Props to anyone who has even attempted this! Doing more research and hearing from y'all, this sounds like a very admirable tradition indeed!

This was such an important event to The Royal Navy, that within seconds of the race finishing,  a signal was sent around the world to every ship and shore station with the result and the times.

Bring the Royal Tournament back !!!

I am a former Devonport Field Gunner... 'First Wheels' ie, first pieces of gun to cross the chasm and the last wheels to come back. They weighed in at 120 pounds each and combined with your body weight you have around 300 pounds (136kg) loaded on your arms which comes a bit of a shock the first time you swing on that traveler.


We had 08:00 to 09:00 in the gym every morning with 100's of grid sprints and calisthenics. Then it was tea with cheese and biscuits before changing into track gear and then it was normal to do 8 full runs before closing at around 16:00. There is an A crew and a B crew and we would face-off for all of the days runs.  


We would complete at least 40 runs a week and we trained for 3 months so you can work out for yourself how many times we threw those guns over the walls. There were plenty of injuries as everything is either wood or metal, its heavy and is moving  fast.  

The battleships HMS Terrible and HMS Powerful sent their 12 pounder field guns ashore to help break the siege at Ladysmith.  It is said that an army general told the Navy that he didn't have  any horses to spare for pulling the guns, to which an Admiral replied, "We don't need horses... we have sailors!"


You cannot imagine how proud we field gunners are to have taken part in that history.

My great grandfather was part of the artillery force at the relief of Ladysmith, where this tradition originates from.

These guys are taken from the Royal  Navy ships and Bases from around the World . Many Sailors volunteer for this but only the fittest and strongest are selected .
I have seen these Gun Runs at various Royal Military Tattoos in London and I can tell you how truly amazing it is to see in real life .
There are a lot of injuries, broken bones , stitches and even fingers sheared off when 900 lb of Gun Barrel drops onto the carriage  .
At one Tattoo a sailor got hit in the head by the block over the chasm
Splitting his head open he still got to the end of the first run and during the few seconds respite a medic came on with a paper stapler and stapled his head to stop the bleeding . He still continued for the return run without flinching.  This is a real mans game my friends

My husband was a Portsmouth Field gunner in the late 60's. He ran 4 times, he was 1st swing. I loved going to the royal tournament. Sue Godsell wife of Brian.

I am ex British army and it's a joy to watch such unbiased opinions on British military. Your a top bloke and look forward to watching the rest of your channel. So many videos of American and British bitching about one another. Both countries have fought side by side for over 100 years. We are brothers in arms and like brothers we squabble and fight and argue with one another but like brothers you pick a fight with one we bond together and bring the pain.

The Royal Tournament was an outstanding annual event that showcased the British Armed Services like no other recruiting “organ” that was available then and still is now. The ABSOLUTELY worst decision made was to cancel this opportunity to show the World what outstandingly professional, young men and women we have in our Armed Services and this is an event that regardless of cost MUST be brought back.

The absolute bonkers pinnacle of the British armed forces training. Our country might only be small, but we pack a heavyweight punch, and it's guys like this that are behind it. Respect.

My dad was Portsmouth crew captain in in 1999. There were so many injuries involved in this my pop alone lost the top of his finger and on another occasion was clinically dead for a few seconds following an accident. The pride associated with this tradition was incredible

As a young boy In the 1980’s I was lucky enough to go to the royal tournament and was in absolute awe of the field gun teams and other fantastic displays on that day. It made me join the army and had a fantastic 22 year career. It’s such a shame that the Royal Tournament is not on any more as it was such a great atmosphere to be in.
To all those still serving thanks for your service, professionalism and dedication. Stay safe🙏😎

The REAL winners are the team with most fingers left. 🤣

Strange? We’re British mate, that’s what we do....

I went to watch this every year, made us proud - BRING IT BACK

Ah, the brits.. You have to love them. :D Cheers and all the best to you! ~a humble Kraut

We still do it now - one of our artillery units carried a field gun up the side of a hill in Afghan at the dead of night - they had to contend with IEDs and the chance of being attacked. By morning, they had the gun on a hill in a very commanding position and judging by the chatter by the Taliban on their radio net, they weren’t happy. They called it the dragon I think.

Your a good egg fella. It's so nice to see a brother from across the pond with a genuine respect for his brothers on this side of the pond.
All the very best and keep the channel flowing.
Blessings from the Welsh.😎👍

Lost my dear father in law 2 years ago aged 88. He was a proud fleet air arm field gunner. Still tough in his final years.

superb demonstration of team work.  Training !! Training !! Training!!!  wish we did stuff like this in the US Army.