Historic field gun stops off in Telford
An antique field gun due to be centre stage in one of the UK’s historical military events made a surprise visit to Shropshire.
The special delivery aboard a truck from Portsmouth to Lichfield made a detour to appear at Telford’s SP Services, a medical equipment supplier which is supporting the legendary Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun Competition, which is now celebrating its 110th year.
It’s the ultimate military team sport in which Army, Navy and RAF personnel dismantle, re-assemble and fire 12 pound field guns in a dramatic, fast and furious “gladiatorial” race.
The field gun was briefly displayed this week next to an armoured ambulance used in the Iraq war which is permanently sited at SP Services’ Bastion House HQ in Hortonwood, Telford.
SP Services is backing the Field Gun Crew of Defence Medical Services, Whittington, near Lichfield, made up of 18 young men and women from all three services who are training as military medics.
“It was a really nice surprise that they took the time to stop off in Telford and show us the field gun,” said SP Service's managing director Steve Bray.
“It is huge and very heavy and we are proudly supporting the medics from Lichfield in the competition which is an amazing test of their resilience, strength, teamwork and determination. The Field Gun Run is a sight to see.
"We have been a proud supplier to our British Armed Forces for over 25 years and I've always believed that business is very much a two way relationship.
“Defence Medical Services Whittington is the home of the Defence College of Healthcare Education & Training and the HQ of the Surgeon General. We are honoured to be involved in this prestigious and fun event and have high hopes of them bringing home some silverware this year."
MOD paramedic Alastair Richards, of Defence Medical Services, thanked the company for its support on behalf of the crew.
“The competition is exhilarating, gladiatorial, and like no other team building or personal development in which the team of 18 train for ten weeks. They clatter over cobbles with a field gun working with Formula One precision in front of a cheering 24,000 strong crowd.”
The annual Field Gun competition dates back to 1907 to commemorate the navy’s teamwork, leadership, moral and physical courage when they landed guns to relieve the 119 day siege of Ladysmith in the 1899 Boer War.
The “last minute” landing involved the Naval Brigade manhandling six field guns, each weighing nearly half a metric tonne, over rough terrain just in time to relieve the siege.
In a telegram, Queen Victoria said: “Pray express to the Naval Brigade my deep appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered with their guns.”
SP Services supply first aid, medical, ambulance and paramedic equipment in the UK and worldwide and provide support for major disaster and relief projects across the world.
They also have a showroom open to the public at their Telford HQ for companies and individuals to get a full range of medical equipment.
The field gun event will be staged at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire on June 3. For ticket information visit the HMS Collingwood facebook page. For more information visit www.spservices.co.uk/fieldgun
