1931

7
56
Eques Gulielmus Hamilton
A Georgic III. Mag. Brit. Rege
Ad Sicil Regem Ferdinandum IV. Legatus
Et in Patriam Transmissum
Patrio Bonarum Artium Genio Dicavit
An. Ac. N. CICDCCLXXIV
In
1893-94
the number of entries reached the half-century, and
this increase continued up to
1900,
when the entries naturally fell
and remained at a low level during the South African War. On
the return of units from South Africa, the upward tendency was
resumed, and at the outbreak of the Great War the number of
91
had been reached.
The competition remained in abeyance during the years
1914-
1919,
and in
1919-20
the highest total of 142 entries was recorded.
With the natural decrease in the number of units, and the later
disbandment of the Irish battalions, the numbers gradually fell,
until the present average of about 110 was attained.
In
1907
a proposal that a replica of the Challenge Trophy should
be presented to the winning team was approved; it was also agreed
that the proposal should be retrospective, issues to be made as and
when funds became available.
About
1911
-12 it became evident that the work of the Associa-
tion demanded more time than it was possible for the Honorary
Secretary to devote to it, and in
1913-14
proposals were put forward
amending the rules of the Association in an endeavour to lighten
the work of the Honorary Secretary.
On the conclusion of the Great War the Association resumed
its activities, and it was quickly found that the appointment of a
whole-time Assistant Secretary had hecome a necessity, and in
1919
-20 the General Committee gave approval for the appointment
of a whole-time official.
In
1919
it was also decided to form an Army Referees'
Committee, and Captain G. J. Ross kindly undertook the duties
of Hon. Secretary in connection therewith.
A Committee was appointed to draw up rules, and these being
submitted to the General Committee, were approved and published
in the handbook for season
1920
-21.
Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Impey, D.S.O., was the first Chairman of
the new Committee, and Lieut. A. E. Edwards, Royal Artillery,
the Hon. Secretary, the other members being Lieut.-Colonel D.
Burges, V.C., D.S.O., the Gloucestershire Regiment, Major IV. C.
Clover, the Leicestershire Regiment, Captain P. E. Walton,
Royal
Artillery, and Lieut. J. A. Old, Royal Artillery.
Since its formation, the Army Referees' Committee has
examined and registered over
1,900
individual referees. The
number of yearly registrations (which include promotions and