HMS Heron’s field gun crew completed their personal best run of 1 minute 19 seconds in front of station spectators and RNAS Yeovilton’s Commanding Officer Captain Thomas on Thurs 27 June.
The crew received a seal of approval from Captain Thomas ahead of the historic Field Gun competition on the 6 July at HMS Collingwood. This year’s crew consists of eighteen Field Gunners, five spare numbers and seven support staff ranging from Able Ratings to Officers.
The field gun competition has origins going back to 1899 and is an ultimate test of teamwork, leadership, moral and physical courage. Aircraft Technician Leading Hand (LH) Lloyd Russell (24) currently in the position of Gun Wheelie said, ‘The training is high intensity. Everyone is learning new roles within the crew and the last two weeks it has really started to ramp up.’
The competition is held annually at HMS Collingwood where 21 crews from units across the military compete for the prestigious Brickwoods trophy. They race to assemble an antique Field Gun run with it, disassembling, and reassembling as the competition requires before dramatically dragging the gun back ‘home’.
HMS Heron’s crew is a mixture of Royal Navy and Army personal stationed at RNAS Yeovilton, while some personnel hold years of experience some are just trying the sport for the first time.
1 Army Air Corps Aircraft Technician Lance Corporal (LCpl) Alba Platts (30) currently in the position of Pinny said, ‘It is my first time competing, I had never even watched it before. There is more than meets the eye, it is not just running but technical and precise movements. It’s hard graft but rewarding. Everyone was so inviting. From day one I felt welcome, and I was hooked.’
The crew is highly disciplined, motivated and physically fit individuals. A testament to Royal Navy fitness both physical and mental. LH Lloyd Russell said, ‘The last week of training before the event is enjoyable. It gets really technical but for a week all you have to worry about is doing your drills only, no day job!’
LCpl Alba Platts said, ‘It will be great to see the crew come together on the day of the event, and see how the weeks of training cumulates together. I am really looking forward to the atmosphere and celebrating afterwards.’
HMS Heron last brought home the Brickwoods trophy in 2018 and have been second place winners in both 2022 and 2023 just missing out on the trophy both times by 0.4 seconds to HMS Seahawk.
RNAS Yeovilton fully backs it’s HMS Heron Field Gun crew to bring home the Brickwoods trophy this year. LCpl Alba Platts said, ‘Everyone should give it a go. I think people watch it and think it’s too difficult, but it is so much fun even with all the hard-earned bruises you collect!’
