Lucas Sports Club .22 Miniature Rifle Club

[Graham Privett]

I'm currently sorting through my Father's effects, and have come across lots of records regarding the rifle club, including the framed formation certificate and all of the minutes from the early meetings.

The range was at Kings Street (on the roof as I recall).

Is there anyone out there interested in taking these records off my hands?


Graham Privett

 

[mayne-knott]

Hello Graham, I worked with your dad in great king street days in the proving laboratory. I retired in 1962 I think Graham retired about the same time - unfortunately the memory fades and I may be a few years out. The rifle club existed for good few years. I wasn't a member but t recall it was popular. I don't remember when it ceased but was in existence for a few years. If you have any list of names it may prompt my memory. It was well supported site wide including a large number of staff, works and others. Hope all this helps, regards Dave Harvey ex Lucas/trw proving lab

 

[Graham Privett]

Thanks Dave

I think it carried on right up until King Street was demolished in 1994.

Ian, my Dad, was also a keen photographer, so I have lots of photos of the demolishion as well. I have this vision of him driving out there every day to get a picture of the next stage.

Graham

 

[mayne-knott]

Thanks for your reply Graham - a senior moment with my retirement date I retired in December 2005. Memory is a wonderful thing!! Your dad and I did a lot of work with salt corrosion testing - that's a blast from the past. I remained at GKS until the final move to Lucas group research centre at Shirley. Can't recall many other names from that period - the memory fades, regards Dave Harvey

 

[Mark Tooze]

Thanks Dave

I think it carried on right up until King Street was demolished in 1994.

Ian, my Dad, was also a keen photographer, so I have lots of photos of the demolishion as well. I have this vision of him driving out there every day to get a picture of the next stage.

Graham

It would be good if you could post the photographs please - we lived just round the corner from the Lucas works.

 

[mayne-knott]

Hello Graham, there used to be a Web site called "Lucas Memories" don't know if it still exists but they may interested, regards David

 

[Mark Tooze]

All; many thanks to Graham who dropped off a box of photographs, negatives, books and memorabilia to me last night - loads of photos of Lucas and Monty, plus some wonderful old books on Lucas and GEC, and all the rifle club records, plus some badges! There are some absolute gems in this box!!! I will scan and post into the forum lots of things over the coming weeks (there is lots!!!!) then as agreed with Graham I will offer the contents to the local studies section at the Library of Birmingham.

 

[Mark Tooze]

Here are the first set of scans from an envelope of B&W photos. There is no information on the photos except what is below - sorry!

Firstly, Monty's visit to GEC Witton in 1943 or 1944. Some of these may have been posted before, but the quality of these is good so I am posting all of them - no particular order - first batch:-

 

[Mark Tooze]

Second batch:-

 

[Mark Tooze]

In the same envelope there were also some photos of flooding at GEC - presumably on one of the many occasions when the River Tame burst its banks:-





And one random photograph of an internal presentation by the looks of it - could be long service or retirement - any thoughts anyone?
UPDATE - Graham Privett has told me the gentleman being presented to is his grandfather - Basil Jasper Privett.

 

[Morturn]

As you say, superb quality. Many thanks for sharing them

 

[Mark Tooze]

Apologies for delay in posting folks - very busy weekend - I will try to post more stuff this week!

 

[Mark Tooze]

The next lot of postings concerns the Lucas .22 Rifle Club itself. This is the club badge from later years, and also the name badge of Ian Privett, to whom these documents belonged:-


The box contained 2 folders full of documents, plus a ledger book and some other objects, so I have tried to piece together a bit of a chronological history of the starting of the club, dating back to its origin in wartime 1944.

Firstly a "sign up" sheet from Oct 18th 1944 - note the statement that the club would be in the "National Interest" as it is of course still wartime:-


By Nov 15th 1944 the first meeting is being held:-


A club constitution has been drawn up:-



And bye-laws for shooting on the range have been established:-


On Dec 8th 1944 the club was a member of the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs:-


And on Dec 12th 1944 Inspector C. Harris of Kenyon St Police Station gives it the thumbs up:-


On Dec 29th 1944 a War Office Safety Certificate was applied for to the C.O.C Western Army Command HQ in Chester:-


And on March 8th 1945 the said certificate was duly issued:-


And on Mar 15th 1945 the all important Gun Licence Duty Exemption Certificate follows:-


So on Mar 20th 1945 the range was duly opened by Lt.Col A.B.Waring, who looks like he took the first 10 shots!


By Feb 17th 1947 a request is made to expand the scope of the club to cover different types of weapons:-


And by Mar 28th 1947 they have permission to do this:-


On Apr 10th 1953 one member decides to surrender his guns and ammo to the police:-


And by Aug 30th 1957 we have a change of secretary (and governing body, and patron):-

 

[Mark Tooze]

There is only 1 photograph of members actually shooting - this appears to be more modern and also outdoors:-


No info on this one - I think it may be a photo of the committee?


This looks like a club medal board, and also includes the 1944 S.M.R.C. certificate in the previous post:-

 

[Mark Tooze]

Finally a few oddities - firstly a nice blank piece of Lucas Sports Club headed notepaper - note the rifle club does not get a mention:-


And 2 rather nice greetings cards - one of the Gt. King St. Works:-



And the other of the Parade in Sutton:-