2012 Brickwoods Field Gun Results
On Saturday 26 May 2012 HMS Collingwood, Fareham, hosted the annual Royal Navy and Royal Marines Field Gun competition featuring 22 crews from across the UK, Gibraltar and Naples, competing for the coveted Brickwoods Trophy.
The competition is fast and furious, with displays of strength, stamina, and team work. The origin of which is linked to episodes in the Boer War, in particular the epic 119 day siege of Ladysmith, where the gallant defenders were helped enormously by the arrival at the last minute of Captain the Hon Hedworth Lambton of the Naval Brigade with his 280 Blue-jackets, four 12 Pounders and two 4.7 inch guns.
In front of over 1500 families, friends and personnel from the Fareham base, the sun blazed down on the Field Gunners to raise the tension and heat of their challenge.
In a fast and furious final it was neck and neck and anyone’s game until the last push when the HM Naval Base ran home as winners with no penalties. Last year’s winners, HMS Heron from Yeovilton, Somerset, came in second and the third place went to HMS Excellent, Portsmouth.
Trainer of the winning crew Clayton Patilla, himself born and bred in Portsmouth, said:
“Words can’t describe how we feel, two guys in our crew are leaving the Navy this, what a way to go out!
"To do what we’ve done is breathtaking, it all came slowly together and we ran our best time in the final.”
The Portsmouth crew also ran the fastest time over the whole competition, 1.19.88.
Guest of Honour for the event, Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery CBE addressed the crews on completion of the competition:
“Well done to every single man and woman, you provided a fantastic spectacle, thank you.”
The Admiral also thanked Commodore Mike Mansergh CBE, the Commanding Office of HMS Collingwood and all at the Fareham base who were involved in organising such a fantastic day.
The HMS Collingwood Crew won the ‘Roaring Meg’ trophy for being the best B Crew in the competition.
Please click here to get the full list of results 2012 Brickwoods Field Gun Results
