James Walter Houlden passed the “Militia Staff Course” and joined the Royal Montreal Regiment one day before the outbreak of the Second World War. During the war years, Houlden was the Chief Ballistician for Canadian Industries Limited and Defence Industries Limited. Following his arrival in Winnipeg, Houlden joined the Winnipeg Light Infantry as a Major and was immediately named to the Executive of the Shooting Committee. As a result, the Winnipeg Light Infantry teams dominated shooting throughout Winnipeg into the 1950’s. In 1946, Houlden was elected to the Executive of the Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association for which he served until 1961.

As an athlete, Houlden qualified for the Canadian Rifle Team to Bisley on sixteen occasions between 1925 and 1976 but participated only nine times. In 1932 and 1934, Houlden also qualified for Canada’s Dewar Rifle Team and was once selected the team captain. At Bisley in 1952, Houlden won the Duke of Cambridge Match at 900 Yards and in 1965, he was honoured to be the Commandant of Canada’s Rifle Team to the event. Houlden attained “Expert” rating on handguns and enjoyed a 21 yard handicap on Trap and Skeet. He qualified for Manitoba’s Rifle Team to the national matches in Ottawa in every year from 1947 to 1961 and initiated the revival of the “Palma Match” (the long-range championship of the world) in which he fired 800, 900 and 1000 yards and was a member of Canada’s team in 1967 and 1974. Houlden was also instrumental in the establishment of the Junior Hunting Training Program which has grown all over Canada.

James Walter Houlden is a Life Member of the Ontario Rifle Association, the Quebec Rifle Association, and the National Rifle Association of Great Britain; a Life Governor of the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association, and an Honourary Life Member of the Manitoba Provincial Association.