The Bill Terry Archery Collection, Part III, Auction catalogue

William “Bill” Terry (1933–2023) was born in Croydon and developed a lifelong passion for archery as a teenager in Sevenoaks, Kent. His first lessons took place on a neighbour’s lawn, sparking an interest that led him to help form the Sennocke Archers in 1951 and become a founder member of the British Long Bow Society. His enthusiasm and encouragement helped shape both organisations in their early years.

Bill’s commitment to archery was lifelong. He played a key role in relocating and sustaining the Sevenoaks Archery Club through multiple upheavals. Later, he re-established the historic West Kent Archery Society on his own woodland range, built on land he acquired after retiring and transforming a former apple orchard into a home and training ground.

A passionate collector, Bill assembled one of the largest private collections of archery books, artefacts, and ephemera in Europe. His encyclopaedic knowledge made him a respected figure nationally and internationally. His hospitality was legendary—hosting archers, historians, and even livery companies eager to explore the collection at Beechin Wood.

Bill was instrumental in reviving interest in the Southern Counties Archery Meeting and proudly maintained its historic Honours Board. Though he rarely won tournaments, he was a source of support and encouragement to generations of archers, always more concerned with their progress than his own scores.

Even in his later years, Bill remained a familiar, generous presence on the tournament circuit. His legacy lives on through the many archers he mentored, the clubs he nurtured, and the extraordinary collection he curated over a lifetime.

This catalogue of the sale of the Bill Terry Archery Collection is a lasting record of a remarkable life in archery. A limited number of catalogues are available.

View the online auction catalogue