Noticeboard

Jack Meynell (Hon OF)

1929-2009

Written by Steve Mcdowell (G 82-86):

Anyone who knew Jack Meynell, would tell you he was not a man given to exaggeration, but it is no exaggeration to say that Jack passed on his love of shooting to hundreds of young men and women

This is also why most of us would have to find out for ourselves that he was one of a kind in the shooting world, well known in the offices of the NRA and on the ranges as a conscientious range officer.

As far as the author is able to ascertain Jack is the only man ever to have won the Queen’s Medal with two different weapons. He made the achievement in the reserve forces version of the Medal with a Lee Enfield .303 in 1956 and with an SLR in 1964.

But that was very far from the peak of his achievements. Shooting-wise, among others, he won the London & Middlesex Service Rifle Championship five times, in 1969, 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1982. Bearing in mind that he was in his 40s and 50s at this time it shows what a natural affinity he had with any rifle he picked up.

He told a story once at the end of a dinner of the Old Framlinghamians, of which he was a much-valued honorary member.

He was out shooting rabbits with his brother Eric in his native North Yorkshire as a young man and a pheasant got up out the hedge in front of him. He downed it with the .22 rifle he had in his hands from, by his estimation, 80 yards. An unbelievable, almost circus-like feat of marksmanship.

“I shouldn’t have taken the shot really,” he said with his characteristic modesty, “But I couldn’t resist it.”

Not one of us had the confidence to challenge him, and as it happens we were right not to, as the story was subsequently confirmed by Eric.

It was at Framlingham College where he gave of his best. Literally generations of shooters, me included, passed through his capable and patient hands. And it is largely as a result of his legacy that the Old Framlinghamian Rifle Club is currently enjoying some of its golden years, refreshed with new talent – such as youngest-ever GB shot Sandy Walker – and members into their 70s and living successful trophy-winning years.

The very best of his gift was given up for these cadet shooters he had charge of for so many years, inspiring them with his love of the sport and coaching with his sometimes ascerbic Yorkshire wit. Each one of them was treated the same, with firm courtesy and careful guidance – offering praise and criticism in equal measure.

“Come up two clicks, and squeeze the damned thing. It’s a trigger not a cart - don’t pull it,” he would say.

John William Meynell was born on 24th October 1929 at Newsham Grange Farm, near the River Tees some 6 miles from Barnard Castle in County Durham. He was the eldest of 3 children in the family of Walter and Minnie Meynell. He attended primary schools at Staindrop and Barnard Castle before completing his Secondary School education at the private public school at Barnard Castle.

It was during his time at Barnard Castle Public School that Jack developed his athletic skills, winning many events like the half mile and mile races due to his stamina and developed the love of shooting which was to remain with him all his life.

After studying at Houghall Agricultural College he worked in his grandfather’s farm and joined the TA, Durham Light Infantry. He married Aileen Close in 1951 and his two children Brian and Suzanne were born in 1952 and 1964 respectively.

He worked at Glaxo before taking a job at Framlingham College as lab technician and shooting master. He remained working there for 35 years, well into his 70s and according to official reports he retired no fewer than three times.

Prize boards in clubhouses all over Bisley bear the name and rank of WO2 Jack Meynell , who served for many years in the TA, first in the Durham Light Infantry and latterly with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

Yet you would never hear this from him. You only ever got an inkling of how well Jack was regarded within the gates of Bisley – absolutely everyone knew who he was.

Indeed, it was a tragedy that in his later years with increasingly failing health he could no longer make it to Bisley. He clearly hated it but numerous offers of a lift from members of the OFRC were politely declined with a sorrowful resignation that was difficult for us to bear. The Old Framlinghamian Rifle Club deeply laments the loss of its greatest asset, friend and supporter. He will be sorely missed at our annual Bisley barbecues and come this July we will all take pleasure in raising a glass in his name as we scatter his ashes at the clock tower according to the wishes of his family.

|