MEMBERS of the Royal Artillery Association have thanked the Aaron Lewis Foundation for the donation of a gun trailer that has made their lives a whole lot easier.

The Shoeburyness and South Essex branch regularly take their two 25-pounder guns – C Sub and D Sub – out on the road to events across its ever-increasing patch.

A spokesman for the group said: “One cannot overstate the impact they have when we take them out, creating conversation and interest in who we are and what we do.

“We have also been able to give many Gunners their last ride with our specially-made catafalque mounted onto the gun barrel. To date something we have been privileged to do 108 times in the past 20 years.”

The guns are more than 80 years old and have been restored and cared for by a small team of branch members. But the organisation is finding it increasingly expensive to get spare parts and also need to be mindful of road regulations when taking the guns out to events.

At their AGM in February, the group decided to look into purchasing a bespoke trailer to help preserve and transport the guns – that’s when the Aaron Lewis Foundation got involved.

The spokesman added: “We had taken our guns to several of their splendid fundraising events over the years and know Aarons parents, Barry and Helen, well.

“The Foundation heard of what we were trying to achieve and made an offer to fund the project in full, subject to due diligence. This was an incredibly generous offer and provided a real boost to the project team.”

The bespoke trailer was built by Anglia Trailers and formally handed over to team leader David Hadjicostas MBE by ALF trustee Lt Col (Retd) Steve Fraser MBE at the ALF 10s rugby tournament in July.

Branch members including president Les Jeffrey, and Helen and Barry Lewis were also present.

The Royal Artillery Association spokesman said: “Since then, we have had the opportunity to take our trailer out and to say it creates interest is an understatement.

“Importantly for all of us, it carries the name of Aaron Lewis, a thoroughly decent and courageous Gunner officer – something for us all to live up to in all that we do, and the opportunity for us all to remember his service and promote the work of the Foundation.