1936 - CGG TOP SHOT - An original and extremely rare DEWAR CANADA 1936 Sleeve - Shoulder badge worn by CGG CSM (WO2) Matthew Penman, EM

Archive

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Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

1936 - CGG TOP SHOT - An original and extremely rare DEWAR CANADA 1936 Sleeve - Shoulder badge worn by CGG CSM (WO2) Matthew Penman, EM

Scope and Content

For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection *** ARTIFACT ON LOAN TO CGG MUSEUM *** 1936 - CGG TOP SHOT - An original and extremely rare DEWAR CANADA 1936 Sleeve - Shoulder badge worn by CGG CSM (WO2) Matthew Penman, EM ABOUT THE DEWAR CUP The 1930s were a formative decade for competitive shooting in the U.S., with the National Matches serving as a showcase for civilian, police, and military marksmen Shooting Sports USA. By 1936, the sport had grown in popularity, with pistol competitions drawing large crowds and smallbore matches attracting top shooters from across the country. The Dewar Cup was a highlight of the smallbore program, often featuring high-level competition between U.S. and international teams. The American Dewar Cup — a sterling silver trophy donated in 1930 by a friend of the NRA — was awarded to the NRA’s National Smallbore Rifle Championships NRA Competitive Shooting. The Dewar Cup was a prestigious smallbore rifle match, typically contested over the Dewar Course with metallic sights, and was one of the key events at the National Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio. The match followed the standard smallbore prone format — multiple stages at set distances (commonly 50 yards and 100 yards) with metallic sights — with each team member firing a set number of shots NRA Competitive Shooting. Winning the Dewar Cup placed the shooter among the elite smallbore marksmen of the era, alongside other notable winners like Harry E. Potter (1935) and Charles G. Hamby (1938). ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER CSM (WO2) MATTHEW PENMAN, ED – (1889-1974) - CSM CGG / Sgt. 14th Bn (RMR) CEF Top Competitive Shooting Achievements • BISLEY TEAM CANADA MEMBER 1921, 1923, 1930-1935, 1947, 1957 (10 times) • KING’s PRIZE (BISLEY) CHAMPION 1932 • BISLEY TOP POSSIBLE SCORE 1935 • GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA PRIZE 1920 (Top Canadian Shot) • CANADIAN DCRA / QUÉBEC RIFLE ASSOCIATION CHAMPION 1930-1938 • CGG RIFLE ASSOCIATION PEPLER CHALLENGE CUP WINNER X 2 • Over 60 additional NRA, DCRA, QPRA, and other 'Top Shot' and 'Champion' awards from 1920-1957 Mathew Penman, born in Dunston, England, immigrated to Canada in 1913 and joined the 1st Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards (CGG). During World War I, he was among the 387 CGG members who volunteered to serve in the 14th Battalion (Royal Montréal Regiment) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Rising to the rank of Corporal, he was wounded in 1916 and later transferred to Canadian Division Headquarters, where he served as an Armourer-Sergeant, specializing in the repair of CEF bicycles. Upon his return to Canada in 1919, Penman was awarded the CEF Class A War Badge #399036 and rejoined CGG. He went on to become a highly successful competitive shooter from 1923-1963, earning the title of Québec Rifle Association Champion for eight consecutive years, from 1930 to 1938. Additionally, he won the prestigious CGG Pepler Challenge Cup twice. CSM Penman retired from active military service in 1958 as a Company Sergeant Major (CSM) but remained deeply involved with the CGG Veterans Association. Tragically, Mathew Penman passed away in 1974 while playing billiards in the CGG Sergeants Mess. His legacy as a dedicated soldier, skilled marksman, and committed veteran lives on in CGGs SGT’s Mess to this day.

Created By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Create Date

June 25, 2026

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

June 26, 2026