After a lifetime of building cannons, just one remains with master craftsman Bryan Townsend, a full-size ceremonial gun that has fired at some of the country’s most significant events and now calls Nelson home.
Bryan has built hundreds of cannons over the years, but the Frederick James is the only one still in his possession. Built about 36 years ago, the cannon was designed as a ceremonial piece, flashy rather than functional.
“It’s purely noise and a bit of a show,” Bryan says.
The cannon was created through the Wellington Cannon Society, a group of sailors who decided they wanted a cannon for their boat. One became eight.
“There were a few mad buggers in Wellington and we were all sailors,” Bryan says. “We did a lot of sailing out of Wellington and most of the time was at d’Urville. We used to arrive at d’Urville and fire broadsides and do all sorts of funny things.”
This cannon quickly became his favourite. A full-size Royal Artillery six-pounder, it is cast in bronze and is the largest bronze cannon the group ever built.
After being based at the Wellington Cenotaph, the cannon was used for the dawn service in Wellington for many years and served as the official gun at the 100th anniversary of Wellington’s National War Memorial.
It has also fired to mark major sporting and civic moments. It kicked off the first professional rugby game in Palmerston North, was fired by former prime minister Jim Bolger to start the World Triathlon, welcomed Sir Peter Blake and Sir Robi Knox-Johnston into Wellington, sent Grant Dalton off on Endeavour and celebrated the millennium at Dunedin’s Octagon.
The cannon has been used at ceremonies up and down the country, but after Bryan shifted across the strait it now lives in Nelson.
It will be used at the official Anzac ceremony at Marsden Valley, where it will be fired once to close out the 10am memorial, before being taken to the Honest Lawyer for another firing at 1pm.
RNZAF band member Sergeant Mason Robinson will play the last post at the ceremony on behalf of the RSA.
“From the RSA’s perspective it’s quite exciting to have this to conclude the act of remembrance, it will add another dimension.”
He warns residents that the shot will be loud, but encourages anyone to come and join the short ceremony.
“The Marsden ceremony is very informal, you might be sitting there at your grandfather’s grave, it’s just about being there. We are rapt to have the cannon there this year.”
The cannon comes complete with a ‘shot box’, which encases a bottle of Jamieson whisky, to be opened to toast the ANZACs after the firing.
Cast from a wooden pattern, the cannon required two castings due to its size. Over the past two years it has been stripped back and repolished, becoming the spectacle it is today.
Named after Bryan’s father, Frederick James Bartley Townsend, the cannon is also a personal memorial.
“We never gave him a headstone, but he left me some money, and it was enough to build that,” Bryan says.
Currently living in Bryan’s garage, the cannon has been given the hard word that it needs a new home.
“Somewhere it could be displayed would be good,” Bryan says, adding he will continue to take it out for special ceremonies.
If you think you know of a space the cannon could be on display, please contact sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz to be put in touch with Bryan
Nelson Dawn Ceremony
0530 Parade muster – Trafalgar Centre carpark on Paru Paru Road (See map)
0545 Parade stepping off
0600 ANZAC Day Ceremony in Anzac Park
Nelson Ceremonies - Other
0800 Wakapuaka WWI Cemetery – Wreath Laying and small commemoration
0830 Queens Gardens – Wreath Laying and small commemoration
0900 Piki Mai War Memorial - Wreath Laying and small commemoration
1000 Marsden Valley Cemetery, Stoke – Full commemoration
1000 Wakapuaka Memorial Hall, Wakapuaka – Wreath Laying and small commemoration
1100 Civic Service – Nelson Cathedral (NB transferred from Nayland College)
