NAM.2017-09-7-59-10

Photograph captioned: ‘National Rifle Association and Staff, Wimbledon, 1888’, showing a large group of men, one woman and two dogs on the front porch of a house. Some of the men are in undress uniform with peaked caps - many of them are Grenadier Guards officers. The other men are in civilian suits and hats. At this time Col Hon. Herbert F Eaton (2nd Bn Grenadier Guards), commanded the NRA Camp at Wimbledon and did so for several years. The National Rife Association was founded in 1859 by Earl Spencer and the Duke of Cambridge to improve the standards of marksmanship through competition. The Association’s home was Wimbledon Common until 1889, when an increase in popularity and higher powered weapons meant that it was no longer the safest venue. The NRA moved to Bisley Camp, Surrey, in 1890. From an album of 24 photographs compiled by or presented to the Honourable Edward G V Stanley, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 1886-1889 (c).