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Laurie Gillespie Army 1942-1945
Three unidentified Sappers (Engineers) operating a 90cm Sperry Search light. Initially controlled by Royal Australian engineers, Searchlight Batteries transitioned to Command and Control under the Royal Australian Artillery, and were progressively taken over by Volunteer Defence Corps and AWAS personnel.
Three unidentified members of the 73rd Anti Aircraft Searchlight Battery, operating a radar controlled, 90 cm searchlight projector at their base at Scheyville, NSW. The unit was based at Scheyville between September and November 1942 when it relocated to Brisbane, Qld, on 8 November and then on to Townsville, Qld. On 29 December 1942 the unit embarked for New Guinea aboard the MV Duntroon, where they remained until returning to Australia on 13 July 1944. AWM POS147.001
Elford Henning, Navy 1944-1946
Bill Holland, Navy 1941-1946
Reg Laught Airforce 1942-1945
Charles Griffin Army 1940-1942, Peter Griffin Navy 1942-1946, Colin Griffin, RAAF 1942-1945
Charles Griffen Army 1940-1945, Peter Griffen Navy 1942-1946, Colin Griffen RAAF 1942-1945
Rex Jones 1945-1946
A.J. 'Possum' Kipling RAAF 1942-1944
Fred Hannam Airforce 1939 - 1945 (correct dates 1940-1947)
Charlie Odgers Navy 1943-1946
A.J. 'Possum' Kipling RAAF 1942-1944
Fred Hannam Airforce 1939 - 1945 (correct dates 1940-1947)
Ken Grant Airforce 1940-1946
Ken Grant Airforce 1940-1946
Kevin Fisher RAAF 1943-1946
John Dorsett RAAF 1940-1945
Clinton Collins RAAF 1941-1948 Clinton also served in the Militia, dates yet to be determined.
The 54th Siege Artillery Battery in action. Note that light rail is laid right to the gun position to facilitate the movement of the massive shells fired by these guns. Note the guns are wheeled so they can be relocated far easier than was the case with the 9.2 inch Howitzers of the 55th Battery. Note the box trails of these howitzers, The cutout section allows the gun to be fully elevated and accommodate the full recoil of the barrel on firing. These images were taken by renowned photographers Frank Hurley and George (later Sir Hubert) Wilkins. See the video link in the sidebar.

The 54th Siege Artillery Battery in action. Note that light rail is laid right to the gun position to facilitate the movement of the massive shells fired by these guns. Note the guns are wheeled so they can be relocated far easier than was the case with the 9.2 inch Howitzers of the 55th Battery.
A 9.2 inch Howitzer of the 36th Siege Artillery Group. The 9.2s were later designated as the 55th Siege Artillery Battery. These were the biggest heaviest guns ever operated by the Royal Australian Artillery. They fired a 130kg shell 9km. The gun weighed over five tons and were clearly not mobile. The gunners are wearing gas masks in anticipation of a gas attack. These images were taken by renowned photographers Frank Hurley and George (later Sir Hubert) Wilkins. See the video link in the sidebar.

A 9.2 inch Howitzer of the 36th Siege Artillery Group. The 9.2s were later designated as the 55th Siege Artillery Battery. These were the biggest heaviest guns ever operated by the Royal Australian Artillery. They fired a 130kg shell 9km. The gun weighed over five tons and were clearly not mobile. The gunners are wearing gas masks in anticipation of a gas attack.
An 8 inch MkVI Howitzer of the 1st Australian Siege Battery (aka 54th Siege Battery) at full recoil after firing one of its 90kg/200lb shells, up to a maximum range of 12,300yds / 11.2km. Note that the cut-out in its 'box trail' accommodates the full length recoil. The box or sometimes a split trail, allows maximum elevation and full recoil of the breech / barrel assembly on firing and is a defining feature of howitzers. These images were taken by renowned photographers Frank Hurley and George (later Sir Hubert) Wilkins. See the video link in the sidebar.

An 8 inch howitzer of the 1st Australian Siege Battery (aka 54th Siege Battery) at full recoil after firing one of its 60 pound shells. One of a series of images taken by Frank Hurley Official War Photographer
A pre-war photograph of Walter Schwarz and his mother. He appears to be in the uniform of a cadet unit. The date is indicative only other than it being prior to the outbreak of war.
Another Frank Hurley / George Wilkins image of the crew of a 9.2 inch Howitzer of the 55th Siege Battery, at night in gas masks. The gun's barrel is lowered to facilitate loading the heavy shell into the their gun. The soldier in the foreground is holding a long rod mop with which the chamber and bore are swabbed between rounds to eliminate any burning residue. These guns were more like a naval gun in that they dod not use a cartridge case - rather a 'bag charge' comprising calico bags of cordite, ignited by a 'vent tube' ( similar to a blank rifle cartridge) triggered by a lanyard device. Hence a very moderate rate of fire, compared to a 'Quick Firing (QF) cartridge case system.

Another Frank Hurley image of the crew of a 9.2 inch Howitzer of the 55th Siege Battery, at night in gas masks loading their gun. The soldier in the foreground is holding a long rod mop with which the chamber and bore are swabbed between rounds to eliminate any burning residue
The 54th Siege Battery in action in support of the Third Ypres campaign in September 1917. The guns are 8 inch howitzers, the shells for which have been shipped in by light rail right to the gun position. Note the box trail and the cutout into which the breech recoils allowing maximum elevation. These images were taken by renowned photographers Frank Hurley and George (later Sir Hubert) Wilkins. See the video link in the sidebar.

The 54th Siege Battery in action in support of the Third Ypres campaign in September 1917. The guns are 8 inch howitzers, the shells for which have been shipped in by light rail right to the gun position. This is one of a series of photographs taken by Official War Photographer Frank Hurley.
Members of the VDC being instructed on the use of a 'light' machinegun. The weapon is a WW1 vintage German MG 08/15, brought back to Australia as a 'war trophy'. This one was loaned by the Australian War Memorial, but hundreds had been hanging in RSL Halls all over the country. Ammunition? Now that's another matter entirely.
859 Private (later Sergeant) Henry George Buswell MM, 11 Battalion AIF
BLACKBURN, VIC. 1944-01-16. MEMBERS OF THE 3RD BATTALION, VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS, WHO WERE THE "ENEMY" DURING THE UNIT BATTLE MANOEUVRES, SIGHTING THEIR RIFLES OVER THE TRENCH PARAPET. THEY ARE: V364157 LANCE CORPORAL J. A. EDMONDSON (1); V364173 PRIVATE A. G. PARLBY (2); V364162 CORPORAL J. W. HAWDON (3); V364153 PRIVATE J. E. CLARK (4). These men rather than being equipped with obsolete weapons, are using the latest Mark of the ubiquitous .303- these are No. 4 Short Magazine Lee Enfields (SMLE) probably made in Canada or by Savage Arms in the USA, and among relatively few imported into Australia during the War. Most were paradoxically issued to the VDC and AWAS. The Australian Army stuck with the No. 3 manufactured at Lithgow. Most No. 4s ended up in the hands of target shooters after the War. They had an enviable reputation for accuracy.
A March Past by Members of the SA Volunteer Defence Corps on Anzac Day, 1942 at the Torrens Parade Ground in Central Adelaide. The Parade Ground had long been a rallying point for military contingents in SA and remains a hub of proceedings on Anzac Day to the present time.
V357389 Corporal Tom Goodall, unidentified, V356444 Corporal Joseph Aloysius Gill, V357842 Sergeant Alfred Thomson, 5th Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps, Queenscliff, Victoria.
"FORT PEARCE, PORT PHILLIP HEADS, VIC, 1944-04. 6 INCH GUN CREW FROM "C" COMPANY 5TH BATTALION VOLUNTEER DEFENCE CORPS (VDC) PREPARES FOR ACTION AT TRAINING CAMP EASTER 1944. LEFT TO RIGHT: J. RILEY, J. PHELAN, -, T. ELLIOT, E. DAMMERT, C. SUTTON, -, -. "
VDC Soldiers taking part in a range practice at Dean Range near Port Adelaide. They are equipped with a variety of rifles, all of .303 calibre but some, like the one on the left, are Lee Metfords, dating from the Boer War. They have completed firing and are about to pour boiling water down the barrels of their rifles obtained from the 'choofer' in order to wash out corrosive salts from the ammunition priorto cleaning and oiling their rifles for storage.
VDC soldiers at the Dean Rifle Range near Port Adelaide, using a mixture of Boer War era Lee Metford and more modern Lee Enfield .303 rifles at a range practice in October 1943
Part of a large collection of photographs held by the State Library of SA relating to the activities of the Volunteer Defence Corps in SA during WW2. This image shows soldiers training on a WW1 vintage German MG08.15 one of many brought back to Australia as war trophies and often held in RSL halls. Ammunition would have been a challenge as it was not a standard Commonwealth supply item!
Enlistment Photo
Studio portrait of 15433 Sapper Ralph Reynolds ROSE taken in England c. August 1916, the photographer is unknown. From the collection of the late Patricia Roberts (nee ROSE), eldest daughter of Ralph ROSE.
Informal portrait of the Victor Harbor detachment of the 4th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps that manned the Bluff Watch Station during the Second World War; this detachment was known as CWP No 3 – CWP denoting Coastal Watch Patrol. The photograph was taken on 14 February 1943, the photographer is unknown; Ralph ROSE is standing, far right.
Studio portrait of 15433 Sapper Ralph Reynolds ROSE taken in England c. August 1916, the photographer is unknown. From the collection of the late Patricia Roberts (nee ROSE), eldest daughter of Ralph ROSE.
Studio portrait of Studio portrait of 15433 Sapper Ralph Reynolds ROSE also taken in England c. August 1916, the photographer is unknown. From the Patricia Roberts (nee ROSE) family collection.
Grave of Ralph Reynolds Rose who is buried in the Victor Harbor Public Cemetery. This photograph was taken by Victor Harbor RSL History Research Team member Ian MILNES on 3 January 2009.
The XXth F.C.E. Australian Rules Football Team that won the Final for Challenge Cup in July 1917. This photograph was taken in France, the photographer is unknown. Ralph’s brother Harold is in the back row, fourth from left, whilst Ralph (team captain) is sitting fourth from left holding the football. From the Patricia Roberts (nee ROSE) family collection.
This photograph was taken whilst he was still undergoing initial pilot training. Trainees were required to wear the cap with a white band until their air training had been fully completed.
Studio portrait of the graduation class at No 1 EFTS, June 1942, Course 25, “C” Flight. The photographer was Frank Boase Studio, Hutt Street, Adelaide. From the collection of the late Jack FRISBY. Back row, from left (the ranks shown are those at time of demobilisation or death): 410403 Cpl Noel Anthony Wilckens; 28698 Cpl Murray Frederick Cleveland; 417178 FO Alan William Morphett Gunson (died 21 September 1943, flying battle over the Atlantic Ocean); 417063 Flt Lt Julius Edward Elkan; 417260 WO Kenneth Walter Garratt. Second row (from back), from left: 410309 Flt Sgt John Malcolm Craig (died 4 June 1944, flying battle over Italy); 420373 WO Forbes Mackay Bill; 410199 LAC Kenneth George Bell; 420815 WO Harold David Houghton; 416970 LAC Arthur Victor Krieg; 410312 FO Douglas Anderson Cumming (died 29 May 1944, flying battle over Italy); Third row (from back), from left: 410325 FO James Frank Doery (died 15 February 1944, accidental in Italy); 410170 FO Francis John Harris; 410142 LAC Russell Benjamin Box; 410411 Flt Sgt Hedley Fletcher; 19907 Flt Sgt Jack Archer Hazeldene (died 7 October 1943, accidental in England); 28655 WO Walker William Kelly; 410141 WO Frank Noel Birch; 416076 Flt Sgt Ross Lange Robertson (killed in a flying battle on 26 March 1944, 466 Squadron RAAF, Germany) Front row (from left): 410159 Flt Lt James Humphrey DFC; 410237 FO Byron Leslie Jackson; 27507 Cpl David Beavan; 410300 FO Malcolm Thomas Boyd; 410157 WO John Bertram (POW, Germany); 417065 WO Jack Milton Frisby.
Enlistment Photo
The ubiquitous DH 82 Tiger Moth, backbone of the Empire Air Training Scheme and the aircraft in which RAAF pilots learned to fly.

The ubiquitous DH 82 Tiger Moth, backbone of the Empire Air Training Scheme and the aircraft in which Tom Tobin learned to fly. http://www.stephanschutze.com/uploads/3/1/0/6/3106267/1942_tigermoth_01.jpg
A view of the graves of FLT SGT ROBERTSON and his fellow crew members taken by Victor Harbor RSL members Ian and Janet MILNES on 24 March 2015; it was part of a private project to photograph all the Australian war graves in Germany.
The crew members of a Halifax stationed at Driffield; left to right top to bottom: Jack Venning DFC, rear gunner, Flying Officer Colin J Challis DFC, mid upper gunner, Flying Officer Jack McCarthy DFC, wireless (radio) operator, Flight Lieutenant J Nicholas (or Nicholson), flight engineer, Flying Officer George Robinson DFC, bomb aimer, Squadron Leader John Good DFC and Bar, pilot, and Flying Officer Harold Olaf Stenborg. The men are dressed in their flying uniforms and are pictured with an eagle hovering above their heads in the background. Bowen also shows the hands of each of the crew members carrying out their individual characteristic activities.

Art Work of Halifax crew at Driffield U.K. by Stella Bowen (Jack Venning top left)
Nieppe, France. 18 April 1918. A Company Headquarters of the 7th Battalion, established in an old shooting box in the Forest of Neippe, in Northern France. A week earlier on the arrival of the 1st Division at Hazebrouck from the Somme, the Germans were already commencing to penetrate the Forest of Nieppe immediately east of the town. The 7th Battalion, with some of the 1st Pioneer Battalion and a company of machine gunners, pushed through Nieppe Forest, north of La Motte Chateau, and dug in on the north-eastern edge, in touch with the British rearguards. The Australian line, when completed, ran down from Strazeele to the Wood, where it linked up with the British Guards and the 29th Division. The Germans attacked in force on the 14th, but were repulsed; they renewed the attack in the evening, but failed. They never attacked again on these positions.

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