Field Gun World Record.wmv

The run that finally sealed the World Record for Devonport A Crew.

[dennisclark]

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.

[kc]

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!!!

[Firebrand]

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.

[bretcantwell]

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.

[alfie]

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.

[nacholibre]

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!

[romeo]

Ran the Mess for these crews for over five years - my utmost respect....

[RicTic]

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.

[KShadow]

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.

[GLK-London]

Gosh I miss The Royal Tournament. I can remember the 1st time seeing it as a young boy and being amazed.

[antonyhobbs]

I've been to the Royal Tournament. Those guys are big, fit, tough men.

[kenibnanak]

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.

[stevek]

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.

[pauldavies]

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!

[devbldg]

Nothing short of brilliant - watched with enthusiasm and envy the world over.

[colinsmith]

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.

[mickenoss]

Me and my mates used to go watch them practice when I were younger, proud that my towns crew hold the record.

[davidhoward]

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

[johnyoung]

Back when we had pride in our country and our military the envy of the world

[Slikx]

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.