Here we see the Russian Gun, a souvenir of the Crimean War, offered to Berwick in 1858. You’ll notice that in this photograph from the 1960s, the gun is facing in a different direction to today. This was its original position when it was placed in the walls.

The arrival and siting of the Russina Gun was a bit of a saga according to accounts from the time in the local newspapers. It arrived by ship in January 1859 but was then put in storage as no one could agree where it should go. By June 1861, £23 had been raised towards the construction of a suitable carriage for it and it was finally decided that it should go here.

The following article appeared in the Berwick Advertiser on 24th August 1861 

“At the usual battalion drill of the volunteers on Wednesday night, it was determined to remove the Crimean trophy gun from the place it has long been continued in to the quarters set apart for it on the ramparts. The volunteers accordingly were marched to the ballast quay where the gun was speedily unhoused, and, setting aside the idea of employing animal power, detachments of the artillery volunteers, under the command of Captain Thomas Allan, dragged the gun to the ramparts. The rifle volunteers, commanded by Captain Ramsey, formed a guard with fixed bayonets in the front and rear of the gun; while the volunteer band marched in front playing appropriate airs. The gun was safely placed in position at the left flank of the six gun battery where it is destined to remain a memento of the Crimean campaign and its result. The volunteers afterwards were drawn up in line inside the battery, where after presenting arms three cheers were given for the Queen, which was succeeded by the band playing the national anthem.”