will be fired at 200 yards, five rounds deliberate, and ten rounds rapid. Service rifles only will be used. There will be an optional sweepstake of 6d. per head on the 5-round deliberate.

The West Sussex Gazette, 30^th September 1937.

TERRITORIALS ON THE TARGET.

THE “AIM” OF THE YOUNG SOLDIERS.

A feature of the shooting at the rifle meeting of the 4^th Batt. Royal Sussex Regt. At the Steyning ranges on Sunday was the high standard of marksmanship displayed by the trained shots and the young soldiers alike.

“A” Company (Haywards Heath and East Grinstead), the holders. Were again successful in the Inter-Company Championship Shoot for the “West Sussex Gazette” trophy, and their score of 702 points was nearly 100 ahead of the runners-up, Headquarters Wing. The individual championship was won by Major E.J. Upton H.Q. Wing, with the fine score of 73 out of a possible 80, and Pte. Seed, also H.Q. Wing, who was second with 65, also led the Young Soldiers’ section with that score. The “A” Company shots figured with the greater prominence in the prize list. The shooting was watched by a large and interested gathering, among whom were the Colonel of the regiment, Brig-Gen. W.L. Osborn and Col. R.M. Birkett, commanding the 132^nd Infantry Brigade (Kent and Sussex), Lt.-Col. G.V. Hertz-Smith (commanding the battalion), who presented the prizes, said how very pleased he was that in the divisional training tests, which were carried out at the annual camp, the 4^th Battalion occupied first place in the Brigade and second in the whole of the 44^th Division. Such an achievement, he said, had meant a lot of hard work, but all would realise that it would be harder to maintain it, particularly in view off the fact that compared with last year when they were able to hold concentrated courses at Horsham, similar courses would not be held this year for financial reasons, although the company commanders were endeavouring to arrange courses in their own drill halls. The C.O. was accompanied by Major G.F. Paterson (second in command) and arrangement for the shoot were under the direction of Capt. And Adj. J.L Breeds, with the permanent staff members, R.S.M T.J. Harris, C.S.M. C.A. Hayne, and Sgts. V. Wood, A. Collins and F. Stevens, and Col.-Sgt. V. Riddle, who acted as recorder.

Details;

BATTALION INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP

OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS

CORPORALS AND LANCE-CORPORALS

PRIVATES

INTER COMPANYSHOOT

OPEN TRIAL SHOOT

INTER DRILL HALL SHOOT

PLATE AND TARGET SHOOT

YOUNG SOLDIERS (INDIVIDUAL)

YOUNG SOLDIERS(TEAMS)

OFFICERS’ REVOLVER SHOOT.

INCOMPLETE DUE TO ILLEGIBILITY OF TEXT.

The West Sussex Gazette, 29^th September 1938.

4^th ROYAL SUSSEX RIFLE SHOOTING.

LIST OF AWARDS.

The “West Sussex Gazette” Cup was among the trophies competed for tat the rifle meeting of the 4^th Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment on Sunday. Inn spite of the bad weather there was a good attendance, and the shooting was quite up to standard, Lt.-Col. G.V. Hertz-Smith distributed the prizes, and among the visitors to the range during the day was Brig. Gen. W.L. Osborn, Colonel of the Royal Sussex Regiment. A team composed of members of the National Defence Corps took part in the shooting for the first time this year. Recruits are fully set out below;-

BATTALION INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Pte. B. Carry (“A” Coy.) 61; Sgt. Wickens (“A” Coy.), 57; Capt. J.G. Wylde (“C” Coy.), 56.

CLASS CHAMPIOSHIPS.

Class “A” (officers, warrant officers and sergeants) Sgt. Wickens (“A” Coy.), 57; Capt. J.G. Wylde (“C” Coy.), 56; Sgt. Rigglesford (H.Q.), 55; Sgt. Thompsett (“A” Coy.), 52.

Class “B” (corporals and lance corporals); Cpl. R. Brown (“B” Coy.), 52; L-Cpl. Miles (“B” Coy.), 45; L.Cpl. Parton (“C” Coy.), 42.

Class “C” (privates); Pe. B. Carr (“A” Coy.), 61; Pte. Cook (“C” Coy.), 49; Pte. Farrow (H.Q.), 46.

Class “D” (young soldiers); Pte. Jack (“A” Coy.), 44; Pte. Lane (H.Q.), 41; Pte. T. Carr (“A” Coy.), 36.

“WEST SUSSEX GAZETTE” CUP.

Team competition for inter-company championship, fired concurrently with battalion championship. Results;

1 A Coy (Haywards Heath and East Grinstead) Capt. C.P.A. Nix, 50; 2^nd Lt. Penny, 49; Sgt. Wickens, 57; Sgt. Thompsett, 52; Col. J. Saunders, 42; Cpl. W. Myles, 20; L-Cpl. L. Myles, 45; Pte. Thwaites, 37; Pte. S. Carr, 61; Pte. Wickens, 34; Pte. Farrow, 32 ; Pte. Dale, 31 ; Pte. T. Carr, 36 ; Pte. Baker, 30. Total 576.

.2 C Company (Worthing and Littlehampton); Capt. J.G. Wylde, 56; 2^nd Lt. Parkinson, 22;, C.Q.M.S. Kilgarriff, 44; Sgt. Haynes, 46; Pte. Street, 16; L.-Cpl. Brown, 29; Pte. Cook, 49; Pte. Morris, 40; Pte. Poore, 21; Pte. Hollis, 30; Pte. Sweetner, 30; Pte. Baker, 35. Total, 497.

3 H.Q. Wing (Horsham and Arundel); Major K.J. Upton, 39; Lieut. Gould, 25; Sgt. Rigglesford, 35; Sgt. Brill, 29; Sgt. Ayling, 47; C.S.M. Pelling, 25; L.-Cpl. Denham, 25; L.-Cpl. Gilbert, 33; Pte. Farrow, 46; Pte. Barrat, 27; Pte. Chappell, 33; Pte. Barnes, 23; Pte. Lane, (Y.S.), 41; Pte. Brock (Y.S.), 26. Total 496.

4 B Company (Horsham and Pulborough). Total 477

5 D Company (Chichester and Midhurst). Total 225.

INTER-COMPANY YOUNG SOLDIERS’ COMPETITION.

1 H.Q. Wing; Pte. Porter, 19 ; Pte. B. Barratt, 25 ; Pte. Lane, 34 ; Pte. L. Barratt, 22 ; Pte. Green, 28 ; Pte. Brock, 26. Total, 160.

2 A Company; Pte. Carr, 33; Pte. Thompsett, 37; Pte. Jack, 289; Pte. W. Baker, 27; Pte. Marchant, 16; Pte. Hellier, 20. Total, 152.

3 B Company; Pte. Ledbetter, 26; Pte. Mills, 24; Pte. W. Weir, 27; Pte. Ogg, 27; Pte. Stuart, 22; Pte. C. Weir, 12. Total, 138.

4 D Company. Total 128.

INTER-DRILL HALL SHOOT.

1, East Grinstead; (Lieut. Penny, Sgt. J. Thompsett, Pte. Baker, Pte. Jack), 39.

2 Horsham, 23.

OPEN KNOCK-OUT SHOOT.

B Coy (Sgt. Tyler, Sgt. Burton, Cpl. Brown, L.-Cpl. Crabb); runners-up, A Coy.

OFFICERS’ REVLOVER MATCH.

Major E.J. Upton (H.Q. Wing); runner-up Lieut. Col G.V. Hertz-Smith (H.Q. Wing).

NATIONAL DEFENCE COY. SHOOT.

1 Capt. E. Radcliffe Jones (Rusper), 53; 2 W.F. Rainsford (Horsham), 43. National Defence

Coy. Team score for Divisional cup, 180.

YOUNG SOLDIERS’ INDICVIDIUAL COMPETITION.

1 Pte. Lane (H.Q. Wing), 24; 2 Pte. T. Carr (A Coy), 33; 3 Pte. Jack (A Coy), 29.

Sussex and Surrey Courier, 15^th July, 1939.

Recruiting for the Crawley Company of the 4^th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment has progressed considerably during the past few days. Ten recruits joined and an equal number await examination. An effort is being made to obtain the use of the Crawley Rifle Club’s miniature range for instructional purposes before sending the recruits to the outdoor range at Steyning.