SCOTTISH AND NORTH IRISH GUNNERS SALUTE MALTA

Normally responsible for all of the ceremonial Gun Salutes at Edinburgh, Stirling and Hillsborough Castles, 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (The Scottish and Ulster Gunners) have made history by becoming the first British unit to fire a Gun Salute in Malta for over 62 years. Standing alongside their Maltese counterparts, the Reservist Gunners fired a joint 17 Gun Salute on 10th July 2015 from the stunning location overlooking Valletta Grand Harbour as part of the Ubique 300 celebrations.

Edinburgh’s District Gunner, Sgt Dave Beveridge, who fires the famous One O’clock Gun from the Castle ramparts, also traveled to Valetta and fired a One O’Clock Gun in the sun!

The Salute was conducted in front of Maltese and British dignitaries to honour the ties between the two nations and to celebrate their shared history. The parade format was unusual for all, blending the traditions of the two nations and firing two different weapon calibres: the original British 25 Pounder Guns and the 32 Pounder Victorian Guns. After days of training in the baking Maltese heat, the troops learned from each other and produced an immaculate Salute to reflect the heritage of both nations.

The event was conducted as part of the wider celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Royal Artillery, titled Ubique 300. A Baton was specially commissioned to contain a message of Loyal Greeting to the Captain General, and it is currently circumnavigating the globe; travelling to countries where The Royal Regiment has served through its long and distinguished history. It was launched on 1st May 2015 from the Regiment’s historic home in Woolwich and will visit more than 30 countries, on 60 consecutive expeditions, involving more than 1000 of the Royal Artillery’s men and women, before being presented to the Captain General on its return in the spring of next year – on the Royal Regiment’s 300th Anniversary.

Images by Bombardier Justin Gatt, Copyright Armed Forces of Malta, 2105

206 (Ulster) Battery belong to 105 Regiment and are based at Newtownards.  For more information, visit: www.army.mod.uk/artillery/regiments/24685.aspx