There is story in the navy that in the 1950s two groups of warships came across each other , the US and The UK Royal Navy . The US admiral sent a signal “ good afternoon British Admiral how is the second largest Navy by in the world “ British admiral replied “ thank you we are well , how is the second BEST navy in the world 😂😂😂
I used to be in the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, when we were on exercises with American ships we used to do things called "Cross Pollination" or "Crosspols" for short. That meant we would swap personnel to give them and us a looky see what life was like on opposing ships. Now Americans weren't allowed to drink at sea but us Brits were. We used to take great delight in getting our American Crosspol candidates extremely drunk, then sending them back home vomiting their heads off! American Sailors were also always told when on shore leave, Don't drink with the Brits, Don't gamble with the Brits and Don't fight with the Brits...... you will lose!
Nick My Dad was the landlord, of The Star pub in Weymouth, from the early 1980's to the middle of the 90's. It was the watering hole, of many of the local "matelots" and especially members of The Fleet Air Arm gun crew. Some fantastic evenings spent in there. I was lucky enough, to be able, to go to the Royal Tournament, and witness the gun crew, close up and personal, behind the scenes, as they were preparing for their run. Genuinely, one of the most, electric, adrenalin pumping, atmospheric situations I have ever witnessed. I myself, was in the RFA, and after my first night in the "Gut" in Malta. I can absolutely confirm, that you are bang on, about the yanks!😁😁😁
@@Martin-dq1dk I spent most of the nineties based at Portland between trips away on board, so Weymouth was my default setting! Pretty sure your old man probably served me a pint or three. Totally agree about the Royal Tournament, think the last time I went was maybe '91 ish. That reminds me, tonight and tomorrow are the "Portland Old Boys" nights out. Where old shipmates descend on Weymouth and Portland, get drunk and catch up after many many years...... unfortunately I couldn't make it this year, but have raised a glass in their honour.
During WW2 when the Royal Navy was evacuating the army from Crete, the Admiral in charge was advised to withdraw because he was losing too many ships. Instead he carried on with the evacuation, he's quoted as saying "it takes 3 years to build a ship, it takes 300 to build a tradition."
Admiral (later Viscount) Cunningham aka ABC had a wonderful turn of phrase to go with a superb career. His order for the blockade of Tunisia is one of my favourite of the war. He signalled the fleet “Sink, burn and destroy: Let nothing pass”
The Royal Tournaments were amazing fun. Lots of marching, military bands, trained dog displays, live military drills and even bikes jumping over cars. It was unmissable TV back in the day. Sad it's not around anymore.
I remember in 1994 my dad told me I was ill and couldn't go to school. We took a coach to Earl's Court in London, was amazing seeing this and all the rest. Massed bands, ARRC, REME, Ghurkas, magic day.
The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in the township of Ladysmith in 1899. In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers.
I'm so proud to say my father ran for Davenport Field Gun just after WW2. Davenport hold the record time. The reason it stopped is because our government of the day decided it cost too much. Another great tradition destroyed by people who have no clue!
I'm quite old, but it was one of my highlights of my childhood to go to the Colchester military tattoo but the Royal Tournament was something else. It was a thing of pride for us British. 1999 was around the time the western world went wrong and pride in our forces and nation started falling apart. Happy days.😢
Earls Court was flattened by developers, then they were stopped from building high-rise housing. It's been an empty site for many years. "You don't know what you've got, 'til it's gone.."
The Royal Navy are called the Senior Service in the UK. This was always watched in awe when I was a child many years ago. I joined a different arm of the service for 12 years, but always admire all military precision.
Even had their 'own' cigarettes, 'Senior Service' which were strong and unfiltered. I often ran errands to the newsagents to get a neighbour '20 Senior Service.'
@@theotherside8258 I would think the Navy was the Senior Service before cigarettes. I just did an image search because I recall there was a ship on the front of the pack, which also brought up the smaller version, 'Cadets' which I'd forgotten about.
The Royal Navy Field Gun Competition was an event held during the annual Royal Tournament. The event was was apparently cancelled due to our military services becoming too stretched to spare the 2,500 personnel needed to put the event on for its usual three-week run.
At the time of the last tournament it had been reduced to two weeks a few years previous. This was because every year it lost money and that was pretty much the main reason for cancelling. The tournament profits went to service charities but as it was losing money no-one was 'benefitting'.
My cousin was in the Royal Navy. After he left he interviewed for an engineer position on luxury yachts in the Med. As soon as he said he'd been in the gun team the interview stopped and he was offered the job on the spot. The guys interviewing him knew how hard it was to get into the Gun teams and compete and it was enough for them to know my cousin was the guy they wanted.
My dad was in the navy and as a very young boy, he took us as a family to watch the Portsmouth team hard in training, at a man made naval base in Portsmouth called Whale Island. We were encouraged by my folks to scream and yell for "the boys" but I was a bit too young and nervous to do that, but it was still one of the most thrilling events I had seen in my life and that was just practice. "The boys" took it very seriously and it was a thing of pride to take part in despite the missing limbs, knocks and bruises they expected on the journey. Absolutely thrilling. xx
My dad was in the Pompey field gun crew back when I was a nipper and was so proud when he was in the royal tournament. I also have fond memories of whale island. Always a great day out. His crew still meet up every year. Boy they can still have a drink.
This was held at the Royal Tournament at Earl's Court in London. This was an annual military display. I believe it was cancelled because of defence spending cuts
There's another royal navy tradition of sailors climbing a massive mast and rigging, one step at a time to the beat of a drum. Probably cancelled along with the one in the video due to health and safety.
Fleet Air Arm was formed around 1924 as an organisational unit of the RAF. RAF was formed in 1918 when the Royal flying corps and Royal naval air service merged.
@@julietravis9775 My bad, maybe not the FAA, but the Royal Naval Air Service pre-dated the origins of the RAF by nearly four years. And it's always with great delight that us FAA types remind the crabs that they were formed on the first of April....... longest running joke in the services...... 🤣🤣🤣🤣
My brother was in this tournament, he served in the Royal Navy for 21 years , at the age of 15 years old signed up for 12 years then again.. sadly died last year
I was in the Fleet Air Arm, this was massive back in the day, they used to send out dispatches with the results to all ships in the Royal Navy. I was based in HMS Daedalus where the Fleet Air Arm trained - they were beasts🤣
I just watched the final run in 1999 and one of the team captains after one of the wire Snaps was flipped over landed on his neck and was clinically dead he was resuscitated and taken to hospital another one of those is running on a broken ankle and leg and foot and his team went on to win. As is said above the equipment they are moving is over ton it was so exciting to watch back in the day I am 41 years old now so I was a child in the 80s and 90s and this was the most spectacular thing I had ever seen and probably the best display of precision teamwork and strengths I have ever seen in my life. these men are hard as nails
@@mikestrohm3271 I ran for Portsmouth and I can confirm it did happen in 99 but not in front of the public. It happened during a practice period which is not conducted in front of the crowd but still in the arena.
@@mikestrohm3271I ran for Portsmouth and I can confirm it did happen in 99. It happened in a practice period which is conducted in the arena but not in front the of crowd.
@@billparry7058 Apologies, I ran for Devonport in 77 and the gunny grapevine did not say anything about this. I well remember the practice runs, usually 6am.
@@mikestrohm3271 Yes it was the morning practice period. Obviously the worst thing that happened for Pompey was the Oggies breaking the record that year.🙄😂
If you want to know what real hard men are like here this is it. The results of these competitions were radioed to the fleet around the world it was a great source of pride for the ships to be based at the winning Dockyard
I, like many here it seems, watched this live on TV back in the day, my dad videoed it and I must have seen the whole televised thing 20+ times over the decades. I think the whole thing is on YT now anyway. Such strength required, but speed along with the strength too, which is truely incredible. Great reactions King!
I was sent to Earls Court in 1952 as RN catering party. A soft draft after two and a half years in the Med. after Ganges.. We would watch the Field gun run every night and cheer on our home ream, Chatham! Yes there used to be 4 teams. In 1974 I joined NAAFI vending branch and from then until 1994 I was responsible for setting up the vending area in the NAAFI complex, always felt so good to see the Field Gun lads.
This ' race' happened every evening of the tournament( 2 weeks I think) with different RN teams. So important were the results they were signalled to the whole fleet! The race is based from the Boar war when the Royal Navy battery took their guns over land to asisit with the relief of Mafeking.
I was in the RN for 24 years and met a few lads who did the gun run and it’s true some of them lost fingers because they dropped bolts and used there fingers instead
If I had never seen the race I would say you are talking bollocks. But as someone who had seen 2 races as a kid knows they gave it there all and if sacrificing a finger meant winning and knowing the pride winning meant. Makes it totally believeable.
I went to the Royal Tournament for 10 years it was a fantastic show at Earls Court in London. Missed the 1999 show as I was overseas. The whole show was great after the gun run my favourite was the musical ride of The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, 6 guns pulled each by 6 horses it was terrifying to watch,
We used to go to the Royal Tournament every year held at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London in the late 1950's to mid 60s. This event and the mounted Royal Artillery demonstration was always the highlight. The competing teams were from the Naval Dockyards at the time, and the Fleet Air Arm featured in this footage.
This is my childhood right here , I marvelled at how they managed to strip and reassemble those field guns after carrying them , having to get them over barriers etc it was SUPER exciting at the time . 👍🏴
JPS (Joel ) is a really nice kid and like yourself, has learnt a lot about British humour and culture. Joel visited the UK last summer and is coming back this summer. Would be great to see you both together. Make sure you call him a Muppet 🤣
The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The story tells of the siege of the British garrison in Ladysmith in 1899. In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers. The Royal Navy landed two 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns and four 12-pounder naval guns creating improvised field guns using makeshift gun carriages. The guns were transported inland by rail and then drawn on makeshift carriages by oxen. For the final part of the journey, sailors from the Naval Brigade manhandled the guns over very difficult terrain. One story tells of sailors carrying one of the 12-pounder guns for 2 miles (3.2 km) after one of the wheels collapsed.
One year a marine got hit by the gun, blood gushing from his head, ran to the arena side and they sent him back real tough men. It stopped because of defence cuts
The Royal Horse Artillery also did a good display with horses & gun carriages at Earls court, also look up the Royal Signals White Helmets display team at Earls Court.
It was stopped because like any display team event, it took 600 men in the three teams out from normal service. The injuries during both competition and training were horrific with deep wounds and muscle tears from throwing this equipment around. There are a couple of documentaries on the teams following the year round training they did to compete.😎😇
Not quite, each command team had forty 'runners' 18 for A crew and 18 for B crew with four spares. Backroom staff was No 1 trainer and No 2 trainer, PTI, 6 workshop staff, three to run the bar and a medic plus the field gun officer making a staff of less than 60 so the total for the three crews was less than two hundred men. There were very few 'horrific' injuries. I ran in 1977 and only one person out of all the crews running over the three commands was injured sufficient to be unable to continue training (broken leg) but he returned and ran the next year.
@@mikestrohm3271 fair enough I was factoring in three centres, a specialised motor pool and catering staff for 5000 calories a day. The BBC series seemed to hype the injuries more with shoulder dislocations, severed fingers, muscle tears and the carriage axle going through someone’s thigh.
@@gbphil Yes mate, but there was no dedicated motor pool when I was with Devonport, we had a truck but that was driven by a staff member (our chippie as I remember). We did have three chefs just for us but not a full catering staff. We had a guy who's little finger was crushed in training, he went off to hospital where they told him he would be out of action for a month so he asked what would happen if they amputated and was told he could be running again in five days. He told them to amputate, was discharged next day, went straight back to the training track and told the trainer he was passed fit. Muscle tears were ignored, pulled muscles ignored, cuts were stitched up trackside and the guys would carry on. Don't forget for everyone in A crew there was someone doing the same drill in B crew and fighting to get into A so an injured A crew guy would pretend he was fine and carry on because if he dropped out he might not get his place back again.
This tournament is based on the relief of ladysmith during the boer war Relief of Ladysmith Part of Second Boer War Date 28 October 1899 - 27 February 1900 Location KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Result British victory Belligerents United Kingdom South African Republic South Africa Orange Free State Commanders and leaders Redvers Buller Piet Joubert Louis Botha When the Second Boer War broke out on 11 October 1899, the Boers had a numeric superiority within Southern Africa. They quickly invaded the British territory and laid siege to Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking. Britain meanwhile transported thousands of troops both from the United Kingdom itself and from elsewhere in the Empire and by the time the siege of Ladysmith had been lifted, had a huge numeric superiority
Last night I watched a documentary about the new aircraft carrier, the Queen Elizabeth. In order to stimulate team spirit, they set up a field gun team which went onto win the competition which seemed to include army teams as well.
If you liked this you'll love the Royal Navy Mast Manning Ceremony. All done without safety gear and a safety net. There are pictures from the Dartmouth Royal Naval College of the Officers manning the mast. There is a video of the first woman "Button Boy" at an event/show in colour on RUclips as well.
That arena, earl's court, has been knocked down now. Demolished a few years ago. I saw the last ever gig there, Bombay Bicycle Club and also saw oasis and genesis in there.
I was in this Royal Tournament as a young bandsman in the massed Corps of Drums. We were on first each night so got the rest of the evening off to watch. The Field Gun competition was really something else.
The back drop that year was all drums with the battle honours of various regiments. The centre piece is the drum banner of the Household Cavalry regiments
The Royal Navy Field Gun competition is still held today, but is not televised. That stopped in 1999. The Royal Navy Field Gun Tournament continues to be held annually at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire. With units of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines as well as the British Army and Royal Air Force. ROYAL NAVY FIELD GUN Origins “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. As the British Army was besieged by Boer fighters in the garrison town of Ladysmith, Natal, the Royal Navy landed guns from HM Ships Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. Special carriages and mountings for these guns had been improvised by Percy Scott, before the Naval Brigade manhandled six field guns each weighing nearly half a metric tonne over rough terrain to assist their opposite numbers of the British Army.” “The gallant defenders were helped enormously by the arrival at the last minute, of Captain the Hon Hedworth Lambton of the Naval Brigade with his 280 Blue-Jackets, four 12 pounders and two 4.7 inch guns. After the siege of Ladysmith was finally lifted on 28 Feb 1900, Her Majesty Queen Victoria I sent a telegram: ‘Pray express to the Naval Brigade my deep appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered with their guns'’. Displays of this magnificent feat began in London that year.” See web link: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/bases-and-stations/training-establishments/hms-temeraire/rn-field-gun
I loved the Royal Tournament it was a great Tournament to watch and the Field gun race was very exciting, The race itself was based on a real event look up “The Relief of Mafaking “ , Those guys had to be super fit many a finger got crushed and various other injuries during the race, It’s such a shame this Tradition was stopped, BTW the result of this race was always flashed to every ship in the Navy .
The UK military fencing championship took place there, during down time, when I wasn't fencing, we watched the show. During the run, one of the crewmen(all men at this point) fell and was run over by both carriage wheels. I've never laughed so much in all my life, even stoned watching Dumb and Dumber got knocked off it's perch.
It was initially run to commemorate the lifting of the seige of Ladysmith during the Boer war. HMS Powerful and HMS Dreadful transported some of their cannon over some particularly rough terrain to come to the aid of our besieged troops.
The televised royal tournament ended in 1999, but according to the royal navy website they still continue to do a field gun competition every year. I don't know if its exactly they same event, but I can't see why they would stop it completely as the military likes its traditions.
Love as a Lass across the Pond. Thank You for saying that. But I think we all work better together. But thanks for saying that, it means a lot, too a Lancashire Lass . Thank You ❤️🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸👍
Proud to say I did the gun run in 76 was also first to do triple gun run and climb at HMS royal Arthur ....gun run stopped due to health and safety regs
To the limit and beyond, was a documentary made in the seventies about selecting and training a team for this.. worth a look. And the Royal Tournaments were absolutely incredible memories from my childhood. Was dumbstruck to be told '99 was the last year for gun run, when i was trying to sign up to the forces in '98, when i was still 17..
Devonport was my home port which is Plymouth Devon. there still is a Military Tattoo but its held at Edinburgh Castle Scotland every year. Vids on YT No field gun run though.
Hi King Boomer. The competition was pulled due to a number of injuries over the years and the introduction of "Health and Safety" law, which requires a risk assessment and strategies put in place to to eliminate or reduce risk!
Can you imagine an annual tournament in the USA on a national holiday , live on TV, between the Navy , Airforce, Army , Marines,Rangers etc along these lines ? It would be awesome 👍🏴
When I was a kid in the cub scouts we'd travel from York to London especially for this each year. Loved the Royal tournament especially this competition.
Years agoooooo I did my work experience at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth and got to watch the Field Gunners practicing; it’s unreal watching it in person 😧
My Dad was a gunnery instructor for Devonport, he was in the Royal Navy for 27 years because he lied about his age. Have you reacted to the button boy Royal Navy, another tradition.
The occasional injuries were pretty bad, and stitches and broken fingers were regular. In 1982 I was on a course at Whale Island, HMS Excellent BUT NOT as part of the FGC (Where Portsmouth FGC training ground was located), tragedy struck the crew when they had a death on the training track. The sheer legs were dropped and struck the young Able rate
Yes, he was an RO and was the only death ever in gun run history. Sadly it was his own fault, he was flying angel and when he reached the home ramp he was supposed to run around the sheer legs as they dropped, for some reason he ran under them as they dropped. It was not like it was his first run, he had been flying angel for several weeks and knew the correct drill.
I did Earl’s Court in 1991. It was a great few weeks for a young navy man who’d only been in a couple years at this stage. Like many others in the navy we couldn’t believe they were getting rid of it . Happy days.
There was no harder competition in the whole world, field gunners still hold their reunions to this day, finest RN club to be a member of . God Bless em. Tony Ex DFG.
I live in Plymouth UK where Devonport naval base is located if you ever come to England it is a place that is a must to visit as it is steeped in history from the Pilgrim Fathers that sailed on the Mayflower to the new world and sir Francis Drake who beat the Spanish Armada .
Hi mate it's classed as to dangerous in this day and age which is so sad alot of tradition gone greetings from the home of the royal navy Portsmouth england
There is story in the navy that in the 1950s two groups of warships came across each other , the US and The UK Royal Navy .
The US admiral sent a signal “ good afternoon British Admiral how is the second largest Navy by in the world “
British admiral replied “ thank you we are well , how is the second BEST navy in the world 😂😂😂
I love these cheeky moments👍👍
🤣🤣🤣
I worked with a old sea salt
Back in the 80’s he told me the same story
He said it was HMS Victorious when joining the Us fleet in the pacific
Well, the RN has been officially been plying the world's oceans since 1546.
@@Oi.... I heard it was a special forces compound, and it was either Delta or Seal Team 6, and the SAS.
I was the flying angel for Portsmouth 1983 ..all you get is a Blazer and a Pocket full of memories
I used to be in the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, when we were on exercises with American ships we used to do things called "Cross Pollination" or "Crosspols" for short. That meant we would swap personnel to give them and us a looky see what life was like on opposing ships.
Now Americans weren't allowed to drink at sea but us Brits were. We used to take great delight in getting our American Crosspol candidates extremely drunk, then sending them back home vomiting their heads off!
American Sailors were also always told when on shore leave, Don't drink with the Brits, Don't gamble with the Brits and Don't fight with the Brits...... you will lose!
My mate was in the Paras and said the same as you, that the US army was told not to challenge the Brits at anything, especially drinking lol.
Bloody brilliant!
Nick
My Dad was the landlord, of The Star pub in Weymouth, from the early 1980's to the middle of the 90's. It was the watering hole, of many of the local "matelots" and especially members of The Fleet Air Arm gun crew.
Some fantastic evenings spent in there.
I was lucky enough, to be able, to go to the Royal Tournament, and witness the gun crew, close up and personal, behind the scenes, as they were preparing for their run.
Genuinely, one of the most, electric, adrenalin pumping, atmospheric situations I have ever witnessed.
I myself, was in the RFA, and after my first night in the "Gut" in Malta. I can absolutely confirm, that you are bang on, about the yanks!😁😁😁
@@Martin-dq1dk I spent most of the nineties based at Portland between trips away on board, so Weymouth was my default setting! Pretty sure your old man probably served me a pint or three.
Totally agree about the Royal Tournament, think the last time I went was maybe '91 ish. That reminds me, tonight and tomorrow are the "Portland Old Boys" nights out. Where old shipmates descend on Weymouth and Portland, get drunk and catch up after many many years...... unfortunately I couldn't make it this year, but have raised a glass in their honour.
During WW2 when the Royal Navy was evacuating the army from Crete, the Admiral in charge was advised to withdraw because he was losing too many ships. Instead he carried on with the evacuation, he's quoted as saying "it takes 3 years to build a ship, it takes 300 to build a tradition."
Admiral (later Viscount) Cunningham aka ABC had a wonderful turn of phrase to go with a superb career.
His order for the blockade of Tunisia is one of my favourite of the war. He signalled the fleet “Sink, burn and destroy: Let nothing pass”
The Royal Tournaments were amazing fun. Lots of marching, military bands, trained dog displays, live military drills and even bikes jumping over cars. It was unmissable TV back in the day. Sad it's not around anymore.
I remember in 1994 my dad told me I was ill and couldn't go to school. We took a coach to Earl's Court in London, was amazing seeing this and all the rest. Massed bands, ARRC, REME, Ghurkas, magic day.
The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in the township of Ladysmith in 1899. In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers.
I'm so proud to say my father ran for Davenport Field Gun just after WW2. Davenport hold the record time. The reason it stopped is because our government of the day decided it cost too much. Another great tradition destroyed by people who have no clue!
It's also due to the large number of injuries, not just defence cuts.
Cancelling the Royal Tournament also damaged RN recruiting as well.
I'm quite old, but it was one of my highlights of my childhood to go to the Colchester military tattoo but the Royal Tournament was something else. It was a thing of pride for us British. 1999 was around the time the western world went wrong and pride in our forces and nation started falling apart. Happy days.😢
Earls Court was flattened by developers, then they were stopped from building high-rise housing. It's been an empty site for many years. "You don't know what you've got, 'til it's gone.."
I think you'd really enjoy watching climbing the Ganges mast. Those sailors needed nerves of steel for that. Especially the button boy!
The Royal Navy are called the Senior Service in the UK. This was always watched in awe when I was a child many years ago. I joined a different arm of the service for 12 years, but always admire all military precision.
Even had their 'own' cigarettes, 'Senior Service' which were strong and unfiltered. I often ran errands to the newsagents to get a neighbour '20 Senior Service.'
@@terencejay8845 So they weren't named after cigarettes?
@@theotherside8258 I would think the Navy was the Senior Service before cigarettes. I just did an image search because I recall there was a ship on the front of the pack, which also brought up the smaller version, 'Cadets' which I'd forgotten about.
@@terencejay8845 so cadets are named after small cigarettes too
@@theotherside8258 Exactly right.
The Royal Navy Field Gun Competition was an event held during the annual Royal Tournament. The event was was apparently cancelled due to our military services becoming too stretched to spare the 2,500 personnel needed to put the event on for its usual three-week run.
It was a very big affair. I had a mate who was responsible for running it, one year.
At the time of the last tournament it had been reduced to two weeks a few years previous. This was because every year it lost money and that was pretty much the main reason for cancelling. The tournament profits went to service charities but as it was losing money no-one was 'benefitting'.
@@mikestrohm3271 Because the government knew the cost of everything but the value of nothing.
My cousin was in the Royal Navy. After he left he interviewed for an engineer position on luxury yachts in the Med. As soon as he said he'd been in the gun team the interview stopped and he was offered the job on the spot. The guys interviewing him knew how hard it was to get into the Gun teams and compete and it was enough for them to know my cousin was the guy they wanted.
My dad was in the navy and as a very young boy, he took us as a family to watch the Portsmouth team hard in training, at a man made naval base in Portsmouth called Whale Island. We were encouraged by my folks to scream and yell for "the boys" but I was a bit too young and nervous to do that, but it was still one of the most thrilling events I had seen in my life and that was just practice. "The boys" took it very seriously and it was a thing of pride to take part in despite the missing limbs, knocks and bruises they expected on the journey. Absolutely thrilling. xx
My dad was in the Pompey field gun crew back when I was a nipper and was so proud when he was in the royal tournament. I also have fond memories of whale island. Always a great day out. His crew still meet up every year. Boy they can still have a drink.
This was held at the Royal Tournament at Earl's Court in London. This was an annual military display. I believe it was cancelled because of defence spending cuts
There's another royal navy tradition of sailors climbing a massive mast and rigging, one step at a time to the beat of a drum. Probably cancelled along with the one in the video due to health and safety.
Fleet Air Arm. The Navy has it's own air force.
And it was around before those Brylcreem Boys even started the RAF.......
Fleet Air Arm was formed around 1924 as an organisational unit of the RAF. RAF was formed in 1918 when the Royal flying corps and Royal naval air service merged.
The Royal Flying corps were formed from Air Battalion Royal Engineers who were in turn the successor of the Ballon Section RE
@@julietravis9775 My bad, maybe not the FAA, but the Royal Naval Air Service pre-dated the origins of the RAF by nearly four years. And it's always with great delight that us FAA types remind the crabs that they were formed on the first of April....... longest running joke in the services...... 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@nickmaclachlan5178 🤣🤣nice
My brother was in this tournament, he served in the Royal Navy for 21 years , at the age of 15 years old signed up for 12 years then again.. sadly died last year
I was in the Fleet Air Arm, this was massive back in the day, they used to send out dispatches with the results to all ships in the Royal Navy. I was based in HMS Daedalus where the Fleet Air Arm trained - they were beasts🤣
I'm Portsmouth born and raised. Watching Portsmouth win at Earls Court made the hairs on the back of my stand up . Its awesome to watch live 👏
@@darrenbrown4605same here.
PuP!
One of my fondest childhood memories is my Dad taking me as a kid to this. The whole event was amazing but the gun run was the absolute highlight.
I went to the Royal Tournament three years running, it never ceased to amaze me how fast they were at this.
I just watched the final run in 1999 and one of the team captains after one of the wire Snaps was flipped over landed on his neck and was clinically dead he was resuscitated and taken to hospital another one of those is running on a broken ankle and leg and foot and his team went on to win. As is said above the equipment they are moving is over ton it was so exciting to watch back in the day I am 41 years old now so I was a child in the 80s and 90s and this was the most spectacular thing I had ever seen and probably the best display of precision teamwork and strengths I have ever seen in my life. these men are hard as nails
That did not happen in the final run of '99. Nor did it happen to anyone in any crew at all in 99.
@@mikestrohm3271 I ran for Portsmouth and I can confirm it did happen in 99 but not in front of the public. It happened during a practice period which is not conducted in front of the crowd but still in the arena.
@@mikestrohm3271I ran for Portsmouth and I can confirm it did happen in 99. It happened in a practice period which is conducted in the arena but not in front the of crowd.
@@billparry7058 Apologies, I ran for Devonport in 77 and the gunny grapevine did not say anything about this.
I well remember the practice runs, usually 6am.
@@mikestrohm3271 Yes it was the morning practice period. Obviously the worst thing that happened for Pompey was the Oggies breaking the record that year.🙄😂
If you want to know what real hard men are like here this is it.
The results of these competitions were radioed to the fleet around the world it was a great source of pride for the ships to be based at the winning Dockyard
I, like many here it seems, watched this live on TV back in the day, my dad videoed it and I must have seen the whole televised thing 20+ times over the decades. I think the whole thing is on YT now anyway. Such strength required, but speed along with the strength too, which is truely incredible. Great reactions King!
I used to watch this every year when i was little
I was sent to Earls Court in 1952 as RN catering party. A soft draft after two and a half years in the Med. after Ganges.. We would watch the Field gun run every night and cheer on our home ream, Chatham! Yes there used to be 4 teams. In 1974 I joined NAAFI vending branch and from then until 1994 I was responsible for setting up the vending area in the NAAFI complex, always felt so good to see the Field Gun lads.
This ' race' happened every evening of the tournament( 2 weeks I think) with different RN teams. So important were the results they were signalled to the whole fleet!
The race is based from the Boar war when the Royal Navy battery took their guns over land to asisit with the relief of Mafeking.
Actually Ladysmith. Maheking is a further 400 miles inland!
Twice a day if I remember correctly. I was on a static display one year and we would go and watch as we wouldn’t get any visitors at that time.
@nikhinson3703 I think you are correct I did med cover one year and now I think about it we could go watch it..time and age plays its tricks again!
I was in the RN for 24 years and met a few lads who did the gun run and it’s true some of them lost fingers because they dropped bolts and used there fingers instead
& they were absolute units.
If I had never seen the race I would say you are talking bollocks.
But as someone who had seen 2 races as a kid knows they gave it there all and if sacrificing a finger meant winning and knowing the pride winning meant. Makes it totally believeable.
@@Lyme_lyte Actually it is bollocks, only one person lost a finger as a result of losing the lynch pin and using his finger in the axle
I was at the royal tournament in the late sixties, my sister was part of it in the RAF. Great show!
My great uncle Watts was there in South Africa all through the Boar Wars. 5 Bars on his medal, which I proudly have.
Used to love watching it when i was a kid .
Thank you for saying that about the Royal Navy. My dad was a Royal Navy man, served on the Ark Royal.
Very proud to say my grandad did this
Used to watch this and manning the mast every year
I was lucky enough to see this tournament live at Earls Court in the early 80s
I went to the Royal Tournament for 10 years it was a fantastic show at Earls Court in London. Missed the 1999 show as I was overseas. The whole show was great after the gun run my favourite was the musical ride of The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery, 6 guns pulled each by 6 horses it was terrifying to watch,
They started it all up again a few years ago as i went go see it.... brilliant fun
A retired Brigadier recently told me that it had stopped due to manning constraints
We used to go to the Royal Tournament every year held at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London in the late 1950's to mid 60s. This event and the mounted Royal Artillery demonstration was always the highlight. The competing teams were from the Naval Dockyards at the time, and the Fleet Air Arm featured in this footage.
This is my childhood right here , I marvelled at how they managed to strip and reassemble those field guns after carrying them , having to get them over barriers etc it was SUPER exciting at the time .
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The UK began conversion to metric in 1970.......over 50yrs ago!!!
this is why the british navy ruled the waves
JPS (Joel ) is a really nice kid and like yourself, has learnt a lot about British humour and culture. Joel visited the UK last summer and is coming back this summer. Would be great to see you both together. Make sure you call him a Muppet 🤣
A lot of fingers got lost in this navy gun race..
The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The story tells of the siege of the British garrison in Ladysmith in 1899. In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers.
The Royal Navy landed two 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns and four 12-pounder naval guns creating improvised field guns using makeshift gun carriages. The guns were transported inland by rail and then drawn on makeshift carriages by oxen. For the final part of the journey, sailors from the Naval Brigade manhandled the guns over very difficult terrain. One story tells of sailors carrying one of the 12-pounder guns for 2 miles (3.2 km) after one of the wheels collapsed.
One year a marine got hit by the gun, blood gushing from his head, ran to the arena side and they sent him back real tough men. It stopped because of defence cuts
it dates back to the 2nd boar war 1899-1902, when RN ship crews served as artillery in the war.
The Royal Horse Artillery also did a good display with horses & gun carriages at Earls court, also look up the Royal Signals White Helmets display team at Earls Court.
I live in Devonport! I feel so proud! (Vicariously of course - I didnt even know this was a thing until now!!)
It was stopped because like any display team event, it took 600 men in the three teams out from normal service. The injuries during both competition and training were horrific with deep wounds and muscle tears from throwing this equipment around. There are a couple of documentaries on the teams following the year round training they did to compete.😎😇
Not quite, each command team had forty 'runners' 18 for A crew and 18 for B crew with four spares. Backroom staff was No 1 trainer and No 2 trainer, PTI, 6 workshop staff, three to run the bar and a medic plus the field gun officer making a staff of less than 60 so the total for the three crews was less than two hundred men.
There were very few 'horrific' injuries. I ran in 1977 and only one person out of all the crews running over the three commands was injured sufficient to be unable to continue training (broken leg) but he returned and ran the next year.
@@mikestrohm3271 fair enough I was factoring in three centres, a specialised motor pool and catering staff for 5000 calories a day. The BBC series seemed to hype the injuries more with shoulder dislocations, severed fingers, muscle tears and the carriage axle going through someone’s thigh.
@@gbphil Yes mate, but there was no dedicated motor pool when I was with Devonport, we had a truck but that was driven by a staff member (our chippie as I remember). We did have three chefs just for us but not a full catering staff.
We had a guy who's little finger was crushed in training, he went off to hospital where they told him he would be out of action for a month so he asked what would happen if they amputated and was told he could be running again in five days. He told them to amputate, was discharged next day, went straight back to the training track and told the trainer he was passed fit.
Muscle tears were ignored, pulled muscles ignored, cuts were stitched up trackside and the guys would carry on. Don't forget for everyone in A crew there was someone doing the same drill in B crew and fighting to get into A so an injured A crew guy would pretend he was fine and carry on because if he dropped out he might not get his place back again.
@@mikestrohm3271 RESPECT.
This tournament is based on the relief of ladysmith during the boer war
Relief of Ladysmith
Part of Second Boer War
Date 28 October 1899 - 27 February 1900 Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom
South African Republic South Africa
Orange Free State
Commanders and leaders
Redvers Buller
Piet Joubert
Louis Botha
When the Second Boer War broke out on 11 October 1899, the Boers had a numeric superiority within Southern Africa. They quickly invaded the British territory and laid siege to Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking. Britain meanwhile transported thousands of troops both from the United Kingdom itself and from elsewhere in the Empire and by the time the siege of Ladysmith had been lifted, had a huge numeric superiority
Would love to see JPS on here. You are both my favourite youtube channels ❤
Last night I watched a documentary about the new aircraft carrier, the Queen Elizabeth. In order to stimulate team spirit, they set up a field gun team which went onto win the competition which seemed to include army teams as well.
That was the Brickwoods field gun, very different, no obstacles.
I was at the Royal tournament in 1980 my 1st year in the Army. It was a great event.
They should make this competition international
I've seen this still trained post budget cuts at HMS Collingwood for exactly why you said - teamwork.
If you liked this you'll love the Royal Navy Mast Manning Ceremony. All done without safety gear and a safety net. There are pictures from the Dartmouth Royal Naval College of the Officers manning the mast.
There is a video of the first woman "Button Boy" at an event/show in colour on RUclips as well.
Ms Nicola Howard bravest girl in Britain...
More bottle than I have ,she is a credit to.our country..🇬🇧
That arena, earl's court, has been knocked down now. Demolished a few years ago. I saw the last ever gig there, Bombay Bicycle Club and also saw oasis and genesis in there.
I was in this Royal Tournament as a young bandsman in the massed Corps of Drums. We were on first each night so got the rest of the evening off to watch. The Field Gun competition was really something else.
A lot of injuries over the years, King B. The lads don't stop.
The back drop that year was all drums with the battle honours of various regiments. The centre piece is the drum banner of the Household Cavalry regiments
Health and safety corporation put a stop to it like anything fun in the uk!
The Royal Navy Field Gun competition is still held today, but is not televised. That stopped in 1999. The Royal Navy Field Gun Tournament continues to be held annually at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, Hampshire. With units of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines as well as the British Army and Royal Air Force.
ROYAL NAVY FIELD GUN
Origins
“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. As the British Army was besieged by Boer fighters in the garrison town of Ladysmith, Natal, the Royal Navy landed guns from HM Ships Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. Special carriages and mountings for these guns had been improvised by Percy Scott, before the Naval Brigade manhandled six field guns each weighing nearly half a metric tonne over rough terrain to assist their opposite numbers of the British Army.”
“The gallant defenders were helped enormously by the arrival at the last minute, of Captain the Hon Hedworth Lambton of the Naval Brigade with his 280 Blue-Jackets, four 12 pounders and two 4.7 inch guns. After the siege of Ladysmith was finally lifted on 28 Feb 1900, Her Majesty Queen Victoria I sent a telegram: ‘Pray express to the Naval Brigade my deep appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered with their guns'’. Displays of this magnificent feat began in London that year.”
See web link:
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/bases-and-stations/training-establishments/hms-temeraire/rn-field-gun
Not the proper FGC,
I went to the last royal tournament event, great day out!!
My late Father was a PTI on the gun crew, and yes he had all his fingers and toes, R.I.P Dad
I loved the Royal Tournament it was a great Tournament to watch and the Field gun race was very exciting, The race itself was based on a real event look up “The Relief of Mafaking “ , Those guys had to be super fit many a finger got crushed and various other injuries during the race, It’s such a shame this Tradition was stopped, BTW the result of this race was always flashed to every ship in the Navy .
I was a medic in the RN in the 70/80's and the injuries some get!
Great to watch and same with the 'Manning the mast'!
My dad used to be in the Portsmouth field gun team when he was in the navy, it's brutal he had the broken bones to prove it.
Mine also.
This action goes way back, to the Bore War. £100 + yrs ago. I’m crap on years. But this is we’re this came from. ❤❤❤❤❤❤🙏❤️🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
The UK military fencing championship took place there, during down time, when I wasn't fencing, we watched the show. During the run, one of the crewmen(all men at this point) fell and was run over by both carriage wheels. I've never laughed so much in all my life, even stoned watching Dumb and Dumber got knocked off it's perch.
It was initially run to commemorate the lifting of the seige of Ladysmith during the Boer war. HMS Powerful and HMS Dreadful transported some of their cannon over some particularly rough terrain to come to the aid of our besieged troops.
There's a video called dancing with three quarters of a soddin ton which is the behind the scenes of this.
We stopped it due to budget cuts and couldn’t spare the personnel anymore
The gun run is still done but as a inter service competition now
The televised royal tournament ended in 1999, but according to the royal navy website they still continue to do a field gun competition every year. I don't know if its exactly they same event, but I can't see why they would stop it completely as the military likes its traditions.
Love as a Lass across the Pond. Thank You for saying that. But I think we all work better together. But thanks for saying that, it means a lot, too a Lancashire Lass . Thank You ❤️🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸👍
To compliment this and to get more background info, you need to watch "The Last Gun Race" and "Field gun competition", here on youtube.
Proud to say I did the gun run in 76 was also first to do triple gun run and climb at HMS royal Arthur ....gun run stopped due to health and safety regs
It was so well worked out the way as the parts went across so they got more of the team across to rebuild the gun.
See if you can find a video of "Manning the Mast" - another naval tradition!
I went to see this back in 1977. I was thirteen at the time, it was amazing. Something I will never forget.
To the limit and beyond, was a documentary made in the seventies about selecting and training a team for this.. worth a look.
And the Royal Tournaments were absolutely incredible memories from my childhood.
Was dumbstruck to be told '99 was the last year for gun run, when i was trying to sign up to the forces in '98, when i was still 17..
Devonport was my home port which is Plymouth Devon. there still is a Military Tattoo but its held at Edinburgh Castle Scotland every year. Vids on YT No field gun run though.
Hi King Boomer. The competition was pulled due to a number of injuries over the years and the introduction of "Health and Safety" law, which requires a risk assessment and strategies put in place to to eliminate or reduce risk!
Can you imagine an annual tournament in the USA on a national holiday , live on TV, between the Navy , Airforce, Army , Marines,Rangers etc along these lines ? It would be awesome
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Remember they'd have to wear all the padding and helmets...
@@wessexdruid7598 lol Wessex… I get ya
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We couldn't carry the hard things as made. So we broke them down. Reconstructed and fought on. We are Brits.
I was at Earl’s Court in 75 with Devonport.
When I was a kid in the cub scouts we'd travel from York to London especially for this each year. Loved the Royal tournament especially this competition.
Wellington College still perform the field gun competition.
Thank you for saying what you did about the Royal Navy. I joined in 1988 aged 18 and left in 2010.
Years agoooooo I did my work experience at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth and got to watch the Field Gunners practicing; it’s unreal watching it in person 😧
My mum goes to the meat raffle every week and she also had her wedding reception there.
I believe the field guns were stopped due to health and safety. Some of the injuries were quite bad.
It's to simulate transferring equipment from ship to ship at sea still a requirement today .
Good old HEALTH AND SAFETY saw the back of this !! SPOILSPORTS !!
My Dad was a gunnery instructor for Devonport, he was in the Royal Navy for 27 years because he lied about his age. Have you reacted to the button boy Royal Navy, another tradition.
Grew up near Plymouth, just across the river from Devonport and my dad worked in the dockyard so we'd watch this on TV every year
Yep your right, it's origin lays in and around the siege of Ladysmith..
The occasional injuries were pretty bad, and stitches and broken fingers were regular.
In 1982 I was on a course at Whale Island, HMS Excellent BUT NOT as part of the FGC (Where Portsmouth FGC training ground was located), tragedy struck the crew when they had a death on the training track. The sheer legs were dropped and struck the young Able rate
Yes, he was an RO and was the only death ever in gun run history. Sadly it was his own fault, he was flying angel and when he reached the home ramp he was supposed to run around the sheer legs as they dropped, for some reason he ran under them as they dropped. It was not like it was his first run, he had been flying angel for several weeks and knew the correct drill.
I did Earl’s Court in 1991. It was a great few weeks for a young navy man who’d only been in a couple years at this stage. Like many others in the navy we couldn’t believe they were getting rid of it . Happy days.
There was no harder competition in the whole world, field gunners still hold their reunions to this day, finest RN club to be a member of . God Bless em. Tony Ex DFG.
I live in Plymouth UK where Devonport naval base is located if you ever come to England it is a place that is a must to visit as it is steeped in history from the Pilgrim Fathers that sailed on the Mayflower to the new world and sir Francis Drake who beat the Spanish Armada .
Hi mate it's classed as to dangerous in this day and age which is so sad alot of tradition gone greetings from the home of the royal navy Portsmouth england
We used to go to the royal tournament every year, quite often as a school trip - loved it 👍