The 104mm field-gun known as ‘Long Cecil’ is test fired for the first time

The 104mm field-gun designed by American George Labram and manufactured in the De Beers workshop in Kimberley, known as 'Long Cecil' after Cecil John Rhodes, was test fired for the first time at Boer forces during the Siege of Kimberley. Rhodes, who had taken interest in the gun, was present along with eminent local figures and senior officers of the British garrison. He extended an invitation to Lt-Col Chamier, as the senior gunner, to fire the first round. However, the first round was fired by Mrs Pickering, wife of the Secretary of the De Beers Company, after Chamier had turned down Rhodes' invitation on the ground that, as a member of the Royal Regiment, he was permitted to fire only such guns as had been officially approved of by the War Office and 'Long Cecil' definitely did not fall within this category. The round landed and burst in the middle of a safe and quiet Boer laager at the Intermediate Pumping Station, causing considerable alarm and dismay to the Boers. 'Long Cecil' did more firing whilst in service than any other gun in Kimberley throughout the whole period of the siege, certainly not a bad performance for a home-made gun!