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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Douglas Shield


PGL

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Thanks for that.

2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles won the Douglas Shield in 1908 but I've no idea what the competition was. I think it might have been for shooting. Can anyone confirm (or deny) this?

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The link above states that 'H' Company 1st Gloucestershire Regt. Winners of the Douglas Shield 1912, and the picture shows them all in uniform ?

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Yes, it appears it was an annual competition and 2 RIR won it in 1908 and the Glosters in 1912 - I'm not doubting your picture.

But what was the event? Shooting, polo, football? I'm assuming it was a skill at arms event but would like someone to confirm this if possible.

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Possibly something connected to William Douglas, later commanding 42nd Division.

He had established a Divisional trophy the "Douglas Challenge Cup". Competed for by Territorial battalions at their annual camp.

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is the reply I received from the Gloucestershire Museum :

Sadly we have no additional information on this image. The accession

notes do not say for what the Douglas Shield was awarded.

Norwood

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Thanks again Norwood.

I've been trying for a while now to find out exactly what the Douglas Shield was for and got answers as diverse as Skill At Arms and horse racing! Nobody I've contacted seems to know for sure.

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Nobody I've contacted seems to know for sure.

Have you tried the newspaper archives - such as Times Online? I'd have thought that a major event involving regular army battalions might get a mention. Might even confim, or otherwise, my earlier suggestion as to name.

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Yes John I've tried TimesOnline but it doesn't seem to get a mention.

The Royal Ulster (nee Irish) Rifles Museum even have photos of the winners from 1908 but can't actually tell me what the Shield was for.

For what it's worth, I think your suggestion is definitely along the right lines but it's just nailing it that's the hard bit.

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