Ex Navy here. This was incredibly popular, we used to get people knocking on the radio room door asking us if the field gun times were in yet. The contest was cut by the bloody government pencil pushers to save money. Morale took a huge hit, but that doesn't mean anything to them. They know the cost of everything but they don't know the value of anything. These idiots have gutted the forces and left the country's defence in such a state that we couldn't fight off an assault by the girl guides. Google it if you don't believe me.

I worked in HMS Nelson Portsmouth back in the 90's and met some of the lads on the Royal Naval Field Gun team. They used to put in so much effort and training, along with having a hell of a lot of pride. It's so sad that they stopped it.

This is the sort of tradition that should be maintained, it brings people together. Inspiring. Pride. Wholesome. A good demonstration of what team work is.: T ogether E veryone A chives M ore

The Royal Tournament should never have been abandoned. I went to it several times with my father who was an RN veteran and it was part of what inspired me and my brother to join the armed forces. A demonstration of pride and teamwork like this is what today's young men need as an example to serve their country rather than working in a call centre.

The Rotal Tournament should have EVER been abandoned. It's like everything related to our heritage we abandon or wipe clean!!

This is a perfect example of why Britain had an empire because we had men in this country that could move mountains . I also remember the best description of a field gunner Strength of a carthorse Speed of a racehorse And brains of a rocking horse!! They had to be a bit crazy to do that, but sometimes crazy is all we need .

I used to work with a Guy who took part in this competition during the 70's /80's , He was full of stories of injuries, lost fingers, broken bones, head injuries, he said it was the hardest thing he'd ever done but he absolutely loved every second of his time on the field gun team, by the way they are all professional sailors, all volunteers, it was a massive prestige being on the field gun team.

Ex WRNS here and I went to the Royal Tournament for years just to support Pompey! The Field Gun Competition still takes place at HMS Collingwood, but it is a much scaled down competition and I don't think there are any obstacles now. I was able to watch it several times as MOD at Colly. There is a great film on KZfaq following the Portsmouth team from the scratch in this video here. Amazing to watch and you get an idea of what it takes to be in the team, the guts you need, along with the types of injuries they get - and usually carry on with them, including breaks. One guy had his head split open during training and the team medic (ex plasterer) just stapled it shut there and then and he cracked on😂😂😂 I miss this competition so much and the Royal Tournament 😢 I really wish they would reinstate it!!

As the commentator said, this race commemorated the relief of the siege of Ladysmith in the Boer War. It depicts how the cannons were trekked across land from the ships HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful to Ladysmith in February 1900.

I was serving in a Joint Service Unit in the run-up to the run up to the final run at Earls Court. One of my Navy colleagues was a fieldgunner, and his favourite saying was “Pain is temporary, Pride is forever.”

Used to watch this every year on the BBC (When it was good) . Such a shame that it isn't on anymore.... Amazing skill and coordination on show.... It is all about team work, trust, timing and strength and a drive to win.

Our workshop in Devonport Dockyard use to make/repair all of the wheels and spars for all 3 teams. Scrupulously neutral and respected by the teams. Our head wheelwright was pushing 70 when he retired. Sad day when this event got cancelled.

Portsmouth born and bred. Cancellation of the Royal Tournament was another of Bliar’s crimes against British tradition. Field gun is one of the most brutal and wonderful sports ever invented Sadly missed

One year a competitor broke 3 fingers on the first run but completed the whole trial before telling anyone! Such was the dedication, commitment pride and sheer guts of these sailors, What a shame it was cancelled!!!

My dad was on the Portsmouth field gun team when he was in the navy, he broke 2 fingers during one of the runs and still carried on as did others, they used to joke that you hadn't really competed until you damaged/broken something.

I am from a British naval family...makes me feel proud to see this again

Used to watch the guys train at HMS Daedalus the Fleet Air Arms field gun training site. One of the guys lost the axle cotter pin during training but rather than stop the run stuck his finger in for the run back to the home wall. Unsurprisingly it didn't do the job and he lost it. Story is he got back to the training barracks mess after treatment and the lads brought him a nice cold beer with the remains of his finger floating in his pint glass.

I was taken to the Royal Tournament at Earls Court in 1969 at the age of nine. My leg was in plaster following an operation to try to fix my foot. I was carried to my seat by a Royal Marine or Naval rating. It was a tradition in our house to watch it on to every year, so to attend in person was really exciting.

I was a Wren at HMS Daedalus where the Fleet Air Arm trained. I also went out with a gunnie so know what they had to do just to get into the crew each year. Incredible dedication, fitness and camaraderie. Most now live with the injuries of doing that over and over hundreds of times in training, often over several years. A special breed. Huge respect to all who took part. 💚❤️💙

This has brought back so many memories for me, my Dad was in the Fleet Air Arm and my Mum would support the Navy, so it was so exciting every year. My favourite part was the musical ride by the Kings Troop , royal horse artillery, at the end they would gallop hell for leather to the entrance of the arena. Did you notice a young Princess Anne in the audience near the beginning?

I was at The royal Tournament in 1984 and we Army girls used to hang out with the single Field Gunners. They had split broken fingers and all sort of injuries. Three weeks being surrounded by sex on legs. I was engaged at the time so no naughty stuff, just a brilliant laugh. The penny pinchers in Government have taken away all that was good and made service men and women proud to serve. Petty cut to make petty savings.

I've seen this loads of times, but it amazes me every time. Also, every time I see it I think to myself "Those blokes are MASSIVE".

The grandfather of a late friend was a major in one of the defence units at Ladysmith. He was also managing director of De Beers, which was based there and had provided the locals with cannon, machine guns and rifles. He telegraphed England for his three sons to go out - they were all at school - but only the eldest, my friend's father, was old enough. He couldn't get to Ladysmith so he joined the South African Light Horse and was part of the force that relieved the town.

Hey Joel, your face was an absolute picture!!! I think the field gun race was officially classed as the toughest competition in the world at one point. Loved this! A good display to try next is the musical ride of the Royal Horse Artillery, amazing!!! Great reaction mate!

The tattoo was cancelled. But the royal naval field gun tournament is still going annually at HMS Collingwood fareham, Hampshire.

I'm very proud to say that my Dad was a member of the Portsmouth (Pompey) Field Gun Crew. He put his heart and soul into it, as did all the men. Thanks for showing this Joel.

0:50 Can't beat a good rendition of hearts of oak.

Fantastic memories of Field Gun. When I was little my dad use to take us to watch them train on a Thursday on Whale Island. When I was older I bought a house about 5 mins from the dockyard and my neighbour was a Field Gunner. So many happy memories of meeting the gunners and spending time with them. They certainly were an exceptional group of lads. Just a shame it got stopped.

Saw this many years ago now. When you went into the building where the Royal Tournament was being held, you passed a display of one of these gun carriages split up into all its various pieces, and my particular memory was the size of one of the wheels (which as it says at 2.23 weigh in at 120 pounds each) and they just carry them slung over one arm. Members of the public were allowed (with supervision) to try to lift one wheel, obviously very few could even raise it a few inches. Impressive display of courage, strength and speed.

I went to the Royal Tournament a few times as a child. It was varied and exciting, horse displays, comedy items and marching bands in addition to these types of competitions. Great fun. I wish they still did them

I don't know why this is so exciting, but it had my spine tingling and goosebumps all through it!!!!

The field gun run still happens every year at HMS Collingwood. It’s an awesome day for all the family 😊

Ex Navy FAA here .... the Field Gun Crews were the most Massive but gentle guys you could wish to meet ... I knew many of them ... they were great :)

This race was part of The Royal Tournament for many years and I went several years in a row during the late '60s including the year when one of the wheels flew off. It was held annually in London and was extremely popular. The last one was in 1999 due to cost.

It was part of the Royal Tournament, held each year at Earls Court in London. It was great to watch. Now probably axed due to defence cuts.

Years ago there was a tv documentary about the training for this race, someone had a finger chopped off and they could not find it, one of the trainers went to the changing room where he found someone had picked it up as a souvenir. These men are hard.

Hello Joel. As a kid, I watched a documentary on the training for this with my dad, who had been the equivalent of a medic in the Royal Navy. When one chap lost a finger, my dad was not at all surprised. He explained how he had to cope with such things on an aircraft carrier, just after WW2, with little more than petroleum jelly to attend to whatever occurred, things being what they were at that time. It did not stop him loving this race on TV every year.

I had the privilege of spending 2 seasons with Devonport Field Gun in 86 & 87 as their medic ( Doc ), it was the toughest team sport in the world, this here is the end product of 10 weeks intensive training on their home tracks. Injuries are an accepted part of competing, it was the heart and soul of the Royal Tournament, till the politicians and bean counters ended it. Oggie, Oggie, Oggie 1999 Devonport crew world record holders

The Royal Tournament was a hugely enjoyable spectacle which happened every year until it was discontinued in 2000. It included this gun race, but also marching, music, motorbike formation riding, cultural events from Commonwealth countries. If you can find videos of other things from the Royal Tournament, will have loads of good material to react to.

I can't understand why they stopped this race and The Royal Tournament. I'm not a military person and don't really have any connections with the Armed Services, but loved to watch this every year! It made you feel proud to be British (for once) and it was interesting learning all the history behind these events!

I was in that crowd at age 10 and remember coming out with my throat really hurting bad from screaming like an idiot…. convinced that only ice cream could Sort it. 😏😇

That was the last of the runs at the Royal Tournament, which comprised various things from all the forces. I understand that the field gun continues at a different event, but without the coverage. As ex navy I loved it ❤

The most insanely dangerous but precisely professional thing I’ve ever seen

This s an incredible feat of speed, strength and above all trust and teamwork. The training for this event is insane, all the participants are volunteers and there are always far more than needed. Injuries are commonplace and expected and generally needed to be pretty severe to remove a guy from the team. It is another of those fine service traditions that has fallen by the wayside, sadly. I know the Navy has to move forward with the times but we are losing so much of what made the Navy what it was, it is now to some degree unrecognisable from the Navy I joined in 1975 and in some senses the poorer for it.

I was in the RN in the 80's [RNH Haslar mainly but also saw some sights abroad!] and we had a few matlots come in with some bad injuries from this. Tough sport and VERY competitive! Loved my time in the RN [albeit would not serve in today's times!].

When I was in the Sea Cadets in the 60´s we did a scaled down version of this(we were 14 - 15 years old). The barrel was only 250 lbs, I carried a wheel, cuts, bruises and the odd crushed finger but we volunteered to do it! Imagine that happening now.

My brother was in the Royal Navy. He was selected for training for the Field Gun Crew for Devonport, twice. Both times he sustained hand injuries during trainign so ddnt ake it to the tournament. However, as I was living in London on the last one he invited me to go to see it with him. Devonport won that night and the crew did a lap of honur around the arena. They spotted my brother and stopped and called him down. We were sitting in the oppositions side of the arena, lol. He went down and was carried shoulder high by his mates. Afterwards, we went back stage and what an experience that was. All those who had taken part in the dispays were there, camping out,, including foreign troops. They had field kichens, kents and shower blocks set up. Food was cooking and it was a vast miiary encampment n the round around the actua arena but at the back, if tht makes sense. We found the Devonport bar. Several burley mateolots were on the door and vetting some sort of groupie hanger on.. lol lol lol.. i told them they had just let my brother in and I was abandoned outside in the mele and his name.. Oh.. go in then love.. go in but only after shouting to him over the heads of scores of people.. it was really packed in there. They were well set up in there.. optics with the spirits.. all the drinks under the sun and it was a PAY BAR.. lol lol lol lol. My brother was very fit and a rugby player. All those guys were well built and powerful sportsmen.

My Dad was honoured to be in the FAA field gun crew twice. Watching it with him at The Royal Tournament in later years was something I treasured, it was in his blood.

I like to see this, keeping history alive, and getting a glimps of what these men had to endure. But i sincerely hope the Boer also have a competition to remember their brave resistance and wins to the Imperial army. A marksmanship competition would be fitting for them. Respect ✌️❤️

I once saw this live and it is difficult to describe the noise the audience made. From memory we were asked to shout for the team on our side of the arena (Earls court held about 20,000 people) it was an incredible atmosphere.

I was involved in the show once, I was in the Artillery, we watched the rehearsal and one of the matelots broke his wrist and sat and cried when the MO told him he was not going to take part in the main run! He was sure he could manage and insisted that a broken wrist would not slow him down! All the guys involved were so pumped and this run was so important to them, it is a great example of the guts of the Royal Navy! The results were so important that they were flashed to the entire fleet, wherever they were in the world.

It's magnificant isn't it mate? I'm not a Pommy but, i'm proud of em. Thanks Mate. 😮

I love the fact your loving the traditions that have now unfortunately past, they were indeed awesome to live through. This takes me back to being at school and going down to London on school trips to see this take place every year and yes, it is a great pity many of them do not live on. It is one thing to see it on video, completely another to have stood in that arena and screamed for your team!! Thanks for reviewing this.

Portsmouth is my home town and i used to see them practice this in the royal naval sports field in Old Portsouth

As a very young child I along with my family was taken to watch the RN practice their drill for the field gun tournament at "Whale Island" an RN dry base in Hampshire, UK. It was the most thrilling thing I ever saw and that was just practice! So very lucky to have seen that!

My little brother was part of the Portsmouth field gun team around 15 years ago.. He rose through the ranks from a matelot to Lieutenant Commander. He served on the new Aircraft carrier Queen Elisabeth during the F35 work up. Proud of my little bro 👍🏼😎

Just a shout out to the Sea Cadets (12 - 18 year olds) who had their own competition. Smaller guns but same courage and determination.

I live near HMS Culdrose and had the privilege of watching the fleet air arm practicing this and racing many times it is incredible to see

My gt gt grandfather served during the relief of Ladysmith that this is a tribute to. Sergeant George Coo

Amazed when this popped up. My dad used to take me to see this when I was a kid and it remains one of the most amazing feats of teamwork and sheer guts that I have ever seen.

The absolute epitome of teamwork

I went to see the Royal Tournament a few times as a child (as a family it was something we sometimes took our foreign visitors to see) but even so, I am a bit taken aback by the large number of comments about fingers being chopped off :)

Born in Birmingham but spent most of my life in Portsmouth with my RN sailor/submariner husband who was involved with the Brickwoods Field Gun run. Shoutout to Pompey ♥️

This was part of the Royal Tournament which was held every year, it was the first Military Tattoo and had been going for over a hundred years, the labour government that came to power in 1997 held a defense spending review that decided to cut defense spending, as the Tournament couldn't survive without funding as the ticket sales didn't cover costs it was discontinued.

It was even better live! The Field Gun competition was part of the Royal Tournament , I used to go every year until it got cancelled in 1999. However, the field gun competition is still run every year at HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire. There is a Cadet version of the run using a lighter-weight gun carriage as well.

There used to be a pub in Portsmouth with jars on a shelf behind the bar containing fingers loss in training.

Joel, I’m sooo glad you’ve finally gotten around to watching this. I knew it would blow you away. 👏👍

The teams consisted of two naval port cities. Devonport (Plymouth) Portsmouth And the Fleet Air Arm. The naval ratings are all volunteers' hand-picked. The training is intense .As you can imagine, the saliors sustain some serious injuries during training. These include breaks ,crush injuries, and, in some cases, finger amputations. There is a documentary that was made on the selection and training for the field fun crew it's pretty good.

God thanks for this my dad use to take me to watch this for about 10 years in a row great memories... it's all the stalls and stands also the meets and greet and the givaways.. Memory unlocked thanks mate.

Our family used to watch this every year. Live once. So impressive

awesome. My cousin was in the Navy...he served in the Falklands!! Bless all our Military men and women xx I believe it was stopped due to lack of funding...The Royal Tournament used to be such a welcome tradition...such a shame!!

My dad took part in 1 of these when he was in the Royal Navy , he went in at 16 yr old and served 7 years before being a fire fighter for 24 years he just recently retired from working altogether at the ripe old age of 67 , he said he loved the cannon gun run when he did , did it twice and finished 1st and 2nd in both runs

I was in the audience that night and it was absolutely brilliant. A few years later, I worked with a mate who had served in the RN and had taken part in the competition, but not in the year featured here. Even us ex British Army lads admired the RN lads who took part in this. As an aside, the other incredible display that night was the display by the Royal Horse Artillery. I was sitting near to the barrier and the horses and guns came really close and I mean really close.

Morning Joel, I remember watching this on the telly every year. You're right, this was the last one, due to spending cuts. It was held th the Earls Court exhibition centre, which has been demolished, and replaced with flats. There was a Junior field gun competition at the Armed Forces Day, at Plymouth last year. Best Wishes, T

I was there the year this was filmed and it is an incredible atmosphere. I wish the Royal Tournament was still held ❤

Many many years ago I attended the Royal Tournament at Earl's Court. The whole show was absolutely AMAZING!! The noise, the atmosphere was incredible for a young kid!

Loved seeing this when I was serving in the Royal Navy, the Portsmouth team used to train at HMS Excellent on whale island, when I was based there for a round 6 months used to do some fitness training with them, me being a decent footballer then I used to sit back and watch them throwing their gun over walls. Sod that I used to think!!

This was an annual contest at this level and as with the American armed forces having their Army/Navy annual football games when just about every base and vessel at sea tuning in to the broadcast, so the Royal Navy would have most of their off duty personnel tuning in to listen for the results. The tradition only came to an end when the Government at the time decided to stop paying for the annual display of all of the armed forces which was held at a place called Earls Court and was themed around one of the three main arms each year in turn, so one year it was “hosted” by the Army , the next year it would be the Navy and the third year it would be hosted by the RAF , although all three services would take part each year. The whole display was called the Royal Tournament and I believe that it was multiple times per week and over two or three weeks every year. In addition to the field gun races and as mentioned else where the Royal Artillery horse troops musical ride there were massed bands and other musical entertainments, as well as things like simulated commando raids and evacuations and parachute attack simulations and generally demonstrations of the military training and tactics put on show for the publics entertainment and as a boost to the numbers of people making enquiries about recruiting for the military.

Hey Joel, there is a documentary out there in youtube land about the history, of the field gun competition, there is also the world record run by Davenport and the last ever Field Gun competition where it covers the training leading up to the very last run. well worth checking out if you want any more information about it .

Went to see the Royal Tournament many times when I was a kid, taken either by my mum or my aunt. Still have a number of the programmes up in the loft somewhere. Also had a few of the soundtrack LPs but they sadly became victims of storage in a basement at some point. Was such a great afternoon (or evening) and the field gun competition was just an amazing spectacle. Always remember once watching a massive dragon model thing on wheels coming out through into the arena and taking about half a dozen of the massed bands off their feet with its rear legs as it emerged because they weren't quite lined up properly!

The field gun competition is still held at HMS Collingwood. Normally 21 crews compete.

I watched this, live, back in the late '70's when I was young. This video does not do it justice!

Good to see Princess Ann and her husband there to support them.

If you enjoyed that, try "HMS Daedalus Mast Manning Team 1992 at East of England Show". Another tradition that sadly has now been stopped.

I ran for Portsmouth in that run. Crackin times and great to do and watch. Nice to see that it's still entertaining...It was the last ever Royal Tournament/Royal naval run as earls Court.

There are some astounding videos on how they train for this. Awe inspiring commitment and drive.

This was an annual tradition to watch in our family as my Grandad was in the Fleet Air Arm and my Dad in the navy so it was one against the other. It was awesome to watch live ❤

My dad was based at devonport and always got us in to watch the training and runs. Devonport v Portsmouth was always a good night

Now that's teamwork. Great tune too. I remember it in black and white.

The 1999 Royal Tournament was the last one. Ticket sales weren't covering costs any more so it fell victim to defence cuts.

I remember this being real popular in the 1980s and Napoleonic times😂.it makes so much sense to have a regiment that excels in this discipline.

This brings back memories. I was there because it was a FAA double run day, we travelled up from RNAS Culdrose that morning. Stayed well into the night at the Field Gun bar getting up to things the modern day "Navy" wouldn't find acceptable. Haul em down you Zulu warriors.

This was always a favourite at the ROYAL TOURNAMENT. You cannot beat this. Absolutely fuckin fabulous

My parents took me to The Royal Tournament during the 80s - it was fantastic. The Royal Navy Field Gun competition was amazing to see.

A friend of mine was in The Portsmouth Field Gun Team, back in the day. The number of injuries that are sustained just through training are crazy. People have broken fingers, arms, legs you name it. The guy I know has one Thumb about twice as wide as the other one after he got it caught on one of the Wheels. He still has one of the Cotter Pins that hold the Wheel on, stamped with a letter P. One of his prize possessions. With these Men, it`s all about Pride and discipline, something that is sadly lacking today.

My Dad took me to see the Royal Tournament when I was a nipper - I think the RAF were the hosts that year... This was by far my favourite part of the display, and it is so, so exciting in person! :)

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Used to watch this every year as a kid.

I went to this ( the royal tournament @ Earl’s Court) a few times as a kid. From memory this was the last planned tournament. However it came back for 1 or 2 more in the early 00’s. It ended for a few reasons. 1) the planned closure of the venue 2) the war 3) budget cut.

I remember seeing this live when I was lucky enough to go to the Royal Tournament when I was a young boy and it still brings a smile and tear to my eye as it did back then absolutely amazing to watch

My father ran it in the 60's he still says it brutal. In training men were snapping fingers just taping them together and carrying on, putting dislocation s back in on the course