Portsmouth Field Gun Heritage
The PFGA Committee is dedicated to upholding the legacy of Portsmouth Command Field Gun on behalf of the membership. Since the demise of the Royal Tournament and Command Field Gun in 1999, the PFGA has commissioned five heritage exhibits sited at Whale Island (PFG Memorial 2004, Memorabilia Museum 2012), Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard,Victory Arena (Bronze Field Gunner Statue, Mounted Field Gun 2006) and the National Memorial Arboretum, Lichfield (Commemorative Bench 2013 – thank you Derek Cousins).
Click on the images for more photos
Portsmouth Field Gun Memorial
Located at the Fleet HQ Building,
HMS Excellent,
Portsmouth
On 4th September 2004, after a long campaign of fund raising, the Memorial site at HMS Excellent was Commissioned. Whale Island paid host to over 200 Ex Field Gunners from all 3 Commands, and distinguished Guests that assisted in the planning and completion of the project.
After another 2 years of further fund raising and donations from members, the £30,000 needed to purchase a Bronze Statue of a Field Gunner carrying a wheel on his shoulder was completed.
With the kind permission of the 2nd Sealord and the Dockyard Historical Trust a ceremony was held to Commission the Statue which had been erected on a Plinth in Victory Arena. As permission had been granted that 2 plinths could be used, the Field Gun from Whale Island was secured alongside the Statue.
To replace the Field Gun from HMS Excellent it was decided that a Wheel would be appropriate as Guns were in short supply with the expansion of the Brickwoods Competition now replacing Command Field Gun.
The work on the Wheel was carried out with the help of Jake Adams, Phil the Painter, and Pete Ruddock at no cost to the Association.
Command Field Gun Bench Dedication CeremonyOctober 2012National Arboretum
Click on the image above to see more photographs of the whole event
Sat 20 October 2012 Barton Marina Waterfront Quarterdeck Lounge.
1930 HRS The Quartereck lounge was set well for the Eve of the Battle of Trafalgar dinner organised by Pete Ruddock . The company of about forty Field Gunners and their wives assembled .
2000 HRS We all sang a happy birthday to all the young sixteen year olds sat close to us taking the numbers to about sixty people. The young girls had a history lesson about Nelson and Trafalgar through the narration of the saga throughout the evening well done by Rob Wyatt apart from which eye to cover.
2030 HRS The meals were well presented and slowly devoured between drinks ,speaches by the Mad Bish Mike Brotherton and Derek Cousins the chatter and intervals of The Neslon Story.
2200 HRS The meals were coming to the end, Nelson was mortally wounded and died. The birthday party of young girls began to depart wiping their eyes with tissues,waving us good-bye we all sang a pleasant clean farewell.
2230 HRS The Port was passed for the Final Toast to Nelson and a glorious day for the morrow when we will all assemble again for full English breakfast and fortified prepare for the Service of Dedication and unveiling of the Ladysmith Memorial Bench and Information Board at the National Memorial Arboretum.
SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER; MORNING
1000 HRS .Prior to the Run-out my Enid my Wife said 'Stop prowling' so I had a hearty full Enlish and was put at ease once I saw your contingent of Green blazers and the two RM Buglers arrive, then I knew that we would be ready .
1100 HRS. We assembled in the mist and proceeded to follow The Mad Bish north allong the Mellenium Way to the Naval Section where as you put it ,The Whole Family of Field Gun paraded ready for the Dedication of the 'Ladysmith Bench and Information Board. No warm - up was needed we were 'Aye - Ready'
1130 HRS. The Bish or Sin bosun enlighten us all with his well humoured dits and led us all into the dediction service and conducted the 'Gunner's Choir' with four stirring hymns with prayers. I thought we might have had problems with 'Hearts of Oak' but that was well sung. Perhaps we should form one!!!!
1200 HRS. I had predicted that the sun would come out and burn away the mist , I am sorry about taht timing ,but I did notice the sun-beams during the singing of Hearts of Oak and the tears on the cheeks ot most people assembled including me.That Last-Post always gets me.
The Trolley Dollies did a good job in providing the 'warm and cosy glow' to the end of the proceedings with the Field - Gunner's cake washed down with the 'Rum' or two.
1230 HRS. The sun comes out to help those people who have never been to the NMA to find their way around. Speaking to many later on the all said that 'We will be back'. I in turn was proud to be in such good company and pleased it was a 'Clear-run'. Apart from the timing of the appearance of the sun. I would like to thank everyone and to the two Oggies who put the Square information board into the Round hole. It will fit !!!!
PM everyone hopefully had a safe and clean Run Home.
Notes, 21 April 2013 St Georges Day Field gun Memorial Bike ride Start/Finish Whale Island.(Sponsered)
Possible involvement with the Armed Forces Day at Portsmouth June 2013.
The Ladysmith Bench site at NMA is B-466 Naval Section near to SAMA Memorial.
Off to the allotment now for therapy and a red wine. Until the next time!!!
The Final Run
By Sam Clues (PFGC 80 & 85)
Dedicated to ALL Field Gunners across the Globe
One ton of metal
Over one ton of years
Has plenty of memories
With even some tears
The Field Gun tradition
Is ceasing to stride
But gunners the world over
Will always feel pride
All crews have performed
With fine efforts abound
And always the public
We never fail to astound
Out, Back & Home
Were the Trainer's demands
So to keep each run steady
We'd obey his commands
On all of the tracks
The dust will now settle
And soon the equipment
Will be rust covered metal
So what of the summers
From this year on
There'll be little to do
Now that Field Gun is gone
Re-unions will follow
With that I am certain
But will many turn up
After this final curtain
Earls Court is ending
There's no new domain
We must find a venue
So the race can remain
The arena's now empty
And each crew is done
So sadly no more
Will we see the 'Gun Run'
Now the crews will be waiting
For the bugler's tone
To send them forever
On that final RUN HOME!
Sam Clues © 1999