11th March 2025 at 11:46am
In a first for the legendary Field Gun Competition, gunners from all variations of the naval contest have gathered in Portsmouth to celebrate 125 years since the event that inspired it.
The heroic actions of sailors during the 119-day Siege of Ladysmith during the Boer War became part of national and naval folklore.
Guns from warships were taken apart, transformed into field guns and then transported more than 100 miles inland.
- From a 119-day siege to an annual competition, the long-standing tradition of the field gun
- The Cornish pub with timbers from Spanish Armada and Napoleonic era warships
- How a WW1 German U-boat became a tourist attraction on a British beachfront
In the final stretch, these guns were carried by men of the Naval Brigade over difficult terrain, ultimately joining the battle and relieving the besieged troops.
In recognition, Queen Victoria dispatched a telegram expressing her heartfelt gratitude, saying: “Pray express to the Naval Brigade my deep appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered with their guns.”
The brave actions on the battlefield gave birth to one of the toughest and most iconic competitions in Royal Navy history – the Field Gun Competition.
Watch: The proud tradition of the Field Gun Competition
Each crew of 18 highly disciplined and physically fit field gunners races to assemble an antique field gun and runs with it, disassembling and reassembling as the competition requires, before dramatically dragging the gun home.
Speaking to BFBS Forces News in 2023, Commander Gareth Batsford, Field Gun Officer, HM Naval Base Clyde, said: “Together, the equipment – when it’s all hooked up together – is around about 1,300kg, so it’s a considerable weight and that’s why each crew consists of 18 personnel all configured to pull, push and lift the equipment at various stages during the run.”
Event coordinator Captain Alex Clark of the Royal Horse Artillery said: “It was incredible to see all aspects of the Field Gun family come together to honour this milestone.
“This event not only paid tribute to our history but also reinforced the bonds of camaraderie that define the Field Gun community.”
In various formats, from the legendary run each year at the Royal Tournament for more than nine decades to the Brickwoods race hosted at HMS Collingwood and junior/cadet runs, the Field Gun tradition is vital in fostering teamwork, discipline and military heritage.
All branches of Field Gun – Command, Brickwoods (Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity), Junior Leaders and Cadets – were represented at an event on board HMS Warrior to celebrate what the Field Gun Competition means to the Senior Service past and present.
Beyond commemorating past deeds, the event (which was supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity) served as an opportunity to inspire future generations.
Young cadets and junior leaders engaged with experienced field gunners, learning first-hand about the discipline, teamwork and perseverance which define the competition.
Today the iconic event isn’t just for Royal Navy personnel.
There is a growing number of crews participating, with 24 teams representing the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force.
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