I was a Devonport field gunner. 1964, and if someone put me anywhere in the run, I'd still remember what to do and where my feet went next! Lost some skin, broke a bone or two, and met the woman who became, and is still, my wife.
Hi Dennis, not sure if you'll see this a year down the line, but my Dad ran in 1964 for Devonport too I think (he never bloody well told me anything more than 'yeah it was alright') just wondering whether you'd remember him/ knew him - Mervyn Hatherley
My dad ran for Devonport field gun crew from 1986-1999. He was in this world record run as second swing. He can be seen at 9 seconds, the shorter bloke on the right. My godfather also ran in this race and is the big bloke bent over seen at 2:38. My dad always talks about this run, and I have so much respect for what he did. Despite command fieldgun no longer being a competition, brick woods fieldgun is. My mum was the first female to run in brick woods field gun, and became the first ever number one trainer in brick woods field gun. Warrant Officer Pulley MBE.
I was on duty at Earl's Court in 1969, sent by the RAF. I watched the gun crews practising every morning of the 29 days, and the actual performances...58 altogether. I never tired of watching the crews train and perform physical actions beyond the ken of today's office- bound/ home workers. This vid doesn't begin to touch on the sheer, unremitting effort that ordinary sailors experienced in the gun crews. If you can, slow this vid up and appreciate the team wofk and physical strength of the task. I saw many accidents, some serious...but nothing stopped the gun crews. The sense of achievement and satisfaction at the time was palpable....heros all.
A maths professor at Cambridge once gave his class a task of working out a 'time-and-motion' survey of transporting 1500lb's of "ordnance" over a wall, a 30ft chasm and another wall, there and back over a set distance. His students were then split into groups to solve the task by any means. He received their attempts at his next lecture and noted that the students had times varying from 2 to 16 hrs!!! He then pulled a tv and video into the lecture hall and said " ok kids; Watch this!" and then showed them a video of The Royal Tournament Field Gun Run!!! His students, apparently, could believe it!!!
This was always the highlight of the Royal Tournament. I watched this as a kid and it set the bar for sheer grit and determination. It also helped me to join the forces later and at 58 I'm still serving. So sad this event was binned in '99. It showcased to teamwork and was possibly the most manly sport in the world!
I'm an American and briefly, decades ago, I was an artillery man. About 15 years ago on a forum I participated in there was a discussion of the toughest athletic competitions. Rugby, American football, etc. were offered. I suggested water polo because one was playing a sport while trying to avoid drowning. Then one of the British members raised the field gun competition his father had participated in and immediately knew which one wast the toughest.
I saw this on espn the ocho in a bar 5 years ago, the next day I thought it was a fever dream. I have been haunted by this hallucination, until today when upon finding it I have validated every person that has thought I was crazy when explaining what I had seen. This exists, I exist, I am real.
Bless them all, as a kid growing up in the 60/70s I knew all about the RN Field Gun Race, the history from The Boer War and why Devonport shouted 'Oggie, Oggie, Oggie!' My Mum and Dad both RAF veterans of WWII took me to The Royal Tournament twice in the late 60s and both times Devonport raced on the side we were sitting. I was a Devonport supporter from then as the MC encouraged all neutrals to cheer for the team nearest to them. The atmosphere and tension was amazing, it is such a shame it had to finish. We as a nation have lost too much tradition and are worse of for it.
From a Yank -- this is perhaps the coolest team competition I have ever seen. Well done!!! Awesome display of teamwork, grace, and power. I would give just about anything to see this in person.
+stevek8887 Thanks for that, Steve. I always admired it, too! However, I saw your Marines Silent Display team when they came over the pond several years ago, and we've got nothing to compare with that! Awesome (to use the vernacular!)! I guess we've all got our particular set of skills. Let's call it a draw!
@@deejaytee5481, bollocks, have you never seen the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment? Holders of the world record for the longest continuity drill display without any words of command? All moves drawn from the drill arms manual and not full of flashy made up moves like throwing the rifles like the USMC?
Aye an there ye have it mate"big tough men"the political correct brigade cant stand that any more,sorry just an old Jock nursing his nip at New Year I think I will cry for our loved forces,so horribly crippled by our,well ye cannae even call the politician's any more,snakes the lot of them,lol Happy New Year mucker.
I think it very sad that here in the US I never even heard of this competition and that I had somehow missed decades and decades of watching it. Very cool.
My dad competed in this for devonport in this competition. He said it was the equivalent of a 4 minute mile in terms of effort. He told me he nearly lost his hand in a training run and he also said many people lost fingers, were scalped and someone even cut open their calve muscle. It really was brutal!
Great to watch. It is a shame that it is no longer run. I only ever saw it once at Olympia and it was absolutely a GREAT show by all taking part. Equally as good, if not better that the Edinburgh Military tattoo.
Some of the hardest men that I've met. One time a pin that held a wheel on was dropped, a guy shoved his finger in the hole until they crossed the finish line.
One word Brilliant!. So sad and appalled that this historic race was cut!. One of the most amazing things I've ever seen live. The build up with the music, the crowd involvement those mountains of men hauling that gun and limber about as if it were a 'flat pack piece of furniture'. Nuff said.
I was the Devonport "Doc" in 86 & 87, the hours of practice, the repetition of each bit of drill, till its seamless on the home track, I know a couple of this crew. The Royal Tournament was the Field Gun competition, that's why the people came, most were carrying injuries and niggles, to be part of it was a privilege. Oggie, Oggie, Oggie
I used to go to the Royal Tournament every year to watch this amazing competition. It ought to be revived as an Olympic sport, though the H&S people probably wouldn't be very happy about...
Cant imagine Elf and safety being overly chuffed with this like. Same as the mast ceremony the matleots used to do, visually stunning and a demonstration of training discipline, but enough to make snowflakes piss their panties at the possibility of death or injury. Im sure if you spoke to guys who participated in the Field gun runs, its was the best & happiest days of their lives
@@Beefy5039 Ask the Labour Party because they stopped it - that lot have never liked the Armed Forces anyway - the mere thought of haing people defend this country is contary to their life style!
Because they couldn’t justify 50 guys having 9 months off work to train and getting injured. Shame as it was awesome. Only got the Car Park Pram race at Collingwood these days 😔
A common mistake. The Collingwood competition is a very basic version of the competition and doesn't involve chasms or walls.The Feild Gun Competition was the epitome of sports and teamwork at the highest levels of fitness and concentration as well as a dedication to FG beyond anything ive ever encountered since.
It's a world record because they're the fastest in the world. Any citizen of a commonwealth nation can join the royal navy and compete. It's not a national thing. It's a Royal Navy thing. People compete in it from all over the world. The thing they've all got in common is that everyone of them is a commonwealth citizen and everyone of them is a member of the Royal Navy. Sports like baseball are rarely seen outside of North America. Sports like American Football are borderline non-existent outside of North America and yet still make their way inti the Guinness Book if world records. They're the fastest in the world at what they do. It's a world record.
aye but is a Man bad every thing world we live in now,but a fine sentiment none the less,banned by our Gov since a lassie could not get in,just kidding but I am sure you know what I mean.
I was a Devonport field gunner. 1964, and if someone put me anywhere in the run, I'd still remember what to do and where my feet went next! Lost some skin, broke a bone or two, and met the woman who became, and is still, my wife.
Hi Dennis, not sure if you'll see this a year down the line, but my Dad ran in 1964 for Devonport too I think (he never bloody well told me anything more than 'yeah it was alright') just wondering whether you'd remember him/ knew him - Mervyn Hatherley
What's more painful, a field gun run or a long marriage?
My dad ran for Devonport field gun crew from 1986-1999. He was in this world record run as second swing. He can be seen at 9 seconds, the shorter bloke on the right. My godfather also ran in this race and is the big bloke bent over seen at 2:38.
My dad always talks about this run, and I have so much respect for what he did.
Despite command fieldgun no longer being a competition, brick woods fieldgun is.
My mum was the first female to run in brick woods field gun, and became the first ever number one trainer in brick woods field gun. Warrant Officer Pulley MBE.
It's coming back mate, I'm a pro fieldgun athlete
Can I ask what your dads name was Alfie? My dad also is in this video I’d like to know if they were friends😅
@@ManLikeFinch my dads name is Bob Pulley. What is yours? I’ll ask if he knew him.
@@alfie1308 Brian Fincher his name is, he is about 10 seconds into the video bottom left!
@@ManLikeFinch I just spoke to my dad. He does know him. In fact, he spoke to him on the phone not too long ago!
I was on duty at Earl's Court in 1969, sent by the RAF. I watched the gun crews practising every morning of the 29 days, and the actual performances...58 altogether. I never tired of watching the crews train and perform physical actions beyond the ken of today's office- bound/ home workers. This vid doesn't begin to touch on the sheer, unremitting effort that ordinary sailors experienced in the gun crews. If you can, slow this vid up and appreciate the team wofk and physical strength of the task. I saw many accidents, some serious...but nothing stopped the gun crews. The sense of achievement and satisfaction at the time was palpable....heros all.
A maths professor at Cambridge once gave his class a task of working out a 'time-and-motion' survey of transporting 1500lb's of "ordnance" over a wall, a 30ft chasm and another wall, there and back over a set distance. His students were then split into groups to solve the task by any means. He received their attempts at his next lecture and noted that the students had times varying from 2 to 16 hrs!!! He then pulled a tv and video into the lecture hall and said " ok kids; Watch this!" and then showed them a video of The Royal Tournament Field Gun Run!!! His students, apparently, could believe it!!!
This was always the highlight of the Royal Tournament. I watched this as a kid and it set the bar for sheer grit and determination. It also helped me to join the forces later and at 58 I'm still serving. So sad this event was binned in '99. It showcased to teamwork and was possibly the most manly sport in the world!
And in it's day the most dangerous!
I'm an American and briefly, decades ago, I was an artillery man. About 15 years ago on a forum I participated in there was a discussion of the toughest athletic competitions. Rugby, American football, etc. were offered. I suggested water polo because one was playing a sport while trying to avoid drowning. Then one of the British members raised the field gun competition his father had participated in and immediately knew which one wast the toughest.
Gosh I miss The Royal Tournament. I can remember the 1st time seeing it as a young boy and being amazed.
I saw this on espn the ocho in a bar 5 years ago, the next day I thought it was a fever dream. I have been haunted by this hallucination, until today when upon finding it I have validated every person that has thought I was crazy when explaining what I had seen. This exists, I exist, I am real.
Ran the Mess for these crews for over five years - my utmost respect....
Bless them all, as a kid growing up in the 60/70s I knew all about the RN Field Gun Race, the history from The Boer War and why Devonport shouted 'Oggie, Oggie, Oggie!' My Mum and Dad both RAF veterans of WWII took me to The Royal Tournament twice in the late 60s and both times Devonport raced on the side we were sitting. I was a Devonport supporter from then as the MC encouraged all neutrals to cheer for the team nearest to them. The atmosphere and tension was amazing, it is such a shame it had to finish. We as a nation have lost too much tradition and are worse of for it.
Hi i was in the RN and was in the 1962 comp for portsmouth great memorys and a few scars glad you enjoyed it to , take care , les
pasty, pasty, pasty?
From a Yank -- this is perhaps the coolest team competition I have ever seen. Well done!!! Awesome display of teamwork, grace, and power. I would give just about anything to see this in person.
+stevek8887 Thanks for that, Steve. I always admired it, too! However, I saw your Marines Silent Display team when they came over the pond several years ago, and we've got nothing to compare with that! Awesome (to use the vernacular!)! I guess we've all got our particular set of skills. Let's call it a draw!
@@deejaytee5481, bollocks, have you never seen the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment? Holders of the world record for the longest continuity drill display without any words of command? All moves drawn from the drill arms manual and not full of flashy made up moves like throwing the rifles like the USMC?
@@davidhumphreys7035 right on man wee mate of mine was one of that lot left us Jocks signed up in the RAF Reg well said.
Back when we had pride in our country and our military the envy of the world
Nothing short of brilliant - watched with enthusiasm and envy the world over.
I've been to the Royal Tournament. Those guys are big, fit, tough men.
Aye an there ye have it mate"big tough men"the political correct brigade cant stand that any more,sorry just an old Jock nursing his nip at New Year I think I will cry for our loved forces,so horribly crippled by our,well ye cannae even call the politician's any more,snakes the lot of them,lol Happy New Year mucker.
Brawny. I think the word that fits is 'Brawny.'
I think it very sad that here in the US I never even heard of this competition and that I had somehow missed decades and decades of watching it. Very cool.
My dad competed in this for devonport in this competition. He said it was the equivalent of a 4 minute mile in terms of effort. He told me he nearly lost his hand in a training run and he also said many people lost fingers, were scalped and someone even cut open their calve muscle. It really was brutal!
Me and my mates used to go watch them practice when I were younger, proud that my towns crew hold the record.
Great to watch. It is a shame that it is no longer run. I only ever saw it once at Olympia and it was absolutely a GREAT show by all taking part. Equally as good, if not better that the Edinburgh Military tattoo.
I was there in 1997 when Devonport ran against the FAA. After the run-in none of us had a voice left. Go Devonport!! My late, great Dads home port!
Some of the hardest men that I've met.
One time a pin that held a wheel on was dropped, a guy shoved his finger in the hole until they crossed the finish line.
My dad lost a finger doing field gun. They sowed it back on!!!
@@andybutton1515
I wonder if he's the guy I heard about?
Incredible! Well done the matlots with and without wings!
One word Brilliant!. So sad and appalled that this historic race was cut!. One of the most amazing things I've ever seen live. The build up with the music, the crowd involvement those mountains of men hauling that gun and limber about as if it were a 'flat pack piece of furniture'. Nuff said.
I was the Devonport "Doc" in 86 & 87, the hours of practice, the repetition of each bit of drill, till its seamless on the home track, I know a couple of this crew. The Royal Tournament was the Field Gun competition, that's why the people came, most were carrying injuries and niggles, to be part of it was a privilege. Oggie, Oggie, Oggie
Loved going to HMS Drake as a kid and watching this crew. Shame it isn't as big now as it was.
I used to go to the Royal Tournament every year to watch this amazing competition. It ought to be revived as an Olympic sport, though the H&S people probably wouldn't be very happy about...
There's no one man enough to do it these days!!
My Uncle Graham May did Field Gun in 2 Royal Tournaments for Devonport and I've brought him to Ladysmith today to see where it originated.
This is really something. It would be cool to have a team demonstrate this at the rededication of Veterans Park in Tinley Park this spring.
LOL! Do you know they trained intensively for five months to get prepared? It would be illegal these days anyway because it is competitive.
One of the proudest & toughest things I’ve ever done, get in devonport
Dusty Miller on slats. My first PTI at Raleigh. Funny man!
He’s a legend, a good mate of mine!
I never knew they had competition for military Canons. That's great stuff.Very impressive..
Awesome respect.
This surely has to be introduced to Germany as well! Fantastic!
We've always wanted to join the sports industry ;).
No I saw what you guys did with all of that "recreational glider" training in the 1930's. I'm just joking BTW
I think Germans would be great at the field gun run because there are penalties involved.
Royal side too... how fitting is that?
amazing lads
Check out Run Gunner Run 78
look at the expression on their faces at 3:11 these guys are well on it
More engaging than curling.
When men were men 🇬🇧
Me fascina esta prueba!
oggie oggie oggie !
Why did this competition ever end!
Cant imagine Elf and safety being overly chuffed with this like. Same as the mast ceremony the matleots used to do, visually stunning and a demonstration of training discipline, but enough to make snowflakes piss their panties at the possibility of death or injury. Im sure if you spoke to guys who participated in the Field gun runs, its was the best & happiest days of their lives
@@Beefy5039 Ask the Labour Party because they stopped it - that lot have never liked the Armed Forces anyway - the mere thought of haing people defend this country is contary to their life style!
Because they couldn’t justify 50 guys having 9 months off work to train and getting injured. Shame as it was awesome. Only got the Car Park Pram race at Collingwood these days 😔
soooooo fucking cool! awesome!
2012. Is this still an active competition?
no. It ended in 1999 when the Royal Tournament was axed by Blair
@@farodealer Boris should bring it back.
Now Micks givin it the i yiddent knows. Well you yiddnt ask yid yew
This still goes on every year at HMS Collingwood.
No it doesn't , that's Brickwoods, massive difference, not even the same league!!
Obvious troll is obvious
A common mistake. The Collingwood competition is a very basic version of the competition and doesn't involve chasms or walls.The Feild Gun Competition was the epitome of sports and teamwork at the highest levels of fitness and concentration as well as a dedication to FG beyond anything ive ever encountered since.
Yew fort yew new the ruddy lot, now stick it in your old clay pot
Very impressive. But "World" record? How many countries actually compete?
Doesn't matter, no other country has beaten Devonport, and never will !
+ian sinclair That's like Americans saying only Americans win the World Series.
It's a world record because they're the fastest in the world. Any citizen of a commonwealth nation can join the royal navy and compete. It's not a national thing. It's a Royal Navy thing. People compete in it from all over the world. The thing they've all got in common is that everyone of them is a commonwealth citizen and everyone of them is a member of the Royal Navy. Sports like baseball are rarely seen outside of North America. Sports like American Football are borderline non-existent outside of North America and yet still make their way inti the Guinness Book if world records. They're the fastest in the world at what they do. It's a world record.
Jordan Smith Yawn...
Hey now, the Canadians are allowed into the World Series. They've even won it a couple times...
i wonder what have the terrorist had to say about this
Ur a dikhead
@@grantsmith2128 kiss my ass
a load of puffs running around a track what a waste of time and effort.
you try it. It was the toughest team sport in the world
Says the person hiding behind a rabbit head.. loser
you're dumb
If the US had this instead of football, baseball, and basketball, I’d actually see a point to televised team sports and would watch it.
aye but is a Man bad every thing world we live in now,but a fine sentiment none the less,banned by our Gov since a lassie could not get in,just kidding but I am sure you know what I mean.