Foolestroupe mentioned the race with a gun from a few years back, that was the Royal Navy field gun race that was started to commemorate the relief of Ladysmith in the Boer war. The RN provided guns and crews to support the Army at this time. 1903 saw the first demonstrantion with 1907 seeing the first race with the chasm.

The guns used were breechloading 12 pounders not ,muzzle loaders. They weighed around 2000 pounds in total.

The competition was a central feature of the other military tatoo in London called the Royal tournement. This ran until 1999 when the event was finished due to defence cuts and reduced man power. The Field gun runs became a three way competition between teams from Portsmouth, Devonport and the fleet air arm and were won on the basis of best times, usually around 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Cheers

Sledge