One o’clock gun soldier dies after long service

Tributes have poured in for a soldier who fired Edinburgh Castle’s iconic one o’clock gun for more than a decade.

Sergeant James Shannon, known as “Shannon the Cannon”, has died aged 58. He officially took on the one o’clock gun role in 2006 shortly after the death of “Tam the Gun” – Sergeant Thomas Mckay – who had fired the timing gun since the 1970s.

A Territorial Army recruiting sergeant, Mr Shannon was the 29th person to undertake the post of one o’clock gunner.

A string of heartfelt condolences have appeared online.

Ian Wren tweeted: “I had the pleasure to serve with Jamie in 105 Regiment Royal Artillery. He truly was a gentleman and will be sadly missed.” The Mili- 0 Sergeant James Shannon ‘the Cannon’ has died aged 58

tary Museum Scotland wrote: “A good mate passed away this morning. A great guy and well known around the world. RIP Jamie Shannon the Cannon.”

The firing of the castle’s one o’clock gun is a tradition that dates back to 1861 when it was used to help ships in the Firth of Forth to set their maritime clocks.