  |
Positive public response to field gun crew
|
On Saturday, the Gibraltar Field Gun crew prepared for the annual Field Gun competition by pulling their Gun and Limber from Devils Tower Camp, through the town and on to the Naval Base.
The team of 5 RN, 7 RAF and 6 Army personnel, including 3 from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, are training for the annual Brickwoods Field Gun Competition to be held on 26 May in Portsmouth.
After setting off from Devils Tower Camp, the crew headed to Casemates Square where they were joined by the Corps of Drums from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. Together they were an impressive sight as they marched up a packed Main Street lined with shoppers and families.
‘The atmosphere was incredible,’ said SAC John Thomson, a member of the crew. ‘The positive reception we got from members of the public was overwhelming. It feels now like we are representing Gibraltar as well as the military.’
Just past the Convent, the Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment replaced the Corps of Drums, leading the crew onwards to Ragged Staff Road. By the time the procession turned into the gates of the Naval Base, it had gathered a large number of followers.
The crew then completed two timed runs, cheered on by the crowd.
Despite fears over injuries obtained in training, the fastest run was a respectable one minute and 30 seconds. Leading Physical Trainer ‘Scouse’ Carley said, ‘There is a lot we can still improve on, but with 2 weeks of training still left before the main competition, we are more than happy.’
Also pleased with how the event went, was ‘Number One’ trainer, Warrant Officer Steve Drayton. ‘It was an extremely successful day. We achieved everything we wanted to. Seeing how the crew reacted in front of the audience was incredibly useful. Their adrenaline kicked in and they did things differently.’
Lieutenant Commander Tim Jones, the Field Gun Officer, said, ‘Saturday exceeded our expectations, both in terms of our performance and in the support we received from the Gibraltar community.’
The competition commemorates the relief of the siege of Ladysmith, South Africa, during the Boer War, by 12 pounder Naval Guns, hauled across land on makeshift trolleys by Royal Navy sailors. The Gun and Limber weigh a total of 2200lbs, the weight of a small car.
15-05-12
|
|
|
|
