3-003-701 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Jopling, winner of the Queen's Prize, 1861. 'This gentleman, who, in gaining the Queen's Prize [at the National Rifle Match], receives with it the Gold Medal of the association, thus taking his "double-first," and becoming the champion shot of England...is one who owes his inspiration and training entirely to the volunteer movement...Mr. Jopling, it may be interesting to add, holds office in the Adjutant-General's Department, and belongs to the 10th (War Office) company of the 2nd South Middlesex...Each of the forty competitors for the Queen's Prize shot finally with Whitworth rifles at 800, 900, and 1000 yards' range. The Whitworth rifle was adopted at these long ranges, partly because it was more reliable than the Enfield at all distances above 600 yards, and partly because, being a weapon new to most volunteers, the practice they were enabled to make with it would be an additional test of their skill and judgment...the Duke of Cambridge addressed some congratulatory remarks [to Mr Jopling], in which the fact of the Queen's Prize having been won by a member of the civil service was especially dwelt upon'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.