VANCOUVER GUNNERS
  • Home
  • What's New
  • Lists
    • The Fallen
    • Memorial Page
    • Honours and Awards >
      • Distinguished Service Order
      • Distinguished Conduct Medal
      • Military Cross
      • Military Medal
      • George Medal
      • Croix de guerre
      • Mentioned in Despatches
      • Canadian Forces Decoration
    • Trophies
    • Commanding Officers
    • Regimental Sergeants Major
    • Honoraries
    • BCs and BSMs
    • Band Appointments
    • Chaplains
    • Uniforms
    • Guns
    • Notable Characters
    • Ubique
    • Cemeteries
    • Pets
  • Yearbook
    • The 2020s
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • The 2010s >
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • The 2000s >
      • 2000
      • 2001
      • 2002
      • 2003
      • 2004
      • 2005
      • 2006
      • 2007
      • 2008
      • 2009
    • The 1990s >
      • 1990
      • 1991
      • 1992
      • 1993
      • 1994
      • 1995
      • 1996
      • 1997
      • 1998
      • 1999
    • The 1980s >
      • 1980
      • 1981
      • 1982
      • 1983
      • 1984
      • 1985
      • 1986
      • 1987
      • 1988
      • 1989
    • The 1970s >
      • 1970
      • 1971
      • 1972
      • 1973
      • 1974
      • 1975
      • 1976
      • 1977
      • 1978
      • 1979
    • The 1960s >
      • 1960
      • 1961
      • 1962
      • 1963
      • 1964
      • 1965
      • 1966
      • 1967
      • 1968
      • 1969
    • The 1950s >
      • 1950 >
        • 1950 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1951 >
        • 1951 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1952 >
        • 1952 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1953 >
        • 1953 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1954 >
        • 1954 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1955 >
        • 1955 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1955 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1956 >
        • 1956 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1956 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1957 >
        • 1957 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1957 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1958 >
        • 1958 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1958 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1959 >
        • 1959 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1959 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1940s >
      • 1940 >
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1940 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
      • 1941 >
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1941 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1942 >
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA RF
        • 1942 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1943 >
        • 1943 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1943 - 39th (Reserve) Fd Regt, RCA RF
        • 1943 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1944 >
        • 1944 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1944 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
        • 1944 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1945 >
        • 1945 - Vancouver Defences
        • 1945 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
      • 1946 >
        • 1946 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1946 - 11th (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1947 >
        • 1947 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1947 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1948 >
        • 1948 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1949 >
        • 1949 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1930s >
      • 1930
      • 1931
      • 1932
      • 1933
      • 1934
      • 1935
      • 1936
      • 1937
      • 1938
      • 1939 >
        • 1939 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1939 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
    • The 1920s >
      • 1920
      • 1921
      • 1922
      • 1923
      • 1924
      • 1925
      • 1926
      • 1927
      • 1928
      • 1929
    • The 1910s >
      • 1915 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
      • 1916 >
        • 1916 15th Brigade, CFA
        • 1916 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
        • 1916 - 68 Depot
      • 1917 >
        • 1917 - 31st Bty, CFA, CEF
        • 1917 - 5th CSB, CGA ,CEF
        • 1917 - 68 Depot >
          • 1917 - Hastings Park
      • 1918 >
        • 68th Depot Battery CFA
        • 85th Battery CFA
        • Obituaries 1918
      • 1919 >
        • 68th Bty, 16th Bde CFA
        • 5th Cdn Siege Bty, CGA
    • The 1890s >
      • 1893 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1894 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1898- BC Garrison Artillery
  • Nominal Roll
    • Nom Roll Aaa - Ang >
      • Nom Roll Ank - Azz
    • Nom Roll Baa - Bay >
      • Nom Roll Bea - Bil
      • Nom Roll Bin - Boy
      • Nom Roll Bra - Bry
      • Nom Roll Buc- Bzz
    • Nom Roll Caa - Cav >
      • Nom Roll Caz - Chu
      • Nom Roll Cla - Con
      • Nom Roll Coo - Cri
      • Nom Roll Cro- Czz
    • Nom Roll Daa - Den >
      • Nom Roll Der - Dru
      • Nom Roll Dry - Dzz
    • Nom Roll Eaa - Ezz
    • Nom Roll Faa - Foo >
      • Nom Roll For - Fzz
    • Nom Roll Gaa - Gil >
      • Nom Roll Gin - Gra
      • Nom Roll Gre - Gzz
    • Nom Roll Haa - Han >
      • Nom Roll Har - Hei
      • Nom Roll Hel - Hog
      • Nom Roll Hol - Hui
      • Nom Roll Hul - Hzz
    • Nom Roll Iaa - Izz
    • Nom Roll Jaa - Jzz
    • Nom Roll Kaa - Kim >
      • Nom Roll Kin - Kzz
    • Nom Roll Laa - Led >
      • Nom Roll Lee-Log
      • Nom Roll Loh-Lzz
    • Nom Roll Ma - Mal >
      • Nom Roll Man - McB
      • Nom Roll McC - McH
      • Nom Roll McI - Mei
      • Nom Roll Mel - Moo
      • Nom Roll Mor- Mzz
    • Nom Roll Naa - Nzz
    • Nom Roll Oaa - Ozz
    • Nom Roll Paa - Pek >
      • Nom Roll Pel - Pos
      • Nom Roll Pot- Pzz
    • Nom Roll Qaa - Qzz
    • Nom Roll Raa - Rho >
      • Nom Roll Ric - Ror
      • Nom Roll Ros - Rzz
    • Nom Roll Saa - Sey >
      • Nom Roll Sha - Sma
      • Nom Roll Sme - Spr
      • Nom Roll Spy - Sur
      • Nom Roll Sut - Szz
    • Nom Roll Taa - Til >
      • Nom Roll Tim - Tzz
    • Nom Roll Uaa - Uzz
    • Nom Roll Vaa - Vzz
    • Nom Roll Waa - Way >
      • Nom Roll Wea- Wig
      • Nom Roll Wil - Wol
      • Nom Roll Won - Wzz
    • Nom Roll Xaa - Xzz
    • Nom Roll Yaa - Yzz
    • Nom Roll Zaa - Zzz
  • Calendar
  • Support the Troops!
  • Contact
  • Quartermaster Stores
  • Group Photos
  • Wednesday Lunches
  • References
  • Newsletters - 2023
    • Newsletters - 2022 >
      • Newsletters - 2021
      • Newsletters - 2020
      • Newsletters - 2019
      • Newsletters - 2018
      • Newsletters - 2017
      • Newsletters - 2016
      • Newsletters - 2015
      • Newsletters - 2014
      • Newsletters - 2013
      • Newsletters - 2012
      • Newsletters - 2011
      • Newsletters - pre 2011
      • Newsletters - WW1
  • Yorke Island
  • What year was that?
  • Index
  • Artillery Music

​24 Pounder Field Howitzers - New Westminster
The Seymour Battery of Garrison Artillery were equipped with two of these howitzers. They are currently mounted in front of the New Westminster City Hall. They are brass, smooth-bore, muzzle loading 24 pounders on wheeled, field carriages. These howitzers, with their five foot barrels, were already of an old design when received in 1867 and rapid technical advances in gunnery soon made them outmoded.
Vancouver Defended, Peter N Moogk/ with kind corrections from Mr Doug Knight
Picture
The Seymour Battery of Garrison Artillery at "The Battery" southeast of Albert Crescent in New Westminster, ca 1878-1886. City of Vancouver Archives
Picture
The two guns were restored by The Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society in 2004 with assistance from major sponsors, the City of New Westminster and the Millennium Committee.
Unfortunately, the wet weather of the West Coast has significantly damaged the two gun carriages and they are now in need of another significant restoration.
Artillery Day 2017
Number 1 Gun right hand wheel has started to rot.​
January 2019
Harold Skaarup updated his website, http://silverhawkauthor.com/, with the following photos 
Bronze 24-pounder 12-cwt Smoothbore Muzzleloading Howitzer, weight 12-2-24 (1,424 lbs), 1858 on the left trunnion, Serial No. DCCXV (615), on the right trunnion, Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901) cypher, 4858 with broad arrow on the barrel, F.M. EARDLEY-WILMOT above the cascabel.  Mounted on a wheeled carriage, No. 1 of 2 on display in front of City Hall. silverhawkauthor.com
​Bronze 24-pounder 12-cwt Smoothbore Muzzle-loading Howitzer, weight 12-2-12 (1,412 lbs), 1859 on the left trunnion, Q9, Serial No. CCCXI (311) on the right trunnion, Queen Victoria cypher, 4858 with broad arrow on the barrel, F.M. EARDLEY-WILMOT above the cascabel.  Mounted on a wheeled carriage, No. 2 of 2 on display in front of City Hall.
December 2020
Condition as of December 2020.  Significant rot in carriages is now evident and absorbing additional moisture.
Technical Information
British Smooth-bore Artillery: A Technological Study to Support Identification, Acquisition, Restoration, Reproduction, and Interpretation of Artillery at National Historic Parks in Canada
David McConnell
The complete document is available as a pdf on our reference page.
Picture
Rebuilding a Howitzer
Tony Walsh, official cannon maker for the Canadian Government and his daughter, Sheila Zieman have written about the construction of a carriage and wheels for a 24 pdr bronze Howitzer owned by Fort Saint-Jean, Quebec.
Rebuilding a howitzer.pdf
File Size: 1257 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Fort St-Jean Museum 24-Pdr restoration project
CWO (ret’d) Normand Roberge provides his story on the restoration of the Fort St-Jean Howitzer.
A project A Mission.pdf
File Size: 2497 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Fort Henry 24 pdr Howitzers
Doug Knight, author of Guns of the Regiment, has provided some photos of the Fort Henry howitzers. He advises that, "The carriage looks like a reproduction, so St Lawrence Parks may have the plans. AFAIK, the War Museum has no plans for the SBML howitzers. " Doug Knight has also provided an excerpt from his book regarding the 24 pounder.
Possible Solutions
It has been suggested that the guns should be protected from the elements via an overhead cover, complete enclosure or relocation to an indoor exhibition space.  Unfortunately, these solutions would also restrict their visibility to the public.
Another solution is to examine other materials to use in a restoration of the carriages. What type of wood was used in the 2004 restoration? Would oak (or another wood) stand up better in the west coast climate? Is there a plastic or rubber material that could replace the wooden carriages?
Could the guns undergo a total restoration so that a group of reenactors with horses could take on the challenge of maintaining the guns, towing them in parades and storing the guns in front of City Hall only during summer periods? During winter they would be stored undercover elsewhere.
The following groups have now started discussion regarding the plight of the guns:
​15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA
The Royal Westminster Regiment
Vancouver Artillery Association
​The Royal Westminster Regiment Association
The 15th Field Artillery Regiment Museum & Archives
​The Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society
​Matross Detachment
Back to 2021

What's New

Copyright © 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Webmaster/editor - Leon Jensen, OMM, CD, Commanding Officer 1998-2001, Regimental Sergeant Major 1986-1988
Additional photos and stories as well as comments regarding errors and omissions would be greatly appreciated. ​
​Have I inadvertently placed personal information of yours on line that you don't approve of?
​Please accept my apologies and contact me at president.vcrgunners@gmail.com and I’ll have it removed.
  • Home
  • What's New
  • Lists
    • The Fallen
    • Memorial Page
    • Honours and Awards >
      • Distinguished Service Order
      • Distinguished Conduct Medal
      • Military Cross
      • Military Medal
      • George Medal
      • Croix de guerre
      • Mentioned in Despatches
      • Canadian Forces Decoration
    • Trophies
    • Commanding Officers
    • Regimental Sergeants Major
    • Honoraries
    • BCs and BSMs
    • Band Appointments
    • Chaplains
    • Uniforms
    • Guns
    • Notable Characters
    • Ubique
    • Cemeteries
    • Pets
  • Yearbook
    • The 2020s
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • The 2010s >
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • The 2000s >
      • 2000
      • 2001
      • 2002
      • 2003
      • 2004
      • 2005
      • 2006
      • 2007
      • 2008
      • 2009
    • The 1990s >
      • 1990
      • 1991
      • 1992
      • 1993
      • 1994
      • 1995
      • 1996
      • 1997
      • 1998
      • 1999
    • The 1980s >
      • 1980
      • 1981
      • 1982
      • 1983
      • 1984
      • 1985
      • 1986
      • 1987
      • 1988
      • 1989
    • The 1970s >
      • 1970
      • 1971
      • 1972
      • 1973
      • 1974
      • 1975
      • 1976
      • 1977
      • 1978
      • 1979
    • The 1960s >
      • 1960
      • 1961
      • 1962
      • 1963
      • 1964
      • 1965
      • 1966
      • 1967
      • 1968
      • 1969
    • The 1950s >
      • 1950 >
        • 1950 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1950 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1951 >
        • 1951 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1951 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1952 >
        • 1952 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1952 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1953 >
        • 1953 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1953 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1954 >
        • 1954 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 102nd Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1954 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1955 >
        • 1955 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1955 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1956 >
        • 1956 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1956 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1957 >
        • 1957 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1957 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1958 >
        • 1958 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1958 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
      • 1959 >
        • 1959 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1959 - 43rd MAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1940s >
      • 1940 >
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1940 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1940 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
      • 1941 >
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1941 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA NPAM
        • 1941 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1942 >
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1942 - 15th (Vcr) Cst Bde, RCA RF
        • 1942 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1943 >
        • 1943 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1943 - 39th (Reserve) Fd Regt, RCA RF
        • 1943 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1944 >
        • 1944 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, AF
        • 1944 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
        • 1944 - 1st (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1945 >
        • 1945 - Vancouver Defences
        • 1945 - 11th AA Regt, RCA RF
      • 1946 >
        • 1946 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1946 - 11th (Res) AA Regt, RCA
      • 1947 >
        • 1947 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1947 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1948 >
        • 1948 - 15th Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1948 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
      • 1949 >
        • 1949 - 15th Fd Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - Vancouver Coast Regt, RCA
        • 1949 - 43rd HAA Regt, RCA
    • The 1930s >
      • 1930
      • 1931
      • 1932
      • 1933
      • 1934
      • 1935
      • 1936
      • 1937
      • 1938
      • 1939 >
        • 1939 - 15th (Vcr) Coast Bde, RCA, CASF
        • 1939 - 1st AA Regt, RCA, CASF
    • The 1920s >
      • 1920
      • 1921
      • 1922
      • 1923
      • 1924
      • 1925
      • 1926
      • 1927
      • 1928
      • 1929
    • The 1910s >
      • 1915 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
      • 1916 >
        • 1916 15th Brigade, CFA
        • 1916 - 31st Bty, 8th Bde, CFA
        • 1916 - 68 Depot
      • 1917 >
        • 1917 - 31st Bty, CFA, CEF
        • 1917 - 5th CSB, CGA ,CEF
        • 1917 - 68 Depot >
          • 1917 - Hastings Park
      • 1918 >
        • 68th Depot Battery CFA
        • 85th Battery CFA
        • Obituaries 1918
      • 1919 >
        • 68th Bty, 16th Bde CFA
        • 5th Cdn Siege Bty, CGA
    • The 1890s >
      • 1893 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1894 - BC Garrison Artillery
      • 1898- BC Garrison Artillery
  • Nominal Roll
    • Nom Roll Aaa - Ang >
      • Nom Roll Ank - Azz
    • Nom Roll Baa - Bay >
      • Nom Roll Bea - Bil
      • Nom Roll Bin - Boy
      • Nom Roll Bra - Bry
      • Nom Roll Buc- Bzz
    • Nom Roll Caa - Cav >
      • Nom Roll Caz - Chu
      • Nom Roll Cla - Con
      • Nom Roll Coo - Cri
      • Nom Roll Cro- Czz
    • Nom Roll Daa - Den >
      • Nom Roll Der - Dru
      • Nom Roll Dry - Dzz
    • Nom Roll Eaa - Ezz
    • Nom Roll Faa - Foo >
      • Nom Roll For - Fzz
    • Nom Roll Gaa - Gil >
      • Nom Roll Gin - Gra
      • Nom Roll Gre - Gzz
    • Nom Roll Haa - Han >
      • Nom Roll Har - Hei
      • Nom Roll Hel - Hog
      • Nom Roll Hol - Hui
      • Nom Roll Hul - Hzz
    • Nom Roll Iaa - Izz
    • Nom Roll Jaa - Jzz
    • Nom Roll Kaa - Kim >
      • Nom Roll Kin - Kzz
    • Nom Roll Laa - Led >
      • Nom Roll Lee-Log
      • Nom Roll Loh-Lzz
    • Nom Roll Ma - Mal >
      • Nom Roll Man - McB
      • Nom Roll McC - McH
      • Nom Roll McI - Mei
      • Nom Roll Mel - Moo
      • Nom Roll Mor- Mzz
    • Nom Roll Naa - Nzz
    • Nom Roll Oaa - Ozz
    • Nom Roll Paa - Pek >
      • Nom Roll Pel - Pos
      • Nom Roll Pot- Pzz
    • Nom Roll Qaa - Qzz
    • Nom Roll Raa - Rho >
      • Nom Roll Ric - Ror
      • Nom Roll Ros - Rzz
    • Nom Roll Saa - Sey >
      • Nom Roll Sha - Sma
      • Nom Roll Sme - Spr
      • Nom Roll Spy - Sur
      • Nom Roll Sut - Szz
    • Nom Roll Taa - Til >
      • Nom Roll Tim - Tzz
    • Nom Roll Uaa - Uzz
    • Nom Roll Vaa - Vzz
    • Nom Roll Waa - Way >
      • Nom Roll Wea- Wig
      • Nom Roll Wil - Wol
      • Nom Roll Won - Wzz
    • Nom Roll Xaa - Xzz
    • Nom Roll Yaa - Yzz
    • Nom Roll Zaa - Zzz
  • Calendar
  • Support the Troops!
  • Contact
  • Quartermaster Stores
  • Group Photos
  • Wednesday Lunches
  • References
  • Newsletters - 2023
    • Newsletters - 2022 >
      • Newsletters - 2021
      • Newsletters - 2020
      • Newsletters - 2019
      • Newsletters - 2018
      • Newsletters - 2017
      • Newsletters - 2016
      • Newsletters - 2015
      • Newsletters - 2014
      • Newsletters - 2013
      • Newsletters - 2012
      • Newsletters - 2011
      • Newsletters - pre 2011
      • Newsletters - WW1
  • Yorke Island
  • What year was that?
  • Index
  • Artillery Music