5. Both at Devonport base, HMS Drake and at Earls Court there was a very subdued atmosphere. That has changed. No one is hurt (if they were, they would probably keep quiet). In British use, a field gun was anything up to around 4.5inches in calibre, larger guns were medium and the largest guns were heavy. Devonport v Fleet Air Arm at the Royal Tournament, Earls Court, July 1988 The crew set up a wire and traveller so all 18 members of the crew and their equipment could cross the chasm. In the company of 18 men with old-fashioned nicknames (Shorty, Nobby) and old-fashioned attitudes ('if you get hurt, you moan about it later'), I am reminded what makes the Forces tick. I have come to the South Coast, with Grassy Meadows as my guide, to watch the preparations. 'My rank doesn't matter here,' says Jules. In the Royal Navy, nothing beats winning the Field Gun.'. Originally mounted on a black ebony stand, this was replaced in 1961 by the current polished wooden base. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers. The crews started at one end of the arena and began by negotiating an obstacle of planks fixed at 18-inches above the ground. In 1960 Chatham ran at the tournament for the last time. HMS Collingwood cut that to 1 minute 26.80 seconds in 1962. The original chasm was formed by placing two ramps opposite each other at a distance of 7ft 6in apart. Records for completing the course have continued to be broken. There have been many changes to the competition. The original stipulation by Brickwood that the trophy was only open to teams from within Portsmouth continued until 1975 when the competition was widened to include bases from around the country. Two gun crews of eighteen men from the commands of Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham took part in the first competition. From the start line in front of the Royal Box, the crews pulled the guns and limbers to the end of the arena where they turned and carried themselves and the equipment over a 5-foot (1.5m) wall. 9-pounder and 12-pounder guns were used in the displays. In 1896 the first all-naval display appeared in the programme of the Tournament. The course was changed in 1908 with a chasm replacing the plank obstacle. The gun is unhooked and the limber is run to the 70 yard line where it is turned or spun to face the start; its wheels are removed and it is dropped to the ground. The "Brickwoods" Field Gun competition also started in 1907 after the Brickwoods Brewery donated a magnificent Trophy to the Royal Navy. Information on the period 1908 to 1922 is scanty but it seems that apart from the periods of war the Brickwood Trophy was competed for each year. This is called: Out, Back and Home. HMS Collingwood cut that to 1 min 26.8 secs in 1962. The men not only had to cope with very difficult terrain but they had to construct some sort of way of getting across a bottomless area of land; this is where the present days chasm idea came from. Only two crews run during each performance. To an outsider, this brutal event raises several questions. Brickwood maintained a close interest in the competition over the years. Two gun crews of eighteen men from the commands of Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham took part in the first competition. This comprised of cutlass drill and gun drill by forty ratings from HMS Excellent. Last year, the organisers of the Royal Windsor Horse Show decided to use their spectacular arena beneath Windsor Castle to stage the first Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo. In the old days, officers were excluded because they could not take orders from lower ranks. The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The "Brickwoods" trophy itself is a reproduction in silver of a 12-pounder field gun and a gun crew of seven sailors. The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in the township of Ladysmith in 1899. HMS Collingwood beat this by running a time of 1 minute 18.80 seconds in 2001. 'It was like winning or losing the Cup final,' recalls Grassy. But there is no prize money. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The Boer Army Artillery was far superior to that of the British, and on 25th October 1899 the General Officer Commanding at Ladysmith Sir George White, the British Army Headquarters in Natal, signalled the Admiral Commanding the Cape Squadron in Simonstown to ask for assistance in the form of long range Naval Guns. In 1903, a party from HMS Excellent introduced an obstacle into their display. Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6943, http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.5911, http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.7122, COMMAND100 - Centenary of Inter Command Field Gun, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 2001 HMS Collingwood - the current record holders with a time of 1 min 18.88 secs. 1907 - the first competition was held, two crews of eighteen, coming from Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham, competed at each afternoon performance (a display similar to the original was put on for each evening performance), as follows: The two Ramps were placed 7 6 apart, and the men had to pass the gun and limber over the chasm without the use of any other appliances! The course was then negotiated in the opposite direction with the winner being the first crew to cross the original start line. For the sailors who take part in the competition it as near to war as you can get and is the culmination of six months of dedication, fitness, courage, teamwork and. The Interport Field Gun competition was established in 1907 and was a highlight of the Royal Tournament until the Last Run in 1999. The original stipulation by Brickwood that the trophy was only open to teams from within Portsmouth continued until 1975 when the competition was widened to include bases from around the country. 9-pounder and 12-pounder guns were used in the displays. The collapsing sheer legs killed him. The last night was also a moment Ill never forget. 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In 1947 the course consisted of seven "very stiff obstacles" over a distance of 440 yards each way. At the end of the two weeks field gunning, four trophies are awarded. Field Guns. The first men are hauled across, carrying 120lb wheels for the gun carriage. The average time for the "Run Out" was 85seconds. The Royal Marines set a new record in 1924 of 1 minute 24.40 seconds. From the start line in front of the Royal Box, the crews pulled the guns and limbers to the end of the arena where they turned and carried themselves and the equipment over a 5-foot (1.5m) wall. The contingent was soon ready and under the command of Captain H. Lambton RN, the 280 officers and men with two, 4.7 inch guns, four long range 12 pounders and four maxim guns the Naval Brigade as they were now called, left Durban by rail for Ladysmith. ), - 1948 - 1957 - 1970 - 1975 - 1981 - 1984 - 1986 - 1987 - 1997 -. The average time for the "Run Home" was 21seconds. Upon their entry the newcomers won the Aggregate Time Challenge Cup as well as the Fastest Time Cup. These are applied as appropriate to each team upon completion of the drill by the event's Chief Judge. This is not the best time to fall in front of the gear because it is very heavy and cannot be stopped. In 1969 Sir Rupert Brickwood Bart presented the trophy and tankards and a firkin of Brickwood's beer to the winning team. The Earls Court event is coming to an end because of. The 1914-1918 war stopped all such events for its duration but the competition returned with the new Royal Tournament of peacetime. After the siege of Ladysmith was finally lifted on February 28th 1900 Queen Victoria sent a telegram: "Pray express to the Naval Brigade my deep appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered with their guns ". Time penalties are added to the running time for each contravention of the rules. 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After the demise of the Royal Tournament, the Brickwoods field gun competition was revived as a naval contest. Due to the nature of this operation the railway was of little use, therefore the guns had to be manhandled over difficult terrain to be brought into action in many different engagements, eventually reaching Ladysmith after 120 days of blockade. The Field Gun Run is a tribute to the Royal Navy's involvement in the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer. The officers and men of Powerful were soon invited to a number of military and civic receptions culminating in a Royal audience with Queen Victoria where she personally thanked. The names of the winners of the trophy are engraved on small shields up to and including 1961 and plates for winners since 1962. The average time for the "Run Home" was 21 seconds. Crews were permitted to use wires, ropes, spars etc to traverse the obstacle. Most of the tournament's 10-strong permanent staff now face redundancy. The record was lowered to 1 minute 19.40 seconds by HMS Daedalus in 1988. The guns were reassembled before taking them over a four-foot wall. The race has not been seen since the Royal Tournament ended a decade ago. In 1903, a party from HMS Excellent introduced an obstacle into their display. Both sides moved forces to their mutual borders, the British forces in Natal numbered less than 16,000 whilst the Transvaal Burgher army alone totalled nearly 27,000. The crews started at one end of the arena and began by negotiating an obstacle of planks fixed at 18-inches above the ground. Diversity & Inclusion We empower all our people, by respecting and valuing what makes them different. The event originates from guns being run cross treacherous terrain during the siege of Ladysmith during the Boer War. When the crew from HMS POWERFUL returned to this country they ran a 4.7 gun through the arena at the Agricultural Hall at Islington in the 1900 Royal Military Tournament and were greeted with wild enthusiasm by the public attending. duration, just to share an atmosphere that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Why hasn't it been banned on health-and-safety grounds? Since the last war the original black ebony stand has been replaced by the present brown polished wood base. Article. They owed their salvation, in part, to 280 Royal Navy sailors, even though Ladysmith is 100 miles inland. The Field Gun competition, the Guns and Guts of the Royal Tournament for over 90 years, considered by some to be the world's most dangerous sport, lives on in Devonport's Park Pavilion Caf. With few exceptions, even the largest siege weapons had become mobile by road or rail by the start of World War I, and evolution after that point tended to be towards smaller weapons with increased mobility. 4 years ago. 1947 - Naval Air Command replaced the Royal Marines in the competition, 1949 & 1950 - Final year at Olympia, followed by the first year at Earls Court, 1952 - Bronze medals introduced for the runners up Crews, 1960 - Chathams final year in competition, Pompeys post War Clean Sweeps (of the 3 major trophies! The larger arena allowed the display to be scaled up. Following the Second World War, the first post war Tournament was held in 1947 at Olympia with the addition of a crew representing the Fleet Air Arm. Seaman from HMS Victory (RN Barracks, Portsmouth) introduced a further obstacle in the form of a bridge, too narrow for the guns to be hauled over in the usual manner.The following year, the Tournament was relocated to Olympia in West London. Today 18 strong teams compete over an 85-yard-long (78m) flat track, a total run of 170 yards (160m). In fact, win or lose, they made not a bean. The origins of Royal Navy Field Gun lay in 1899, in the Second Boer War, and in particular the epic 119-day Siege of Ladysmith. All the men and the field gun have to be carried over the enemy wall, and back across the chasm. So, in this team, you find the 'firing number', Petty Officer Gunga Din, giving orders to the 'extracting number', Jules Stevenson, who just happens to be a Lieutenant Commander. Once all the crew and equipment were back on the home side of the chasm, the wire and traveller were dismantled and three more rounds were fired in a rear guard action. The record was lowered to 1 minute 19.4 secs by HMS Daedalus in 1988. The ZiS-3 could be used in direct fire against armored vehicles, direct fire in infantry support, and indirect fire against distant targets. With a 5-foot wall at either end of the arena, the course and conditions remained virtually the same until the end of the competition in 1999. The gun display was turned into a competition and, each year, the big naval bases would recruit teams to heave the same guns over artificial walls and across a 28-foot 'chasm'. The Interport Field Gun competition was established in 1907 and was a highlight of the Royal Tournament until the Last Run in 1999. The winning crew in 1907 was HMS Cambridge, the gunnery school in Plymouth. Both Gun Wheels are shifted. However it is not just this year that records have been set and then broken. The limber is lifted, its wheels and drag ropes are shipped and it is run forward. The wheels are quick disconnect as well as the barrel. In 1971 Brickwood's business was acquired by London-based brewers Whitbread & Co Ltd. Ex-British Army. In 1947 the course consisted of seven "very stiff obstacles" over a distance of 440 yards (400m) each way. After the war with a different course and drill Victoria Barracks achieved I min 27.4 secs in 1954. Gun-howitzers fill the middle ground, with the world rapidly standardizing on either the 155 mm NATO or 152mm Russian (former USSR) standards. But when they signed the disclaimer they never expected a man would be killed in the toughest team sport in the world. The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in Ladysmith in 1899. The following is the chronological evolvement of the competition, as we came to know and love it: 1900 - 4.7 Guns were hauled into the arena by four span of Oxen and Sailors, the animals were then out-spanned as though out to graze, the Sailors fired one round, and then manhandled the Guns out of the arena. And how on earth did anyone come up with the idea in the first place? The dangers and the discipline, however, remained exactly the same. Colonel Iain Ferguson, director of the Royal Tournament, expressed regret about the tournament's demise. The gun carriage and gun barrels follow, the gun barrels each weigh 900lb. Each crew competes seven times against each of the other crews. The Brickwoods Trophy Competition sponsored by Whitbread was instituted shortly after its Big Brother, the Inter-Command Competition was first performed at Olympia in 1907. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 1925 - Individual Silver Medals were introduced - initial winners being HMS Excellent. However, the run is still not over, penalties can still be incurred if the drill is not carried out correctly, for instance: a man moving before the G is sounded on the bugle or throwing or dropping a piece of equipment into the chasm. In the warm-up, he cheerfully barks orders at men who are not just senior in rank, but also 20 years older. In 1981 Portsmouth produced a record run of 2 minutes 42.4, only to see it snatched away again two years later by Devonport with a run of 2 minutes 41.1. In South Africa at the turn of the last century relations between the Dutch in the Transvaal, the Orange State, the British in the Cape and Natal deteriorated rapidly after a conference held in Bloomfontein, capital of the Orange Free State, to resolve the problems arising form the massive influx of immigration as a result of the discovery of gold in the Transvaal and their claims for citizenship rights ended in stalemate. Displays of Field Gun drill continued in subsequent years. At this speed, the process can, literally, cost an arm and a leg. But on one point, Woolers never budged. The guns and limbers were then dismantled and carried to the top of a ramp on the "home side" of a 28-foot (8.5m) "chasm". These penalties are turned into seconds and these are added onto the final time. After four consecutive nights, the winning crew will receive a trophy from the Queen and, perhaps, a drink from their commanding officer. Next week, the 30,000 visitors to the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo - including most of the Royal Family and celebrities from Coldplay's Chris Martin to Alan Titchmarsh - will watch two 18-strong teams of the Royal Navy's finest crashing around the main arena and performing a series of Formula One-style pit stops with a Victorian cannon. It was Scott, then a Lieutenant, who had helped Captain Fisher (later Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord) establish a Gunnery School on Whale Island at Portsmouth in the 1880s. Night Vision & Thermal Aficionado Starting from one end of the arena, the teams first negotiated an obstacle of planks fixed 18-inches from the ground. Military Life. On this occasion, the gun was pulled by 4 oxen who were detached from their harness before one round was fired and the sailors manhandled the gun out of the arena to great applause from the audience. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers. The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Crews were not permitted to use any additional equipment to assist in transporting the gun and limber across the chasm. 'One or two men might think "Hmmm?" Man-packed mortars lack the range or hitting power of gun-artillery. They were soon re-enacting their heroics at the Grand Military Tournament which, in due course, became the Royal Tournament, the annual celebration of the British Forces. There is nothing quite like the Royal Navy's Field Gun run, a wince-inducing display of teamwork and severed digits. In the final stage, the "Run Home", men, guns and limbers passed back through the hole in the home wall and then the teams "hook up and pull for home". In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. Some of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who take part in the show are planning to wear black armbands as they go through their paces at Earls Court tonight to mark the passing of the Tournament. Tonight's final performance, which will be attended by the Princess Royal, will feature familiar events including performances by RAF dogs, massed pipes and drums, a tug of war and the very last running of the field gun competition. And yet, as far as Woolers was concerned, the men of the Royal Navy Field Gun competition were way out in front when it came to nominating 'the toughest sport in the world'. The gun is fired three times as quickly as possible. In 1896 the first all-naval display appeared in the programme of the Tournament. Up until and including 1905, the Royal Naval and Military Tournament was held at the Agricultural Hall, Islington. In 1971 Brickwood's business was acquired by London-based brewers Whitbread & Co Ltd: The U.S. Army tried the long-range gun again from the early 1960s to the late 1970s with the M107 175 mm gun. Later as Commander Scott he was instrumental in conceiving the idea of field gun competitions, the first as early as 1900. [1] A second team, Eastbourne Youth Field Gun, established 2017 and also a cadet-size formation, is the newest field gun formation in the "Command" format. Everyone (except me) relishes the cry of 'Drill! \r\rThe third section is called the run home. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS*American Reacts to The Royal Naval Field Gun Competition, royal naval field gun competition, royal navy, royal, naval, field, gun, competition, fleet competition, fleet, devonport, portsmouth, royal naval field gun, toughest competition, Eclectic Beard Gaming and Reactions, gaming channel, reaction channel, gaming, reactions, The men who lift the gun are called the 'heavy ends'; the chaps who lift the wheels on and off are 'wheel numbers'; the man on the trigger is the 'firing number'; and the chap who runs around with the ammo is called 'speedy bullet'. however, if you know any of it is incorrect, please let me know, and I'll rectify it! There are 34 possible penalties. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. At anchor off Capetown were the cruisers, HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful, the British Commander in Natal, General Sir George White VC, signalled the ships for assistance, particularly long range guns. Sadly, due to Government cuts this year was the last year of the Royal Tournament as everybody knows it and the final time anyone will ever run the gun. I have managed to gather the above information from a number of sources. The siege of Ladysmith lasted for 120 days until February 1900. In a matter of seconds the wheels are on, pins are in, and the gun crews race flat-out to the finishing line.\r\rThe average time for the run out is one minute twenty-five seconds; for the run back one minute and for the run home twenty-one seconds. The top brass also viewed it as a drain on everdwindling manpower. 'You leave rank at the side of the sports field,' says Pompey's Number One, Warrant Officer Glen Young. The siege of Ladysmith lasted for 120 days until February 1900. Reserve stocks are held by other former users such as the People's Army of Vietnam. Senior Naval Staff The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in Ladysmith in 1899. 2nd Advance, 1st Action From 2001 there will be a new Military Tattoo featuring ceremony, massed bands and pageantry, also at Horse Guards Parade. The spirit of the Royal Tournament has not died either. In 1900, the entire British Empire rejoiced after British forces, besieged inside the South African town of Ladysmith for 119 days, were finally relieved. In 1912 the organisers removed the chasm from the competition in favour of a single ramp which was negotiated on both the outward and homeward legs of the course. Result The gun is run to the end of the track, turned and stopped. In 1992, the services decided that they could no longer free the 2,500 personnel needed to run the show for its traditional three weeks and the tournament was cut to a fortnight, stripping it of financial viability. The Royal Navy landed two 4.7inch guns and four 12-pounder field guns. In 1978 with HMS Fisgard's win the trophy left Portsmouth Command and HMS Gannet's win in 1997 took it north of the border for the first time. From there the Naval Brigade under Captain Lambton transferred the guns to the last train to get through to Ladysmith before it was besieged for 119 days. It is all done in just over a minute. RNRMC (Brickwood's) Field Gun - Current Crews: Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The limber wheels are shipped and it is run back and hooked to the gun. Fleet Air Arm won the trophy this year and they hold the record of 2 penalty points. In addition, a Military Festival will be held each year outside London at varying locations at which the public will be able to view large-scale weaponry. It's just another reason why the Field Gun is still revered as the ultimate. Wooden spars weighing 170lb are erected and wires rigged across the 28 foot chasm. Aggregate Time and Fastest Time Cups were introduced in 1924. After the war, with a different course and drill, Victoria Barracks achieved 1 minute 27.40 seconds in 1954. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Hundreds of spectators came out to watch 24 crews across all services compete. In a combined display, Seamen from HMS Excellent and HMS Victory took their guns over two walls and two bridges. . Although the chasm was reduced to 28ft the competition remained fundamentally the same throughout the interwar years. The crew set up a wire and traveller so all 18 members of the crew and their equipment could cross the chasm. The British forces were quickly overwhelmed and forced back to the towns of Mafeking, Kimberley and Ladysmith, which were then besieged. The course was then negotiated in the opposite direction with the winner being the first crew to cross the original start line. 1927 - first time one crew were awarded all three trophies (HMS Vivid, Devonport). Her worst injury? They were inconsolable. The gun and wheels are heavy! The programme from the 1896 Tournament states: The guns are brought in and, after a short march around the arena, are cleared for action and one round is fired. The winning crew in 1907 was HMS Cambridge, the gunnery school in Plymouth. The Royal Navy landed two 4.7-inch (120mm) guns and four 12-pounder naval guns creating improvised field guns using makeshift gun carriages. The crew set up a wire and traveller so all 18 members of the crew and their equipment could cross the chasm. 1909 - Inter-Command Challenge Cup was first awarded. 'Gunga is trusting me to get the shells out of the barrel and I am trusting him with my fingers.'. but it's up to you to prove yourself and give your all,' she says.

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