Name/Title
1954 - November 13th - CGG TOP SHOT - Annual meeting of the Province of Quebec Rifle Association (PQRA) referencing CGG CSM Matthew Penman, EM as a coach to the Provincial Shooting TeamScope and Content
For Museum records only - Part of the Lieutenant Michael A. Hayes-Rivet (MHR) Trust Collection
*** ARTIFACT ON LOAN TO CGG MUSEUM ***
1954 - November 13th - CGG TOP SHOT - Annual meeting of the Province of Quebec Rifle Association (PQRA) referencing CGG CSM Matthew Penman, EM as a coach to the Provincial Shooting Team - This clipping is attributed to the collection of artifacts from the Sgt. (Late CSM) Matthew Penman, EM.
This article reports on the 1954 annual meeting of the Province of Quebec Rifle Association (PQRA), where distinguished Canadian marksman Edson L. Warner was awarded life membership in recognition of his outstanding shooting career. Warner was a former McGill Rifle Club member, an Olympian, and a member of Canada's 1953 Bisley Team.
Key Highlights
Edson L. Warner received PQRA life membership for his contributions to Canadian marksmanship.
The PQRA experienced a record year, increasing participation from 841 entries in 1953 to 1,331 entries in 1954 despite poor weather.
Quebec rifle teams won two major national championships:
London Merchants' Trophy
Inter-Provincial Cup
The association recognized the importance of strong coaching, specifically crediting:
Sgt. Frank Jermey (Team Captain)
Alex Parnell
Matt Penman
Sgt. Joe Blais, RCMP
Significance of Matt Penman
For your research on Sergeant Matthew ("Matt") Penman, this article is particularly significant because it documents his role beyond being an elite competitor. By 1954, Penman was being publicly recognized as one of the principal coaches of Quebec's championship rifle teams. The article credits him, alongside other senior coaches, with helping produce teams that captured two of Canada's most prestigious rifle shooting titles. This demonstrates that Penman had transitioned from being one of Canada's leading competitive rifle shots in the 1930s and 1940s to becoming an influential mentor whose coaching contributed directly to provincial and national championship success.
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
CSM 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
July 2, 2026Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
July 2, 2026
