20:
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206:
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28-foot (8.5 m) "chasm". The crew set up a wire and traveller so all 18 members of the crew and their equipment could cross the chasm. The team and equipment then passed through a hole in the "enemy wall" at the end of the arena. Each crew then fired three rounds to end the "Run Out". The average time for the "Run Out" was 85 seconds.
71:, also hosts an inter-service field gun challenge as part of their programme. The format of the competition and drill, based on the Brickwoods competition, changes slightly due to the fact that the crews run on polished concrete surfaces. The track length is also fractionally shorter due to the size of the arena.
259:
From the start line in front of the Royal Box, the crews pulled the guns and limbers to the end of the arena where they turned and carried themselves and the equipment over a 5-foot (1.5 m) wall. The guns and limbers were then dismantled and carried to the top of a ramp on the "home side" of a
193:
Brickwood maintained a close interest in the competition over the years. In 1969 Sir Rupert
Brickwood Bart presented the trophy and tankards and a firkin of Brickwood's beer to the winning team. In 1971 Brickwood's business was acquired by London-based brewers Whitbread & Co Ltd. The Royal Navy
146:
using makeshift gun carriages. The guns were transported inland by rail and then drawn on makeshift carriages by oxen. For the final part of the journey, sailors from the Naval
Brigade manhandled the guns over very difficult terrain. One story tells of sailors carrying one of the 12-pounder guns for
189:
After the war, with a different course and drill, Victoria
Barracks achieved 1 minute 27.40 seconds in 1954. HMS Collingwood cut that to 1 minute 26.80 seconds in 1962. The record was lowered to 1 minute 19.40 seconds by HMS Daedalus in 1988. HMS Collingwood beat this by running a time of 1 minute
185:
HMS Collingwood itself has had a good record in the competition, having won the
Brickwood Trophy 16 times between 1957 and 2006. Records for completing the course have continued to be broken. The Royal Marines set a new record in 1924 of 1 minute 24.40 seconds. This was exceeded in seven subsequent
150:
The siege of
Ladysmith lasted for 120 days until February 1900. On their return home, the sailors from the Naval Brigade paraded their guns through London and appeared at the Royal Naval and Military Tournament at the Agricultural Hall, Islington. Displays of field gun drill continued in subsequent
44:
in London solely as a public display and as recruitment purposes from 1907 until 1999, apart from the periods during the World Wars. The "Inter-Port" or "Command" Competition was contested by teams from the Royal Navy annually, and was a popular item at the Royal
Tournament until finishing in 1999.
165:
Information on the period 1908 to 1922 is scanty, but it seems that apart from the periods of war the
Brickwood Trophy was competed for each year. There have been many changes to the competition. The 1907 challenge involved a team of 17 scaling a 5-foot-high (1.5 m) obstacle on a 75-yard-long
154:
A precursor to the competition lay in the presentation of Field Gun 'Evolutions' including one performed by Miss Weston's Naval Boy's
Brigade from Portsmouth at the Royal Albert Hall on 21 October 1905 as part of the Centenary Commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar. A film clip of this evolution
263:
The second part of the competition (the "Run Back") involved the crews taking all their equipment back over the 5-foot (1.5 m) enemy wall and then back across the chasm. Once all the crew and equipment were back on the home side of the chasm, the wire and traveller were dismantled and three
181:
Before the First World War the competition was moved from the RN Barracks to Whale Island, where it continued until 1973; the following year it transferred to HMS Collingwood, its famously large parade ground reputed to have once held as many as 8,000 ratings is the perfect setting for the event.
307:
The gun is unhooked and the limber is run to the 70-yard line, where it is turned or spun to face the start; its wheels are removed, and it is dropped to the ground. The gun is run to the end of the track, turned and stopped. The gun is fired three times, each shell being run to the gun from the
177:
The original stipulation by
Brickwood that the trophy was only open to teams from within Portsmouth continued until 1975 when the competition was widened to include bases from around the country. The trophy left Portsmouth Command for the first time in 1978 as a result of HMS Fisgard's win. HMS
345:
Time penalties are added to the running time for each contravention of the rules, which are published each year under the title "Royal Navy Field Gun
Instructions (RNFGI)". There are 38 possible contraventions defined that carry a time penalty ranging from 1 to 6 seconds. These are applied as
173:
field gun and a gun crew of seven sailors. The names of the winners of the trophy are engraved on small shields up to and including 1961 and plates for winners since 1962. Originally mounted on a black ebony stand, this was replaced in 1961 by the current polished wooden base. At this time the
267:
In the final stage, the "Run Home", men, guns and limbers passed back through the hole in the home wall and then the teams "hook up and pull for home". The clock was stopped as the teams crossed back over the start line. The average time for the "Run Home" was 21 seconds.
271:
The record for the fastest run at the Royal Tournament was set by Devonport in 1999, the competition's final year, with 80.86 seconds for the "Run Out", 58.65 seconds for the "Run Back" and 20.92 seconds for the "Run Home", an aggregate of 2 minutes, 40.43 seconds.
166:(69 m) course and returning. In 1947 the course consisted of seven "very stiff obstacles" over a distance of 440 yards (400 m) each way. Today 18 strong teams compete over an 85-yard-long (78 m) flat track, a total run of 170 yards (160 m).
316:
The limber wheels are shipped, and it is run back and hooked to the gun. Both are then run towards the start, stopped and lifted together to exchange wheels. This is the heaviest lift of all, and life gets very difficult if the gear is
39:
and its equipment over and through a series of obstacles in the shortest time. The competition evolved during the early years of the 20th century. The "Command" format, negotiating walls and a chasm, was held annually at the
333:
The limber is run back and hooked to the gun, then every member of the crew strains to accelerate the gear over the finish line. This is not the best time to fall in front of the gear, because it is very heavy and cannot be
59:
donated a magnificent Trophy to the Royal Navy. This competition involving no obstacles and run on a flat track continues to be competed for on an annual basis at HMS Collingwood as part of the HMS Collingwood Open day.
298:
The limber is lifted, its wheels and drag ropes are shipped and it is run forward. The gun wheels are exchanged with the limber wheels. The gun is brought to the back of the limber and connected, then both are run
52:(cadet-size) and Portsmouth Action Field Gun (full-size). A second team, Eastbourne Youth Field Gun, established 2017 and also a cadet-size formation, is the newest field gun formation in the "Command" format.
823:
Video of the"Last Run" at the Royal Tournament in 1999. Note the unofficial black armbands worn by all the team members to mourn the end of the historic competition.
279:
and Portsmouth currently have associations made up of past members of their Command Field Gun Crews, since its demise in 1999 and a heritage centre and museum at
56:
291:
The competition simulates the drill which would have been undertaken to bring a naval field gun into action during the march to Ladysmith.
899:
878:
696:
681:
749:
904:
174:
winners' shields transferred to the new mounting, although not in the same order as they had appeared on the previous stand.
155:
survives from the period which was filmed by Alfred J West for his popular 'Our Navy' film presentations in the early 1900s.
794:
19:
325:
Gun and limber are run towards the start line, separated and stopped. The gun is fired three times as quickly as possible.
86:
804:
665:
656:
253:
726:
700:
49:
35:
was a contest between teams from three Royal Navy commands, in which teams of sailors compete to transport a
194:
Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) have taken over as the main event sponsor but the Brickwood's trophy remains.
211:
170:
139:
197:
After a century this spectacle of toughness, courage, discipline and teamwork is still going strong.
264:
more rounds were fired in a rear guard action. The average time for the "Run Back" was 60 seconds.
158:
The Interport ("Command") Field Gun competition was established in 1907 and was a highlight of the
103:
811:
769:
190:
18.80 seconds in 2001. In 2011 HM Naval Base Portsmouth set a new record of 1 min 17.78 seconds.
797:
BBC TV 1956 Field Gun Competition between Devonport and the Fleet Air Arm (Starts at minute 33)
224:
The Royal Navy Field Gun competition was contested by teams from the Royal Naval commands of
661:
349:
The track is 85 yards (78 m) long, which means a total run of 170 yards (160 m).
78:, using the Brickwoods format, was held for the 1st time in 2007 and is still held today.
8:
894:
122:
115:
842:
815:
682:(BFI Curated film of early Field Gun Evolution at Whale Island filmed by Alfred J West)
99:
704:
64:
245:
237:
159:
41:
346:
appropriate to each team upon completion of the drill by the event's Chief Judge.
839:- Includes photos of all crews running at HMS Collingwood, 2005 to present (2017)
467:
437:
425:
225:
131:
transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the
95:
280:
229:
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years and eventually in 1938 HMS Excellent achieved 1 minute 13.40 seconds.
852:
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365:
205:
107:
831:
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civilian crew(s) still running full-sized Command Field Gun in Portsmouth
443:
407:
401:
750:"Big Tars Move Big Guns Across Fake Chasm", August 1931, Popular Science
697:"Wellington Field Gun Crew star in The British Military Tournament 2012"
476:
431:
419:
395:
389:
359:
143:
68:
28:
55:
The "Brickwoods" Field Gun competition also started in 1907 after the
803:
A video of Portsmouth Field Gun Teams Training in the 1970s. Shot at
676:
498:
488:
283:, Plymouth is maintained and run by Devonport Field Gun Association.
249:
178:
Gannet's win in 1997 took the trophy to Scotland for the first time.
36:
671:
48:
A similar "Command" Field Gun, is still being run by civilians as
862:
169:
The "Brickwoods" trophy itself is a reproduction in silver of a
512:
2017 7th Air Assault Battalion REME (New record set of 1.16.19)
491:(HM Naval Base Portsmouth set a new record of 1 min 17.78 secs)
138:
The Royal Navy landed two 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns and four
111:
836:
90:
Statue at Portsmouth commemorating the field gun competition
352:
132:
16:
Team obstacle course competition in the British Royal Navy
872:
147:
2 miles (3.2 km) after one of the wheels collapsed.
248:, two crews competed to transport a 12 pounder
94:
The origins of the field gun competition lie in the
98:in South Africa. The legendary story tells of the
506:2015 HMS Heron (With a new record of 1 min 17.69)
472:2007 HM Naval Base Portsmouth (100th Anniversary)
244:have also competed). At each performance of the
886:
214:, the type used in the competition, in the 1890s
827:RNRMC (Brickwood's) Field Gun - Current Crews:
646:2017 7th Air Assault Battalion REME (1.16.19)
23:Field gun competition at Earl's Court in 1975
727:"West's Our Navy Videos Domino Broadcasting"
618:2002 HMS Sultan B Crew (0 Penalties Points)
503:2014 7 Air Assault Battalion REME (1.20.03)
630:2016 HMS Seahawk & HMS Queen Elizabeth
650:
518:2022 RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)(1.18.81)
881:cadet-sized Command Field Gun for pupils
515:2018 RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)(1.19.74)
353:Previous winners of the Brickwood Trophy
286:
204:
127:to help in the relief of the siege. The
85:
18:
494:2012 HM Naval Base Portsmouth (1.19.88)
887:
308:limber by the fastest man in the crew.
577:2018 British Forces Cyprus (1.29.30)
549:2023 British Forces Cyprus (1.26.70)
219:
76:Junior Leaders Field Gun Competition
863:Fleet Air Arm Field Gun Association
633:2017 7th Air Assault Battalion REME
509:2016 7th Air Assault Battalion REME
13:
689:
14:
916:
801:"Runnin with 3/4 of a soddin ton"
788:
666:National Museum of the Royal Navy
627:2014 MOD Abbey Wood (0 penalties)
463:2005 7 Air Assault Battalion REME
853:Portsmouth Field Gun Association
832:Maritime Reserves Field Gun Crew
821:Portsmouth v's the Fleet Air Arm
657:Field Gun - A Century of History
605:2018 Maritime Reserves (1.31.28)
574:2017 HMS Collingwood B (1.27.12)
900:Artillery of the United Kingdom
858:Devonport Field Gun Association
795:1956 Royal Tournament (UK Only)
772:from the original on 2021-12-21
200:
142:naval guns creating improvised
754:
743:
719:
677:The Birmingham Military Tattoo
543:2018 Royal Engineers (1.24.31)
1:
484:2010 HM Naval Base Portsmouth
481:2009 HM Naval Base Portsmouth
460:2004 HM Naval Base Portsmouth
295:1st Advance, 1st Wheel Change
67:, held yearly in the city of
33:command field gun competition
905:Military skills competitions
879:Wellington College Field Gun
610:Least Penalty Points Trophy:
562:2012 Collingwood B (1.32.59)
313:1st Retire, 2nd Wheel Change
256:over a series of obstacles.
162:until the Last Run in 1999.
7:
873:Portsmouth Action Field Gun
843:2012 RNRMC Field Gun Images
668:, Information Sheet No. 28)
636:2023 NATO JWC (0 Penalties)
275:Three Commands, Devonport,
106:in 1899. In support of the
102:of the British garrison in
10:
921:
596:2014 HMS Heron B (1.27.88)
580:2022 British Forces Cyprus
540:2017 MOD Corsham (1.24.00)
531:2014 RAF Cosford (1.23.16)
81:
837:Abbey Wood Field Gun Crew
599:2016 JFC Naples (1.32.47)
848:Field Gun Associations:
762:"Field Gun World Record"
602:2017 HMS Ocean (1.34.75)
537:2016 HMS Queen Elizabeth
110:, the Royal Navy landed
672:www.royaltournament.org
662:Online Information Bank
304:2nd Advance, 1st Action
868:Other External Links:
651:Notes & References
322:2nd Retire, 2nd Action
216:
91:
24:
568:2014 Naples (1.30.22)
330:3rd Retire and Finish
287:Brickwood's Field Gun
236:(although teams from
208:
89:
22:
593:2012 DMSTG (1.28.53)
457:2003 HMS Collingwood
451:2001 HMS Collingwood
210:Naval crew with the
621:2007 HMS Portsmouth
565:2013 MOD Abbey Wood
528:2012 REME (1.22.90)
816:Portsmouth Harbour
701:Wellington College
615:2000 JSU Gibraltar
217:
92:
57:Brickwoods Brewery
50:Wellington College
25:
220:Command Field Gun
65:Birmingham Tattoo
912:
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703:. Archived from
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588:Plate 3 Winners:
571:2016 MOD Corsham
546:2022 RAF Cosford
534:2015 HMS Raleigh
523:Plate 1 Winners:
246:Royal Tournament
212:12-pounder 8 cwt
160:Royal Tournament
74:A spin-off, the
42:Royal Tournament
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624:2008 HMS Nelson
559:2001 HMS Nelson
554:Plate 2 Winners
468:HMS Collingwood
438:HMS Collingwood
426:HMS Collingwood
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96:Second Boer War
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731:mct.open.ac.uk
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583:2023 NATO JWC
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242:Royal Marines
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867:
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826:
812:Whale Island
806:
774:. Retrieved
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756:
745:
734:. Retrieved
730:
721:
709:. Retrieved
705:the original
691:
640:
639:
609:
608:
587:
586:
553:
552:
522:
521:
384:HMS Daedalus
378:HMS Daedalus
372:HMS Defiance
366:HMS Daedalus
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201:Competitions
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108:British Army
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62:
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32:
26:
641:Fastest Run
444:HMS Neptune
408:HMS Seahawk
402:HMS Dolphin
895:Royal Navy
889:Categories
736:2019-09-03
477:HMS Sultan
432:HMS Gannet
420:HMS Sultan
396:HMS Sultan
390:HMS Nelson
360:HMS Osprey
226:Portsmouth
171:12-pounder
144:field guns
140:12-pounder
69:Birmingham
29:Royal Navy
807:Excellent
776:March 12,
499:HMS Heron
489:HMS Heron
250:field gun
230:Devonport
104:Ladysmith
37:field gun
770:Archived
334:stopped.
317:dropped.
299:forward.
240:and the
232:and the
124:Powerful
118:Terrible
766:YouTube
238:Chatham
151:years.
82:Origins
711:25 May
339:Result
254:limber
497:2013
487:2011
475:2008
466:2006
442:1999
436:1998
430:1997
424:1996
418:1995
412:1994
406:1993
400:1992
394:1991
388:1990
382:1989
376:1988
370:1987
364:1986
358:1985
133:Boers
114:from
100:siege
805:HMS
778:2019
713:2013
252:and
121:and
116:HMS
112:guns
63:The
27:The
814:in
810:on
31:'s
891::
768:.
764:.
729:.
699:.
228:,
135:.
780:.
739:.
715:.
664:(
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