Props to anyone who has even attempted this! Doing more research and hearing from y'all, this sounds like a very admirable tradition indeed!

@felixpowell3975

4 жыл бұрын

I did junior leaders field gun last summer (The course is different). It's was hard but has nothing on this.

@theoneknownasgm

4 жыл бұрын

My dad ran field gun for the navy in the 70''s. It takes a massive toll on the men who run it but they couldn't be prouder to take part. They should definitely bring this back.

@KentPaddler

4 жыл бұрын

@@theoneknownasgm Bring back the Royal Tournament!!!!!

@sawredford

4 жыл бұрын

@@KentPaddler Bring back the armed forces first !!

@kazarenko6300

4 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a documentary on this as a kid. I think they train for a year: kzread.info/dash/bejne/l612yrRth7DPcrg.html

My great grandfather was part of the artillery force at the relief of Ladysmith, where this tradition originates from.

@thevelointhevale1132

3 жыл бұрын

Alright mate ... my Great Grandfather was a Rifleman ( 3rd Bde ) in the King's Royal Rifle Corps and escorted the Naval Guns during the Siege of Ladysmith!

@patagualianmostly7437

10 күн бұрын

@@thevelointhevale1132 I learned to shoot as a 14 year old, became a marksman in Ladysmith Barracks at Ashton Under Lyne.... (Nr Manchester) Now a housing estate...but the original entrance to the barracks have been preserved....last time I looked. Opposite was a pub called "The Heroes of Waterloo" (ABBA never never showed....)(For those interested: Mossley Road, Ashton U Lyne ......)

I am ex British army and it's a joy to watch such unbiased opinions on British military. Your a top bloke and look forward to watching the rest of your channel. So many videos of American and British bitching about one another. Both countries have fought side by side for over 100 years. We are brothers in arms and like brothers we squabble and fight and argue with one another but like brothers you pick a fight with one we bond together and bring the pain.

@CombatArmsChannel

4 жыл бұрын

Haha well said brother 💪🇺🇲🇬🇧

@mweston25

4 жыл бұрын

Combat Arms Channel so you are aware we still do this just not at the royal tournament, it’s now spread to all services, two years ago my employer sponsored an event which was the first event that allowed non military to partake they spent two weeks training for it, 1 teams from the army(combat engineers) an RAF team and two from the navy. Embarrassingly the RAF won. mobile.twitter.com/strideforth/status/1039028615046946816

@ForBritannia

4 жыл бұрын

mweston25 they were clearly better rested from their 5 star hotels 😂😂

@geraintroberts565

4 жыл бұрын

@@ForBritannia LOL, retired RAF.

@marcs990

4 жыл бұрын

Combat Arms Channel yup, the comment you replied to is honestly felt between the US & UK. I hope you guys feel the same, in an ex Para, I think u have already done P company but that is only one part of a gruelling many months of training. Ending with jump school at RAF Brize Norton. I deployed to Iraq , Bosnia, Afghanistan, NI & did more than 2 tours of each. As we are smaller our turnaround to go back on tours is more intense. We have always fought above our weight n I very much enjoyed the times when I was a JTAC bringing in air n artillery for the US detachment I was with in Afghan. We always get on great together n I really do appreciate you’re unbiased reporting. Thx brother.

This was such an important event to The Royal Navy, that within seconds of the race finishing, a signal was sent around the world to every ship and shore station with the result and the times.

@BigMrFirebird

3 жыл бұрын

And many a matelot won or lost a bet on it :D

@timgrenville-cleave2848

2 жыл бұрын

@@BigMrFirebird and a good many Booties to!!

@mothmagic1

Жыл бұрын

@@BigMrFirebird I bet. Typical Britsh forces. We'd bet on anything.

Ah, the brits.. You have to love them. :D Cheers and all the best to you! ~a humble Kraut

@user-zy9yg2eu5t

3 жыл бұрын

I like Germany. Germany nearly beat the whole of Europe at war.

@coldcomfortfarm8557

3 жыл бұрын

We love you!!

@mr.dalerobinson

3 жыл бұрын

@@user-zy9yg2eu5t As Basil Fawlty said “don’t talk about the war!”

@TheArgieH

3 жыл бұрын

@@mr.dalerobinson But I think I got away with it.

@jintsfan

3 жыл бұрын

British History & Tradition. Humbling.

My husband was a Portsmouth Field gunner in the late 60's. He ran 4 times, he was 1st swing. I loved going to the royal tournament. Sue Godsell wife of Brian.

@bullseye375

4 жыл бұрын

Sue Godsell do you know Pat who did the pasties?.

@Lionboy2930

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Sue, he was Brum Godsell if i remember? sadly passed away a couple of years ago. he was the one who did the 1st swing by swinging right down, then copied by everyone. Nice bloke

@jongodsell88

3 жыл бұрын

@@Lionboy2930 I tried to join the the RN but my eyesight let down so I went into the family watch & clock business, my grandfather come from Coventry BTW, cheers from a scouse Godsell.

@Lionboy2930

3 жыл бұрын

@@jongodsell88 Thanks for letting me know Jon, your nan Sue will have many good memories.

I am a former Devonport Field Gunner... 'First Wheels' ie, first pieces of gun to cross the chasm and the last wheels to come back. They weighed in at 120 pounds each and combined with your body weight you have around 300 pounds (136kg) loaded on your arms which comes a bit of a shock the first time you swing on that traveler. We had 08:00 to 09:00 in the gym every morning with 100's of grid sprints and calisthenics. Then it was tea with cheese and biscuits before changing into track gear and then it was normal to do 8 full runs before closing at around 16:00. There is an A crew and a B crew and we would face-off for all of the days runs. We would complete at least 40 runs a week and we trained for 3 months so you can work out for yourself how many times we threw those guns over the walls. There were plenty of injuries as everything is either wood or metal, its heavy and is moving fast. The battleships HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful sent their 12 pounder field guns ashore to help break the siege at Ladysmith. It is said that an army general told the Navy that he didn't have any horses to spare for pulling the guns, to which an Admiral replied, "We don't need horses... we have sailors!" You cannot imagine how proud we field gunners are to have taken part in that history.

@jedislap8726

4 жыл бұрын

I use to watch you guys every year at Navy Day in Plymouth. This was always my highlight of the day.

@lauriestlyon8773

4 жыл бұрын

My Dad was ex navy (he forgave me for joining g the RAF! 😉) We used to watch this every year on the TV. So sad they scrapped it!

@vbuster01

4 жыл бұрын

Respect. Ex-RN 70's

@TheRealist2022

4 жыл бұрын

@@lauriestlyon8773 they scrapped the telly? Well, you should have moved to another hotel then, crabby!

@lauriestlyon8773

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheRealist2022 😂😂😂😂😆

My dad was Portsmouth crew captain in in 1999. There were so many injuries involved in this my pop alone lost the top of his finger and on another occasion was clinically dead for a few seconds following an accident. The pride associated with this tradition was incredible

@mehitabel1290

2 жыл бұрын

Wow!!

@npche9865

2 жыл бұрын

Me dad told me about this because he was a sailor and he wasn't wrong when he said it was mint. Also Is your dad alright? Fcuking heck!

@pashvonderc381

2 жыл бұрын

Pompey… 👍👍👍👍👍👍

@natjones9655

Жыл бұрын

Yeah he was alright after recovery thank you, they were mental blokes, you should see them now all in their 50’s and 60’s still built like tanks, my dad isn’t with us anymore but he was immensely proud of this aspect of the RN

@nelsonhibbert5267

Жыл бұрын

My Dad also ran, but a few years before. He's still around, but paying the price as he's had various surgeries for joint issues caused by the impact. Was your dad the guy that went over the wall but landed with his head bent under his body?

We still do it now - one of our artillery units carried a field gun up the side of a hill in Afghan at the dead of night - they had to contend with IEDs and the chance of being attacked. By morning, they had the gun on a hill in a very commanding position and judging by the chatter by the Taliban on their radio net, they weren’t happy. They called it the dragon I think.

Bring the Royal Tournament back !!!

@dawnhauton7543

4 жыл бұрын

Please........... bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!!

@lesamos8900

4 жыл бұрын

i dont think health and safety would allow it, i dont think you could get insurance to cover 36 chaps doing this, pluss taking men from different ships would now be impossible, for instance i was a sonar operater on a submarine till i finished my service i would not be allowed to leave because of my job.

@sliperysid

4 жыл бұрын

Not PC enough mate! i.e. the all male teams and it celebrates strength and power... So it's too toxic for today's generation.

@keepcalmandbugout

4 жыл бұрын

I was a soldier at the royal tournament in 88, during a practice a contractor dropped a bucket from the rafters , it landed on one of the gun team below he suffered a broken arm , rumours were going around it hit his head and his head broke his arm

@sliperysid

4 жыл бұрын

@Rory 543 lol. sad but it's true. Not enough empowered women with orange hair and nose rings.

The Royal Tournament was an outstanding annual event that showcased the British Armed Services like no other recruiting “organ” that was available then and still is now. The ABSOLUTELY worst decision made was to cancel this opportunity to show the World what outstandingly professional, young men and women we have in our Armed Services and this is an event that regardless of cost MUST be brought back.

@Jake-xe4cv

4 жыл бұрын

....sadly not enough sailors and secondly I'd never put a woman through that.

@JAmediaUK

4 жыл бұрын

@@martinlewis1015 discipline, teamwork, esprit de corps. It matters not if it is 12 pounders, 88 mm mortars, anti tank guns, it is the team doing the impossible reguardless.

@Jake-xe4cv

4 жыл бұрын

@@martinlewis1015 ...you completely and utterly missed the point.

@deanmottershead9208

4 жыл бұрын

Some of it was I imagine that you can’t have a event where a woman could never compete the lightest object was the wheels at a mere 120 pounds and they were carrying two

@stephenrose8188

4 жыл бұрын

@@JAmediaUK For Pete's sake read the history, and the teamwork is split second precision.

The absolute bonkers pinnacle of the British armed forces training. Our country might only be small, but we pack a heavyweight punch, and it's guys like this that are behind it. Respect.

@RobRoyBoaz

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, blackpoolrock101. No doubt about it. There's only one Royal Navy.

@Brian-om2hh

Жыл бұрын

@@RobRoyBoaz And has been for around 400 years.......

I went to watch this every year, made us proud - BRING IT BACK

Strange? We’re British mate, that’s what we do....

@littleworkshopofhorrors2395

4 жыл бұрын

Wrong, what we do is normal what the rest of the world does is strange.

@Gambit771

4 жыл бұрын

@@littleworkshopofhorrors2395 Exactly. Chances are we did it first so not strange at all. Eccentric, not strange.

@robertlongwill8856

4 жыл бұрын

@@Gambit771 that's right Gambit it's not strange the British probably did it first. They did most things first. I am a Canadian of British descent. What other countries do is strange not

@tonysmith2721

4 жыл бұрын

Maybe if you learned a little bit of history, you’ll know what this was about.

@Rs500ybd

4 жыл бұрын

Cup of tea old boy.

As a young boy In the 1980’s I was lucky enough to go to the royal tournament and was in absolute awe of the field gun teams and other fantastic displays on that day. It made me join the army and had a fantastic 22 year career. It’s such a shame that the Royal Tournament is not on any more as it was such a great atmosphere to be in. To all those still serving thanks for your service, professionalism and dedication. Stay safe🙏😎

@beccabbea2511

4 жыл бұрын

Blame the bean counters for that. They knew the price of everything and the value of nothing. There are some things beyond price.

@cm-pr2ys

4 жыл бұрын

Why did they take it away?

@kraxus03

4 жыл бұрын

@@cm-pr2ys They started by moving it out of Earls Court in London and into smaller Exhibition shows around the country to make it more accessible to many (even though, geographically we're a small country its still a bit of a trip for some to get to London)...and it kind of faded after that. Health and Safety may have played a part as well ….lol

@Danno1983

4 жыл бұрын

Thanx 4 ur service

@tonysansom

4 жыл бұрын

I saw it twice too, as a young lad. The first time we were on the top tier of Earls Court's seating which, at that age seemed a mile up!

The perfect description of a field gunner. "Speed of a race horse, strength of a cart horse and brains of a rocking horse .! They are all crazy but absolutely magnificent. It makes me very proud to be British.

superb demonstration of team work. Training !! Training !! Training!!! wish we did stuff like this in the US Army.

Your a good egg fella. It's so nice to see a brother from across the pond with a genuine respect for his brothers on this side of the pond. All the very best and keep the channel flowing. Blessings from the Welsh.😎👍

The REAL winners are the team with most fingers left. 🤣

@rodgeyd6728

4 жыл бұрын

🤘

@simonsaysjapan

4 жыл бұрын

Naval gunner ordering beers... “Four beers please 🤘🏻” Ex-Royal Navy myself, had a go at this during officer training. Ridiculously hard work, dangerous, tough, exciting and with lots of naval pride and unit pride too. Main teams represented their home port (Devonport, Portsmouth) or Fleet Air Arm (naval aviation). The Royal Canadian Navy also did field gun crew races. I watched their annual one on a TV in the Canadian Forces Station in Bermuda over beers with them once. It’s a real feather in your cap to be a field gunner. Competition is fierce.

@DeepseaSteve

4 жыл бұрын

Seaplane Dreams we did it in the RAN as well though not exactly same as this. I raced against the apprentice school HMAS NARIMBA during Navy week back in 91. Would love to have gone to UK and raced the Real Navy. Hats off to you mate

@Old299dfk

4 жыл бұрын

Wasn't it notorious for taking fingers? I'm sure I heard something that every year during training somebody would end up losing a finger.

@bulldetecting2230

4 жыл бұрын

I remember a guy losing a finger when I was taken to the royal tournament by my dad in the early 90s.

My Grandad was a trainer for this, I think in Portsmouth. Sadly he died when I was quite young so I never got to hear that many stories but I believe it was very hardcore, either my Dad or Grandad told me once that if someone lost a finger they would just carry on, not even stop to pick it up! It was an amazing tradition to commemorate an event that the Royal Navy is rightly very proud of.

My dad used to take me every year, was a fabulous exciting time, remember cheering for the team that was on the side of the stadium you were on, I can honestly say now at 53 I’d love to see it all again, the pride it brought was amazing

I used to watch this every year without fail. It was great.

@peterjohnson6692

4 жыл бұрын

Steve Gray Are used to love watching it it’s a shame they stopped it

@adorable_deplorable-u.k.877

4 жыл бұрын

Me too, my stepdad was ex fleet air arm so I used to shout for the Navy! He used to say you could always spot a field gunner by the missing fingers and head scars!!

@douglasspencer745

4 жыл бұрын

I was lucky enough to see the race live at Earls Court back in the 80s

The whole gun run is to represent the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer War, Ladysmith was besieged and surrounded by the boars and the only artillery they had at hand were on Royal Navy ships at Harbour, so the Royal Navy took the guns off their ships and manhandled them over rough terrain onto high ground in order to give artillery support to the besieged Infantry at Ladysmith. Then the Royal tournament began Which was basically a tournament to celebrate the armed forces with various different demonstrations from each of the services and the Royal Navy had two. One was the gun run and the other one was a demonstration of climbing the masts on the Old sailing ships. I can remember watching one in the 1980s where one of the Crew had his head split open by one of the wheels of the cannon and he simply stapled it together.proper hard bastards

@danielwhyatt3278

4 жыл бұрын

Guy Willoughby Bloody hell...the good old days right.😂👍🏼

@glosterboybirder

4 жыл бұрын

My grandfather 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment was in Ladysmith at the time of the Relief of Ladysmith. So, I’m guessing he witness the relief given by the guns of the Royal Navy at that time. I have also visited Ladysmith to see for myself.

@CombatArmsChannel

4 жыл бұрын

Very cool history. Makes it easy to see why people take it so seriously

@guywilloughby3383

4 жыл бұрын

@@CombatArmsChannel The real shame is that all of this History and tradition is slowly disappearing. The British armed forces are so small now that all of the regiments and the units within the navy and the Air Force have all been amalgamated or disbanded completely.. And it really shouldn't be that way the United Kingdom's population is almost 70 million, And yet our regular army sits at just 90,000.

@guywilloughby3383

4 жыл бұрын

@@CombatArmsChannel check out the Royal Marines attempting to break the world speed March record, it's on KZread on the forces TV channel.

Absolutely loved this, watching every year, such a shame it stopped

This was required viewing back in the day, I love the commentator Barry Davies he's an absolute legend. That line at the end of the first run, recalling the events that inspired this tradition "the men came from HMS powerful & Terrrible, and who's feeling what now" lol

Lost my dear father in law 2 years ago aged 88. He was a proud fleet air arm field gunner. Still tough in his final years.

A sad day when those in charge decided to stop it. stirred my heart to see these teams doing this. Absolutely fabulous.

@phillawrence6413

3 жыл бұрын

Any idea why?

When I'm Prime Minister this is the first thing I'll be bringing back. The Tot as well. Oh and baccie rations.

@oj3774

4 жыл бұрын

Got my vote mate

@goblin_horde

4 жыл бұрын

Got my vote

@unothevibes1348

3 жыл бұрын

When was this event cancelled? I went to my big brothers Field Gun run event about 2 years ago at HMS Sultan or do you mean that they've toned down the event because it was basically this without all the extra obstacles

@edwardmclaughlin7935

3 жыл бұрын

@@unothevibes1348 Hi mate. What you saw was the 'Brickwoods' Field Gun Competition (at least it used to be called that when I was in the HMS Mercury crew of '83) It was like a sort of junior competition to the real thing.

@unothevibes1348

3 жыл бұрын

@@edwardmclaughlin7935 oh word okay cheers for answering my question

Interesting that our American friends should pick on this RN tradition. I ran it in 1976 for the FAA . One years hard training went into the competition. This was one sport I was proud to take part in....

@gowdsake7103

4 жыл бұрын

Grats to you

@garyscully2417

4 жыл бұрын

Mini Lou shippers

@davidhumphreys7035

4 жыл бұрын

@Redi Payp, I'm ex RAF and spent 2 weeks at the RT in 98, would have loved to have tried this. Made some friends with the Devonport Crew and the bar became our go to place for our weeks there.

@gavinward5448

4 жыл бұрын

FAA = Fleet Air Arm (that's Naval Aviation to everyone else).

The Royal Tournament was abolished by Tony Bliar(mis-spelling intended).

@Valisk

4 жыл бұрын

I always thought it was spelled Tony *Fucking* Bliar!

@franl155

4 жыл бұрын

@@j.4354 - he always was shit. oh, sorry, misread your comment [not]

@philsosshep4834

4 жыл бұрын

Ironic as the man relied on the military so much , I didn't realise it had stopped as I remember going as a kid. Bring it back as we might not have so many snowflakes

@MrMadmalable

4 жыл бұрын

You forgot to add (the traitor) bliar

@guyelliott8656

4 жыл бұрын

@@philsosshep4834 I could see Boris bringing it back with a little petition 😂

I was just reading about the Rhine crossings in WWII, and in this operation the Gordon Highlanders were accompanied by the 454th Mountain Battery of the Royal Artillery. They used old 3.7 inch howitzers that could be manhandled and broken down in just the same way as the guns in this competition. They could move their guns by hand through the rubble of the town of Rees, to support the infantry in clearing the town of Germans. At one point they took a gun apart to mount it in the upstairs room of a house. Seeing this competition again reminded me of the history that I just read.

@michaelbevan3285

3 жыл бұрын

Not confined to the RA. Russians and germans did it in city fighting in Russia.

Just fantastic. One the greatest things I've ever seen. They must bring this tradition back.

The results used to be flashed around the fleet...it was a very big deal.

@garethdavis1403

4 жыл бұрын

lots of cans from the Naffy changed hands on those night/ days

@solentbum

4 жыл бұрын

@@garethdavis1403 Lots of money changed hands as well.

@Phlegmwahn

4 жыл бұрын

The results where flashed around the Army too! I followed the Field Gun competition throughout my Army career and had the utmost respect for these naval warriors.

That takes me back, I used to love this on TV every year when I was a kid. Thank you.

@jlr108

4 жыл бұрын

Me too. When he was describing it, I didn't cotton on, but when the video started, it all came back. I'd forgotten all about this. It was always exciting to watch.

The Earls Court event came to an end because the increasingly stretched armed services have found it ever more difficult to provide personnel. Sad that the youth of today don't appreciate history and what it took to achieve the things they did back in the day. I'm a South African living in the UK and I can attest that a similar event was run in South Africa relating to the same event/siege of Ladysmith between the British and the Boers. The British didn't have field artillery so they had to strip their ships of the only available artillery and hump it across the African savanna in record time to drive the Boers out. The British suffered 175 killed and 249 wounded. 52 dead Boers were left in the British positions. On Christmas Day 1899, the Boers fired into Ladysmith a carrier shell without a fuse, which contained a Christmas pudding, two Union flags and the message, "compliments of the season". The shell is still kept in the museum at Ladysmith.

@user-bh4rx8mf8g

3 жыл бұрын

It's incredible what our forefathers achieved. They were men then!

@richardfox6595

2 жыл бұрын

It came to an end because Tony Bliar hated his country and anything that made its people proud. Don't forget his crimes.

@jamesskeoch6562

Жыл бұрын

It came to an end because of T.B LIAR.

@madjock2878

Жыл бұрын

The Labour Government cancelled it because Tony Blair is an ARSE

I was 5/6 years old when I went to my first royal tournament way back in 1983 & i was extremely lucky to went with my school class in 1984, 1985, & 1986. I'll never forget watching this for the rest of my days as it was always the highlight of the event for me, i can still remember the noise, smell & the insane loud cheering for both teams when they did this. A big hats off to any of the lads on here who actually did this.

@CombatArmsChannel

4 жыл бұрын

I bet it's even more impressive to see in real life!

My dad did this back in the 80’s.Got badly injured during training and ended up losing 3 fingers.He never regretted a minute of it,hard as nails👊🏼

The music is called "Hearts of Oak", a traditional Royal Navy song. "Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer, To add something more to this wonderful year; To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves, For who are so free as the sons of the waves? Heart of Oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men, We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady! We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again. We ne'er see our foes but we wish them to stay, They never see us but they wish us away; If they run, why we follow, and run them ashore, For if they won't fight us, what can we do more? Heart of Oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men, We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady! We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again. They say they'll invade us these terrible foe, They frighten our women, our children, our beaus, But if should their flat-bottoms, in darkness set oar, Still Britons they'll find to receive them on shore. Heart of Oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men, We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady! We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again. We still make them feel and we still make them flee, And drub them ashore as we drub them at sea, Then cheer up me lads with one heart let us sing, Our soldiers and sailors, our statesmen and king. Heart of Oak are our ships, Jolly Tars are our men, We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady! We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again."

@jamesmoriarty3962

4 жыл бұрын

Alastair Archibald well done you can use google 👍🏻

@chrisangus7078

4 жыл бұрын

Should be the national anthem

@rodgeyd6728

4 жыл бұрын

As I'm reading those words I can hear the music in my head 👌

@raylp4751

4 жыл бұрын

Marched to this many a time. As for the words just about every Matelot would hum Steady boys Steady in their heads. It's hard not to March to.

@bluesubmariner1

4 жыл бұрын

brings a lump to my throat everytime i hear this being played by the booties!

I did the "Cadet" version of this, as a kid. Saw a lot of grown men do it. And my uncle was an officer for several teams. The adult version, just watching them train, was awe inspiring. But, [junior] Deadalus Field Gun Crew rules, and our succes run against everone, for me, is a proud moment of my childhood..

@noldraper4474

2 жыл бұрын

Mate, I was on the gun display for TS Orion in Nottingham. It was one of the funniest and most chaotic things I've ever done. Good memories.

@LtD973

2 жыл бұрын

Wow. I loved the sea cadets Great adventures and courses including trips on TS Royalist Came within a Nats whisker of joining the RN but went into the Fire service instead Great times TS Royal William Greenwich

My father was a chief in the navy, and I loved watching this... like so many things in the UK, traditions are being lost... we used to have Navy Days (open day to visit naval ships etc) and Family Days( officers had families on their assigned ships out to sea and kids firing guns - great fun). Up until about the mid eighties sailers were still entitled to their Grog ration (Rum) and old naval ships have a keg in the mess for this purpose - this goes back huge amount of years... when the British fought the Spanish on the Old sail naval ships (ship of the line such as HMS victory) gunners were able to reload and fire guns double the rate of the french/Spanish which had a huge affect on any given battle .... so tradition of being well trained gunners was normal in the old ship of the line days

Used to watch this as a kid in the 1970's when Dad took me to the Royal Tournament in London, The Sound is deafening

@MBurfield

4 жыл бұрын

Gavin Burree we may well have been at Earl’s Court at the same time then. Good times!

@Pardus_1970

4 жыл бұрын

@@MBurfield I had many a good visit there, on one occasion my primary school was selected to go with The Chelsea Pensioners and i was selected as a representative. I remember a mock WW2 Gurkha assault taking place, which climaxed with a dummy Japanese sentry being decapitated by a Kukri Knife... the politically correct brigade would be in uproar these days.

@Suprahampton

4 жыл бұрын

I went a couple of times with my dad in the '90s, watching the Gun Run was the highlight for me. As you said the sound was deafening but the atmosphere was electric

@user-ky6vw5up9m

4 жыл бұрын

Me too but mid or late 1960s.

British soldiers carried a artillery gun up a mountain in the dark by hand in Afghanistan so the Taliban didnt see it arrive at the fob at the top.

@humphrey4976

4 жыл бұрын

Bet that spoiled Terrys breakfast

@vbuster01

4 жыл бұрын

So trained by the field gun crew, right! ;)

@collyateoo7766

4 жыл бұрын

All legends lads respect ✌

@kmmining1359

4 жыл бұрын

the vietnamese did it with 105's at dien bien phu in 1954 and wiped out the french foreign legion.

@johnchapman6013

4 жыл бұрын

I went to Gibraltar , and visited high up near the top of The Rock . The Great Siege Tunnels (KZread). Some of those cannons, must be 8 tons, took over 200 men to pull them up to the top , where Welsh miners were employed to make a fortification only the Romans & British could have thought of . .

My parents used to take me to the Royal Tournament back in the 70's. The Field Gun Race was always the highpoint of the evening. My Grandfather had been regular Navy before and during the war, and Portsmouth was his home port, so we always supported them. The rivalry between Devonport, Portsmouth and Fleet Air Arm was extremely fierce, and those guys put their all into the competition. I suspect it was the pinnacle of their naval careers, to represent their port in the gun race. It was tremendously exciting, and I wish they'd bring it back, but with the Health and Safety Laws these days, I don't suppose they can. There were always stories of people breaking arms and losing fingers but carrying on, and I can quite believe the adrenalin would carry them through. Respect to the guys who competed in this. You were amazing.

I'm ex RAF, have seen this live a few times, stuning! Amazing to watch live. Love your attitude, US Army may not have as long a history, but, what a great history it has. Keep up the good work.

Definitely one of the best channels to watch, unbiased and a definite military person, who doesn't bitch about who's best, just enjoys achievement and friendship 👍

@CombatArmsChannel

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers brother

Our deep and rich history fills me with pride. And we DO like a fight every now and then.Island race you see,we cant help it.

@jameswatsonatheistgamer

4 жыл бұрын

Nothing like a good war to unleash the English/British lion.

@RobRoyBoaz

4 жыл бұрын

Cockney Red, that's the reason the U.S. doesn't like going to war without the Brits at their side. A number of U.S. Army generals have said as much.

@jameswatsonatheistgamer

4 жыл бұрын

@George Job Hence the word Brirish. Blood brothers for all eternity

@RobRoyBoaz

4 жыл бұрын

@@jameswatsonatheistgamer Do not forget the Scots who have a global reputation for being extremely good soldiers. Nor must you overlook the Scots - Irish, fearsome foes you don't want against you. George Washington himself once said that if he was ever in a life or death battle he would want the Scots - Irish standing with him shoulder to shoulder.

@233Deadman

3 жыл бұрын

@@RobRoyBoaz well of course the scots got a reputation when you look at history. Remember that the mighty Roman Empire built 2 walls and a ditch to keep them away.

Have spent two years at Earls Court for the Royal Tournament I can tell you that the Royal Navy field gun competition was fanatical.bigger than football within the navy and thousands of people would support one of the three teams. I was Portsmouth all the way, my pal bill parry ran in 1990’s. As a contender you could only run the gun three times in your career, the level of training and dedication from the teams was awe inspiring. If you’ve been given the chance to compete with the RN then good luck pal! You’ll all need it. I served but never ran the field gun. People did loose fingers etc, it was part of the course. Huge tradition as you rightly said dating from the boar war, it represents what the Royal Navy did to get guns and ammunition to the war effort. Through the hole in the wall and over the chasm. 👍🏻

Enjoying your channel, my great grandfather fought in the battle of Ladysmith he was colour Sargent major for the The Royal Leicestershire regiment (UK), his brother died there. Nice to look back and give gratitude to all you guys that have given service to your countries.🇬🇧🇺🇸

When I was 9 years old [I am now a sprightly 70] my dad, who was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and based at Devonport Naval base, Plymouth [my home town] took me on to the base to watch the Devonport field gun team practising for the Royal Tournament at Earls Court, London. The matelots on the team seemed like huge, powerful hulks to me. When I went to watch them at the Royal Tournament when I had grown up, they STILL looked like huge, powerful hulks! On Friday 29th July 1999, I took my young nephew to see the Royal Tournament, on the evening when the team from Devonport broke the 15 year-old course record previously held by Portsmouth. Devonport did it in 2 minutes 40.43 seconds., a record which will never now be broken. The competition is in three parts: the Run Out, the Run Back, and the Run Home. The heart of the run, apart from carrying the huge weights involved, disassembling and reassembling the gun, carriage, wheels and limber, is the 28 foot chasm, into which no man or piece of equipment must fall. The A and B teams from Portsmouth, Devonport and Fleet Air Arm [there used to be four teams] consist of 18 men each. The B teams, although they also run against each other, are really a box of human spares for the A team. It took them 5 months to get track fit before they start practising the run. When the final selection was made for the two teams, those not making the A team be disconsolate. Those making neither team would be practically suicidal. By the time they got to Earls Court Arena, the teams would have made 600 practice runs. Injuries in training were frequent and were sometimes serious, especially when catching fingers in the gun breach, but were brushed off by the men. A programme made in 1978 by Ian Wooldridge [sadly since passed away] follows the 1978 Portsmouth field gun team training. The programme was titled "To The Limit and Beyond", the motto of the field gunners. If you can find a copy of the programme anywhere, it is an impressive to watch and shows the esprit and dedication of the field gunners. During the course of the Royal Tournament the teams made 16 competition runs. After each run the results and times would be signalled around the fleet. Some field gun races do now take place, but they do not have the chasm, which made the field gun competition so unique. It has been described over the years as the "toughest team sport in the world.

@kentishmale1969

4 жыл бұрын

I loved that, thank you

@mickbradley9487

4 жыл бұрын

Ah yes thanks for that. It brings back great memories of when I myself used to......erm.......watch it on the telly!

@SHOLTIE2004

3 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/jGWAtq96iNGYqdo.html

@chuckfinlay6093

3 жыл бұрын

Outstanding brief Mr Fraser and very much appreciated.

I have watched a few of your videos. You do yourself total credit in your commentary, and I really like the way you are open to reviewing new things. Keep it up👍

Hi mate, Royal Navy Vet here - ran Field Gun twice in the cut down version post-1999. Had a couple of mates who volunteered for Field Gun prior to 99. It was a gucci-billet (RN slang - cool job). Generally you were assigned to training for the comp for 2 years as a full time job. You can probably see from the video that it takes that kind of dedication not to die... Having said that, you mentioned injuries. There were a lot of those, even on the cut down version. Was just expected that someone or maybe more than one would lose a finger at some point. The main idea was two-fold. First was to show what extreme dedication and discipline can achieve as an example to the rest of the fleet to get their sh*t in one sock. Second was to send a message to the rest of the world to not mess with the RN or our allies. If you can train people to throw hardware around like that, better beleive we're on top of our day job ;-) After 1999 the cut-down version was put in place, which is similar - same rig mostly, but without the zip line/walls. What was lost in difficulty was made up for in that it was no longer your main job, which meant more could participate. When I ran it was against 7 other teams. I was back-of-box (the heavy lifter - not very fast), while i was an instructor at the Basic Training School at HMS RALEIGH, and Instructor at the Engineering School at HMS SULTAN. All done out of hours after usual duties squared away. Never been so fit! But it was a real shame when the full-fat version was discontinued. Guess they needed everyone to have all their fingers. KR Lt M S Maxwell, RN (rtd)

I sailed with an ex-matelot that had done this in the 80s and set a record with Portsmouth, absolutely phenomenal, what a top bloke he was

hey mate, there was a bbc programme years ago about the training these blokes went through to take part in this, pretty brutal stuff,

@hangarrat101

4 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/nXhoo6igqLafpps.html

@fromerfc

4 жыл бұрын

anthony moore yeah I remember that steak and eggs for brekkie👍👍

@jonnyrocket3659

4 жыл бұрын

@@hangarrat101 & anthony moore - good call, just watched the video - shame we don't do the Royal Tournament anymore, I watched it most years on TV... it was always feel good TV

@sometimes5406

4 жыл бұрын

What you public see is just a small snippet

@RoastLambShanks

4 жыл бұрын

Field gun competition kzread.info/dash/bejne/pWyDrbWpmKzgmrw.html

I ran for Portsmouth Command, in 1966. We train for six months prior to the Royal Tournament.

The unmistakeable voice of Barry Davis doing the commentary. He was one of the best football commentators when I was growing up in England. I think he passed away some time ago but I could be wrong.

@David-pq4of

3 жыл бұрын

yup the voice of sport loved him

As ex-RN I almost signed up for this a few times. the real motivator was, for the everyday unfit matelot (not me!) to get 2 or 3 months of extreme physical exercise, completely excused duties and special food every mealtime (steak and so on) and come out mega fit and built like a brick sh**house, no mater what you were like before starting. I can't believe the airy fairies won the last one though, didn't know that.

@victorbarnett4280

4 жыл бұрын

The Last Run but not the Competition. This was won overall by Devonport who also beat the World Record and now hold it for ever.

This race was at the royal tournament every year, I went twice the atmosphere was electric. The race was also shown on national TV every year and was part of the national psyche. Injuries were all too common.

@CombatArmsChannel

4 жыл бұрын

Very cool. Though I can definitely see there being a lot of injuries from that. Badass

@ABC1701A

4 жыл бұрын

This was shown every year on TVNZ, always watched it. Pity I'll never get to see it in person. Absolutely incredible.

hey! thanks for reviewing this, i went to one of these as a youngster, at the Royal Albert Hall! Was a great show!

you had to be their to really to appreciate this race properly .highlight of the royal tournament for me "POMPY ALL THE WAY"

My friends dad used to run the bar at HMS Daedalus and there was apparently a jar of pickled fingers that had been cut off during training. The gun run is brutal and the guys are ridiculously fit.

I’ve never seen this event before, makes my British heart swell with pride. Wow just incredible.

My Grandad was in the Royal Navy, always supporting Portsmouth, this was broadcast every year, ex serviceman would cheer on their home Naval base and the general public used to go nuts for it too. Massive shame they stopped it. Politicians spoil all the fun.

Privileged to have seen this event live on a number of occasions. Sitting in the front row we were showered with the soil from the arena floor thrown up as the gun carriages were pulled at full speed past us which only added to the excitement

I was part of the Devonport crew in 1998 though didn't quite make the running crew Training took about 4 months all the crews were volunteers. Each person was put into a position which had a number I trained as Devonport No 6 which was on the gun trail though I could also do no 5 which was a similar position but on the other side. It took about a week on the track just to learn the first bit, the run out. If you want to see some of the injuries just look up the 1998 field gun interviews. Just to confirm I still have all my fingers!

@simonsaysjapan

4 жыл бұрын

Charlie B Bravo Zulu, Shippers!

@BigBadLoneWolf

4 жыл бұрын

@David Rawson they are not marines, they are sailors

@GrahamWalters

4 жыл бұрын

@David Rawson Marines aren't that tough, they never fielded a team

Barry Davies. Legend. Best known for his international staring competition commentary.

My father-in-law was a member of the Fleet Air Arm team back in the 60s. He was a wheelman, carrying a 60 pound wheel over the wall and zip line. He lost two fingers in training (caught in the axle) and was allowed 2 days off training to recover. Since competition for a place in the team was so high, plus the fact that it was such an honour to represent the FAA in the competition, he was back at training after only one day off. The training is intense, and very closely choreographed to cut tenths of seconds off the previous team's time.

I went to the Royal Tournament with my school, c. 1980, and the Field Gun race was the high spot. It used to be on TV every year as well. He mentions the coordination and teamwork a lot, which, of course is the heart of it. But what he didn’t mention so much was the sheer strength of those guys. The shoulders on them!

I used to do this in a lighter format, in the RN cadets. I ran in the HMS Dolphin Field gun team and the year we won at Earls Court. The navy rewarded 5 of us to travel for 4 days in the sub-HMS Otus. Good days and happy memories.

@stevemartin4891

4 жыл бұрын

I did it at Collingwood cadets in the 70s mate great fun. Us kids were doing what the brickwoids competion is now way back!

@GlobalNewsfromPompeyTown

2 ай бұрын

What year at Dolphin cadets? I was there in early 80's.

@davidfeatch1436

2 ай бұрын

@@GlobalNewsfromPompeyTown I believe it was in 81. My position was on one of the Barrel wheels.

@GlobalNewsfromPompeyTown

2 ай бұрын

@davidfeatch1436 I was in the band, drum, and bugler. Played Earls Court. Some names for you, Ken, Roy Izzard, Tim, Kirsty Williams, Pendlebury family....

I remember watching this as a child. We would cheer on our chosen side, we're a military family serving in all the branches of the military with mum in the Wrens and dad in the Royal Marines. We would really look forward to this. Going once to the Royal Tournament was the icing on the cake. Then one year my son worked there all through the tournament, he loved it. This and the Royal Tattoo would make us swell with pride. Such a shame the bean counters decided to do away with it. Thanks for showing and commenting on this.

Great to see that this still raises interesting conversations and memories. Combat Arms, I love that you found this of interest and assessed it for your followers. I had the (dubious)pleasure and privilege of running for Devonport Field Gun Crew 4 times 3 in the arena at Earls court. And the honour of selecting and training the Devonport crews in 1987 and 1993.

I have seen lots of your vids now mate and have a lot of respect for you. Thank you for your honesty and respect.

Part of the yearly Royal Tournament which is sadly no more. I trained for this but sadly could not run as a promotion course came up. Many of my friends ran the crew year on year. As you correctly say, It’s historic from old battles where field guns had to be taken over terrain to battle. The training is brutal and the runs are even more brutal. Lads have had carriages run over them, barrels land on them, broken bones and fingers going missing were common. Bodies of most are now wrecked! The rivalry within the Royal Navy was fierce. Ultra fit people with absolute dedication. Disgusting that it was stopped. A smaller competition still goes on within the Navy, now seeing teams from Marines, Army and RAF. Cadets also run teams. All done with much smaller hardware now. After the season is over they all go back to units to carry out their usual professions. So proud!

@andrewcorrie8936

4 жыл бұрын

Royal Tournament was great: what other gems were there: King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery barrelling round and not crashing; the strange window-ladder display team; the RAF police dogs, seizing the runaway guy with the padded sleeve; bagpipers playing Highland Laddie; just a joy every year. Favourite birthday outing as a kid. To say nothing of manning the mast at HMS Ganges! Now that was serious stuff.

@raggednail79

4 жыл бұрын

I was there for the last run , my Grandmother worked at Earl's court so got to go to the tournament every year from 6 months old absolutely loved it and still do and I really do believe that the Royal tournament stopping is part of the reason that the military in the UK is not held in the same esteem as it was when I was growing up , my gran used to say that they would run up and down the stairs with those wheels as part of their warm up and that was about 7 or 8 stories I think, but could be wrong lol it was along time ago, but I do remember the hard working men of those crews it made proud to be British .

@f3aok

4 жыл бұрын

Grew up watching this. Anyone know why it was stopped. Health and safety?😱

@raggednail79

4 жыл бұрын

@@f3aok they couldn't afford to keep it going the government just saw it as a huge expense I guess they didnt see the any reason to keep it going ,sad that I never got the chance to take my kids to see it as my father did for me , it was nothing short of amazing a wonderful part of my childhood that I'll never forget

@f3aok

4 жыл бұрын

@@raggednail79 👍

Notice they were wearing black armbands in mourning for the end of this tradition.

I was very privileged as a child to be taken to see the men training for this, at I recall, whale Island (near Portsmouth) when my dad was serving in the RN. Yes, it's historic and recalling traditions, but one of the most exciting things I have lodged in my memory. And yes. There are injuries. Fully respect this sport, tradition, and endeavour.

When I was in the reserve fleet at Whale Island I used to watch the Portsmouth Field guns crew training on the mudflats. Tough lads.

Great British naval tradition. Bring back the Royal Tournament

I attended a couple of Royal Tournaments as a teenager. I loved the whole show (and all the exhibitions back stage) but the Gun Run was what you always looked forward to. The atmosphere was electric!

The tradition started when the gun crews from two Royal Navy ships dragged guns over 200 miled of mountainous countryside to help in the relief of Ladysmith during the Boer war as you said. During the 1998 run at the half way point a video shows a doctor stapling the head of a competitor together after he split it open! He then carried on with the competition!

@thehighlander959

2 жыл бұрын

I remember that...

A good friend of mine was from the Fleet Air Arm. He was in the team, in the seventies. He still has today a Wheel pin, marked P for Portsmouth that was left on the square. A true Gentleman and nice guy. Luv ya Jim mate.

A shipmate of mine was selected to train for this, it scared him to death, so he went for his diver training instead.

@ancienttractorbuoy

4 жыл бұрын

Hope he didn't die on a mud run 🥴

@spearmint47

3 жыл бұрын

@@ancienttractorbuoy i remember them. Start the day with a few high jumps. Then a mud run Then diver training.

The British have limited gear so the quality of their soldiering is off the charts. Even their basic infantry can run huge distances with heavy bergens. Their ability to move heavy equipment, on foot, over the battlefield is amazing.

@ChrisLewis-yx8kw

4 жыл бұрын

TheHypernaught best trained worst equipped military in world, thats the British forces lot.

@DrJReefer

4 жыл бұрын

@@ChrisLewis-yx8kw When Gulf 2 blew up the papers were full of stories about soldiers asking their mum to buy them gear and post it to them. No one had the right boots

@Aeronaut1975

4 жыл бұрын

@@DrJReefer True, i remember reading a book about an SAS raid in Iraq, and the soldiers either didn't have NVGs', or the ones they had weren't up to the job at hand, so they had to borrow them from their American counterparts. They got nicknamed "the borrowers" (after a famous British TV show).

@ChrisLewis-yx8kw

4 жыл бұрын

@Dr J Reefer wasn’t much better in the first Gulf war, I had winter weight gear for Saudi Arabia! Hot doesn’t cover it.

@DrJReefer

4 жыл бұрын

@@ChrisLewis-yx8kw Jaysus.

We still do this in Australia. Its a ceremonial exercise. In WW2 in New Guinea, soldiers of the 3rd Division carried 17 pounder artillery pieces up and over 14,000 foot jungle ranges to stop the Japanese taking Port Moresby. No helicopters or planes could be used. Everything had to hand carried. It was brutal.

I was there with my two young sons. Having watched the Royal Tournament on tv for many years, I just had to go for the last one. Absolutely brilliant!

I remember watching this as a kid, amazing grit shown by these servicemen

It was always a great show and needs reviving. Respect to all Tars!

With my Dad and Grandfather in the Royal Navy, I grew up watching this. Live, it was one of the most impressive and exciting things I've ever seen. I miss it and really wish they'd bring it back. Kudos to the men that took part.

Awesome video with pure strength and stamina but most importantly history. Thank you for sharing.

I can still remember the sound and the smell, it's was so amazing to watch. It was a shame it ended. Bring back so much memory's

We used to do the gun run in the Canadian Navy as well into the 2000's with the East coast and West coast teams competing against each other. They would tour across the country over the summer months and it was a great way to connect with folks inland that we have a navy. It was finally stopped because of several factors, it cost a great deal of money, took sailors away from the fleet for about half the year and seriously injured a number of guys over the years. I sailed with a number of friends who were team members and they loved every minute of it. The Military Tattoo just doesn't seem the same without it.

I watched lots of your videos . As ex British Military ( Army ) , I am always impressed by your knowledge and unbiased comments . You are a credit to your Corps

In the late 70s and early 80s I used to attend the Royal tournament with cub scouts. Loved it. The highlight as a 7 or 8 year old was always this. The energy and excitement of the few minutes was amazing. Well done to all those that took part.

Wonderful tradition, remembering a brave event in British military history. The Royal Tournament was a wonderful annual event, showcasing every aspect of military skill, both British and worldwide. It was also a fantastic recruitment tool (you see small boys in the crowd). Sadly closed by the ‘bean counters’. I served as a soldier with the Navy for a while and would often see the men training for this event. Seriously tough men and it was not uncommon for serious injuries to occur, including the odd lost finger! Thanks for posting.

I’m surprised he has so much difficulty understanding. It’s a test of cooperation, agility, strength and stamina. Qualities that will always be necessary in war.

Those guys are massive. That is a crazy race. Amazing to watch.

Thanks for your video. This brings back lots of memories of watching this with my family every year.

I went to the Royal Tournament many times as a kid and saw this, every time was brilliant, always cheered for Portsmouth if they were running, or Fleet Air Arm. As a Sea Cadet I stayed in Portsmouth yard and watched them training for this, many busted knuckles and more than few broken fingers. It is something else to see live, shame it's not run anymore. As you said this is based on an event from the Boer War where Guns were removed from a ship and transported over land and back.

@jonniebyford

4 жыл бұрын

Me too, saw it live many times as a kid. Then I got a Lambretta . . .

@TV225TS1

4 жыл бұрын

@@jonniebyford didn't get in The Navy due to acute chronic Asthma, so got into Scoots !

@Danno1983

4 жыл бұрын

I waz in the nautical cadet force on iow

This is why 29th Commando Rgt RA refer to the 105mm as 'man portable'.

@MarkCsevensixtwo

4 жыл бұрын

Ubique!

@paulcharlwood702

4 жыл бұрын

@@MarkCsevensixtwo You do know that translates not only as "everywhere" but also as "all over the place"!😉

I'd totally forgotten this. We used to watch it every year. It was so exciting.

I was a chef in the RAF detached to the Royal tournament in 1983. I fed the field gun crews. Double normal rations each meal! All real gents.

In the Boer was the navy carried the guns over hills and rivers to relieve the army from the Boers and this competition was their way of constantly reminding the army how they rescued them. They just love rubbing each other's noses in it the forces do.

@leehotspur9679

4 жыл бұрын

Just like the Naval Division Won the first World War , HeHe