Queen's medal shoot draws more marksmen

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 16

Queen's medal shoot draws more marksmen

A prestigious Army precision shooting event aimed a t instiling a greater interest in rifle

shooting throughout New Zealand attracted more entrants than ever this year. The Queen's Medal shoot-

ing competition, the only national shooting competition where the winner is presented with a medal as a permanent

keepsake, attracted large numbers of competitors from the four military centres - 1 Task Force Papakura, Army Training Group Waiouru, Force Maintenance Group Linton, and 3 Task Force Christchurch. Elimination shoots were held over three days in the first week of December to find the champion rifle shooter in the country. Forty competitors from ATG, Waiouru with surprisingly no officers included, took part in the three day event. Winner of this year's competition, Staff Sergeant Malcolm Gillice from 4ATG is the eighth

infantryman to win the medal twice. SSgt Gillice won the competition i n 1986. Chief umpire and administrator Major Bruce Young said the level of competition was higher this year than in previous years. The winning score was 172 out of a possible 210 - eleven points more than last year's winning score, despite high winds. SSgt Gillice also held the runner-up title for t w o years running. RESULTS: Lewis Trophy (highest score for practice 1) Pvt. Nigel Siversen; Vickers Trophy (highest score for practice 2) SSgt Malcolm Gillice; Trentham Cup (highest score night shoot) Craftsman Gregory

Beer; Army Cup (highest score practice 3) Sgt Andrew McDowell; RSA Shield (highest aggregate score) SSgt Malcolm Gillice; School of Infantry Trophy Pvt. David Ryan. The self-loading rifle used by SSgt Gillice will be presented to the Army Museum later this week. Next year competitors will use the Army's new Steyr rifle. In presenting the prizes, Colonel Bret Bestic commended this year's competitors on their high degree of skill. Col. Bestic said the competition was a "fitting farewell" for the self-loading rifle and referred to the change of rifles as "quite significant" with regard to future competition.