Replica 6 inch BL Gun
LEFT: The replica 6 Inch Mark 5 BL Gun and the attap shade of the No.2 Emplacement.
RIGHT: The gun crew at work.
The Gun Crew at work.
The two men holding the wooden pole which is inserted into a bucket had an important task. After firing the gun, there is a possibility that the bagged propellant charge would leave some smouldering remains in the breech. Their task was to use a wet swab to clean out the chamber, extinguishing any smouldering remains. The consequences of inserting a shell and a bagged charge can easily be imagined if there were any hot remains in the chamber.
To be slightly critical of the replica gun, there are several important details, such as the Auto Sights missing. Also, in order to clean the chamber out, the breech of the gun would have had to be open. This is not to detract from a display which gives a good indication of the gun crew at work.