The boom of a cannon echoed across Fort Sewall on the Fourth of July, marking not only a celebration of Marblehead’s rich history but also the return of a local artillery expert from retirement.
Terry Soule, 82, a longtime Marblehead resident and licensed cannon operator, stepped in to supervise the firing of a cannon at Fort Sewall.
The call to supervise the holiday firing came just two weeks before the Fourth of July, ending a nearly two-decade hiatus from active cannon operation for Soule. A local fire safety officer was on hand to verify Soule’s qualifications before the firing could proceed.
The event, organized by Glover’s Regiment, almost faced cancellation when organizers realized they lacked properly certified personnel.
“They didn’t have what is referred to as a cannon license. It’s really just a certificate of competency,” Soule explained, seated at a table set up in a yard for a Fourth of July cookout. His expertise proved crucial, as state regulations require licensed supervision for cannons with bores larger than one inch in diameter.
Soule’s involvement with artillery spans more than six decades, deeply intertwined with both military service and Marblehead’s history. He served one enlistment in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1965, completing three years of active duty followed by three years in the reserves.
During his service, Soule honed his firearms skills, qualifying as an expert with the M1 Garand rifle and as a sharpshooter with the M1 carbine. This military experience laid the foundation for his later expertise with historical artillery.
“I came home from service still too young to drink in Massachusetts,” Soule recalled, noting he was only 20 years old when he completed his active duty.
“And then had finished my six year commitment and I received my honorable discharge in 1965 at the end of my inactive service in 1965,” said Soule. That was the year that President Lyndon B. Johnson started shipping companies to Vietnam.”
Marblehead Artillery Company
Soule’s interest in historical artillery blossomed after his service. He began his involvement with the Marblehead Artillery Company reenactment group in the 1960s, separate from the well-known Glover’s Regiment.
His daughters, Kendra Barnett and Kristen Soule, shared memories of growing up in town around the artillery company.
“This was like our whole growing up,” Barnett reminisced, flipping through old photo albums showcasing the company’s activities over the years.
Soule’s experience extends beyond local reenactments. He has been involved in numerous historical events in town and throughout New England. He has fired cannons for USS Constitution demonstrations and special events on battleships.
“We fired for the Constitution twice in Boston and when she came into Marblehead,” Soule recalled, speaking to the historic vessel’s visit to Marblehead Harbor on July 20-21 in 1997.
