1947 - 11 June - Letter to CSM Matthew Penman, EM from The Secretary of State of Canada, Hon. Colin William George Gibson PC MC VD QC re: Funding for the trip to Bisley (UK), securing accommodations at Canada House, and Colonel Birtwhistle (War Office)

Archive

-

Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

1947 - 11 June - Letter to CSM Matthew Penman, EM from The Secretary of State of Canada, Hon. Colin William George Gibson PC MC VD QC re: Funding for the trip to Bisley (UK), securing accommodations at Canada House, and Colonel Birtwhistle (War Office)

Scope and Content

For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection *** ARTIFACT ON LOAN TO CGG MUSEUM *** 1947 - 11 June - A personal letter to CSM Matthew Penman, EM from The Secretary of State of Canada, Hon. Colin W.G. Gibson re: Funding for the trip to Bisley (UK), securing accommodations at Canada House, and Colonel Birtwhistle (War Office) ABOUT HON. COLIN W.G. GIBSON, PC, MC, VD, QC He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario in 1911 (cadet # 805), where Kenneth Stuart, a future Commander of the Canadian Army, was a fellow cadet. He served with the Royal Fusiliers of the British Army in 1914 and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1915. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry from 1929 to 1934, and Chairman of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association. He practiced law from 1919. He was a founding member of the Royal Military College of Canada ex-cadet club in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930. He became Commandant of Hamilton Garrison from 1935 to 1939. ABOUT CGG CSM (WO2) MATTHEW PENMAN, ED – (1889-1974) - CSM CGG / Sgt. 14th Bn (RMR) CEF Top Competitive Shooting Achievements of CSM Matthew Penman, EM • 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 26, 2026

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

June 27, 2026