Back in the early 70's, my mate John Arscott was first pair with Pete Smale on the wheels for Fleet Air Arm, and the wife and I would religiously go and watch the practice runs at Daedalus (Lee on Solent, Hampshire) and spend a week in London so we could get a season ticket to watch the teams at Earls Court. The Admiralty don't know what they did by discontinuing their support for such an immense competition.
In 1969 I watched 27 File Gun Competitions at Earl Court; ( was on on duty there )...I also watched 27 early morning practices in Earls Court. I never once got tired of watching one of the supreme tests of man against heavy metal. It is the ultimate test of teamwork and trust......matelots have their continuing good health in the hands of others. For me the gun crews were the highlight of The Royal Tournament.......literally hearts of oak!
A Royal Navy Field Gunner. Heart of a Lion. Speed of a Race Horse. Strength of Bear . But Brains of a Rocking Horse. The Greatest respect to our brothers in arms. From a Royal.Marine.
Huge respect for these tough and uncompromising men. They inspired us, and made us proud to be British as they marched out at Earls Court. I have no doubt it lead to many men being recruited into the navy. Sadly the Royal Navy is more touchy freely now and all the poorer for it. Having a wonderful diversity policy will not win us a war, but men like these will.
Absolutely brilliant to see this old footage depicting the typical blood sweat and tears, each day on the track produced. Was lucky enough to have been part of this history and makes my proud when I watch this. They should never have stopped this event!
Yes this was the highlight of the Royal Tournament , as a kid you never new how much work went into it but the memories of it have never been forgotten, tough men doing a very tough job . Thanks you all again for my child hood memories.
Worked in HMS Daedalus, 85/86, delivering the vits to the various galleys about camp. Great buzz about the place during field gun. I believe Fleet Air Arm’s training ground is a housing estate now. Shite that.
I'm ex Royal Navy 85/92 and and during a jolly in 87 we had several on board training for the upcoming season, to try and get picked to get in. They were beasting themselves during every spare minute trying to get to the required standard of fitness and mentality needed. I was in 2E1 gunners mess and we had 2 of our mess mates going for the next intake, we ended up going down into the tank deck or up on the flight deck with them, shouting encouragement and eventually a lot of us joined in and it created a spirit de core and was great for moral and jacks fitness, which lets face it wasn't always the best.😁. As we had so many seaman on INTREPID, we didn't keep normal sea watches, like forenoon/ first, afternoon/ middle ect. Only the bosuns mate and quartermaster ( me) kept them watches. All the rest had 1 hours look out on the bridge at night and back to your lit, so there was quite a bit of drinking going on. And as we were part of the Dartmouth training squadron we were on five days at sea four days in port routine. It was excellent until I met my now ex. Anyway, when they done away with the field gun competitions the Royal Navy lost another bit of itself. Today's navy is tiny and nothing like the navy I joined in 85. They don't even let the submariners use the tank at HMS DOLPHIN in case anyone hurts themselves FFS.
Was part of the 86 and 87 Devonport staff as medic, great 2 seasons, know some of the lads in the 99 crew which broke the world record... Oggie Oggie Oggie
I grew up around Field Gunners. My Dad was with FAA. He marched out in the Final Run. When I head that Pompey trainer tell someone to "Shit in it" I got chills 🤣
As a cadet in the seventies I would be at the Royal Tournament . I used to enjoy so much but , for me , the Field Gun display was the highlight . Didn't realise that Chatham competed ! How many times did they win and why did they stop ?
Back in the early 70's, my mate John Arscott was first pair with Pete Smale on the wheels for Fleet Air Arm, and the wife and I would religiously go and watch the practice runs at Daedalus (Lee on Solent, Hampshire) and spend a week in London so we could get a season ticket to watch the teams at Earls Court. The Admiralty don't know what they did by discontinuing their support for such an immense competition.
In 1969 I watched 27 File Gun Competitions at Earl Court; ( was on on duty there )...I also watched 27 early morning practices in Earls Court. I never once got tired of watching one of the supreme tests of man against heavy metal. It is the ultimate test of teamwork and trust......matelots have their continuing good health in the hands of others. For me the gun crews were the highlight of The Royal Tournament.......literally hearts of oak!
Yet another British military tradition unmatched in the world consigned to history, when it deserves to be celebrated.
I know.
All down to health and sarty
A Royal Navy Field Gunner. Heart of a Lion. Speed of a Race Horse. Strength of Bear . But Brains of a Rocking Horse. The Greatest respect to our brothers in arms. From a Royal.Marine.
Keep eating your crayons boot neck. 😁
Huge respect for these tough and uncompromising men. They inspired us, and made us proud to be British as they marched out at Earls Court. I have no doubt it lead to many men being recruited into the navy. Sadly the Royal Navy is more touchy freely now and all the poorer for it. Having a wonderful diversity policy will not win us a war, but men like these will.
Love the man doing press ups, with a ciggy in his mouth!
Wow!!...What guts,bravery and superb teamwork!! The sort of qualities that make the Royal Navy deserve the reputation of .."The Senior Service "..
Absolutely brilliant to see this old footage depicting the typical blood sweat and tears, each day on the track produced. Was lucky enough to have been part of this history and makes my proud when I watch this. They should never have stopped this event!
Yet another Tony BLiar betrayal 🤬
Something special that has been lost.
Yes this was the highlight of the Royal Tournament , as a kid you never new how much work went into it but the memories of it have never been forgotten, tough men doing a very tough job . Thanks you all again for my child hood memories.
Worked in HMS Daedalus, 85/86, delivering the vits to the various galleys about camp. Great buzz about the place during field gun. I believe Fleet Air Arm’s training ground is a housing estate now. Shite that.
Winner .1963 Brickwoods Field Gun Crew. Limber wheel man. Gavin Dyer. Never been fitter in my life.
Brickwoods isn't real Field Gun, it's cadet field gun
I'm ex Royal Navy 85/92 and and during a jolly in 87 we had several on board training for the upcoming season, to try and get picked to get in. They were beasting themselves during every spare minute trying to get to the required standard of fitness and mentality needed. I was in 2E1 gunners mess and we had 2 of our mess mates going for the next intake, we ended up going down into the tank deck or up on the flight deck with them, shouting encouragement and eventually a lot of us joined in and it created a spirit de core and was great for moral and jacks fitness, which lets face it wasn't always the best.😁. As we had so many seaman on INTREPID, we didn't keep normal sea watches, like forenoon/ first, afternoon/ middle ect. Only the bosuns mate and quartermaster ( me) kept them watches. All the rest had 1 hours look out on the bridge at night and back to your lit, so there was quite a bit of drinking going on. And as we were part of the Dartmouth training squadron we were on five days at sea four days in port routine. It was excellent until I met my now ex. Anyway, when they done away with the field gun competitions the Royal Navy lost another bit of itself. Today's navy is tiny and nothing like the navy I joined in 85. They don't even let the submariners use the tank at HMS DOLPHIN in case anyone hurts themselves FFS.
Was part of the 86 and 87 Devonport staff as medic, great 2 seasons, know some of the lads in the 99 crew which broke the world record... Oggie Oggie Oggie
I'm glad these men are on my side. Or perhaps I should say I am proud to be on their side.
Thanks for sharing ... Makes you proud to be British
It does.
my dad was a competitor in the gun run for portsmouth in the 70's
I grew up around Field Gunners. My Dad was with FAA. He marched out in the Final Run. When I head that Pompey trainer tell someone to "Shit in it" I got chills 🤣
The next time the UK hosts the Olympic games, they should include this in the New Sports
I was in the field gun.i was in b teem did it for years loved it
What year was this filmed do you know? I used to love going to the Royal Tournament as a child in the 90s. What a shame it got binned.
As a cadet in the seventies I would be at the Royal Tournament . I used to enjoy so much but , for me , the Field Gun display was the highlight . Didn't realise that Chatham competed ! How many times did they win and why did they stop ?
I assume they stopped when Chatham stopped being an RN dockyard.
We have never let the army forget this....ps don't mention monarchs funerals
Don’t think health and safety would allow this now. Too many lawsuits
I know.
There is a feiĺdgun in southeast of England my son and daughter did it
@@martinreeves4035 Wellington College still do the cadet version with the walls and chasm.
@@jameswroe2403 respect for trying to keep the spirit alive. But it’s not the same, college ball vs pro ball.
Did men run the guns more than 1 year, or were they restricted to the one year.
I think they were not allowed to be crew members in successive years, but could be candidates for re-selection after an interval.
@@Morvran1 you’re probably right, then again who would do it twice?
10:34
No women?