Lewis Gun was used in WW1. Lewis and Bren Gun were used in WW2.1. Lewis Gun. This is a pocket size notebook. Khaki colour, printing is in black ink. It shows the title and drawing of a Lewis Gun. Fourth Edition (enlarged). Inside are illustrations of Lewis Gun Parts. 2. Bren Gun. Pocket size notebook. Pocket book and illustrated guide. Second edition. Inside are written instructions and illustrations of Bren Gun parts.1. Written on top front is - “L.V. Brown”, “1/-“ 2. Written on top front is - “L.V. Brown”.lewis gun, bren gun, manuals

2nd infantry Brigade Competition A.A. Lewis Gun2nd inf Brigade Competition - A.A Lewis Gun won by 6th Batt.2nd inf Brigade Competition - A.A Lewis Gun won by 6th Batt.5/6 rvr, 5/6 rvr 2nd battalion

WWI letter regarding Lewis Guns of Cyclist Battalion at First ANZAC Corps School.Laminated letter. Typed on a typewriter."First ANZAC Corps / 8th March 1917 / 94/1/141 ... / O.C., First ANZAC Cyclist Battalion. / Commandant, First ANZAC Corps School .... / Lewis Guns of Cyclist Battalion at Corps School. / In reply to First ANZAC Cyclist Battalion memo. 653 of 7th march, the lewis guns belonging to that unit which are now at the corps school will be returned if a party, with the necessary transport, can be sent to the school at BOIS d'ESCARDON-NEUSE to collect them / Brigadier-General, / General Staff, / First ANZAC Corps"anzac corps, first anzac corps school, lewis guns, cyclist battalion

2ND INF BGDE 1928 LEWIS GUN.5 BATNSmall sized trophy - Both handles intact and shaped like upside down hocky sticks/ nike logos -2ND INF BGDE 1928 LEWIS GUN.5 BATN5/6 rvr, 5/6 2nd infantry brigade 1928, 1928 lewis gun

2nd INF Brigade Competition - Lewis Gun - Won by 5th BattSmall - Mid size trophy with upside down hockey stick/nike logo handles that are intact. Base of trophy has VSR Trust written. 2nd INF Brigade Competition Lewis Gun Won by 5th Batt5/6 rvr, 5/6 rvr pipes and drums, 2nd inf brigade competition, lewis gun, 5th batt

Hand book for machine gun used by Light Horse Regiments during the Great War. Unfortunately, the Lewis Gun was still in service in theAustralian Army at the outbreak of World War 2Soft covered book, detailing the parts and their function, correction of stoppages etc of the Lewis machine gunRobertson & Mullens Ltd Melbourne Price One Shillinghandbook, lewis machine gun

From front cover; "WITH NOTES ON THE .300 (AMERICAN) LEWIS GUN/ THE COMPLETE LEWIS GUNNER/ BY AN INSTRUCTOR". Part of the William (Bill) THOMASON Collection. Refer Cat. No. 4136P for more items.Soft cover book. Cover - beige colour cardboard, with black and red ink print on front and back. Illustrated front - sketch of a Lewis gun. 76 pages - cut, plain, white paper. Illustrated black and white photographs and technical diagrams. End paper - with black ink print information. Front end paper - "FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR" - handwritten information.Handwritten information - blue ink pen. "?? K. ARNELL".publications, books, instruction manual, lewis gun, william (bill) thomason collection

See InscriptionFramed B&W photo of 7 patrol cars with crews at Aleppo Railway Station, Syria. Two motor cycles are in shotAWM logo. Caption: WW1 1st Australian Light Car Patrol. Operated in the Middle East and Palestine. The seven cars (Model "T" Fords) comprised four fighting vehicles equipped with Lewis machine guns. Each had a tender vehicle to carry spares, water, fuel, ammunition etc. It was here at Aleppo Railway Station where the final battle took place to end the war. The unit was commanded by Cap't Ernest H James MC & Barww1 1st australian light car patrol, 7 ford model t vehicles fitted with lewis machine guns

A medium size brass badge. The letters are gothic style. Left and right sides have a laurel branch. The rear of the badge has 3 loops. A brass plate, semi circular in shape is held on the back of the badge with 3 clips which are all brass. The badge and back plate are mounted on a plain piece of celluloid.On the celluloid is a white label. "WW1 Aust Army Lewis Gunner".ww1, badge, lewis guns

1. & 2. 1944 British WWII khaki web Lewis Gun double drum pouches complete with sholder strap, designed to be worn in sets of four pouches with capacity of eight (8) drum magazines to suit a Lewis Gun.On shoulder strap - “AE0220 = AE 0220” On inside of flap. “A5 LT/ BHG LTD 1944^”passchendaele barracks trust, pbt251, equipment, lewis gun drum pouch

.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

This diorama is the introductory feature in the World War 1 Gallery - 1918 experience. The figure shows details of the Lewis gun and webbing including the documented but irregular positioning of the entrenching tool.The diorama text discusses the transition from manpower to firepower with the restructure of infantry battalions to incorporate more light machine guns and to give the platoon an all round versus specialist capability. The increase in firepower and the reduction to three from four battalions in an infantry regiment in part offset the decline in voluntary recruitment. The offensive capabilities of an infantry battalion was therefore generally maintained but with 700 men instead of 1100 when fully manned .1:1 scale diorama showing a Lewis gunner of 44th Battalion, 11th Brigade, 3rd Division, Australian Imperial Force in May 1918amiens, last 100 days, lewis gun, spring offensive

Hughy Pippin. Refer 1502 medals..1 Discharge certificate re Hugh Pippin 1895 LCpl 38th Batt AIF, VB No 43552, No 125852. Yellowish colour. .2 Paper re 2nd Anzac corps Lewis Gun School, re H Pippin 1895 passing 9th Course Lewis Gun, dated 20th Oct 17. Paper is yellowed, writing is in ink. .3 Leave pass re. H Pippin 1895. Leave dates 14/4/19-25/4/19. Yellowed paper. .4 Gift diary from Australian Comforts Fund 1919. Red fabric cover with silver circle with red star and letters "ACF". Rear has silver rising sun badge. Only 2 pages remaining..4 "This diary belongs to H Pippin, Euston, Regt No 1895, rank Cpl"documents-certificates, diaries, military history

"V E Giudice" as an NCO had instruction on various systems and items involved in training for battle. Part of the collection of Sgt V E Giudice, No. 53730. Cat No. 10031P. Overall part of the collection of William (Bill) Thomason. Cat No. 4136P.1. Green cover, 44 page booklet with sequence of instructions in the .303 Lewis Gun as taught at the Australian School of Musketry, Tidworth. Looks at how gun is used and maintained with tables on spares and drawings on structure. 2. Grey covered, 18 page booklet for notes on system and sequence of musketry training as taught at the Australian School of Musketry.Name: “V E Giudice”on front of book 1. Name: “V E Giudice” written on inside front of Book no. 2.collection of william (bill) thomason, v e giudice, manuals, lewis gun

A soft covered book titled 'Australia in the Great War. The Story told in Pictures.' A photo on the front cover shows a soldier in action with a Lewis gun. Edited by H.C. Smart. No. 8 concluding part. Contains 8 coverless booklets, pages.1 - 191. 6 pence net. Published by Messrs Cassell & Company Limited by arrangement with the Government of the Commonwealth.H.C. Smart (Ed.) Published by Messrs Cassell & Company Limited. Edited by H.C. Smart.history, australian, war, lydia chancellor, collection, world war i, war, australian history, history, the great war, books, war documents, war photos, photos, photography

Refer inscriptionsFramed B&W photo of two Model T Ford vehicles, with crews, of 1st Australian Light Car Patrol. Each vehicle is fitted with a Lewis Machine GunAustralian War Memorial watermark. Caption: WW1 1st Australian Light Car Patrol Carried out operations in the Middle East and Palestine. The original motorised recce squadron that operated far behind enemy lines in advance of the Light Horse. The unit made daring attacks on the enemy many times its own size.ww1 1st australian light car patrol c1918, model t ford vehicles with crew

Items from 17th Light Horse Regiment collection.Khaki canvas bag, cylindrical shape, khaki canvas strap with metal/brass buckle to bag, brass x 2 fasteners, black printed label on side of bag.Black printed label: "Carriers magazine Lewis 303 in. Gun Hampton & Sons Ltd 1918"containers - military, military history - army - equipment, passchendaele barracks trust

Slouch hat and Uniform jacket belonging to Edwin James JONES No 3511 AIF. Refer 1367.5 for his service history. The hat was manufactured in 1918 by Dalter Lucas & Sons Bury, UK. It appears to be of a similar style to those issued to Gurkha troops due to the thickness of the felt, the three rows of stitching around the brim and the use of a press stud to pin up the left hand side of the brim..1) Coat, Battle Dress, Kahki, includes 2 x “Australia” shoulder badges, 2 x “Rising Sun” epaulette badges, 2 x “yellow over purple” colour patches, 3 x “service chevrons”, 1 x “Empire Wounded stripe”, 1 x “Lewis Gun” cloth badge, all metal buttons intact as well as waist belt. .2) Hat, Slouch, kahki fur felt, cotton pugaree, leather head band, Rising sun badge, no chin strap..2) Pressed into the hat band appears to be; “Dalter Lucas & sons (1910) Ltd, BURY 1918”uniforms, military clothing, costume accessories - male

The Battle of Amiens, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy (French: 3ème Bataille de Picardie), was the opening phase of the Allied offensive which began on 8 August 1918, later known as the Hundred Days Offensive, that ultimately led to the end of the First World War.By the end of August 8—dubbed “the black day of the German army” by Ludendorff—the Allies had penetrated German lines around the Somme with a gap some 15 miles long. Of the 27, 000 German casualties on August 8, an unprecedented proportion—12,000—had surrendered to the enemy. Though the Allies at Amiens failed to continue their impressive success in the days following August 8, the damage had been done.Rectangular shaped black and white photograph.The battle of Amiens,France,8thAug.1918.Lt R Downes MC.addressing his Platoon from B Coy.29 BN.during a rest near the village of Warfusee before the advance on to Harbonnieres.Pte Charles Olive of Lara is 3rd,from the left carrying the Lewis Gun. He was killed in action three weeks later charging a German machine gun post. Earlier in the day, he had successfully taken two machine gun posts. Photo from Australian War Memorial, Canberra.ww1, battle of amiens, australian army, lara r.s.l. pte charles olive., awm accession no e2790

Photograph Augustus Elliott Pegler. He had 4 years pre WW1 service in local unit Mildura. Enlisted No 967 in C Coy 38th BN on 29.1.1916 age 20 years 7 months. Embark for England 20.6.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, appointed L/Cpl 3.3.1917, WIA 1st occasion 8.6.1917 GSW to Cheek, rejoin unit 5.8.1917, WIA 2nd occasion 17.10.1917 GSW to Abdomen severe, rejoin unit 28.3.1918, the Award of Mention in Despatches in December 1917, awarded The Military Medal 31.8.1918 during the attack on Inferno Trench leading his Lewis Gun Team, appointed Sgt 3.9.1918, embark for Australia 12.6.1919, discharged from the AIF 27.7.1919. (For reference - 38th Battalion in dog trench near Guillemont Farm during attack on Hindenburg Line, near Bony, Ref - Vol IV - CEW Bean - The AIF in France 1917 (Ref) Page 605 (58). Refer also Cat No 7502 Photograph - black and white portrait photograph of soldier in uniform, on paper. Mount - dark green cardboard. Frame - timber, mid brown stain colour, with glass front and cardboard backing.photograph, portrait, ww1, framed accessories

Frederick James Baxter (born Bendigo, enlisted Bendigo) enlisted in the AIF on 22.2.1916 age 23 years as a L/Cpl in B Coy 38th Bn No 708. Embarked for England on 20.6.1916, Hospital at sea with Influenza 7.7.1916 then Bronchitis 31.7.1916, returned to unit 2.8.1916, promoted Sgt 25.9.1916, embark for France 22.11.1916, promoted to CSM 13.1.1917, promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 17.5.1917, Hospital 23.8.1917 with Haemorrhoids, rejoin unit 8.9.1917, promoted to Lieutenant 13.9.1917, Hospital with Debility 28.11.1917, rejoin unit 5.12.1917, to England 31.12.1917 re Musketry and Lewis Gun school, rejoin unit 1.7.1918, during the Great offensive on the 10th/12th and 31st August 1918 he is awarded the Military Cross and Bar to the MC, within a few days he is hospitalised in England with Aneurism on 2.9.1918. Proceed to return to Australia 4.12.1918, disembark Melb 15.1.1919, appointment terminated in the AIF 22.2.1919. He passes away on 19.6.1921 age 28 years. Pre war he had 3 years in the 9th A.L.H. Set of three court mounted medals. 1. Military Cross with Bar, replica not engraved. 2. British War medal 1914 - 1918 original. 3. Victory Medal 1914 - 1919, replica not engraved.“LIEUT F.T.BAXTER A.I.F”medals, military, aif, baxter mc

James Henry SCOBERG No 664 (born Heathcote, enlisted Bendigo) in B Coy 38th Batt on 19.12.1916. Embarked 20.6.1916. Promoted L/ Cpl 6.6.1917. Hospitalised with influenza 14.9.1917. Sergeant 13.11.1917. Hospitalised with scabies 2.1.1918. WIA 1.5.1918 GSW to thigh then debilitated 28.6.1918. Attended Lewis Gun Course 20.8.1918. Discharged from the AIF 4.9.1919. George Brown FULLERTON No 548 (born Elmore, enlisted Bendigo) in B Coy 38th Batt on 17.2.1916. Embarked 20.6.1916, hospitalised at sea with influenza 24.7.1916 then measles. Promoted L/Cpl 23.11.1916 then Cpl 3.3.1917. Awarded the "DCM" at Messines 7.6.1917 and DOW's 12.6.1917 with GSW to the abdomen. John HOLMBERG No 568 (born Elmore, enlisted Bendigo) in B Coy 38th Batt on 17.2.1916. Embarked 20.6.1916, hospitalised at sea with influenza, hospitalised 4.12.1916 with diarrhea then mumps. Promoted Sergeant 6.1.1917, 2nd Lieut 31.1.1918, Lieut 14.5.1918. WIA 31.7.1918 GSW left shoulder severe. Discharged from the AIF 2.10.1919. Collection re Mrs May BurnsPhoto, sepia tone, 3 soldiers in uniform all standing re J H SCOBERG, G B FULLERTON DCM, J HOLMBERG.photography, group portraits, military history, souvenirs

George Frederick PIERCE No 2839 AIF. The photo shows him wearing the award of the “DCM” which has been superimposed on the photo. George enlisted on 29.6.1915 age 20 years in the 9th Reinforcements 6th Bn AIF, embarked for Eygpt 9.10.1915, embarked for France 2.4.1916, Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917, KIA Belgium 4.10.1917, no known grave. DCM award. For Conspicious Gallantry and Devotion to Duty. He took Command of his Lewis Gun Section in an attack and bombed an enemy Machine Gun post single handed and captured the Gun. He later carried ammunition to the front line through heavy barrages. He set a splendid example of devotion and courage. This photo has been cropped out of the original which had 3 soldiers in it. Refer Cat No 5459P This is the first item in a large collection that belonged to William (Bill) Thomason. Bill served in the RAN from 1947 - 1949. He was the Author of 3 books: "Marching On", Cat No 4821, "March to Ranau", Cat No 862 and "March to Waikato", Cat No 5289. Bill was a collector and ran a small Military Museum in View Street Bendigo for a time.Photo B & W, portrait of a soldier with studio background pasted onto a larger grey background with flowers, flags, kangaroo, emu and details under. On the cardboard, writing relates to the award of the “DCM”. The grey background has a darker surround and red stamp in the right hand corner.“No 2839 Pte G.F.PIERCE DCM (Infy)”photography, military, remembrance

Date of birth 27th April 1893 Born at Spring Hill – Kyneton Parents – Thomas and Mary Elizabeth nee Coates Lang. The family lived in High Street Melton 1896. He started his schooling at Melton State School in Nov 1897. Mr Lang was the Head Teacher from 1896 – 1917. Horace enlisted on the 29th March 1915 24th Battalion D Company and sailed on the Euripides on the 8th May to Egypt. They landed on Gallipoli in early September returning to Egypt at the end of the year. In April on 1916 Horace and his brother Thomas had an opportunity to meet for a few hours before he moved onto France. He received the military medal in 1916 “For conspicuous gallantry in constructing and holding an advanced bombing post near Flers on 18/19 November within close range of the enemy. The garrison had to remain motionless throughout the day but Corpl. Lang refused to be relieved until his company left the trenches, setting a most encouraging example of endurance.” In May 1917 the Battalion was near Arras – Bullecourt. On 3rd May he was last seen alive carrying a Lewis Gun, and wounded making his way to the casualty station according to witnesses reporting to the court of enquiry. The family, in Melton had a first heard that he had been wounded, or was a prisoner. My grandmother Jessie Barrie and the Lang family went to Port Melbourne as the troop ships arrived hoping they would find someone who might know of his fate. AWM records and Red Cross files reveal the extent of the efforts that family and friends made enquiring about his fate. In December 1917 he was declared Killed in Action on May 3rd at Bullecourt where he is commemorated. Horace Lang postcardRear: Dear Jessie & All, I am in the pink not doing to bad. Haven't had any letters from you for some time. Hope you haven't forgotte me. Don't be so long nest time. Letter later from your loving bro Horace. (PS) Photo is very crook. (Front: Yours Horace, France 28/2/17)local identities

Michael Turner born in 1934 is a British painter and illustrator specialising in motoring and aviation paintings. After leaving school he attended Art College followed by National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 2 years. On leaving National Service he worked with a London advertising studio before turning freelance in1957. The Bristol Blenheim depicted in the painting was a British light bomber used extensively for 2 years of the Second World War. It was powered by a pair of Bristol Mercury V111 air cooled radial engines capable of developing 860 bhp. armament was a combination of Vickers, Browning and Lewis machine guns in .303 ( 7.7mm ). A 1000lb (450kg ) could be carried in the internal bomb bay in the centre section of the fuselage. The 114 Squadron was a Squadron of the British Royal Air Force formed in India during the First World War. The Squadron was disbanded in 1971.Large wooden framed painting of an RAF WW2 bomber in flight.Below the painting is the wording " A 114 Squadron Blenheim 1V on a low level bombing run over the power station at Knapsack Cologne, in August 1941 - donated by Laurie Pillar".

Photographs collected by Earnest Albert Simmons W/2129 Royal Australian Navy. Enlisted 30 June 1941 and discharged 14 October 1946 with the rank of Leading Stoker. Posting at discharge was HMAS Lonsdale..1) Ship .2) Submarine conning tower .3) Ship .4) Hospital ship .5) Ship at anchor .6) Launch at ships side .7) Ships at anchor .8) Sunken ship .9) Ship .10) Group on launch .11) Ship firing a broadside .12) Wooden sailing vessel .13) Ship .14) Ship .15) Pilot station .16) Ship .17) Ship .18) Ship.s deck and biplane .19) Partially sunken ship .20) Two ships .21) Ship .22) Ship - damaged .23) Ship .24) Statue and colonade .25) Searchlights .26) Ships deck at sea .27) Aircraft .28) Ship .29) Ship .30) Troop ship .31) Swimmers at ships side .32) Ship .33) Ship .34) Ship deck at sea .35) Ship .36) Submarine .37) Ship .38) Ship .39) Ship .40) Two ships at sea .41) Ship .42) Aircraft carrier .43) Ships symbol .44) Sketch of Berbera .45) Sketch of biplanes .46) Boat at pier .47) Tug boat .48) Ship .49) Ship at wharf .50) Ships at wharf .51) Aircraft carrier .52) Ship .53) Ship at wharf .54) Ships at wharf .55) Ship .56) Two ships .57) Tug boat .58) Diagram comparing the size of two ships .59) Ship sailing past lighthouse .60) Postcard HMAS "Stuart". .1) Hobart and Glascow at Colombo .2) British submarine returning to Alexandria after claiming a victory - note Skull and X Bones .3) HMS Glascow at Colombo .4) Ex Italian hospital ship taken over by British. RAMB II .5) HMS Exeter .6) The landing party returning .7) Part fleet at Colombo .8) British ammunition ship sunk by sabotage in Alex Harbour .9) HMS Exeter .10) On the approach of the island. Note twin Lewis guns .11) HMS Ajax bombarding Bardia .12) A native boat used along coasts and Indian Ocean .13) RMS Georgie refoated at Pt? 1941 .14) HMS Carthage .15) Pilot station at Colombo .16) Aquitania .17) Ajax on patrol with Hobart and battle fleet .18) Hobart rolling in the Bight .19) HMS Gnat (river gun boat) hit by torpedo at Tobruk .20) - .21) Mauritania .22) Italian cruiser sunk by HMAS Sydney .23) Greek destroyer .24) Memorial of Mohomed Pasha Alexandria. Presented by Musso .25) Searchlight at Alexandria .26) Hobart pile driving in heavy weather .27) Lockheed Hudson dive bombing .28) - .29) HMS Galatea? x 1 turret at stern .30) Troops on Aquitania .31) Boys swimming in the middle lakes at Ismalia in the centre of Sues Canal .32) A water NG ? .33) - .34) Hobart striking heavy weather .35) HMS Jupiter .36) British submarine entering Alex .37) Queen Mary .38) Queen Elizabeth .39) Nieuw Amsterdam .40) - .41) Achilles .42) HMS Aircraft carrier - Illustrious .43) Symbol of Hobart's Pom-Pom .44) - .45) - .46) - .47) - .48) Mohoja and Oronties .49) Mohoja .50) - .51) - .52) HMAS Murchison 1954 .53) Strathmore .54) - .55) - .56 - .57 - .58) HMAS Vendetta .59) HMAS Cowra .60) - photographs, ran, hmas

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