In 1874 thirteen schools, including Whitgift, subscribed for the Public Schools Veterans trophy.
 
In 1878 Whitgift School first shot in the Ashburton shield, in the National Rifle Association meeting at Wimbledon, and a year later Whitgift Old Boys first shot in the Public Schools Veterans match.
 
Although in 1892 the team reached 4th place, in the early years the team did not do particularly well and in 1896 the 'Whitgift Veterans Rifle Club' was founded for the purpose of organising and providing teams to shoot in this match and to try and improve the level of shooting.
 
It is interesting to note that new schools wishing to take part in the Veterans match had to be approved by the existing competitors, and such august institutions as Felsted and Uppingham had to ask Whitgift if they might be considered for election.
 
The 'Veterans' obtained honorary membership of 4th Queen's Volunteer Battalion which assisted them not only with rifles and equipment but also local shooting facilities.

Liaison between the school and the OW's has always been particularly close in shooting and right from the beginning matches between the club and cadets were arranged at Woldingham and Bisley and later at the 'miniature' range when this was installed by the Governors in 1902.
 
It was about this time that A. Talbot Smith came to be closely involved with shooting, a position he held for over sixty years. He was an International shot and a tireless committee man who worked for the advancement of shooting in general and Whitgift particularly. The Ebbutts, a very old established Croydon family, also began to play a large part in the club affairs from this time right up to the present day.
 
During the 1914-18 war the club activities were principally concerned with training volunteers in musketry and affording them facilities for practice. By 1915 some 44 out of 89 members were on active service. After the war it might be said that the 1920's and the 1930's were particularly good for the club with many recorded successes, both team and individual.
 
During the 1939-45 war club activities ceased entirely but shortly after the war great efforts were made by Charles Ebbutt, and others, to get the club going again to such good purpose that in 1946 the Public Schools Veterans Aggregate was again won, the 'B' team also taking 1st place in its class and the 'C' team 2nd.
 
With the advent of National Service most members of the school V111 dispersed and were lost to the club, however, the Hon. Secretary always seemed to achieve the annual miracle of assembling 15 to 20 people for the Veterans match. The abolition of National Service in the sixties made things easier for the club and membership again increased and we commenced shooting in the Croydon and/or Surrey county small bore rifle and pistol Leagues. The pistol section having been formed in 1964.
 
A generous grant from the O.W.A. enabled the club to re-equip and this enabled us to offer members the use of the best equipment available for both small-bore and full-bore shooting although we have always encouraged members to purchase their own equipment, and many have.
 
The club has probably had the longest continuous level of activity of any Old Boys club and this has no doubt been due to the long service of many of its officers; Chairmen, Hon. Secretaries and Hon. Treasurers. The committee has full records in its Minute Books since 1896.