Armstrong Whitworth Quick Firing 12-pounder naval gun, mounted on a field carriage

Presented by Lady Meux to Field Marshal Lord Roberts, 1900.

This 12 pounder naval gun, originally intended as armament for a Japanese battleship, was one of six guns purchased by Lady Meux from Armstrong Whitworth's Elswick Works in 1900. The guns, with a maximum range of 8,000 yards were mounted on special field carriages. She presented the guns to Lord Roberts on his appointment as Commander in Chief in South Africa.

The guns were manned by officers and men of the 1st Northumberland Volunteer Artillery, many of whom came from Elswick. The battery of six was the only volunteer artillery unit from Britain to serve in the Boer War (1899-1902) with a force commanded by General Ian Hamilton in the Western Transvaal.