The HMNB Clyde Field Gun Crew showcased their preparations for this year’s Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Field Gun Competition during their annual public run yesterday, Thursday June 25.
The demonstration, which took place outside of the South Gate at HMNB Clyde, gave personnel, family and friends an opportunity to see first-hand the skill, teamwork and determination required to compete in one of the Royal Navy’s most demanding sporting traditions.
This year’s crew has undergone nine weeks of intensive training in preparation for the competition. The programme began with four weeks of physical conditioning and drills in Neptune Gym before moving outdoors for five weeks of hands-on training with the equipment on the track adjacent to South Gate.
This year the team comprises of 25 personnel drawn from across HMNB Clyde and the wider Royal Navy and Royal Marines community, including 18 core crew members and two track judges. Training has been led by Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Attenbury of Fleet Operational Standards and Training Submarines (FOST SM) as No.1 Trainer and CPO Ian Ross of Submarine Escape, Rescue Abandonment, and Survival (SMERAS) as No.2 Trainer. The crew is captained by Sergeant Michael Slater of 43 Commando, with Engineering Technician Zaid Jaballa of HMS Vanguard serving as Crew Physical Training Instructor, and Lieutenant Matthew Smith of Submarine Fleet Maintenance Joint Project Team (SFM JPT) as the Field Gun Officer.
The event also served as a fundraising opportunity for the RNRMC, with refreshments and a cake sale taking place throughout the afternoon.
The HMNB Clyde Band opened the event ahead of an overview of the history and heritage of the Field Gun competition from WO1 Andrew Vercoe. Following a second musical performance, the crew then marched onto the track, where Captain Elaine Boyd, Captain HMS Neptune, formally granted permission for the demonstration to commence.
On the event, she said: “Today’s public run was an excellent demonstration of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of HMNB Clyde’s Field Gun Team. With many crew members competing for the first time, the team has risen admirably to the challenge. Being marched on by the Neptune Volunteer Band made the occasion even more special, reflecting the strong sense of pride and tradition behind Field Gun. As they head to HMS Collingwood, we wish them every success.”
WO1 Vercoe then guided spectators through the various phases of the run as the crew followed along, showcasing the stages before conducting a full-speed competitive run.
After the demonstration, crew members had the opportunity to meet personnel, sponsors and supporters.
Among those attending were representatives from principal sponsor Lockheed Martin, including Martin Fitzpatrick.
The RNRMC Field Gun competition began in 1907, originally known as the Brickwoods Field Gun Competition, following the donation of a trophy by the Brickwoods Brewery. Inspired by events during the Second Boer War—particularly the 1899 siege of Ladysmith, where Royal Navy sailors transported and deployed naval guns over difficult terrain to support British forces—the competition commemorates this effort.
Today, the sport remains one of the Royal Navy’s most enduring traditions, combining athleticism, teamwork and naval heritage.
The HMNB Clyde crew will continue training ahead of the annual RNRMC Field Gun Competition held at the HMS Collingwood Open Day on 4 July. They will be representing HMNB Clyde against other teams from across various naval establishments to compete for the fastest time.
