There are many newspaper reports of Frank shooting in the local Miniature Rifle Club competitions in Robertsbridge, Sussex, England in the period 1909 and 1915. He enlisted in 1916.
He was an excellent shot - 49 bulls eyes in succession!!!
 |
| Sussex Agricultural Express 3 Sept 1915 |
He was a member of the Robertsbridge Volunteer Training Corps which were part of the local defence organizations formed in Britain during the early 20th century—especially around the time of the First World War. He was also a member of the Robertsbridge Miniature Rifle Club.
In one of the competitions in 1913 he won a silver spoon with a crest headed Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs as per the image. The handle of the silver spoon had a motto of the Society – Look Forward.
 |
| Image from the Spoonplanet website |
Following a merger with The British Rifle League in 1903, The Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs (1903 - 1947) was born, then in 1947 by Special Resolution we became The National Small-bore Rifle Association.
He also came joint first for the Donegal Badge in one event in 1912. The Donegal badge was awarded by the National Rifle Association
He also competed for The Express Medal and was the winner.
Historically, the term "smallbore" or "miniature rifle" applied to firearms with a bore diameter of .22 inches (5.6 mm) or less. These rifles found widespread use in target shooting, training, and also competitively, particularly in indoor or short-distance environments.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "miniature rifle" commonly described downsized military-style rifles chambered in .22 calibre, intended for cadet training and marksmanship development. Although the language surrounding them has evolved over time, the .22 Rimfire family—such as .22 Short, .22 Long, and .22 Long Rifle—has remained the benchmark for smallbore shooting.
Compare this to his first world war service with the Royal Garrison Artillery where he was with the heavy siege batteries.
 |
| Frank Horace Weston |
The siege batteries of the British Army during the First World War played a crucial role in the heavy artillery operations that defined much of the Western Front’s trench warfare.
They typically wielded heavy artillery pieces designed for long-range bombardment and destruction of fortified positions. The term is derived from the word besieged. A siege battery's primary role was to destroy enemy fortifications, batter trenches, and neutralize enemy artillery from long distances. Unlike field artillery, these guns were less mobile and often emplaced in semi-permanent positions.
The most common calibres used by British siege batteries included:
6-inch howitzers: These were among the most widely used, firing 100-pound shells up to 6,000 yards.
8-inch and 9.2-inch howitzers: Heavier and with greater destructive power, often used against hardened targets or deep enemy positions.
12-inch howitzers: Less common but extremely powerful, used for major offensives or to break through particularly tough defences.
These guns were part of the Royal Garrison Artillery, and often required extensive setup and transport logistics. A typical siege battery might have two to six guns, depending on the calibre. Transporting siege battery guns during World War I was a monumental task. The process typically involved a combination of railways, traction engines, and horse teams, depending on the terrain and urgency.