Wheel from a 12 pounder field gun used in the Royal Navy’s command field gun competition, circa 1946 – 47.

Wheel hub marked: HMS GANGES FA 46.

Diameter: 108 cm.

With wall mount, and brass cap.

The Royal Navy Field Gun competition was contested by teams of sailors from the Royal Naval commands of Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Fleet Air Arm (teams from Chatham and the Royal Marines have also competed). At each performance of the Royal Tournament in London, two crews competed to transport a 12 pounder field gun and limber over a series of obstacles in the shortest time. The origins of the field gun competition lie in the Second Boer War in South Africa. The legendary story tells of the siege of the British garrison in Ladysmith in 1899. In support of the British Army, the Royal Navy landed guns from HMS Terrible and Powerful to help in the relief of the siege. The Naval Brigade transported guns over difficult terrain and brought them into action against the Boers.

See: To the Limit and Beyond; Gunner, bronze statue commemorating those who competed in the annual field gun competition at the Royal Tournament. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.