John Sedgewick

John Sedgewick enjoyed a long military career. He served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards in the 1899-1902 second Boer War and then with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Egyptian campaign. He was later commissioned into the Durham Light Infantry and saw service in France and North Russia during the Great War. He was twice injured and was awarded the Military Cross and Bar for service in the field.

Throughout his time in the Army, Sedgewick was a keen rifle shooter and won may titles in both South Africa and Great Britain, including the Grand Aggregate and Rifle Championship of London and Middlesex. He reached the final of the King’s Prize at Bisley for the first time in 1912, the year he represented Great Britain at the Stockholm Olympics.

Sedgewick retired from the Army in 1920 and became assistant secretary of the Staffordshire Territorial Army Association (STAA), and was also the first chairman of the Stafford Miniature and Service Rifle Club. At Bisley in 1934, Sedgewick tied with Jocelyn Barlow in the final stage of the King’s Prize, only to lose after a shoot-off.

Sedgewick retired from the STAA in 1938 and moved to Hampshire where he became a market gardener. During World War II, he served with the Home Guard. Sedgewick died the day after his 77th birthday, and just three hours after being on duty with the Home Guard.