Attended a nice little event at Larkhill last night, providing a couple of guns for the farewell dinner for the Commandant of the School of Artillery. The Commandant was delivered to the Officers's Mess in Keith's Austin staff car (driven by Tracey in her ATS service dress) where he was met by a two mounted gunners of the King's Troop, and two of the Garrison's 25-pounders parked on the lawn. The Commandant and his wife then both fired off the guns to signal the start of the celebrations.
Although the Garrison's part in the evening's proceedings was relatively modest, it was nevertheless nice to be able to help out. Indeed it is always a pleasure to be able to do something for the Army to repay their generosity in allowing the group to use the workshop facilities. Also, to be invited by the Royal Artillery to put on a display at so prestigious a location as the Officer's Mess, does provide a sense that - as a group - we must be doing something right. I think that this endoresement is particularly appreciated by those of us who don't have a services background, and sometimes feel slightly like impostors when in uniform.
After the event we got the chance to see Mel's 3.7" AA gun, which arrived at Larkhill earlier in the week for a quick spruce-up before it travels to London for the two events we have there in December. It really is a big beast, and it is going to be quite a challenge to get it into action with a suitably trained crew. Still should be fun!
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