REME - 001

Well, the main reason for starting this blog was to provide up-dates on the various restoration and maintenance projects undertaken by the Garrison Living History Group at its Larkhill workshop, so here goes.

Let’s start with an overview of what the group does. The majority of the Garrison’s efforts are directed towards its 25-pounder field guns. These guns are at the heart of the Garrison's displays, and require a fair bit of attention to keep them in good, safe working order and up the kind of standard of presentation that reflects the pride we feel in them, their history and (especially) the men who served them during times of conflict.

Four of these guns are stored at the group's workshop at Larkhill (courtesy of the Royal Artillery). Three are Ordnance QF 25-Pounder MKIIs on MKI carriages with muzzle-breaks. This was the most common variant of the gun used by British and Commonwealth forces during the latter stages Second World War. However, we have recently acquired a MKII on a rare MKIII carriage, which is currently being renovated. (For a good introduction the various 25-pounder variants, see the Wikipedia entry). The MKIII carriage was narrower than the MKI (for ease of air transportation) and had a pivoting trail allowing the barrel to be elevated to a higher angle and thus increasing the gun's range. Details of the progress of the work on this particular gun will be posted here in the near future.

As well as the seemingly endless line of 25-pounders needing restoration and maintenance (including a number of the Army's gate guardians), time also needs to be found to do work on other pieces of kit, including the searchlight and generator, the gun-tractors and trucks. (For details of the group's vehicles, see the Garrison website). There is also a lot of smaller – but nonetheless vital - items (tents, soyer stoves, tables, benches, paraffin lamps, etc) that need to be stored and looked after. In all, it’s a lot of work to keep a group like the Garrison going.

The core of the team that undertakes the bulk of this restoration and maintenance programme (at least for the Western section of the group) is comprised of:

• Keith: ex-Gunner, Garrison organiser par excellence and all-round Mr Fixit (if a large hammer needs wielding then Keith’s your man).
• Barry: ex-REME Gun Fitter who worked on 25-pounders for a living when they were still in regular service with the RA (what he doesn’t know about 25-pounder maintenance isn’t worth knowing).
• Andy: ex-RAF, specializes in electrical wizardry and any paint jobs that might be required (also the man tasked with removing the large hammer from Keith when things aren’t going so well).
• Rodney: ex-RAF current QinetiQ (when he’s not delivering customer-focused solutions for Chinooks, he’s delivering Morris-focused solutions for gun-tractors).

This veritable ‘A-Team’ of specialists is assisted from time to time by other Garrison members, most of whom are blessed with more enthusiasm than skill when it comes to engineering matters. Nevertheless, all offers of assistance from Group members are gratefully received, even if it is only making the tea or rubbing down old paintwork!

Well, that’s how things stand at the moment. Coming soon: details of what work’s currently being undertaken at Garrison HQ (Western Section).