The Port Pirie Defence Rifle Club

¹The Port Pirie Defence Rifle Club was the first in the state of South Australia when it was formed in 1891. 

Each year saw the club progress rapidly to become one of the strongest in the State in terms of members. Regular firings were held against a vast array of clubs including Adelaide, Adelaide Military Band, “D Company” First Battalion Adelaide Rifles, Burra, Caltowie, Clare, Crystal Brook Company, Gladstone Company of Infantry, Jamestown Mounted Infantry, Kapunda, Melrose, Orroroo, Port Wakefield, Port Germein Mounted Rifles Division and Renmark.

²The Port Germein Mounted Rifles took advantage of the superior shooting power of the small bore Martini-Metford rifle against the Port Pirie Defence Rifle Clubs’ use of the old Martini-Henri and won firing matches more often than not.

Members fired at range targets at 200, 500 and 600 yards; with seven shots each with two sighters. Other all-comers fired at a range target of 400 yards with 5 shots and no sighters. (South Australian National Rifle Association Rules)

In 1900 rifle matches were held to swell the Patriotic Fund. In 1903 the Minister for Defence proposed regulations that Rifle Club members purchase magazine rifles and these were offered at £4 cost price. The Port Pirie Infantry Rifle Club formed in 1904.

³Staff Instructors stationed in Port Pirie during World War 1 drilled its members and non-compulsory others on Tuesday and Friday evenings and even held a mock battle at Kingston Park.

Sources:

¹Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, SA, Wednesday 12 April 1911 

²Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, SA Saturday 22 July 1899

³Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail SA, Tuesday 12 October 1915