American Reacts to The Royal Naval Field Gun Competition Two gun crews of eighteen men from the commands of Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham took part in the first competition. 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. 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. 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. The winning crew was awarded one point; the crew with the most points over the period of the Tournament was awarded a trophy. The field gun competition also referred to as Gun Run or the Gun Run was held annually at the Royal Tournament in London from 1907 to 1999, and was contested by teams from the Royal Navy. Before the First World War the competition was moved from the RN Barracks to Whale Island, where it continued until 1973; the following year it transferred to HMS Collingwood, its famously large parade ground reputed to have once held as many as 8,000 ratings is the perfect setting for the event. A similar "Command" Field Gun, is still being run by civilians as Wellington College (cadet-size) and Portsmouth Action Field Gun (full-size). The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. Man power: Robert Hardman (right) trains with the Portsmouth team. [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. In 1969 Sir Rupert Brickwood Bart presented the trophy and tankards and a firkin of Brickwood's beer to the winning team. 'I once scraped all the skin off my knees, but I got to the finish line - which was the main thing.'. It is all done in just over a minute. Perhaps, if they can drag themselves away from their taxpayer-funded plasma screens and patio heaters and get down to Windsor, our lords and masters might learn a valuable lesson in teamwork, public service - and downright courage. American Reacts to The Royal Naval Field Gun CompetitionOriginal Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32s4qCCFnmk#RoyalNaval #FieldGun #ReactionTo Support t. I have managed to gather the above information from a number of sources. The winning crew was awarded one point; the crew with the most points over the period of the Tournament was awarded a trophy. The Naval involvement in the Victorian campaigns usually involved the landing of the Blue Jackets of the Naval Brigade with their portable field guns alongside their comrades in the Army. Many ex-gunners, or simply a keen supporter of the gun race, will make an annual pilgrimage to Earls Court. The guns went into action on arrival and soon silenced the Boer guns. "I would have hoped that the Ministry of Defence would take it on (financially), but I do understand when the Chief of Defence Staff decides they need an arena where they can display new equipment. In 1896 the first all-naval display appeared in the programme of the Tournament. Devonport v Fleet Air Arm at the Royal Tournament, Earls Court, July 1988 The Royal Navy Field Gun competition was contested by teams from the Royal Naval commands of Portsmouth, Devonport and the Fleet Air Arm (although teams from Chatham and the Royal Marines have also competed). 3rd Retire and Finish 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.