Lee Palfrey collection, refer also Cat No 10263. 1. & 2. Two Ammunition Magazines, modern, plastic for Steyr Rifle. The main body is semi transparent. The bottom 2/3rd's is chequered for non slip grip. The base has a thicker plastic slide with 2 buttons in it. At the rear edge is a wedge projection. At the top is the opening for cartridges. Inside at the top is a plastic base with an offset to hold cartridges. Inside the magazine can be seen a wire zig zag spring.Moulded into both sides can be seen the numbers 10-20-30. Also in small print "SAF G12.00.05.000IR".weapons, ammunition magazine, steyr

Two ammunition 30 rounds magazines for an Armalite rifle. Made of metal and constructed with a slight curved shape. The magazines are spring loaded to force the rounds into the rifle breech. Both 1. & 2. are exactly the same qualities.passchendaele barracks trust, rifle, magazine, armalite

Small army green pocket ammunition magazine pouch for 30 Cal ammunition, has sewn on attachment for fitting onto a web belt, the pouch has a press stud closure device.Inside: “POCKET AMMUNITION MAGAZINE 30 CAL. 8485-254-2771” Outside: “US”passchendaele barracks trust, ammunition pouch

This item was donated by Maj (Temp) Peter Raymond Young, (240217) who served with the Australian Intelligence Corps. He served with the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam from June 1962 to July 1963, Official Duty (from Army Headquarters, Canberra) August 1965, Australian Service Attache Staff, Saigon from November 1965 to May 1966 and June 1966 to December 1967.ammunition pouch Heavy khaki ammunition and magazine holder with a metal insert in front with black metal fastener. 2 Khaki webbing loops on either side 2 metal clips on back. Webbing loop with dog tag fastener on end. Has canvas top which can be fastened to front metal fastener. maj (temp) peter raymond young, 240217, australian intelligence corp, australian army training team vietnam (aattv), official duty, army headquarters, australian service attaché staff, saigon, army equipment, ammunition pouch, magazine pouch

Khaki felt overshoes for use in ammunition magazine. Single plastic button

Designed to be used by soldiers working the powder magazine. They prevent any sparks thus no accidental ignition of powder or cordite.Khaki Felt shoes with one plastic button for use in Ammunition Magazine.

.1) & .2) 7.62 ammunition magazines for SLR RIfle. Metal, black, spring loaded. Both magazines identical.weapon, ammunition, slr

Full uniform in Desert camouflage. Has bandolier containing torch, spare ammunition magazines, water flask. Full backpack is included. Name Couch on right breast pocket. Small Australia insignia on right shoulder.

.1) Khaki canvas carrier for a Lewis 303 in. gun ammunition magazine, canvas belt & metal loops. .2) x 2 Khaki canvas straps with metal buckles.“Carriers magazine Lewis 303 in. gun 1918 Goordy”military history - ammunition carrier, military equipment, passchendaele barracks trust

1. Four pouch magazine and ammunition carrier, each compartment has its own closure flap and closure point. There are 3 magazine compartments and one compartment for 9 mm ammunition. 2. Slightly curved metal ammunition magazine, this magazine has been damaged and made inoperable.4051 - 66 - 021 - 1997 CGCF ^ 1986 (Both markings are open to interpretation).passchendaele barracks trust, holder, magazine, f1 sub machine gun

Collection of "James Knopp", Reg no. 1515.Leather ammunition belt for small arms ammunition holding 41 rounds, the belt has two additional small utility ouches, one for spare ammunition magazine, the other for maintenance tools. The belt has a waist adjustable buckle.passchendaele barracks trust, pbt 12, ammunition belt, small arms, james knopp

617.001 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Particular Of Stores. 617.002 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Main Entrance & Administrative Offices. 617.003 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 1 Store & No 2 Store. 617.004 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 3 Store & Textiles Stores No 7, 8, 9 & 10. 617.005 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Furniture Store & No 3 Store. 617.006 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong 25 Pdr Shell Steel Bar Plates & Ball Bearings. 617.007 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Electric Cable & Tin Plate & Terne Plate. 617.008 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Treating Tin Plate Stock & Brass Rod. 617.009 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Non-Ferrous Rod & Coper Tubing. 617.010 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 2 Store Tool Steel Section. 617.011 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 2 Store Tool Steel Section. 617.012 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 2 Store Steel Section & No 3 Store Machine Tool Section. 617.013 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 3 Store Machine Tool Section. 617.014 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 3 Store Machine Tool Section. 617.015 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Box Stores. 617.016 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Box Stores. 617.017 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Box Stores. 617.018 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Domestic Maintenace Store. 617.019 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Domestic Maintenence Store. 617.020 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Textile Store. 617.021 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Textile Store & Protective Clothing. 617.022 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Cream Serge Cartridge Bags For Naval Guns. 617.023 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Particular Of Stores. 617.024 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Stores. 617.025 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Entrance & Guard Room At Gate. 617.026 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Rail Siding With Crane & Weightbridge Near Entrance. 617.027 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Brass Cartridge Storage Area & Smoke Floats. 617.028 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Ammunition Boxes & Shell Storage Area. 617.029 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Aircraft Bomb Parachutes & Small Arms Ammunition. 617.030 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Stoarge Area & Boxes. 617.031 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Storage Unit Piling. 617.032 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Paper Stores & Stores For Empty Storage Boxes. 617.033 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Paper Stores & Stores For Empty Storage Boxes & Copper Stacking Compound. 617.034 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Railway Siding & Railway Platform. 617.035 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Store. 617.036 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Particulars Of Buildings. 617.037 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Main Entrance & Guard House & Aerial View Of Magazines. 617.038 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Loading Shed & Battery Train. 617.039 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Magazine Loading & Train Returning From Distant Magazines. 617.040 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Electric Locomotive Battery Charging Plant. 617.041 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Ravenhall Explosive Siding. 617.042 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Ravenhall Entrance & Explosive Rail Siding & Mess Hutt. 617.043 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Ravenhall Railway Siding At Deer Park. 617.044 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Explosive Area. 617.045 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Main Office & Foreman's Cottage. 617.046 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Peace Officer's Quarters & Explosive Area Loading Shed. 617.047 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Repacking House & 50 Ton Magazine. 617.048 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Main Storage & Fire Fighting Static Pool. 617.049 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Fire Pump Trailer. 617.050 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Fire Spotting Tower. 617.051 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Longlea Fire Breaks & Explosive Area Fire Fighting Equipment. 617.052 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Footscray Magazines. 617.053 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Footscray Explosive Magazines & Ammunition Factory Entrance (Jacks Magazine). 617.054 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Footscray Explosive Store & Magazine Access Tunnels Through Mound. 617.055 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Footscray Mounded Magazine. 617.056 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites. 617.057 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Olympic Park Chemical Drums & Victoria Street Melbourne Radio & Signal Store. 617.058 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Victoria Street Melbourne Unit Piling & Electrical Equipment. 617.059 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Victoria Street Melbourne Radio & Signals Packing & Testing. 617.060 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Victoria Street Melbourne Dispatched Section & Radio & Union Street North Melbourne Signal Store. 617.061 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Errol Street North Melbourne Unit Piling & Electrical Equipment. 617.062 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Errol Street North Melbourne Checking & Packing Store. 617.063 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Casino Dance Hall Brunswick Valves Storage Store. 617.064 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Casino Dance Hall Brunswick Valves Storage Store & Haymarket Parkville Copper Storage. 617.065 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Deer Park Toluol Tanks & Acetone Tanks. 617.066 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Deer Park Acetone Drum Stock Shelters & Albion Drum Stocks. 617.067 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Lonsdale Street Melbourne Food Service Store & Repairing Frigidaire. 617.068 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Lonsdale Street Melbourne Unit Pile & Stocks For Food Service Store. 617.069 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Lonsdale Street Melbourne Food Service Store. 617.070 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Albion Barblock Wire Coils & Crockery. 617.071 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Bendigo & Ballarat Chemical Stock Stores. 617.072 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Ballarat Skating Link Kexachlorethane Storage & Ballarat Motor Garage Di-Nitro-Toluol Storage. 617.073 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Rae Hill School Bendigo Amorphous Phosphorus Storage & Williamstown Racecourse Grandstand. 617.074 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Williamstown Racecourse Rear Of Grandstand Chemical Stocks & Racecourse Stables Chemcial Storage. 617.075 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Williamstown Racecourse Tote Chemical Storage & White Phosphorus Storage Area. 617.076 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Hire Stores Sites Williamstown Racecourse Scratching Board Chemical Stoage Area. 617.077 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot. 617.078 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Entrance, Guard Room & Control Room & Petrol & Oil Filling Station. 617.079 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Offices & Repair Shops & Light Vehicle Repair Shop. 617.080 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Semi-Trailers Loaded For Shipment & Semi-Trailers Loaded With Tallow. 617.081 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Parking Area & Stick-Up Area For Load Vehicles. 617.082 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Section Of Fleet & Special Explosive Trucks. 617.083 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Braybrook Transport Depot Section Of Fleet & Buses. 617.084 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Melbourne Western Market Transport Section & Maribyrnong Passenger Car Pool. 617.085 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Melbourne Western Market City Parcel Delivery Service & Horse Vehicles. 617.086 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Horse Vehicles & Maribyrnong Horse Vehicles Leaving Stables. 617.087 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Horse Off To Work & Types Of Horses. 617.088 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Foal & Off To Grass For Weekend. 617.089 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Blacksmith & Horseshoeing. 617.090 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Shrinking Tyre & Carpenter's Work Shop. 617.091 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing. 617.092 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Iton Stillage, Iton Elevating Truck & Hand Truck & Gravity Rollers. 617.093 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Fordson Tractor & Lister Tow Motor & Trailers. 617.094 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Mechical Drum Loader. 617.095 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Electric Stacker. 617.096 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Tottenham 5 Ton Mobile Crane. 617.097 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing 3 Ton Crane. 617.098 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Fowler Iton Tractor Crane & 2 Ton Gibson Battle Crane. 617.099 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing 3 Ton Ransome Rapier Crane. 617.100 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Coles 3 Ton Mobile Crane. 617.101 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Fowler Iton Crane & 2 Ton Gibson Batle Crane. 617.102 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Material Handing Coles 3 Ton Mobile Crane. 617.103 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Lawton 3000 Lbs Hydraulic Fork Truck. 617.104 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Special Explosive Truck. 617.105 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Road Transport Of Explosive. 617.106 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing 80 Ton Transport Bogie. 617.107 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Material Handing Special Explosive Truck. 617.108 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Horse Vehicles & Maribyrnong Horse Vehicles Leaving Stables. 617.109 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Horse Vehicles. 617.110 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Semi-Trailers Loaded With Tallow For Shipment. 617.111 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Williamstown Racecourse White Phosphorus Storage Area. 617.112 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Albion Barblock Wire Coils. 617.113 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Rae Hill School Bendigo Amorphous Phosphorus Storage. 617.114 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Albion Drum Stocks. 617.115 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Deer Park Acetone Tanks. 617.116 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Footscray Explosive Store (Jacks Magazine). 617.117 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Derrimut Aerial View Of Magazines. 617.118 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Railway Siding. 617.119 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Weightbridge Near Entrance. 617.120 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Rail Siding With Crane. 617.121 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Tottenham Entrance. 617.122 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong No 2 Store Steel Section. 617.123 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Treating Tin Plate Stock. 617.124 - A.D.I. Stores & Transport WW2 - Maribyrnong Treating Tin Plate Stock.world war 1939 - 1945

WWII Japanese anti aircraft shells removed from magazines beside a gun at Balikpapan a port city on the island of Borneo, in Indonesia by RUSSELL A EBDON VX123702Two Anti aircraft shells, brass cases, black metal projectile with copper collar.arms - ammunition, military history, passchendaele barracks trust

These pouches were issued in Vietnam to hold SLR Magazines as the smaller green standard issue basic pouches were not large enough. Items issued to Peter Ball 3796117, refer Cat No 4704Basic pouches, khaki webbing for ammunition. Fitted with brass keepers for webbing belt, harness & securing the fold open flap. .1) & .2) Identical..1) & .2) Peter BALLmilitary, basic webbing

Three examples of the ammunition charge clips used during World War 1 by the Australian and allied forces. These were preloaded with five live rounds of ammunition for the SMLE .303" rifle and were a convenient method of quickly replenishing the 10 round magazine. The clip is made of stamped spring steel with a matte black paint finish. These clips were preloaded with live ammunition and carried in the soldiers ammunition pouches. Whilst in the field the clips were salvaged and reloaded with fresh rounds when the opportunity was available, ie during a lull in battle, etc.Some markings present: two examples are stamped with "E" and "ll", the other is stamped with "K" and "ll".

Germanammunition, ww2, army

Viet Congammunition, vietnam, army

Utility Pouch was a rectangular web case that was designed to carry three Bren 30 round magazines, or two Anti-tank Rifle Magazines, or Small Arms Ammunition, or a number of Grenades, or a Water Bottle. They were secured with a flap at the top, hinged at the rear, which was fastened with a brass stud fastener on a short web tab.The object is representative of utility pouch/pouch for carrying magazine/ammunition and other items of equipment from the mid to late 20th century. The original design is the 1937 pattern web equipment.Utility Pouch of rectangular web case. Of rectangular parallelepipped shape made of thick and sturdy fabric (canvas). The colour is of a pale shade of green. Front view - Rectangular shape with overlapping closing flap with a press-stud fastener to maintain closed. Left and right views - Both sides are identical. Made of a one piece of fabric forming the base as well ("U" shape) Back view - Rectangular with metal hooks on the middle part for attachment to a belt. There is a Twigg buckle on the top part of the pouch mounted on another piece of canvass ending in a triangular shape. . Bottom view - ‘the fabric forming the base is also forming the sides of the pouch. Top view - closing flap overlapping on 3 sides and forming part of the back of the pouch. Inside view - There is excess fabric from the back panel that forms an additional layer at the base of the pouch.. Handwritten on the back: 3/750133. DELVE S.J.E. On the inside of the closing flap: presence of very faded markings (unreadable)

Jack's Magazine located in Magazine Way, Maribyrnong was constructed between 1876 to 1878 by contractor George Cornwell, under the Victorian Public Works Department and architect William Wardell. At this time, it was the largest magazine complex ever built in Victoria. The purposes of the magazines were for safe storage of imported gunpowder for the colony of Victoria. Maribyrnong was originally part of the former Shire of Braybrook and later the City of Sunshine. However, in 1994, Victoria underwent council amalgamations, which resulted in Braybrook being incorporated into the City of Maribyrnong. The suburb of Maribyrnong continues to attract considerable attention from the residents of City of Brimbank, particularly its historical features, the old buildings and distinctive streetscapes that characterise the area.Jack’s Magazine is one of Victoria’s most important surviving explosives storage complexes, built in 1878 and used for more than a century to store gunpowder and later munitions for the nearby ammunition factories. Today it stands as a remarkably intact industrial heritage site on the Maribyrnong River.5603.01 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 01.JPG 5603.02 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 02.JPG 5603.03 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 03.JPG 5603.04 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 04.JPG 5603.05 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 05.JPG 5603.06 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 06.JPG 5603.07 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 07.JPG 5603.08 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 08.JPGjacks magazine, magazine way, maribyrnong, maribyrnong river, salt water river

ammunition factory, gordon street, maribyrnong, industry

This SLR Magazine pouch is a standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam (1962-1973).Small, rectangular, khaki-coloured canvas pouch with hook and loop attachments for carrying on webbing or belt. Has a top flap that closes with tab and metal clasp.slr, magazine pouch, pouch, ammunition, uniform, bag

Self propelled gun with blade to dig its own bund. Crew of seven. At rest, one soldier is with a map, one soldier is looking at a magazine, while another soldier is unpacking ammunition.Word PACHELBEL? appears on the gun barrelpachelbel, m-107, self propelled artillery, diorama

Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to Zoo B42" Not published. Description: A group of men and one woman all dressed in hats and overcoats stand by a wire fence while watching an emu. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: On 25 June 1934, new Victorian Governor, His Excellency Lord Huntingfield and his wife Lady Huntingfield made an official visit to the Melbourne Zoological Gardens in order to grant his patronage to the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society. During the visit, zoo director Mr. Andrew Wilkie introduced them to some of the zoo’s inhabitants, including an emu. After the First World War, many returned soldiers took up the Government’s offer of land in the Soldier Settlement Scheme. Most of the veterans had little or no farming experience and much of the land offered was of poor quality, with blocks often too small to be viable. Many of the settlers had ongoing physical and mental injuries from the war. The Western Australian government allocated land to 5000 former soldiers but by 1929, one quarter of the men had already abandoned their land, unable to make a living. Not only was the world economy struggling with the Great Depression, but the settlers also had to contend with plummeting wheat and wool prices, crippling drought and rabbit infestation. The Scullin Government (Oct 1929-Jan 1932) had promised subsidies to the Western Australian farmers if they increased their wheat crops but were unable to pass the legislation in the Senate. The new Lyons Government (Jan 1932-April 1939) abandoned the legislation and the subsidies were never paid, bringing calls from Western Australia of secession from Australia. In October 1932, a deputation of soldier settlers from the Campion wheatbelt region in Western Australia, petitioned Commonwealth Minister for Defence, Western Australian Senator Sir George Pearce, for assistance. A mob of 20,000 emus were migrating to the coast after breeding and were gathering along the eastern side of the Number 1 Rabbit Proof Fence, attracted to the ripening crops and the dams the farmers had built. They were heading towards Campion, 303 kilometres east of Perth, eating and trampling the wheat, destroying the fences and letting the rabbits in. Having witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of machine guns in killing people in war, the former soldiers thought the guns would be ideal for killing emus. Sir George, wanting to demonstrate that his government was sympathetic to the settlers and hoping to quell Western Australian succession talk, agreed. However, he stipulated that no expense would be incurred by the Commonwealth Government and only active military personnel could use the machine guns. The farmers had to pay for the ammunition, food and accommodation for the military for the length of the operation. The cost for the ammunition was £50 for 10,000 rounds. Sir George also felt the operation would provide excellent target practice for the soldiers! The operation was headed by Major Gwynydd Purves Wynn-Aubrey Meredith, 1887-1975, of the Seventh Heavy Battery of the Royal Australian Artillery, and assisted by Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. O'Halloran. They were equipped with two American-designed Lewis light machine guns and 10,000 rounds. Each magazine held 47 rounds of ammunition and the gun was capable of firing 500 to 600 rounds per minute with effective firing range of 800 metres. A cinematographer from British Movietone News accompanied the soldiers in order to record what was expected to be not only an easy victory but also useful propaganda for both the military and the Lyons Government. Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae, meaning New Holland Racer) is a species of long-necked flightless bird endemic to Australia. The Tasmanian and the dwarf King and Kangaroo Island subspecies were hunted to extinction after the European settlement of Australia. It is the second largest bird in the world after the ostrich, standing up to 1.9 metres tall and weighing up to 50 kilograms. The Emu has long, powerful legs with three forward facing toes and is the only bird with calf muscles. It is able to jump 2.1 metres into the air and run 50 kilometres per hour. It communicates by drumming and booming through an inflatable neck sac which can be heard up to two kilometres away. Along with its tough hide and a body more feathers than flesh, the emu can be a tricky target. Emus had been a protected native species until 1922, when the government changed their status to “vermin” in response to the emus breaking down fences and destroying crops. Major Meredith told the press that Colonel Oswald V. Hoad of the 1st Cavalry Division NSW had especially requested he send 100 emu skins to replenish the plumage on his Light Horsemen’s hat tops. On the first day of the Emu War, 2 November 1932, Major Meredith spotted a mob of emus out of range of the guns, so he asked the farmers to use their vehicles to drive the emus towards the fence and the guns. The panicked birds split into small groups, kicking up the dust and scattering every which way. Only six were killed, though some were wounded. After that, the emus became very wary of humans. On 4 November, Major Meredith staged a dawn ambush at a dam. As 1000 emus approached to drink, the soldiers opened fire, killing 12 emus. After reloading, the gun jammed and the emus dispersed in all directions, and were not sighted again that day. The West Australian newspaper reported on 4 November 1932 that, “The emus have proved that they are not so stupid as they are usually considered to be. Each mob has its leader, always an enormous black-plumed bird standing fully six-feet high, who keeps watch while his fellows busy themselves with the wheat. At the first suspicious sign, he gives the signal, and dozens of heads stretch up out of the crop. A few birds will take fright, starting a headlong stampede for the scrub, the leader always remaining until his followers have reached safety.” In a later attempt, they mounted a gun onto the bed of a truck in order to chase and mow down the birds. However the truck couldn’t drive fast enough over the rough terrain and it was too bumpy to fire the gun accurately. The birds easily outran the truck except for one hapless emu who faltered while being chased and fell under the truck, its body wedging in the steering gear, causing the driver to crash the truck, and bringing down half a chain of the rabbit proof fence. RSPCA inspector Mr. Arthur Austin arrived with a rifle and knife in order to finish the work of the Lewis guns and dispatch injured emus. He said that while his society was sympathetic to the stricken settlers, he was anxious that wounded birds should not be left to suffer. Major Meredith told the inspector, “What speed can you run? You have to be better than Peter Pan if you want to catch wounded emus that make for the scrub.” (Racehorse “Peter Pan” had won the 1932 Melbourne Cup a few weeks earlier.) The commentator of the British Movietime newsreel uses a jocular tone to optimistically proclaim, “The scouts [emus] of the advancing army have keen eyesight, and in order to get close to the main body, our lads have to do some real stalking, with the enemy watching events through their periscopes raised up over the heads of corn... Instead of the birds ruining the farmers, tables are turned, there will be no more damage down here for many a day to come once the enemy is eliminated.” Emus proved tougher adversaries than expected, barely breaking stride even when badly injured from machine gun bullets, and the suspicious emus soon learnt to stay out of range of the men and their guns. Meanwhile, in the eastern states concern was being expressed about the cruelty of machine-gunning the native birds. Senator James Guthrie UAP of Victoria suggested that there must be “more humane, if less spectacular methods” of coping with the pests. People wrote letters to the newspapers to express their dismay at the inhumane methods used. R.F. Bellchambers from Humbug Scrub, 25 November 1932, lamented that, “At the present rate of extinctions, it will shortly be necessary to go to the Museum to see the remains of our fauna.” The Murchison Times published a letter on 16 November 1932 from “Clay Pan Joe”: “War on Emus. Slaughter of innocent birds would be more appropriate... The birds may be a nuisance and it may be necessary to destroy them, but why cause so much suffering amongst these innocent birds.” E.S. Playford of Norton’s Summit wrote to The Advertiser, 22 November 1932, that “...habitation on the earth would be impossible without bird life. Therefore, it is unwise to say that any bird is useless. Is sentiment dying? Are we so keen on personal gain that our lovely and unique birds have to be ruthlessly slaughtered in thousands and their bodies left rotting in the sun?” In Sydney, picture palace patrons expressed “considerable concern” after viewing the Movietone News newsreel of emus fleeing from the barrage of machine-guns, and wounded emus in the fields in Campion. The press had a field day, dubbing it the “The Emu War” and joking that the “Chicago method” was being used against the feathered foe. The Daily News newspaper published a cartoon depicting the emus outrunning and outsmarting the soldiers. In Parliament NSW Senator James Dunn called Sir George the “Minister for the Emu War”. Labor member Mr. Rosevear, midst great laughter, asked if the minister would consider declaring an armistice and withdrawing his troops from the Western Front. Prime Minister Joe Lyons was asked if medals would be struck for those taking part in the war. Labor parliamentarian Mr. A.E. Green declared any medals should go to the emus who had “won every round so far”. With the embarrassing press coverage and poor results, Sir George ordered a stop to the project on 9 November, and Major Meredith and the soldiers departed for Perth. The WA Premier Sir James Mitchell and the Campion farmers demanded they return, citing the continued destruction of crops and fences by the emus. Major Meredith and his two gunners were allowed to return on 13 November and seemingly having learnt from their previous experiences, had slightly more success this time killing emus. The operation finally finished on 10 December with Major Meredith reporting “definite kills” of 986 emus for 9860 rounds of ammunition, coincidentally and conveniently exactly 10% of the number of rounds used. A further 2500 birds were said to have died from their injuries and although this is a disputed figure, even if accurate, the ratio of rounds expended to emu casualties was thought too high to justify continuing. The operation barely caused a dint in the marauding mob of 20,000 emus. “There’s only one way to kill an emu”, one of the party bitterly remarked: “Shoot him through the back of the head when his mouth is closed or through the front of his mouth when his mouth is open. That’s how hard it is.” Australian ornithologist Dominic L. Serventy noted that “The machine-gunners’ dreams of point blank fire into serried masses of Emus were soon dissipated. The Emu command had evidently ordered guerrilla tactics, and its unwieldy army soon split up into innumerable small units that made use of the military equipment uneconomic. A crestfallen field force therefore withdrew from the combat area after about a month.” Major Meredith expressed the greatest of respect for the enemy. He said, “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds, it would face any army in the world. They could face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. They are like Zulus, whom even dum dum bullets would not stop." The Major’s official report stated that there were no human casualties in “The Emu War.” Emus are considered the victors of “The Great Emu War.” Western Australian farmers requested military assistance in 1934, 1943 and 1948, including using bombs, but the government refused. The bounty system instigated in 1923 continued, with farmers using rifles against their fleet-footed foe, with 57,034 bounties for dead emus claimed in six months in 1934 in Western Australia alone. 284,704 emus were killed in Western Australia between 1945 and 1960. The other most effective defence against the emus was the construction of a robust, vermin proof fence spanning over a long distance. Emus were formally protected in 1999 by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. It’s estimated there are between 625,000 to 725,000 wild emus in Australia in 2024. An emu and a kangaroo feature on Australia’s coat of arms, holding up a shield illustrated with symbols of the six states. The animals symbolise the nation moving forward as neither animal can walk backwards. Campion is now a ghost town. A book about the operation, “Letters from the Emu War” by J.A. Bryden was published in 2023 by Playtime Books. In 2024, an Australian film called “The Emu War” was released, starring Damian Callinan and Luke McGregor. Andrew Arthur Wellesley Wilkie, 1853-1948, was Director of the Melbourne Zoo from 1923 to 1936 and was associated with the zoo for 70 years. He first worked as a horticultural assistant to Government botanist Baron Ferdinand von Mueller at the Botanical Gardens at the age of 13, along with his older brother David. One of Andrew’s jobs was to capture moths for the National Herbarium. In 1857, a group of prominent Melburnians assembled at St. Patrick’s Hall to form the Zoological Society of Victoria, with the aim of introducing animals and plants from overseas. It was conceived, “For the purposes of science and for that of affording the public the advantages of studying the habits of the animal creation in properly arranged zoological gardens.” The Victorian Government granted 32 acres (13 hectares) of land to the Zoological Society at the southern end of Richmond Paddock on the opposite bank to the Botanical Gardens. (This is where AAMI Stadium and Collingwood Football Club now stand.) In 1861, the Zoological Society of Victoria was renamed The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria. Unfortunately the Yarra River frontage was damp, swampy and subject to flooding, so the animals were briefly housed at the Botanical Gardens until in 1862, the City of Melbourne donated 55 acres (22 hectares) of land at Royal Park for the fledgling zoo. Baron von Mueller secured employment at Royal Park for Andrew and David and they helped to lay out the gardens, plant trees and take care of a collection of deer, pheasants, hares and partridges. Initially the zoo was used for the acclimatisation of animals recovering from the long voyage to Australia and for breeding them for sport. In 1872, the zoo bought two lions, a leopard and a cheetah that had been seized from circus showmen Keith and Phillips when they were unable to pay the bill of butcher Mr T K Bennet of Bourke Street. The first zoo director, Mr. Albert Le Souef, negotiated with captains of ships to buy animals at overseas ports they visited and soon a multitude of exotic species arrived, including a ten-year-old Indian elephant in 1878. In 1923, after being head keeper for some years, Andrew was appointed director of the zoo. By 1933, the zoo had 110 different species of animals, 200 species of birds and 72 species of reptiles under Andrew’s care. He had personally planted all but six trees and laid out the garden beds. As director he lobbied authorities for funds to build more humane enclosures for the animals. In June 1928, Table Talk magazine wrote of Andrew Wilkie: “Up at the Zoo there is a humble gentleman who is a lion among the lions, who knows the proper specific to employ when the boa constrictor has chilblains, and who is a friend and confidant of Queenie the elephant. His fount of zoological lore has never been plumbed. It is bottomless, like his good fellowship and geniality. Every day he may be seen somewhere in the grounds of that growing sanctuary for the strange and arresting fauna and creeping things of the world, and I assure you as one who is privy to his passion that that area and its inhabitants are rarely out of his thoughts.” Andrew retired from the zoo in 1936 at the age of 83 and in 1948 died at his home in Brunswick aged 94. He and his wife Josephine had six children. The Victorian Acclimatisation Society was founded in 1861 by Edward Wilson, 1813-1878, then owner and editor of The Argus newspaper. He said that Australian indigenous animals were practically useless, providing only “a little sport and an occasional meal”. The Society believed that Australia’s plants and animals were vastly inferior to those in Europe. They wanted to introduce and acclimatise to Victoria “all innoxious animals, birds, fishes, insects and vegetables, whether useful or ornamental” for sport and for the table, and to spread indigenous animals and plants from the colony around the world. Their motto was “if it lives, we want it”. The Society was primarily responsible for introducing sparrows, starlings, sambar and hog deer, ostriches, brown trout, blackberries, and carp to the Murray River. They released the European songbirds, thrush and blackbird to quell the homesickness of British settlers. The Society also sent Australian animals like platypus, echidnas, kangaroos and koalas to Europe for scientific and novelty purposes. Thomas Austin, a wealthy sheep farmer of Barwon Park, Winchelsea (property now owned by the National Trust) was a member and in 1859 he introduced hares, blackbirds, thrushes and partridges onto his property. He is probably best known for introducing 24 breeding rabbits onto his estate as game for shooting parties. Thomas quipped, “The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting." In 2022, genomic data confirmed that Australia’s feral rabbit population is entirely descended from these rabbits. Biological control has brought the rabbit population down from an estimated high of 10 billion rabbits in the 1920s to approximately 200 million today, inhabiting 70% of Australian landmass (5.3 million square kilometres). In 1872, the Acclimatisation Society was renamed The Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and they focused on importing exotic animals for display purposes to the zoo. In 1937, the Royal Acclimatisation Society of Victoria was recreated as the Zoological Board of Victoria with a focus on research of native animals threatened with extinction. In an editorial for The Argus newspaper, 16 March 1856, Edward Wilson lamented: "...this country has been shamelessly stolen from the blacks. Had they been like the New Zealanders or the North American Indians, we should have bought their land, and supplied them with the means of living when we took it... In less than twenty years we have nearly swept them off the face of the earth. We have shot them down like dogs. In the guise of friendship we have issued corrosion sublimate in their damper, and consigned whole tribes to the agonies of an excruciating death. We have made them drunkards, and infected them with disease which has rotted the bones of their adults, and made such few children as are born amongst them a sorrow and a torture from the very instant of their birth. We have made them outcasts on their own land, and are rapidly consigning them to entire annihilation. There are but a few of them left, comparatively. This is what we would do for that few. We would feed and clothe every one of them.” [Note: this last sentence is italicized in the original newspaper article text]. Lord Huntingfield, (William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck) 1883-1969, Governor of Victoria 1934-1939, was a British Conservative Party politician and the first ever Australian-born Governor of an Australian state (although he was always considered British). He was patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and was acting Governor-General for six months during the absence of Lord Gowie in 1938. Lady Huntingfield (née Margaret Eleanor Crosby) 1884-1943, his American-born wife showed great interest in social welfare and the advancement of women and children. She was president of the City Newsboys Society and Patroness of the Girls Friendly Society. In 1937, rose breeder Alister Clark named a yellow hybrid tea rose for her. In 1940, the City of Melbourne opened the Lady Huntingfield Free Kindergarten in North Melbourne, now the Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre. Lady Huntingfield died in London in 1943 after her house was bombed during a German airstrike. The Lady Huntingfield Memorial Scholarship was established after the City of Melbourne raised £1000 in a public appeal conducted in her memory for students undertaking a Social Work degree at the University of Melbourne. It is awarded annually to this day. The Queen Victoria Hospital named a bed in her honour. References: VICE-ROYALTY GREETS THE KING OF BEASTS AT THE ZOO. (1934, June 26). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204818472 Prominent Personalities ANDREW WILKIE (1928, June 7). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146562949 'Edward Wilson (journalist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(journalist) 'Thomas Austin (pastoralist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_(pastoralist) 'The Acclimatisation Society was driven by misguided ideals about 'fixing nature' in Australia', ABC News, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/acclimatisation-society-introduced-species-history-listen/101588262?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web THE ABORIGINES. (1856, March 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4833244 WAR ON EMUS. (1932, November 4). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved September 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32588972 'The Great Emu War: how it started and who won', ABC Australia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1wA0PKeJqc Advertising (1932, November 25). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32584578 Emu Chasers Must Outstrip Peter Pan (1932, November 9). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 5. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237042749 WAR ON EMUS (1932, November 22). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73997254 WAR ON EMUS. (1932, October 28). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 6. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237046601 EMU WAR (1932, December 3). Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), p. 7. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75626301 Machine Gun Offensive Against Emus. (1932, November 10). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 3 (PICTORIAL SECTION). Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37766670 A THOUSAND BIRDS IN LUCK. (1932, November 10). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 28. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37766849 New Strategy In A War On The Emu (1953, July 5). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 13. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18516559 This is a nice emu-that was! (1932, November 5). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), p. 9 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82878309 LOCAL AND GENERAL (1932, November 16). The Murchison Times (Cue, WA : 1924 - 1937), p. 2. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257500260 Taking Him for a Ride! (1932, October 13). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), p. 6 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83717338 'The Emu War', History Nuggets, https://historynuggets.squarespace.com/nuggets/2018/4/21/the-emu-war New Strategy In A War On The Emu (1953, July 5). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 13. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18516559 'This is the story of how Australia went to war with emus and lost', First Dog on the Moon, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/26/this-is-the-story-of-how-australia-went-to-war-with-emus-and-lost Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to Zoo B42"emu wars, governors, melbourne zoo, city of melbourne, 1930-1939, hunting, lord huntingfield, lady huntingfield, royal park, animals, wildlife

The sinking of the Australian hospital ship Centaur off Queensland during World War Two by an enemy submarine, had a profound effect politically , and a deep emotional impact on the Australian people. Of the [332] aboard only [65] survived. The Centaur's role has long been clouded by controversy. A survivor of the sinking, Thomas Hobden, about the facts of the incident and his personal experience. Thomas believes that rumours circulating of the Centaur being misused under the 1908 Geneva Conventions and transporting troops and ammunition, before the ship's embarkation from Sydney had been received by the Japanese.A large photocopy of a magazine article with a small black and white photo in the top left corner, of a woman and an older man holding an object, and two columns of text'CENTAUR TALE.' [blue ink, reverse side, lower left side]wwii, world war two, ww2, australian nurses, queensland, hobart, australian army, ray hutchinson, james coulson, ww1 veteran, pacific ocean, ellen savage, george medal, red cross, seaman's union, minister for the army, allies, australian government, christopher s milligan, able seaman, commonwealth heath department, rembrandt, cat and fiddle arcade, uss mugford