Historical information


These three formal photos of LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger were taken at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo on the 30th of September 1969. LTCOL Bill Sprenger joined the Australian Army on the 10th of June 1940 and after rising through the ranks, his career culminated in his appointment as CO of the Army Survey Regiment from 1969 to 1970. Despite suffering debilitating poor health during his appointment, LTCOL Sprenger led the Regiment on the unit’s first Freedom of Entry Parade held in Bendigo on the 14th of June 1970. For more information on this occasion, refer to item 6020.8P. Unfortunately, LTCOL Bill Sprenger passed away on the 5th of December 1970 and was farewelled with a full military funeral. He is remembered as a model of good leadership. More information on LTCOL Sprenger’s tenure as CO of the unit is provided in pages 98 to 99, 102 and 134 of Valerie Lovejoy’s book 'Mapmakers of Fortuna – A history of the Army Survey Regiment’ ISBN: 0-646-42120-4.

Physical description

These three formal photos of LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger were taken at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo on the 30th of September 1969. The black and white photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. Photo .1) was scanned at 300 dpi and photos .2) & .3) were scanned at 600 dpi.
.1) to .3) - Photo, black & white, 1969, LTCOL Lionel ‘Bill’ Sprenger - CO of AHQ Survey Regiment.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Unit Photos 30 Sept 1969’, ‘1 Topo Svy Tp’, ‘ LT COL Sprenger’ . Note - Yellow tag is annotated with incorrect date (1970).