A little bit of history: Ladysmith was a town besieged by the Boers in South Africa. The Royal Navy took guns off two ships and dragged and carried them to relieve the garrison. The competition recreates the events of that journey. The town was named after the wife of a governor of South Africa, who was a 14 year old Spanish girl fleeing from drunken soldiers during the looting after the siege of Badajoz in 1812 in the Napoleonic wars. She was rescued by Captain Harry Smith of the 95th Rifles, who she later married. He eventually became a Lieutenant General and Governor of the Cape Colony in 1847.
The guns are the quick firing 12pdr 8 cwt landing gun. Built at the Elswick Works, Newcastle upon Tyne between 1895 and 1905. Sadly the site is now a retail park.
Me too. So sad when it ended, I thought it a tradition worth keeping. The excuse given was cost, but the MOD wasted money huge amounts in obvious ways, this would have been small change in comparison.
My daughters old school still does this as an activity and they were the last to perform this in 2013 at Earls Court 11 years ago. Search, Wellington College Field Gun - 8th December
Where were you based mate? I worked in Pompey Dockyard for 6 years. One perk was that us Dockies were allowed to use the facilities at HMS Temeraire. I used the gym regularly, but if one of the Field Gun Crew were in there, I would move and let them use the equipment. 😂
Im from Plymouth uk. A port city with a once biggest naval port in Europe. I used to work with a ex field gunner. A very strong guy. Devonport dockyard Plymouth had Devonport field gun crew. Think it started in early 1900s.
If you liked this then check out the royal horse of the year show and the dance of the royal horse artillery six team's of six horses pulling a gun carriage and lumbar
There's a modified version still done called Brickwoods which involves the dismantling and putting back together of the gun but not the obstacles. The results of each night's run used to be sent out in a signal to every ship and shore base. The field gunners were an elite.
Think there were a lot of serious injuries training for this and often these were highly trained warriors. The navy is way smaller these days so it got scrapped. Great spectacle though.
These men were as hard as nails and the reason why Britain had a massive empire but also why the trans Atlantic slave trade was ended, huge respect for the Royal Navy.
A little bit of history: Ladysmith was a town besieged by the Boers in South Africa. The Royal Navy took guns off two ships and dragged and carried them to relieve the garrison. The competition recreates the events of that journey.
The town was named after the wife of a governor of South Africa, who was a 14 year old Spanish girl fleeing from drunken soldiers during the looting after the siege of Badajoz in 1812 in the Napoleonic wars. She was rescued by Captain Harry Smith of the 95th Rifles, who she later married. He eventually became a Lieutenant General and Governor of the Cape Colony in 1847.
The guns are the quick firing 12pdr 8 cwt landing gun. Built at the Elswick Works, Newcastle upon Tyne between 1895 and 1905. Sadly the site is now a retail park.
Thanks for that information Michael
I used to watch this every year when I was younger, an amazing display of strength and agility, it was a sad day when they cancelled it 🇬🇧
Me too. So sad when it ended, I thought it a tradition worth keeping. The excuse given was cost, but the MOD wasted money huge amounts in obvious ways, this would have been small change in comparison.
It had nothing to do with cost it was down to the health and safety clowns @markhorton8578
The woman in blue is Princess Anne Queen Elizabeth's daughter,king charles sister.
They made sure a royal was there for the last one.
My dad used to take part in the field gun race, men would sometimes break fingers whilst running the race and just carry on as if nothing happened.
This really made me laugh..He shouting RUN RUN!!! Brilliant reaction! 😅☮️🇬🇧
My daughters old school still does this as an activity and they were the last to perform this in 2013 at Earls Court 11 years ago. Search, Wellington College Field Gun - 8th December
I did this at Earl’s Court London in 1975
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Top respect mate.
As a kid, this was one of my annual highlights of the year watching this on TV.
Where were you based mate?
I worked in Pompey Dockyard for 6 years. One perk was that us Dockies were allowed to use the facilities at HMS Temeraire.
I used the gym regularly, but if one of the Field Gun Crew were in there, I would move and let them use the equipment. 😂
i salute you sir.
@@59jalex Drake barracks Devonport at the time.
The Royal Tournament was fantastic and this was the best bit of it.
I always loved watching this every year , Brilliant.
Im from Plymouth uk. A port city with a once biggest naval port in Europe. I used to work with a ex field gunner. A very strong guy. Devonport dockyard Plymouth had Devonport field gun crew. Think it started in early 1900s.
Ex 18 heavy end ran for pompey pete Scott and boris miss it all 3 Inter command miss you all ways total respect 🙏 we are unique
I also watched it back in the day thanks for putting this on guys 😙😙😙
The Royal Tournament was the closest show that brought the military and public together each year until Blair and the Labour Party cancelled it.
Barsteward Blair the scourge of this country
My grandad used to take my sister and I to watch this. Thx for the memories.
That is the British empire in a nutshell.
If you liked this then check out the royal horse of the year show and the dance of the royal horse artillery six team's of six horses pulling a gun carriage and lumbar
Just subscribed your so funny to watch love it ♥️🇬🇧aren’t the navy amazing? My mum was a wren ❤
This is why we had the biggest empire in history 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
There's a modified version still done called Brickwoods which involves the dismantling and putting back together of the gun but not the obstacles. The results of each night's run used to be sent out in a signal to every ship and shore base. The field gunners were an elite.
A lot used to lose fingers doing this race and training
About time things like this were revived.
This was a huge thing for the Navy, but i don't think they do it anymore. They should do it again.
I used to watch this every year as a kid. It was stopped by former PM Tony Blair to save money.
For a bloody war which cost lives!
@ ffs give over! It’s a tradition that’s part of the UK’s history. Go whinge to someone else!
Wow!! First time seeing this! Incredible and so impressive😅
Another video from The Royal Navel you need to watch is called Manning The Rigging ,,,,, Enjoy
That video is awe inspiring and very scary to someone like me who is seriously afraid of heights. Definitely worth a reaction!
It’s called ‘ Manning the mast ‘
Hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas, all the best to you, bless
Think there were a lot of serious injuries training for this and often these were highly trained warriors. The navy is way smaller these days so it got scrapped. Great spectacle though.
The Lady presenting the awards was the Queens daughter, Princess Anne.
Look the guy at the back his team won guys ❤😂😂😂
should never have ended
Only the best team won! C'mon Fleet Air Arm!
the woman presenting the prizes is princess anne
Men fought for places on this but they were men then not wimps because of health and safety
Now it's the 5 minute rainbow mince.
I was in the Sea Cadets and we did a (much) lighter version of this when I was 13.
Me too. We competed at Plymouth Navy Days every year but I only did it in 1979 and 1980.
That was princess anne don’t think she did much but that’s royal family member
It got stopped because too many fingers got lost and crushed doing it
Go on girls, have a go if you think you are hard enough.
I went to the Royal Tournament as a kid all I can say is the WORLDS not interested anymore so I say good luck these are the BEST 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
If you want to know about it then stop talking through it and you will learn more
Why you so rude... They are learning about it. A beautiful family. x🇬🇧
Watching this makes me feel proud to be British, sadly a rare felling 😢
Another bit of our history gone....☹☹
when you do not know what you are talking about it is best to keep quiet
This was a revival of the time when the guns had to be carried during? I think it was the crimean war
@TruthHurts-s7g. I think you might find that it was during the Boer War.
It literally says in the video it was Ladysmith, in the Boer War.
These men were as hard as nails and the reason why Britain had a massive empire but also why the trans Atlantic slave trade was ended, huge respect for the Royal Navy.
Love ur channel but to much stoppage and talking
No replys from Starr, no point in in watching or replying. Dead channel.
Portsmouth is the Navy
Your husband knows,???? He picked Portsmouth, well done
Subtitles please.