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An old friend and respected shooter, Maurice Ayling passed away yesterday.

Maurice lost an eye to cancer a couple of years ago and had a periscope made so that he could carry on shooting.

I last saw him about three months ago when he told me, with a twinkle and a bit of a tear in his eye, that he was retiring from shooting to look after Margaret, his wife, who is suffering with altzheimers.

The City Rifle Club socials will never be the same.

God bless you Maurice for all the fun, and thanks

John

stgeo

What a shame, he was a lovely chap.

Who should we approach to do an obituary for the Journal?

Heather

Heather. Good question. Ian Thompson is the RNTRC chap as I expect you know, I am waiting for further details from Eric Adams who sent out the notification email.

There are a number who knew him better than me. I will PM you when I find out any more.

KH

Thanks, I'll also email Eric.

Heather

Oh thats sad - he was a lovely guy (even if he did always give me a hard time over Prize List CDs every year)

I'll miss him!

Love

Karen

karen wrote:Oh thats sad - he was a lovely guy (even if he did always give me a hard time over Prize List CDs every year)

I'll miss him!

Love

Karen

I shall miss him too. I am sitting in the sunshine on Plymouths Barbican, raising a glass to Maurice. I might raise a second to all absent friends.

:cheers:

I did not know him however he sounds like a good sort. RIP Maurice.

In 1985, my last year in the Andrew, I talked my way into the Navy Long Range team.

(Well actually I got steaming drunk and so upset that my score book hadn't been asked for I burst into the team Captains tent at about 0200 and demanded a place because, although my wind was C..... my elevation was less than a quater of a minute)

I think the Team Captain, to whom I have since apologised, put me in because it was my last year and not because I threatened to go to the Palace if neccessary!


Maurice got the job of coaching me.

Team shoot, only one sighter, nervous I fired.

"Good shot? Asked Maurice

"I don't know." I mumbled.

It was high at eleven o clock. A four.

"Go again." Said Maurice.

Bang, "Good shot?"

"Think so."

"Put your gun down, are you nervous?"

"Yes, Sir"

"Don't call me Sir, we are a team. How do you think I bloody feel? I have this jumped up Jossman who has talked his way into the team, and I have the job of making sure he doesn't cock it up. Now, pick up your gun and let's put the rest in."

We did, 49 ( no vees then) because the first to count had gone in the same place as the sighter.

Thanks Maurice.

Bravo Zulu

stgeo

He sounded like a true gent and character!

Enjoy the drink John and the memories

I will buy you on next time!

.-.

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