Royal Navy Field Gun Competition 1985

Royal Tournament

[@shooter591]

I was an usher at the 1984 Royal tounament, i watched this race every day for 3 weeks and i never got bored with it once, it was the highlight of every show.

[@jeffreyrwilliams9345]

brian hobbs I enjoyed those 6 minutes more than 4 hours of American football or baseball. Very exciting and impressive.

[@camrenwick]

The toughest competition I've ever seen

[@Geordieerskine]

I was in The Household Cavalry.

[@alanfaulkner6329]

A mantask. Well done.

[@user-ht3jt8ls7h]

Think my husband ran In that for devonport he was known as desperate Paul Dan.

[@waynefoulkes5377]

Typical, this is the year I ran for the Devonport Crew and the only video I can find is of the two opposing teams! Out of interest, Devonport went on to win the tournament this year 👍

[@mikestrohm3271]

I ran 77 for Guz and seem to remember the Pompey flying angel was killed when he ran under the shear legs. Was that in training or at the court?

[@waynefoulkes5377]

@@mikestrohm3271 Hi Mike, met some great guys from 77. Tragically Pompey’s Angel died in training prior to the Court. It happened in 1982 and I well remember how devastated all 3 crews were by the news. RIP 🥃

[@mikestrohm3271]

@@waynefoulkes5377 Ah, the fuzzy memory of age, I thought it was 85, I stand corrected. The news of his death percolated through to all us ex runners and I well remember being at a social with about half a dozen ex Guz and we couldn't fathom out why he did what he did. Whether he felt it might improve the time or if he just slipped and the only way to go was through the shears no one knew.

[@waynefoulkes5377]

@@mikestrohm3271 Apparently he hit the ramp at speed in a bad position on the traveller, stumbled down the ramp and fell below the collapsing sheerlegs.

[@mikestrohm3271]

@@waynefoulkes5377 Yes, makes sense, I always thought the Angel was a perilous number at that part of the drill. Just looked it up, and there was a Stephen Allen RO1(G) died at Excellent 20th April so if that was him it was right at the start of the track season.

[@jonathanhodgson2659]

wow