Leonard John Hudson was born in Prahran and moved to Castlemaine in his early years At the beginning of the war was refused entry to the services due to his "reserved occupation" as a motor mechanic working on farm machinery At night he worked as a machinist for Thompson's Foundry machining breech blocks for 25 pound field guns. (image) Eventually he was granted enlistment into the R.A.A.F. into 7 Airfield Construction Squadron as a Leading Aircraftsman 156990 and was sent to Milne Bay with the unit to build the air strip.As one of few diesel mechanics he was often required to assist the US troops with their maintenance problems at various sites in or near New Guinea. Rare surviving images of 7 ACS newsletter Hand coloured photograph of L. J. Hudson in RAAF tropical uniform 1944 Copies of the "Spruiker" Magazine illustrations from August 1945 published at Milne Bay by 7ACS (7th Airfield Construction Squadron) Photograph of 25lb. Field Gun at Thompsons Foundry Pages from Photo Album showing L. J. Hudson in uniform at Castlemaine (one with his wife R. J. Hudson ) and at Milne Bay7 acs, 7 a.c.s., milne bay, thompsons foundry, field gun, l. hudson, len hudson, castlemaine, 25 pound field gun, hudson, spruiker, 7th airfield construction squadron

Diorama inspired by image from State Library of Victoria image No H98 104 / 2102.Diorama mounted on black base. 1/35 scale model of 25 pounder field gun with 5 man crew maneuvering a gun into position around a tree with a pulley system. In black print on gold name plate attached to front of black base:: “25 Pounder Field Gun 14th Australian Field Regiment, Kokoda, September 1942”military history-army, arms-ordnance, handcrafts, kokoda

Manufactured in Australia from Late in the year 1940.Manufactured by GMH Australia25 Lb cannon painted in desert camouflage paint. Fitted with detachable steel turntable mounted on the underside of the tow bar.cannon, 25 pound, field gun

Dial sight used with QF 25 pdr field gun. This delicate device was mounted on a fitting beside the barrel of the gun and used to accurately aim the weapon when firing. This device has an eyepiece and has a circular, rotatable scale ring which is graduated in degrees.ww2, dial sight, sight, 25 pdr, qf 25 pdr, 25 pounder, field gun

Sight clinometer MK IV used in conjunction with the QF 25 PDR field gun. Complete with leather protective transit case, standard equipment issued with the 25 PDR artillery piece. Refer to 00111.1 and 00111.2ww2, sight, 25 pdr, qf 25 pdr, 25 pounder, field gun, sight clinometer mkiv

Field clinometer MK VI used in conjunction with the QF 25 PDR field gun. This device was mounted on a fitting at the breech end of the gun barrel and used to accurately indicate the elevation of the gun barrel. The device is calibrated in degrees and minutes and is adjustable enabling the weapon to be accurately aimed.ww2, 25 pdr, qf 25 pdr, 25 pounder, field gun, clinometer, field clinometer mkvi, field clinometer, clinometer mkvi

This photo shows the gun at the entrance to the Greensborough RSL (Main Street Greensborough). It is a 25 pounder gun-howitzer, the standard British field gun of WW2, introduced here from 1940. We used them in great numbers, right up to the 1960s, and even manufactured them here, hence why every RSL seems to have one. Digital copy of colour photograph.greensborough rsl

This photo shows the artillery piece at the entrance to the Greensborough RSL (Main Street Greensborough). It is a Howitzer 25 pounder gun. It was the standard British field gun of WW2, introduced here from 1940. Australia used them in great numbers, right up to the 1960s, and even manufactured them here, hence why every RSL seems to have one. Digital copy of colour photograph.greensborough rsl

In 1977, artist Annette Meikle undertook a commission to illustrate a book recording stories of places and people in the Bayside area. It was published in 1978 as Sandringham Sketchbook, with text by Elizabeth Waters. The sketches were intended to record remaining examples of Bayside’s early architecture and environment, as well as reflect newer architectural changes. Meikle went on to donate 22 of these sketches to Bayside City Council in 2003. This gun stood in the grounds of the Beaumaris RSL, located on the highest hill in Beaumaris – more than 300 metres above sea level. The ‘25-pounder’ was one of the best field guns of its day and was used by British and Commonwealth armies during the Second World War. The original ten-acre property, which was the former holiday home of wealthy Toorak resident Langford-Jack, was sold to the Legacy Club in 1942 and operated as a holiday home for Legacy children. Renamed Blamey House in honour of Field-Marshall Sir Thomas Blamey, it was purchased by the RSL in 1955. The Beaumaris RSL Club closed its doors on Balcombe Road in 2016 after the property was sold in 2013.Annette Meikle, Beaumaris RSL 1977, ink and watercolour, 33.8 x 23.5 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by the artist, 2003annette meikle, sandringham sketchbook, elizabeth waters, beaumaris rsl, 25-pounder, field gun, military weapon, langford-jack, blamey house, balcombe road, beaumaris

The Ordnance QF 18-pounder was the standard British field gun of the First World War and was used by both British and Commonwealth Forces. It was horse drawn until the army replaced horses with motor vehicles in the 1930s. The gun was still in use with the Australian Army in the early days of WW2 until replaced by more modern 25 pounder gun/howitzers. Rimmed brass shell with iron and steel projectile.18 PR II M.A.C. 255 F BA 19816 1916artillery

The Ordnance QF 25-pounder was the major British field gun and howitzer during the Second World War. Many Commonwealth countries used them during WW2 and Australia produced the guns at General Motors Holden. They were renowned for their rapid rate of fire and when firing at maximum range (12,253m -13,400yds) one gun could have up to 5 shells in the air at once. In North Africa during WW2, they were sometimes called upon to act as anti-tank guns. A shortened and lightened version of the gun was made in Australia and used in jungle operations.Steel conical projectile25 PR MK 1 L35 ME 11/54