A history of the 2/4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, during WWII. The Author, R L Henry was formerly an Officer on the 2/4th Field Regiment.Book, hard cover with blue buckram. Title in gold letters on spine. Black & white photographic illustrations, 410 pages with cut edges.Handwritten in blue ink on title page: “R S Craig. To my best cobber from R L Henry”book, unit history, 2/4th

Framed Photograph"F" Section 3rd. Australian Division Signals, later to become the "4th" AUSTRALIAN FIELD REGIMENT SIGNAL SECTION. Torokina. Bougainville, South Pacific. 1945 (With Names)

Booknon-fiction

Glass fronted exhibit featuring Long Tan Firing Pin with description of its importance. Complete with Photograph of the Battle of Long Tan Cross and Memorial Service. No.4 Delta Gun, 106 Field Battery, 4th Field Regiment.long tan, firing pin, 106 field battery, 4th field regiment, no.4 delta gun

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of a tent under trees. There are sand bags near the tent. The photograph is slightly blurred.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, photograhp, camp site, tents

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white close up photograph of a soldier aiming his gun. In the background there is a soldier sitting on the ground.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, military weapons, photograph, curd, artillery

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of a soldier leaning against a tree.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, photograph

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of two soldiers looking into a tent. You can see some sand bags just inside the tent.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, tent, sand bags, photograph

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of a soldier climbing a treegnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, photograph, tree climbing

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, rifles, military weapons, photograph

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of three soldiers sitting on kit bags. Two soldiers are facing the camera and the third is behind them. All soldiers have their rifles beside them.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, rifles, military weapons, photograph

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of four soldiers with weapons and field packs marching. They are all wearing jungle greens. The first soldier is smoking a cigarette and the third soldier is wearing a slouch hat. The other soldiers are wearing giggle hats.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, australian soldiers, photograph

This item was donated by Gunner Leonard Geoffrey Curd (39042) who was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from April 1967 to March 1968.A black and white photograph of several soldiers in jungle greens holding their weapons in various positions on the paprade ground. They all look very relaxed.gnr leonard geoffrey curd, 39042, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, photograph, australian soldiers, parade ground

This item was donated by Gunner Peter Francis Stainthorpe (3789510 who was an Australian National Serviceman and was with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He served in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from May 1967 to March 1968.The Big Issue, 24 April - 9 May 2006. There is an article titled, Frankie's War which discusses Frank Hunt, a Vietnam Veteran, who is featured in the song, I Was Only 19.gnr peter francis stainthorpe, 3789510, australian national serviceman, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, pte francis john hunt, 39701, royal australian infantry corps, 6th battalion, the royal australian regiment, the big issue, i was only 19

2Lt Ian George Mathers, (2794496) served with the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery and was in Vietnam with 4th Field Regiment from December 1970 to March 1971 and 12th Field Regiment from March 1971 and June 1971 and was killed in action on June 7, 1971, during the Battle of Long Khahn in Long Khanh Province, Vietnam. He died instantly from a gunshot to the chest while serving as a Forward Observer for B Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Wooden cross painted White with "Mathers, Ian George 2794496". An Australian flag and a red knitted poppy are attachedcross, wooden cross, 2lt ian george mathers, 2794496, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, 12th field regiment, b company, 3rd battalion, the royal australian regiment, battle of long khahn, long khanh province, killed in action

With the value of hindsight, there is no question about the war bing a mistake. vietnam war, 1961-1975 - chemical warfare, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - veterans - diseases - australia, conscription, catastrophe, chemical warfare, vung tau, 4th field regiment, conscription - australia, sgt bob keates, 110 sig sqn, saigon, operation hades

Repatriation Ceremony and Memorial Service: Thursday 2 June 2016: RAAF Base, Richmond for the remains of thirty-three Australians, who were buried in military cemeteries in Malaysia and Singapore, have been returned to Australia.australia - soldiers - repatriation ceremonies, repatriation - australia, raaf base, richmond, australian war graves, pte norman george allen, 2784699, royal australian infantry corps, 7th battalion, 6th battalion the royal australian regiment, pte gary alex archer, 2788583, 9th battalion, lt robert graham birse, 215349, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, cpl robert walter bowtell, 213151, royal australian engineers, 3 field troop, sgt ronald thomas carroll, 14208, 3rd battalion, the royal australian regiment, gunner thomas william checkley, 311534, detachment, 131 divisional locating battery, pte christopher clark, 215214, 1st battalion, wo2 (temp) kevin george conway, 13097, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), pte ronald eric field, 214479, wo2 john garrigan, 310089, wo2 (temp) maxwell powell hanley, 43593, australian intelligence corp, cpl reginald hedley hillier, 42774, trooper tony holland, 3786634, royal australian armoured corps, 1st armoured personnel carrier squadron, pte neville wayne horne, 215217, 39510, australian army aviation corps, 161 (indep) recce flt, 2lt alan douglas jellie, cpl (temp) kenneth charles johnson, 215949, headquarters, australian force vietnam, wo2 (temp) ronald victor lees, 26182, cpl john gregory stinson pearce, 2784043, wo2 (temp) thomas dudley, 42352, pte thomas ross, l/cpl thomas ross, 212612, l/cpl arthur ruduss, 3410295, 1st australian task force, cpl (temp) francis john smith, 37003, pte mervyn arthur frederick wilson, 213780, killed in action, australian national serviceman

Plastic fawn coloured wood grain framed colour photo of six soldiers relaxing on ammo boxes and sand bags in gun pitA Field Battery FSB Ziggie May 1971 "Charles Gun and Visitors"a field battery, fsb ziggie, fire support base ziggie, sgt albert green, 2784181, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, 12th field regiment, gnr george william mulder, 2793773, australian national serviceman, gnr david francis gibson, 73157, gnr noel hugh smith, 5717703, gnr gordon augustus bright, 2793719, gnr bruce warren ping kee, 2794269

Plastic fawn woodgrained framed colour photo of Sgt. Al Green giving the order to fire artillery in support of 3RAR - Operation Biar Patch llA Field Battery FSB Ziggie - Mat 1971 Sgt Al Green Firing in support of 3RAR - Op Briar Patch lla field battery, fsb ziggie, 3 rar, op briar patch 11, sgt albert green, 2784181, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, 12th field regiment

Silver framed display board of A Field Battery RAA, South Vietnam 1971with map, photos and notes of Operation Overlord - contact 7th June, 1971. See media for more information.A Field Battery RAA, South Vietnam 1971a field artillery, operation overlord, raa, lance-bombardier peter (blue) martin maher, 55740, royal regiment of australian artillery, military medal, mm, killed in action, gnr bayne daniel (gus) kelly, 2795310, 12th field regiment, 5th platoon, 104th field battery, the royal australian regiment, b company, 2nd lt ian george mathers, 2794496, 4th field regiment, 42nd us artillery, 1st armoured regiment, a squadron, 3rd cavalry regiment, capt (temp) ian michael yerbury, 43129, 131 divisional locating battery

Black framed coloured photograph of Bayne (Gus) Kelly receiving US Commendation Medal - September 2011Only 40 years latea field battery, ua army commendation medal, royal regiment of australian artillery, 12th field regiment, the honourable mr. jeffrey bleich (us consulate to australia), maj (temp) ivan james cahill, col (retd) ivan james cahill, 335151, royal australian infantry corps, mention in dispatches, 2nd battalion, 3rd marine regiment, united states marine corp, 3rd battalion, the royal australian regiment, maj (temp) anthony paul williams, col (retd) anthony paul williams, 235209, 4th field regiment, gnr bayne daniel (gus) kelly, 2795310, gnr gregory william laird, 2793543, australian national serviceman, lt graham john kells, lt col (retd) graham john kells, 235390, military cross, platoon commander, b coy, 3 rar

In the newspaper clipping names several soldiers who were awarded various medals for their actions in Vietnam.Copies of the documentation for the Awarding of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sergeant Alexander Davidson Sutherland, R.A. Inf. which includes the Citation, a newspaper clipping from The Advertiser dated Wed., April 24, 1968, a newspaper clipping taken on Sgt Sutherland's wedding day and Recommendation or Honours or Awards.honours and awards, distinguished conduct medal, sgt alexander (jock) davidson sutherland, 311323, royal australian infantry corps, 7th battalion, the royal australian regiment, pte david john haynes, 1731794, australian national serviceman, 2nd battalion, military medal, brig stuart clarence graham, 253, australian staff corps, headquarters, 1st australian task force, companion of the distinguished service order, maj brian george florence, 34373, royal australian engineers, 1st field squadron, official duty (from jungle training centre), military cross, maj ewart john o'donnell, 235141, 5th battalion, capt william francis hindson, 37479, 1st battalion, 1st special air service sqnuadron, medal for gallantry, lt neville john clark, 279583, royal regiment of australian artillery, 7th field regiment, 1st field regiment, 4th field regiment, 2lt graham henry ross, 37277, wo2 alec henry morris, 12840, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), 8th battalion, wo2 kenneth alfred richards, 42924, cpl harold charles spradbrow, sgt harold charles spradbrow, 214035, sgt ronald peter kelly, 61652, royal australian army ordnance corps, 2nd composite ordnance depot, 2nd advance ordnance depot, george medal

A coloured photograph of inside the National Vietnam Veterans Museum showing the Centurion Tank (nicknamed the Widow Maker) and Howitzer 105mm. In white text reads National Vietnam Veterans Museum 2022. Each month features a soldier and the photographer who took the photograph.national vietnam veterans museum, calendar, gnr peter francis stainthorpe, 3789510, australian national serviceman, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, lance-bombardier ivan noel clyne, 3788362, photographer, sgt leslie "tassie" leslie henry lincoln, 6684, lt neville john clark, 279583, 7th field regiment, cmf, 1st field regt, military cross, oam, medal of the order of australia, tet offensive (1968), sgt shane michael oxenham, 15547, 105th field battery, sgt (temp) gordon cyril robinson, 15155, gnr richard roy holm, 2783539, 2lt graham lindsay capper, 43862, gnr robert "bob" john rutherford, 3789462, cpl alex (chuck) berry, 1200880, royal australian army medical corps, medic, capt david lloyd bradford, 2146837, raamc, order of australia, operation ballarat, fire support base giraffe, gnr richard emil barton, 2782960, gnr terrence henry evans, 3789155, gnr leonardus arnolous priems, 3789452, gnr tadeusz “ted” krzywokulski, 3788459, 9 squadron raaf, a coy, 7 rar, gnr bruce "banjo/rabbit" john patterson, 3788709, bombardier raymond leonard mccabbin, 18227

The Governor-General's Banner was presented to The Battaion of Officer Cadets Officer Training Unit, Scheyville by His Excellency the Governor-General of Australian Lord Casey KG, GCMG, CH, DSO, MC, PC on 8 October 1967In a timber frame with a brown matt these is a coloured photograph of the entrance to a military base. Also a coloured photograph of three soldiers in dark uniforms with white belts and two with red sash and the middle solder with a white sash. There is a red flag behind them. Also features two coloured photographs of banners and information of the Officer Training Unit and the Governor General's Banner (see media for more details). Also In Memory of the graduates of the Officer Training Unit who died on active in Vietnam from 962-1972.Presented to the National Vietnam Veterans Museum July 2018 by The OTU Assiciation.framed display, scheyville, officer training unit, governor general, killed in action, 2lt john fraser, 1731113, royal australian infantry corps, 3rd battalion, the royal australian regiment, 2lt alan douglas jellie, 39510, australian army aviation corps, 161 (indep) recce flt, 2lt terrance edward langlands, 2786939, 1 australian reinforcement unit, 1st battalion, 2lt ian george mathers, 2794496, royal regiment of australian artillery, 4th field regiment, 12th field regiment, 2lt david paterson, 4718855, 2lt kerry patrick rinkin, 217479, 5th battalion, 2lt gordon cameron sharp, 2781465, 6th battalion, commendation for gallantry, 2lt leonard alexander taylor, 3787987, lord casey

Robert James Lee VX65555 (bornRichmond, enlisted Royal Park)in the 2nd AIF on 3.11.41. According to his birth date he was aged 17 years. He was a "Gunner" in the 4th Field Regiment Artillery. Awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field. He was discharged from the 2nd AIF on 18.6.46. Refer also 728.2, 1814.3. Medal set, court mounted, set of (6)re R.J Lee MM. 1. Military Medal. 2. 1939-45 Star. 3. Pacific Star. 4. War Medal 1939-45. 5. Australian Service Medal 1939 - 45 6. Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with clasp "PNG"Military Medal has "VX65555 GNR RJ Lee AIF" Others have "VX65555 RJ Lee"numismatics-medals, military, metalcraft

Colour photograph of Lt General Brian Ashley "Ash" Power AO, CSC . Ash Power was born on the 20th of January 1957 in Wangaratta, Victoria. After completing his secondary education at Wangaratta High School, he entered the Royal Military College in 1975, graduating in 1978 into the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. His initial appointment was as a Section Commander in 4th Field Regiment. He further served in 4th Field Regiment as a Gun Position Officer, Assistant Adjutant, Adjutant, Operations Officer (BatteryCommander Headquarters Battery) and Commanding Officer.Ash has commanded the 1st Brigade, 1st Division and Training Command – Army. He has served on exchange at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, United Kingdom and has had other training appointments at the School of Artillery, and the Royal Military College Duntroon. He also served as the Defence Attaché in Thailand. On operations Ash deployed to Bougainville on Operation BELISI as Chief of Staff in 1998 and in 1999, after a short period as Chief of Staff Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, was deployed as the Colonel Operations for INTERFET in East Timor. From June 2004 to July 2005 he was appointed as Director, Combined Planning Group, US Central Command, Tampa. He deployed as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategic Partnering Headquarters International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan in 2010-11. Lieutenant General Power retired from the Army on 19 July 2014, his final posting being the Chief of Joint OperationsBrown timber frame containing photograph of uniformed Army Officer ash power, australian army

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee John Cooper (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1968). The article is a reprint of Legatee Kemsley oration at the funeral on 2 April 1980 at St Andrew's Anglican Church Brighton. The Bulletin published articles on Legatees when they passed away. Legatee John Cooper, born in 1919 and died in 1980. During his war service he served in 2/4th Field Regiment with 7th Division in PNG and Borneo, gaining the rank of Lieutenant. He joined Legacy in 1951 after being nominated by Legatee Dudley Gallagher. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee John Cooper a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Typed copy of a page from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee John Cooper - President 1968Bulletin No 2481. 8.4.1980. Page No 1 and 2past presidents, vale, john cooper

Program for a rally arranged by the City of St Kilda on 26 June 1940 at St Kilda Town Hall to recruit numbers and raise war savings. Includes a detachable application form for War Savings Certificates on the back page. One of the speakers at the rally was Gunner Harold Holt MHR, who later served as Prime Minister in 1966-67. Holt was elected to Parliament in 1935 at the age of 27. He enlisted in the Militia in February 1939, joining a part-time artillery unit for businessmen and professionals and, May 1940, without resigning his seat, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force with the intent of becoming a full-time soldier. He was posted to the 2/4th Field Regiment, holding the rank of gunner. Within three months his brief military career came to an end when three senior government ministers died in a plane crash, an election was called, and he was given leave from the Army to campaign. He was re-elected and then resigned from the Army in October 1940 upon being sworn in as Minister for Labour and National Service.Cream coloured paper, printed in blue on both sides, folded and perforated at the fold city of st kilda, world war ii, wwii fund-raising, harold holt, arnold colman

In the years following the Crimean War (1854-1857J) there was a great concern in the Colony that Imperial Russia would attempt an invasion. Coastal defences in the colony of Victoria were greatly strengthened by the Government as a result. Warrnambool was originally protected by cannons at Cannon Hill, approximately 1 kilometer west of the Flagstaff Hill Fortifications. These cannons included two 1866 guns, both 80 Pound Rifled Muzzle Loaders (RML) purchased by Victoria’s Colonial Government. They were part of a shipment of 26 such guns sent from England in December 1866. They are registered as No. 23 (80cwt-2qr-0lbs) - Gun 1, and No.13 (81cwt-1qr-12lbs) - Gun 2. They were cast at the Royal Gun Factory, Woolwich Arsenal, in 1866 and have a 6.3 inch bore. Both barrels carry the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria, Insignia of the Royal Engineers, within the Garter and Motto surmounted by the Crown, with the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria within the Garter (letters in centre “VR”, motto “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE”, "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it."). The guns were originally supplied with wooden carriages. (The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, England, was established eleven years after the Restoration of King Charles II. It was the principal supplier of armaments to the British and Empire Governments. At the height of its operations during World War One the factory covered 1300 acres and employed very nearly 80,000 workers. Woolwich was the Headquarters of the Royal Artillery since the raising of that Regiment in 1716. The Arsenal was closed in the late 1960’s.) These two cannons were transferred to the Warrnambool Garrison Artillery Battery Fortifications erected at Flagstaff Hill in 1887 as part of Victoria’s Coastal Defences. The original wooden carriages were subsequently replaced with the present iron garrison carriages in 1888. They are a “C” pivot. The ‘racers’ or curved track set into the floor of the gun emplacement (which enabled the guns to be traversed more quickly) are as specified for guns up to 10 inch, being of wrought iron 2.78 inches wide. A temporary third gun, now no longer on Flagstaff Hill’s site, was a 5 inch Rifled Breech Loading (BL) Armstrong gun mounted on an Elswick hydro pneumatic disappearing carriage It was faster to load and fire than the 80 pound RMLs and its arrival spelt the end of the older 80 pound guns’ useful life, apart from being used for practice sessions. The 5 inch BL gun was the main defensive weapon of the Warrnambool Battery until the Battery was downgraded in importance and the gun was recalled to Melbourne in 1910. The State of Victoria took over the ownership of the guns at the time of Australian Federation in 1901. In about 1901/1902 the Garrison Battery was converted to the Warrnambool Battery of the Australian Field Artillery (No 4 Field Battery). It was equipped with 4.7 inch naval guns mounted on field carriages. They were now a mobile unit but continued to use the Warrnambool Garrison area at Flagstaff Hill for practice. When the Fortifications were declared obsolete, the two 80 Pounder RML were relocated to Cannon Hill in 1910. On the outbreak of World War One the 4.7 inch guns were recalled to Melbourne, and the Battery was disbanded. Most of the personnel probably re-enlisted in the local 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. The two 80 Pounder RML were moved back to the Fortifications in 1973. They were both fully restored by Army First Year Apprentices at the Ordinance Factory in Bendigo in time for the centenary year of the fortifications in 1987. The guns are capable of firing 80 pound (32.3kg) armour piercing exploding shells 3.65kms out to sea. They were original manned by volunteers before a paid Garrison was established. Now the Guns are again fired by volunteers on Special Event days. Since restoration the Gun Number 1 had been fired on a regular basis but Gun Number 2 hadn’t been fired since the mid 1990’s. In April 2015 Gun Number 2 was serviced in preparation for the firing of both cannons on the ANZAC Centenary commemorations on April 25th 2015. Other guns from the original Cannon Hill location were obsolete by the time the 1887 Warrnambool Garrison Artillery Battery was built. These guns are (1) a 32 Pounder Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore (SB) cast in 1813 at the famous Carron Foundry, number 80837 and now located in the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens (2) a 68 Pounder Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore cast in 1861 at the equally august Low Moor Foundry, number 10310 and now located on the lawn area at the entrance to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Both of these guns are mounted on their original wooden garrison carriages. There are only seven 32 Pounder SB made by Carron and fifteen 68 Pounder SB made at Low Moor known to exist in the State of Victoria. Funding was received to repair Cannon No.2 and its iron carriage. After completion, both Cannon No 1 and No. 2 were 'fired' in a public re-enactment on April 4th, 2026. (Conservation Management Plan for Victorian Guns and Cannon, South Western Victoria, May 2008, ref W/F/05)The Warrnambool Garrison has been added to the Victorian Heritage Register H1250 “for its intact battery and guns, a strong reminder of Victoria’s wealth and determination to protect itself from the perceived threat of invasion in the 1880’s.” The City of Warrnambool is one of several custodians of a collection of artillery pieces of heritage significance at a state, national and international level. These pieces are directly related to the defence of south-west Victoria in the 19th century. The care and preservation come under the Heritage Act 1995. Cannon. 80 Pound Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) Gun on iron carriage and slide, installed in the Battery at Flagstaff Hill’s Fortifications. Made in 1866 at the Royal Gun Factory (R-G-F), Woolich, England. Gun Reg No 13. Flagstaff Hill Garrison Gun 2 (Gun No. 2). Insignia of the Royal Engineers, and the weight of the gun, stamped on top of the gun’s barrel. There is a brass plate on the side of the gun with the details of 1987 restoration.Stamped into the metal on top of the barrel, Insignia of the Royal Engineers; Garter and Motto “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE”, surmounted by the Crown, with the Royal Cypher of Queen Victoria “VR” within the Garter. Also stamped on top of the gun are 2 inward pointing arrows above the weight ”81-1-12”. Brass plate “RESTORATION / BY / FIRST YEAR / APPRENTICES / ORDANANCE FACTORY / BENDIGO 1987”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, colonial defences, victoria’s coastal defences, warrnambool fortification, warrnambool garrison battery, warrnambool volunteer corps, ordinance, armaments, cannon hill fortifications, 4th australian light horse regiment, no 4 field battery, 80 pound cannon rifled muzzle loaders (rml), victorian colonial government, royal gun factory england, woolwich arsenal, royal cypher of queen victoria, garrison gun

These images capture for all time Light Horsemen travelling through Geelong on their way to camp at Torquay for the last Group meeting in Australia . information following - details obtained from .........https://torquayhistory.com/light-horse-brigade/ On Australia Day, 1997, Sir John Young unveiled this plaque on Point Danger, Torquay. Torquay history, Light Horse Training Camp, WW2 Plaque at Pt. Danger Note----- (See images to view plaque) The plaque identifies a significant event in Torquay’s history and the sentiments of ‘change’ for the Light Horse Brigade – from horses to machines. In 1940 the four Light Horse Regiments (4th, 8th, 13th and 20th), some 5000 Light Horse and 2000 horses camped and trained at Torquay. Three other regiments, formerly mounted on horses, were also at Torquay ‘mounted’ on privately owned trucks and cars. Division troops included Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Field Ambulance and other branches of the Army necessary to enable a Division to function. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers of men coming to this little town that made the event significant, it was also the fact that the men of the Light Horse were dramatic, almost glamorous figures and it is easy to see their exploits as some splendid adventure. Horses have played a special role in the story of Australia. They were the only means of transport across this huge country, so it was necessary for everyone to have the ability to ride a horse. When war broke out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers of South Africa (“Boer” was Dutch for “farmer”) Australia sent troops to fight. At first Britain was wary of using untried, unprofessional colonial cavalrymen but soon saw that the slouch-hatted Australian “bushmen” were a match for the fast-moving and unconventional mounted commandos of the Boers. The Australians proved themselves to be expert rough-riding horsemen and good shots. Bush life had hardened them to go for long periods with little food and water. They also showed remarkable ability to find their way in a strange country and use its features for cover, in both attack and defence. By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Men were given remounts (if not using their own horses) – army horses bought by Commonwealth purchasing officers from graziers and breeders. These were called “walers” because they were a New South Wales stockhorse type – strong, great-hearted animals with the strains of the thoroughbred and semi-draught to give them speed, strength and stamina. On 1st November, 1914, Australia’s First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May without their horses. Back with their horses after Gallipoli, they were formidable combatants across the Sinai and Palestine. Some British commanders observed that the light horseman moved with a “lazy, slouching gait, like that of a sleepy tiger” but described how the promise of battle “changes that careless gait, into a live athletic swing that takes him over the ground much quicker than other troops”. They had Light Horse, Torquay, training campdeveloped a reputation as formidable infantrymen. The Turks called them “the White Ghurkas” – a reference to their deadly skill with the bayonet. The Arabs called them “The Kings of the Feathers”. The plume had originally been a battle honour of the Queensland Mounted Infantry for their work in the shearer’s strike of 1891. During WW1 it was adopted by almost all the Light Horse Regiments. It was the proud badge of the light horseman. The most famous of their battles was the attack on Beersheba- the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Mounted infantrymen and their superb walers had carried out one of the most successful cavalry charges in history – against what seemed impossible odds. They surprised the Turks by charging cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. The fall of Beersheba swung the battle tide against the Turks in Palestine; and changed the history of the Middle East. While 19 men from the Surf Coast Shire served with the 4th Light Horse over the course of WW1, only four were involved in the charge of Beersheba- John GAYLARD, Philip QUINN.(Winchelsea); Wallace FINDLAY (Anglesea); Harry TRIGG (Bambra). After the war, Light Horse units played a key role in the Australian Government’s compulsory military training programme. The Citizen Military Forces (C.M.F.) thrived on the glamour of the wartime Light Horse tradition, ignoring the possibility that motor vehicles would soon replace the horses. When training was no longer compulsory, the C.M.F. regiments declined and horses became more of a luxury during the 1930s depression years of poverty and unemployment. Some regiments were motorised. Then, in 1939, Australia joined Britain in another world war. Training was increased for the militia at both home bases and regional training camps. The camp at Torquay in 1940, commanded by Major General Rankin, was at Divisional strength. By the end of the camp some felt that the Division was ready for active service. Gradually, over the next four years, the Australian Light Horse units were mounted on wheels and tracks and the horses were retired. Six men enlisted at the Torquay camp and another 57 men and women enlisted at Torquay for service in WW2. Those who served in the Militia provided valuable Officers and NCOs and men for the armed services during the war. Each infantry division of the 2nd AIF had a Light Horse regiment attached to it. But the day of the Australian mounted soldier hadn’t quite passed. During World War II, Australia’s 6th Cavalry Regiment formed a mounted unit they called “The Kelly Gang” which did valuable scouting work. In New Guinea, a mounted Light Horse Troop did patrol duty and helped carry supplies. Some fully equipped walers were flown into Borneo for reconnaissance in rugged mountain country. But by the end of the war, in 1945, the horse had disappeared from the Australian Army. References: Australian Light Horse Association www.lighthorse.org.au National Australia Archives Australian War Memorial Surf Coast Shire WW1 memorials www.togethertheyserved.com The Light horse- a Cavalry under Canvas Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Late in 1939 it was decided to set up a Lighthorse training camp in Torquay to train both men and horses for the battles of the Second World War. Horses, men and equipment came on special trains from all over Victoria and NSW, and as you would expect horseman came from areas such as Omeo and Sale, the Wimmera and the Western District. They arrived at the Geelong racecourse for watering in the Barwon River and then were ridden across the ford at the breakwater and began their 11 mile trek to Torquay. Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Tent city By the end of January 1940 the camp at Torquay accommodated some 5000 men and 2500 horses of the Second Cavalry Division. The rows of horses, tents and huts near Blackgate Road were quite a sight. While the cavalrymen engaged in exercises on the land and on the beaches, many of the troops took over the Torquay School for special training of men and officers. Mr Bob Pettit local farmer and Councillor for the Barrabool Shire, wrote about the Light horse in the Surf Coast Community News in 1985 saying “They used to travel about the district riding four abreast in one long convoy. To my annoyance they went through my property and shut all the gates behind them. I had certain gates open to let stock in to the water holes and it would take me three -quarters of an hour to follow the horsemen up and put all the gates right again” he continued “the men from the Light Horse were here when the fire went through in March 1940. He recalled an incident when early one morning, as some one blew the bugle, a soldier putting a white sheet on the line frightened the horses. They panicked and ran off in all directions. Six went over the cliff near Bird Rock, five were never found, and the rest were gathered up after nearly a fortnight in the bush around Addiscott and Anglesea" Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2, Geelong Parade Geelong parade The training camp culminated in a parade through the streets of Geelong on March 12th 1940. The salute was given at the Town Hall and the troops continued on a route to the You Yang’s for a training exercise. Note-----(see media section for photograph) The Camp was abandoned in mid 1940 as it was deemed unsuitable for training during winter and the cost of a permanent camp could not be justified if it could not be used all year. Historic.......Rare,,,Interpretive.Sepia photographs.set of four ....post card size ....Horses &LighthorsemenNo 1, Lighthorsemen Regiment Geelong 1940......No 2 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940....No 3 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940.....No 4 Light Horse crossing Breakwater camped at Geelong Showgrounds. These markings are on reverse of photographs.light horsemengeelong 1940., world war 2