TARGETS AND TRAMWAYSThe National Rifle Association, Its Tramways and the London and South Western Railways

Christopher Bunch

ISBN 10: 1473891744 / ISBN 13: 9781473891746

Published by Pen and Sword Transport, 2019

About this Item

Hardback, 323 pages Illustrated: Dimensions â : â 21.08 x 28.19 cmPublished Price £40 In 1859, as a result of the perceived threat to Great Britain from the large increase in conscript armies on the Continent and especially the growing power of France, and given further impetus by a public outcry for improvements in the Countryâ s defence, a new Rifle Volunteer Movement, based on that of the Napoleonic Wars, was quickly formed to great popular enthusiasm. This led, in the same year, to the formation of the National Rifle Association designed to encourage rifle shooting by the establishment of a great annual National Rifle Meeting open to both Volunteers and all-comers. There marksmen could compete for valuable prizes. To achieve this it was necessary to ensure that the location, initially on Wimbledon Common and later at Bisley, was readily accessible by train. An extraordinary relationship now developed between the Association and the London and South Western Railway Company, and its successors, in fulfilling these aims. The culmination of this was the construction of the Bisley Camp Tramway which connected the L&SWR mainline at Brookwood with the NRA Camp. Interlinked with this is the fascinating story of the Association s own unique tramways. These carried competitors and spectators to the more distant ranges as well as targets to the butts and for mobile targets. The military extensions to the Camp Tramway in both World Wars are also covered. The book relates the history of the NRA and its tramways from its foundation until the end of the twentieth century largely through contemporary letters, documents and photographs.

Seller Inventory # 30504

Bibliographic Details

• Title: TARGETS AND TRAMWAYSThe National Rifle Association, Its Tramways and the London and South Western Railways
• Publisher: Pen and Sword Transport
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1473891744
• ISBN 13: 9781473891746
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
  • History
  • Military History

About this title

Synopsis

The National Rifle Association (NRA) was founded in the mid-nineteenth century and was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation by Queen Victoria in 1890. It was created for the encouragement of the Rifle Corps of the newly formed Volunteer Movement and the promotion of rifle shooting throughout Great Britan.

.This would be accomplished by establishing a great Annual National Meeting, where marksmen could compete for valuable prizes and ensuring that the location was easily accessible to all comers over the developing railway network.

Situated in Bisley, some 35 miles from London, the base of NRA had very little infrastructure and soon enough, the Council invested, buying land and providing permanent accommodation. The London and South Western Railway Company built a spur from Brookwood Station to accommodate the camp whilst the tramway was relaid to connect the camp and ranges.

The original range layout still remains today in its basic form. Nowadays, the NRA is predominantly concerned with civilian full-bore target rifle shooting, yet it still maintains its military heritage and continues its links with the British Armed Forces.The book relates the extraordinary relationship which developed between the NRA and, primarily, the London and South Western Railway Company and its successors in fulfilling these aims, together with the fascinating story of the associations own unique tramways.

About the Author

Christopher Bunch was born in Hampshire, where he still lives today. Whilst following a career with an international telecommunications company, he led tours of duty in Kenya, Mauritius, the Middle East and the Caribbean, before finally settling back in Britain. In retirement, after a spell in consultancy, he took up an interest in history. He acts as a part-time research assistant at the National Rifle Association Museum at Bisley and has written articles for the NRA Journal and the South Western Circular. In addition, he has also undertaken First World War studies for his local history society.