Canadian Riflemen

Adam, James (born c1834)

Scottish born, but living in Canada by 1868. Adam represented the 13th Battalion of Infantry on Wimbledon teams in 1872, 1879 and 1886. He was also champion shot of the Thirteenth in 1869, 1875 and 1877, and won the NRA(USA) small-bore championship at Creedmoor, New York, on 11 October 1873. For the latter he fired a Rigby muzzle loading rifle at 800 & 1000 yards. Competed at Wimbledon, England, in 1872, 1879 and 1886. Member of the Canadian team versus the Amateur Rifle Club of NY at Creedmoor, USA, 1875. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, 1876 for the Centennial Trophy. He was made a Captain of the Hamilton based 13th Battalion of Infantry on 28 January 1881, from where he retired in 1890.

13th Battalion

The fathers of the shooting element of the battalion were undoubtedly Capt. Henery, then Adjutant, and Privates Geo. Murison, Donald Nicholson, James Adam, Thomas Freeborn, Joseph Mason and F. Schwartz. For nearly two generations these zealous members of the battalion, encouraged, instructed and assisted the younger shots, and the proud position that the battalion occupies to-day may be traced back to the efforts of these early pioneers in rifle shooting. Through their encouragement and assistance, teams were sent to the first meeting of the Dominion Rifle Association at Laprairie in 1868, and of the Ontario Rifle Association at Toronto in 1869.

History of the Thirteenth
Battalion of Infantry
by E.A. Cruikshank
(Hamilton, Ontario 1899)

Bell, Anthony (born c1838)

Scottish born and a wholesale provision merchant. As a member of the 10th Royal Regiment of Toronto Volunteers he won the Elkington Cup in 1872 and again in 1879. Member of the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup, Wimbledon, England, in 1872, 1875, 1879 and 1883. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy.

Cooper, William M. (born c1833)

English born, he represented Warwickshire at Wimbledon in 1868, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73, and won the Warwickshire marksmanship badge in 1869. Vice President of the Any Rifle Association of Ontario (1876). Reserve to the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, 1876. A hardware merchant in Canada in 1876.

Cotton, William Henry (born c1848)

Canadian born. Member of the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup, Wimbledon, England, in 1871. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy. In 1871 Cotton was a Captain of No. 2 Battery, Ottawa Brigade Garrison Artillery, based at Kingston. By 1876 he had been promoted to Major and contemporary newspapers identify him as an instructor in ordnance.

Cruit, William (born c1843)

English born and an emigration agent in Toronto in 1876. Member of the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup, Wimbledon, England, in 1875 and 1879. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy. In 1875 Private Cruit competed at Wimbledon as a member of the 10th (Battalion) Royal Regiment of Toronto Volunteers. In 1876 the Toronto Engineer Company was established, and in that same year was renamed 2nd Military District Engineer Company. In 1878 Cruit was promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant of this Company. He retired at the same rank in 1881.

Disher, George (born c1830)

German born resident of St. Catharines, Ontario and a photographer by occupation. Competed at Wimbledon, England, in 1874. Member of the Canadian team versus the Amateur Rifle Club of NY at Creedmoor, USA, in 1875. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy.

Gibson, John Morison (1842-1929)

Gibson was variously president of the Ontario Rifle Association, president of the Canadian Military Rifle League, and president of the Dominion Rifle Association. Gibson competed at Wimbledon on several occasions, 1874, 1875, 1879, 1881: in 1879 he was a member of the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup and in 1881 captained the team to victory in this competition. He was also a member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy. Born in Toronto Township and schooled in Hamilton, he later studied at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1863. Entered into a law partnership in 1870. In 1890 he was appointed a Queen's Counsel by the Ontario government and in 1908 he was appointed as lieutenant governor of Ontario. In 1912 Gibson was knighted. His military career was equally impressive. Gibson became an Ensign in the 13th Battalion Volunteer Infantry in 1865 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1866. Further promotions followed culminating in Lieutenant-Colonel in 1886. He retired in 1895 and was permitted to retain the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Battalion.
Reference: John Gibson at biographi.ca.

Margetts, George Thomas

Margetts was offered a place in the Canadian team to Creedmoor in 1876 but was unable to accept. He was replaced by William Cruit. In 1884 and while Staff Sergeant of the Hamilton (Ontario) based 13th Battalion of Infantry Margetts competed at Wimbledon. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in 1890 and resigned in 1893

Mason, John James (1842-1903)

English born and moved to Canada via Philadelphia in 1850. Began work as a junior clerk with an auctioneer, was briefly a reporter and later bought an accounting and assignee practice. Served two years, 1884/85 as mayor of Hamilton, Ontario. Mason was secretary of the 13th Battalion Rifle Association and was present at the first meeting of the Dominion Rifle Association at Laprairie, and the Ontario Rifle Association at Toronto. Member of the Canadian team versus the Amateur Rifle Club of NY at Creedmoor, USA, in 1875. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy. Captain of the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup, Bisley, England, in 1897. In 1867 Quarter Master Mason was given the rank of Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion of Infantry, Hamilton, Ontario, with further promotions following in 1871 (Captain) and 1881 Major).
Reference: John Mason at biographi.ca.

Mason, Joseph (born c1831)

English born and a resident of Hamilton, Ontario. Wholesale confectioner. Mason represented the 13th Battalion of Infantry on Wimbledon teams in 1871 (Kolapore Cup team member) and 1881. He won the battalion championship in 1879. Reserve to the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, 1876 for the Centennial Trophy.

Murison, George (1820-1889)

Scottish born, Murison apprenticed as a carpenter and builder. He later established his own business in Canada and retired in 1871. He served one year as mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, in 1870. As a Private in the 13th Battalion of Infantry, Murison competed in the Canadian Team for the Kolapore Cup at Wimbledon, England, in 1871. Whilst there he was also selected to represent Scotland in the Elcho Shield competition against England and Ireland. He fired a Metford muzzle loading rifle at that time. Member of the Canadian team versus the Amateur Rifle Club of NY at Creedmoor, USA, in 1875. Member of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy.
Reference: George Murison at myHamilton.ca.

O’Reilly, James Edwin (1833-1907)

Born in Hamilton Ontario, and served as Mayor there in 1869 and 1879-1881. Captain of 1st Company of Volunteer Militia Rifles at Hamilton, which in 1862 were consolidated with six other companies into the 13th Battalion Volunteer Infantry. O’Reilly was promoted to Major with the Battalion at that time. Retired (retaining rank) from the 13th in February 1865. Studied medicine in London, England, and Paris, France, before returning to Canada when he entered his father's firm. No record found of his shooting skills, but he was Captain of the Canadian team at Creedmoor, USA, in 1876 for the Centennial Trophy.
Reference: James Edwin O'Reilly at myHamilton.ca.