On Wednesday 24 October, UTC Swindon received a visit from two steam engines; one towing a replica 8” Howitzer Field Gun from WW1!
The tour of Swindon was in aid of marking 100 years since the end of WW1, with opportunities for people to donate to SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, which has been helping servicemen and women since the Great War: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/swindon-great-war
The full-sized replica WW1 8inch Howitzer Field Gun hit the streets of Swindon, hauled by a steam traction engine, driven by Year 13 student Luke Crowther. His driving skills were seriously challenged in the visit to UTC Swindon, due to the tight entrance, but eventually students were able to look at these wonderful feats of classic engineering and the WW1 war effort in Swindon.
This type of gun was built just over a hundred years ago at the famous GWR locomotive works in Swindon, part of which is now home to UTC Swindon.