HAVING A BLAST
SOUTH ALBERTA HORSE ARTILLERY, FORT WHOOP-UP BLACK POWDER CLUB JOIN FORCES
A member of the South Alberta Horse Artillery prepares for the cannon blast as the group puts on a show for guests at Fort Whoop-Up's “Cannon Day” on Sunday.
All guns were blazing at the Fort Whoop-Up’s “Cannon Day” on Sunday as the South Alberta Horse Artillery and Fort Whoop-Up Black Powder Club joined forces to showcase some classic firearms and artillery pieces in action.
Retired Canadian military artillery officer Charlie Miller led the South Alberta Horse Artillery display, and explained to the audience the history of British gun drill. The South Alberta Horse Artillery members also wore authentic uniforms which would have been used by Canadian Army artillery members during 1885 Riel Rebellion.
“In reality you’ve got living history here at Fort Whoop-Up, and we need to spend more time studying our history,” said Miller, explaining the reason his unit chose to come down to Lethbridge on Sunday. “Because with the (negative) events happening in the world today a big reason is people haven’t read history.”
Miller said his members also get a lot of satisfaction from taking part in such demonstrations and reenactments. But it isn’t all play for his members; there is a real desire to touch and see history in action.
“We shoot this cannon live, not in public, but when we are playing around south of Bow Island on our vehicle we shoot for real,” he explained. “At 300 metres we can take the side mirror off the truck. The gun was actually quite accurate for its time.”
Fort Whoop-Up site co-ordinator Natasha Gray said all who came out for “Cannon Day” Sunday also felt that same sense of awe in seeing history come alive in front of their eyes.
“It’s a fun and exciting way to show off part of our history,” she said. “I personally have not seen a cannon like we had today shot off; so it was something really neat and adds something really special to the day.”
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