Unique Shooting Competition featuring WW2 Veteran Marksmen

Unique Shooting Competition featuring WW2 Veteran Marksmen
Published on 28 July 2024 04:35 PM

On Thursday 25 July, Age Cymru Dyfed in partnership with Go Sport Indoor Shooting Range Carmarthen, held a truly remarkable shooting competition featuring WW2 Veterans from Llanelli, Aberavon, Ammanford, Saundersfoot and Freshwater East.

‘Our Greatest Generation’ with an average age of 100 years, showed sharp-shooting skills which they first acquired and put to use over 80 years ago during the height of WW2.

This unheralded event was won by Far East Army Veteran from Saundersfoot, Duncan Hilling a former Bren Gun Carrier Driver with an almost unbelievably fine score of 94 out of 100 (see attached target). Second was D-Day Veteran Tony Bird (RN), followed by Tank driver Idwal Davies, RN ‘DEMS’ gunner from the Atlantic Convoys, Neville Bowen, and Archie Thomas who is the last surviving RN Beach Commando from WW2 and a Veteran of the invasion of Sicily in 1943. All the WW2 Veterans scored an astonishing 70 and above.

Organiser Owen Dobson, a Veterans Welfare Officer for Age Cymru Dyfed said

“The event itself was the idea of Royal Signals Veteran Ken Hall. The WW2 Veterans were each presented with a Salver to mark the occasion which were individually engraved and kindly donated by “Chris the Cobbler” and Jane, Ammanford. The event was also attended by Veterans from across West Wales and congratulations goes to Royal Green Jacket Veteran Wayne Hellyar on scoring best shot of the day.

"The presence of uniformed Soldiers from 14 Signals Regiment, Brawdy was greatly enjoyed and they were each a credit to the Service. Thanks also goes to Staff at Go Sport Geraint, Steve & Lily May, Kevin Stanley of the VC Gallery and Beth Lowden of Blind Veterans UK who also attended in support of the event.”

Duncan Hilling said;

“When I trained in Norwich in 1944 in Norwich, I shot at 100-, 200- and 300-yards scoring 299/300. I must be losing my touch after dropping 6 points today!”

Neville Bowen said;

“I had a brilliant day shooting, and I enjoyed being with the other Veterans, fuelled by the Welsh cakes, a great day”

Idwal Davies said;

“I was delighted to be involved in something different and loved the shooting, the company and thoroughly enjoyed myself”.

Veterans shooting competition

shooting competition entrants - veterans of Age Cymru Dyfed