HMS Collingwood Field Gunners Look To Regain Title

One of the toughest teams in Britain’s armed forces has been putting the finishing touches to six months of training, ahead of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun competition.

The Field Gun crew from HMS Collingwood will be facing teams from across the UK for the coveted Brickwoods Trophy.

The competition is fast and furious and requires the 18-man teams to run, dismantle, reassemble and fire the gun in the shortest possible time.

Past events have seen more than 20 crews, with teams representing units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the British Army and Royal Air Force.

Lieutenant John Davis, Field Gun Officer says the crews are "incredibly committed."

"They'll be here from six o'clock in the morning through to classroom time.

"Then they'll be back at lunchtime, do another hour and then in the evening.

"It's an incredible amount of commitment."    

The challenge is regarded as the ultimate test in strength, stamina, and teamwork.

The origins of the Royal Navy Field Gun competition grew out of an event in 1899, when British troops were besieged by Boer fighters in the garrison town of Ladysmith in modern-day South Africa.

The Royal Navy landed six field guns each weighing nearly half a metric tonne, which were then manhandled by the Naval Brigade over rough terrain.

The team from HMS Collingwood are confident they can regain the title they last held in 2006.

In a prelude to the main competition, the A and B crews challenged each other for the 12 Pounder Cup, on Wednesday.

In front of an audience of personnel from the base who cheered on their crews, and of course some of their opponents, already on site for Saturday’s event, the challenge was on, the aim to complete the run in the shortage time with no penalties and lift the winning trophy.

Team A were crowned the winners but they believe there's still room for improvement.

Dan Appleby, Leading Physical Training Instructor said: "It's just fine-tuning those last bits of drill that are going to get us fully prepared for the competition.

"To walk away with the trophy on Saturday we've just got to tweak those minor adjustments that will get us over the line." 

The current holders are the 7th Air Assault Battalion REME, who also set a record time of 1 min16.19

The public will get their chance to watch the action when the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun Competition takes place at the HMS Collingwood Open Day on Saturday 2 June.