A team of dedicated volunteers at South Pembrokeshire’s Chapel Bay Fort and Museum at Angle have successfully restored a classic British Army 5.5 inch gun, which saw service in the Second World War.

The team - Peter Walker, of Pembroke Dock; 15-year-old Eirian Edwards, of Pembroke, and Jeff Adams, of Angle - have been working on the 5.5 inch medium gun for a year. The project involved totally stripping the gun, and then painstakingly restoring and repainting it.

It now takes its place among the museum’s magnificent collection of armament covering many centuries, including the biggest gun in Wales, a 10-inch 18-ton mark II rifled muzzle loader; and a 25-pounder gun howitzer, as well as an impressive collection of historic weaponry.

Chapel Bay’s medium gun, which weighs six tons, is one of hundreds which went into service with the Royal Artillery early in the Second World War.I t was the standard medium gun of the war and was originally equipped to fire a 100lb high explosive shell, giving a maximum range of 16,200 yards - over nine miles. But, with the introduction of the 80lb shell in 1943, its maximum range was increased to 18,100 yards - over 10 miles.

British Army units trialled the 5.5 inch gun in the UK in the summer of 1941. In the North Africa campaign a year later, the guns were used by British and Free French batteries at the Battle of El Alamein. Subsequently, it also equipped Canadian, Australian, South African, Polish and Indian regiments.

The 5.5 inch gun was retained in service after the Second World War and was used by the Royal Artillery on operations in Korea, South Arabia and Borneo.

Peter, Eirian and Jeff have now moved on to their next project - the restoration of a 3.7 inch heavy anti-aircraft gun, also from the Second World War.

The fort is always ready to welcome volunteers to help with the running of the museum and café. Anyone who would like to be involved in the project should contact 07437 568654 or email [email protected].

Chapel Bay Fort and Museum is nearing the end of a successful second season, with a significant increase in its visitor numbers as a result of the construction of a new access road and car park. These were completed by contractors G. D. Harries, thanks to the Coastal Communities Fund.

The fort will remain open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 am to 4 pm, until the end of October. Guided tours take in the museum of military technology, underground works and tunnels, gun emplacements and magazines. The last guided tour of the day starts at 2.45 pm.

Special displays tell the story of 500 years of ammunition; the First World War, bomb disposal, artillery, small arms, the telephone exchange and the Royal Artillery forge and workshop.

Refreshments are served at The Cookhouse café on the site, with free entry for visitors who do not wish to explore the fort.

This season the fort has welcomed visitors of all ages, as well as a number of groups, including members of the Territorial Army; Age Cymru Pembrokeshire, Cadw and the Autism Centre, Pembroke School.

Visitors can contact the fort and museum by phone on 07437 568654; email [email protected]; visit the website at www.chapelbayfort.com or write to Chapel Bay Fort and Museum, Angle, Pembrokeshire.

Chapel Bay Fort is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It was set up in 1995 with the long-term aim of opening the fort as an interpretation centre for the military history of Milford Haven and its environs