Royal gun salute for Charles at Fort Nelson

A ROYAL gun salute has taken place to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Fort Nelson.

Hundreds gathered to watch as a 21- round salute took place at midday – the exact moment the King was crowned monarch – delivered by the Garrison Artillery Volunteers (GAV).

The 21-gun salute was fired by female members of the GAV on four British Army World War Two 25-pounder field guns.

At 10-second intervals the gun detachments discharged the blanks as a mark of respect for the monarch on this special Royal day.

The GAV, a living history group based on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, were the centrepiece for Coronation celebrations taking place at the Victorian fort on top of Portsdown Hill.

Brigadier General Shane Rutter-Jerome received the royal salute. He served for 31 years in the Royal Artillery and in 2000 was appointed Colonel Commandant Royal Regiment of Artillery, a post he held until 2005.

Honour

BG Rutter-Jerome, said: “This event will live long in the memory of those who were able to come and see the gun salute today. It was an amazing way to mark this very special day.”

Keith Brigstock, GAV Training Officer and Army veteran, said: “It’s an honour to be here today. The GAV is an organisation dedicated to the history of the Royal Artillery and with our link to Royal Armouries, made Fort Nelson the perfect place for gunners to mark this Coronation.

“We do a lot of ceremonial shoots, for the Queen’s Jubilee and William and Kate’s wedding and so we wanted to mark this special Coronation Day with a royal gun salute.”

The GAV group is made up of armed forces veterans, serving soldiers, MoD civil servants, historians, and mechanics.

Elizabeth Puddick, Public Engagement Manager, at Fort Nelson said: “It’s such a special day for the whole country, and to mark the moment King Charles was crowned with a gun salute was really special – something we will always remember.”

PICTURED ABOVE:  The mid-day royal gun salute for King Charles at Fort Nelson, located upon Portsdown Hill.