Po Box 350 GLENORCHY, TASMANIA 7010

VOLUME 32
NUMBER 3
The Official Magazine of SSAA Militaria Collectors Association of
Tasmania T17
Established as the Arms and Militaria Association Tasmania 1984
ABN 19 506 674 593
Web: www.milcolt.org.au
Editor President
Email: jolona@netspace.net.au
Po Box 350 GLENORCHY, TASMANIA 7010
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Cover Image
Packet of 10, .577inch paper cartridges (John L collection)
A .577 Cartridge
Southern Report
North Western Report
Dates to remember
(Significant Australian history dates)
Militaria Column – objects and history
Heraldry Column – Uniforms, badges, medals, helmets
Webbing Column
Arms Column –
Edged Weapons Column –
Artillery Column
Tasmanian War Memorials and Honour Boards –
Book Reviews and Useful websites
Club Notes
Meetings
Re Enactments
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Southern Report – John L
This past month has been relatively quiet on the collecting front no doubt
the cold
weather has kept people inside. I had the opportunity to visit the Firearm
Services Section and
provide some advice in relation to some historic arms surrendered
under the ongoing amnesty.
As a result a nice flintlock pistol went to the Tasmanian Museum and Art
Gallery collection.
Two our members John P and Trevor W have been involved in meetings
with the Hobart City
Council, Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue and Army Museum
Tasmania in relation to
developing tours of Hobart’s Military sites including Victoria Powder
Magazine, Ordnance Stores, Battery Point, Fort Nelson, Fort Alexander
and Anglesea Barracks. This process will be ongoing for
a little while yet.
I might also mention the touring AWM Spirit of ANZAC Exhibition which
will be at the Silver Dome in Launceston 26 Sep – 2 Oct 15 and the
Derwent Entertainment Centre Hobart 14 – 20 Oct 15. Entry to this
travelling exhibition is free but you do have to book on line and select a
time that you wish to visit.
For more information go to http://www.spiritofanzac.gov.au.
For those in Hobart you might also catch the exhibition at the Allport
Museum at Hobart LINC/TAHO.
This photographic exhibition of Gallipoli is from a Turkish view
perspective.
I have approached a number of other collecting groups from Australasia
and as a result we are able to share digital versions of a number of
related collecting clubs newsletters. I would ask that you not pass these
on as this was a caveat of the arrangement. I will when I receive these
forward them to all members by email.
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North Western Report – Steve W
Hello to all again, we have had a few changes of late in that due to
circumstance we initially postponed our bi-monthly meeting hoping that
the Wynyard RSL would be open in time. This did not eventuate, so we
change venues to the Burnie RSL. We were more than welcomed and
enjoyed the finger food on the night. The 'boardroom' offers a much
larger room than normal.
Our meeting was held on 8th July 2015, kicking off at 7:30 pm. Our
attendance was slightly down with 15 present. The night was enjoyed by
all, with a few members taking applications for the Smithton Rifle club
and intending on joining, boosting their numbers for them as well. This
will give the NW the opportunity for us to use a rifle range when the new
gun laws allow us.
On the night we had as normal many interesting items for show and tell;
German marked baker-light carbide signal light, 1810, 16 bore Tower
pistol, 1878 pattern blue cloth helmet, 1912 Chapman hook bayonet,
Snider and a muzzle loader, 2194 days of war book and a trench art
spitfire.
I encourage current members to seek out those people out there that
would be suitable to join the NW branch and bring them along for the
next meeting.
Our next meeting is again at the Burnie RSL on Wednesday 12th Aug at
7:00 pm, with finger food around 8-8:30pm. Also a reminder that the
Lennox slide show is a main feature for this meeting.
Hope to see you there, cheers
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Dates to remember
(Significant Australian history dates)
1 Aug 1901
Tasmanians chase Boers into a British Column
2 Aug 1950
RAAF 77 Squadron had flown 800 sorties to date in
Korean War
5 Aug 1945
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
6 Aug 1915
Attack at Lone Pine
7 Aug 1915
Australians attack at Quinn’s, Steele’s and Pope’s
posts
8 Aug 1918
Australians involved in attack on the Somme, the Black
day for the German Army
13 Aug 1901
Tasmanian’s capture Commandant Erasmus
21 Aug 1915
Australians attack Hill 60
25 Aug 1942
Japanese land at Milne Bay
28 Aug 1945
Australian destroyers enter Tokyo Bay
29 Aug 1919
Australians break Bolshevik line with bayonets, Sgt.
Pearse awarded VC at Etsma
1 Sep 1950
George Crosses gazetted for Privates B Hardy and R
Jones for action at the POW breakout at Cowra
3 Sep 1863
First Australian troops arrive in New Zealand
9 Sep 1914
Naval Force captures Wireless Station in New Britain
14 Sep 1914
Australian submarine AE1 lost off New Guinea
16 Sep 1943
7th and 9th Divisions enter Lae
23 Sep 1950
Australian main force arrives in Korea
26 Sep 1917
Sgt. JJ Dwyer awarded VC at Zonnerbeke
Militaria Column –
Rifle Periscope M1918 (Bayonet Mirror)
Steve W
The 'bayonet mirror' is designed to be used on a Pattern 1907 Bayonet.
It is a mirror encased into a sheet metal body with a hinged lid to cover
glass, either as a sunshade or to protect the mirror. The body is riveted
onto the arm which allows for adjustment of the angle and is
constructed of two pieces to enable this to be pushed over the end of the
bayonet.
The mirror is faced towards the direction of the enemy at an
approximate 45 degree angle and then lifted to a height where the
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observer looks over the trench/dugout into the mirror at the object or
enemy.
The top mirror is what I believe to be a WW1 version as the pivot points are made of brass
rivets and are of a heavier construction. This is one currently fitted to a 1917 Pattern 1907
Bayonet.
The bottom mirror is a WW2 era as the rivets are of a hollow rivet and that this one is also
marked PERISCOPE No 18 Mk1 MISCANADA 1943. This one is fitted to a bayonet for a
No 4 rifle and in turn fitted to a 1944 marked pick handle.
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http://www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk/the-regiments-in-the-great-war1914-18-3/
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=218568
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“Punch a Postie” Leaflet
From the Army Museum Tasmania Collection
The above leaflet caused quite a stir when it appeared back in Australia. It arose as a result of
a Amalgamated Postal Workers’ Union strike over pay and conditions and the mail to Viet
Nam was held up for over a week in the period leading up to Christmas 1968. Mail was
extremely important to our forces in SVN. Coming on top of a reduction in alcohol to troops
in SVN1 it caused some angst among the troops.
An unknown soldier had produced a drawing on a piece of paper which had been seen by
many around Nui Dat. This drawing was sent home and subsequently appeared in the press.
As a result of seeing the hand drawn poster Captains John Bullen and Mike Nelson from 1
Topographical Survey Troop (1st T S Tp.) decided to produce a more professional version
and using the resources of the Survey Troop printed 4100 leaflets which were liberally
disseminated around Nui Dat. It was well received and snapped up. Many found there way
back to Australia in letters and stuck on parcels home.
The proverbial then hit the fan as APWU leaders and ALP senators protested which in turn
led to an enquiry. The producers owned up to what in SVN was treated as a joke. It certainly
lifted morale. An enquiry was ordered from AHQ and Bullen interviewed however MAJGEN
Mac Donald went to bat as he “thought it was a real hoot”.
Some time later in 1969 the Waterside Workers Federation refused to load the Christmas
supplies (which included the beer ration) on the Jeparit and a new protest arose with the
slogan “Wallop a Wharfie”.
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For further information on both the reduction in alcohol and the leaflet see the Official History of Australia’s
Involvement in South East Asian Conflicts 1948 – 1975 by Elkins and McNeil and more especially the Viet Nam
War Diary of Captain John BULLEN (Edited by Paul HAM)
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For those who want a good read with many humorous anecdotes from SVN, I suggest you
get hold of a copy of The Viet Nam War Diary of Captain John Bullen. He later produced a
Souvenir Programme for Prime Minister John Gorton’s 8 June 1968 visit to SVN. His
account of taking the Mickey out of the Public Relations Officer by including a price on the
front cover and a promotional advertisement (for a condom) on the sample programme and
getting away with it will have you rolling in laughter. The PR officer fell for the explanation
and approved the print and was disappointed when the final production did not have the
advertisement. Apparently the unofficial sample programme was also printed in numbers and
handed out to the media and many of the troops. DO YOU KNOW OF ONE?
The 1st T S Tp. also subsequently produced a version of a US Army Preventative
Maintenance booklet. The PM booklets were in cartoon format with a buxom blonde female
explaining to soldiers how to look after your M16 or other item of equipment2. The 1st T S
Tp. version depicted a nude female holding a condom with a caption “PM using a Rubber the Wife you save may be your own” (this was also the caption on the Gorton souvenir
programme). This PM manual was printed with a US Army file number and slipped into the
US network. It apparently aroused interest given the problems both the Australian and US
army was having with venereal diseases. Australian Chaplains were not impressed and the
Americans nonplussed when their printing section could not find the file to reproduce more
copies as requests arrived.3 The unit also produced an Australian version of the travel poster,
“This vacation visit beautiful Vietnam, Fly Far Eastern Airways” with images converted to
Australian Soldiers.
A Google search of both Preventative Maintenance Booklets and Fly Far Eastern Airways
will be useful.
Heraldry Column – Uniforms, badges, medals, helmets
Rejected Volunteers Association
Recently MILCOLT received an enquiry via the Web site in relation to a lapel badge.
As a result of this enquiry the following information was provided to the enquirer in
South Australia.
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3
Search Preventative Maintenance M16 on Google and you will find a downloadable version
See AWM Collection ARTV08220
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I did a quick search on Trove NAA online Newspapers and searched Rejected Volunteers
Association Tasmania in the Advocate, Examiner and Mercury newspapers 1 Jan 1914 – 31
Dec 1927 and found many articles on them in all 3 regions of TAS and mention of a National
Conference in Sydney.
Examiner 15 Aug 1918
REJECTED VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION HOBART,
Wednesday. At a largely attended meeting to-night an association was formed, to be known
as the Rejected Volunteers' Association of South Tasmania, with the object of assisting all
patriotic movements and safeguarding the interests of rejected volunteers. A constitution was
adopted on the lines of that of a similar association in New South Wales. Mr. V. D. Cuthbert
was appointed president, and a committee and other officers were elected. Colonel D. P
Young, president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, presided at the meeting, and
expressed the hope that the new association would work with the Returned Soldiers'
Association. About 50 members were enrolled.There was also a branch at Launceston and
mention of a Victorian Branch, 3500 members in Sydney and the definition was “those who
had failed to pass the Medical Examination for the AIF and the organization was set up to
help all those men who had returned, to assist those at the front, and those in the Militia.
British Other Ranks Buttons 1871 – 1928 - John P
In 1871 the use of Regimental buttons was discontinued for other ranks
and the use of the General Service (Royal Arms) button began. Some
regiments continued to wear regimental buttons not withstanding the
discontinuation instruction. Surprisingly these regimental buttons were
available through the War Office in 1915.
The catalogue of pricing shows that the following regimental buttons
were available, Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, Dragoon Guards,
Dragoons, Hussars, Lancers, Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Artillery, Royal
Engineers, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Marine Artillery, Royal Marine
Light Infantry, Royal Marines, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards,
Scots Guards, Irish Guards, Rifles, West India Regiment,
In 1928 Regimental Buttons were reintroduced for all regiments.
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1871-1901
1901-1928
James Shegog, DCM - 5th Dragoon Guards;
Obituary in 'The Launceston Examiner' (Monday 27th April 1896) - "On
Friday last there passed away at the ripe old age of 85 a Crimea veteran
of no mean distinction in the person of Sergeant-Major James Shegog,
late of the 5th Dragoon Guards, whose death took place at Glen, near
Lefroy, where he had lived since his arrival in this colony. It is not given
to many men to hold such a record for distinguished service in the field
as was possessed by the late Sergeant-Major. Born in County
Monaghan, North of Ireland, in the year 1811, he served five years in the
Royal Irish Constabulary, after which he enlisted in the 5th Dragoon
Guards on December 21, 1834 and served in that celebrated regiment
21 years and 103 days, securing his discharge on March 22, 1856.
At the outbreak of the Crimean war in 1854 Mr. Shegog had completed
service sufficient to entitle him to his discharge, but he volunteered to go
out with his regiment to the Crimea, being at that time the rough riding
sergeant-major. On arrival at the seat of war he was appointed orderly to
General Sir Yorke Scarlett and is several times referred to by Mr. A. W.
Kinglake in his 'Invasion of the Crimea.' This writer says that he "had
attained to high skill as a swordsman and was a valorous, faithful
soldier". At the charge of the Heavy Brigade on that ever to be
remembered 25th October, 1854, which took place just prior to that of
the Light Brigade Sergeant-Major Shegog was at the head of the brigade
in attendance on Sir James Yorke Scarlett, who, accompanied by his
aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Elliott, and Bugler Baker, rode in front of his
troops and, having in the excitement of the charge outpaced the brigade,
these four men rode at a mass of cavalry many thousands strong, and
were completely engulfed in the Russian columns. "Of course," says
Kinglake, " the incursion of the brigadier and the three horsemen with
him had more of the 'forlorn hope' that could belong to the enterprise of
the squadrons which followed him into the columns; but, upon the whole,
these combats of Scarlett's and his aide-de-camp were more or less
samples of that war of the one against several which each of the 'three
hundred' waged. They cut their way in and they cut their way out."
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As mentioned previously Sergt.-Major Shegog secured his discharge at
the close of the war, and became troop Sergt.-major of the Staffordshire
yeomanry cavalry, which position he held for 11 years, when he retired
from the service altogether.
In 1880 he came to Tasmania where he has resided since; it certainly
seems strange that a man who has made himself so famous in history
should have resided here so long and yet so few knew it. The deceased
was recommended for the Victoria Cross by Sir Yorke Scarlett, but was
not fortunate enough to receive it. He, however, obtained the medal 'for
distinguished conduct in the field' which carried with it an annuity of £20;
the Crimean Medal, with clasps for Sebastopol, Inkermann and
Balaclava; and also the Turkish Medal. After retiring from active service
he made application to be appointed a Yeoman of the Guard but was
regretfully refused on account of having exceeded the stipulated age.
It has been suggested that a military funeral should be tendered the
deceased. Strictly speaking, this is an honour he is not entitled to, but
seeing it is so seldom that the members of the Tasmania Defence Force
have an opportunity of paying this tribute of respect to so distinguished a
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soldier it would have been a graceful act to have availed themselves of it
when one was offered them."
Webbing Column – John L
US EQUIPMENTS used by Australians in Viet Nam
In the last issue I mentioned the American Packs that Australian soldiers
used in the Viet Nam War in preference to the Pattern 1908 pack the
colour of which unless dyed stood out like the proverbial is the largely
green environment.
As I previously noted the first to be acquired initially unofficially and later
officially was the,
Light Weight Rucksack.
This Rucksack was introduced into US Service as the T62-1 in 1962
originally for Arctic Service. It had an aluminium frame attached to which
was an olive green water resistant nylon pack which had three smaller
pockets attached to main part of the pack. The pack could be fitted to
either the top or the bottom of the frame or removed entirely. In the latter
situation a cargo shelf could be fitted to support heavy loads such as a
radio, mortar bomb tubes, ammunition boxes etc.
5 RAR indented for 50 in December 1966 which led to approval AHQ
Canberra authorising 150 to be obtained (50 for 5 RAR, 50 for 6 RAR
and 50 for RAE). How many more obtained is unknown but they were
used through to the final years of the war.
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John L Collection
Carried in Viet Nam by Private Alan Fleming 7 RAR 1970
The Rucksack had eyelets for attaching other equipment such as water
bottle carriers, E tool Carriers.
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One side of the frame had a bracket riveted to it. The M14 rifle could be
attached to this bracket the enable a soldier in snow conditions to use
his ski poles.
Sgt Peter Buckney, 8 RAR 1970
AWM WAR/70/0026/VN
A Lightweight Rucksack with a full load
Indigenous Ranger Pack (ARVN Rucksack)
The small size of the South Vietnamese soldier made it difficult for them
to use US Army equipments.
As a result in 1961 Natick Laboratory in Massachusetts was tasked to
design a suitable rucksack for the ARVN. The brief was to have a design
that could be manufactured in SVN. Limited production began in 1964
and over 1 ½ million were made in the US as SVN did not have the
capacity to produce them in large numbers.
Initially it was to have a rattan X frame but the final version had a flat
spring steel frame. It was well received by not only the ARVN but also by
US and Thai troops who used it in theatre.
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Members of the Australian Army Training Team were the first to
encounter and use this pack whilst attached to ARVN units. It is clear
that other Australians acquired them as well (see AWM copyright image
P04655.126 which shows a member of 7 RAR with one). The pack was
made of an olive green cotton duck material, with 2 external pockets and
eyelets and cargo straps for attaching other items.
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This ARVN Rucksack is in the collection of the Army Museum Tasmania.
The WW2 felt shoulder pads indicate Australian modification
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Tropical Rucksack
This nylon pack was designed at Natick Laboratory as a result of the
interest in the ARVN Rucksack.
Five hundred were sent to SVN for evaluation in 1966 and 457 user
replies were received with suggestions for modification, The snap hooks
at the lower end of the shoulder straps ( see ARVN pack above) were
done away with in light of the quick release feature, was the most
obvious change.
In 1968 this pack was suggested by 5 RAR to replace the Packboard
GS (Aust) however Canberra indicated it was looking at other options. 2
SAS Squadron in May were also seeking a new pack and observed that
the ARVN Rucksack fulfilled most of their desired characteristics but
needed padded shoulder straps (like their Hong Kong pack) and felt
that the Tropical Rucksack met all their needs and
In May of 1968 sought an initial issue of 100 packs. AHQ responded
that 10,000 Aust Packs were on order and SAS should be made to use
them.
In the next issue the other Australian Packs used in Viet Nam will be
discussed.
This Tropical Rucksack was used by WO2
Max “Jock” Muir AATTVN 1970/71
John L Collection
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Arms Column Edged Weapons Column - John L
KNIFE, Clasp with Marline* Spike and Tin Opener
On 1905 the War Office approved this pattern of Knife however the WO
revisited the Pattern on 22 July 1913 and issued the specifications to
govern manufacture and inspection. The knife was manufactured up
until the late 1930’s. It was also produced in Australia.
It is described as having a blade 3 1/2 inched long, tin opener 1 5/8
inches long with a handle 4 7/8 inched long with chequered black horn
scales with a shackle made of copper wire. As the marline spike had to
close to the spring to prevent catching in the pocket it would suggest
that attaching the knife to a belt hook or clip was not envisaged.
The knife below is marked on the ricasso; SCOTIA JMcCLEARY,
Sheffield.
Reference; British and Commonwealth Military Knives, Ron Flook
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Artillery Column - John L
What ever happened to this World War 1 trophy?
Image courtesy T Lee
Australian War Memorial records show that Gun No 7784 was allocated
to Ulverstone. This gun was captured by the Australian Light Horse.
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Many years later (1961-64) it ended up in the possession of the Sea
Cadets at Ulverstone where this image was taken.
Apparently it was later in the possession of an individual who had it in
his front garden west of Ulverstone on the old Bass Highway.
The editor would be interested in its current location as he is working on
a project with AWM to record all the surviving trophies and their
locations/condition.
Tasmanian War Memorials and Honour Boards – John L
New Norfolk
2015
1936
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The New Norfolk War Memorial, located in front of the Council
Chambers was unveiled on Saturday 12 August 1922 by General Sir
John Gellibrand. New Norfolk’s population in 1914 was 2041 of which
159 men volunteered and 23 died.
Council discussed relocating the Field gun from its position in the above
image to another part of the Council Chambers reserve in 1936 but it is
unclear whether that was done.
NEW NORFOLK'S WAR TROPHY. (The Mercury Tuesday 18 October
1921 page 6)
A captured German field gun, bearing its arrogant 'ultima ratio regum?
(the last argument of kings), arrived at New Norfolk the other day, and
has since been the source of much interest and amusement to the
children of the town, who have drawn it from place to place on the green,
and thoroughly investigated its mechanism. At the October meeting of
the council the question of where it should be permanently housed came
up for discussion, and it was decided, on the motion of Councillor
Downie, that when the monument was completed, the gun should be
placed at its foot, facing down High-street, and clamped in position. It
was rather amusing to hear several councillors gravely debating the
question whether the gun should not be immediately removed from its
present position, lest the children injure it by drawing it from place to
place.
Certainly it was moved to a park in the Town at a later stage where it
sank into disrepair through neglect. It was salvaged by the local RSL
Club and refurbished and is now located in front of the club.
The Gun a Krupp C96n/a has two dates on the breech 1898 and 1907.
The carriage is dated 1907. AWM Records show it was captured by the
7th Australian Infantry Brigade. The barrel is unusual as it has much
decoration indicating early manufacture. Most of the decorative tubes
were replaced when worn out.
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Book
Reviews
Useful websites
and
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I commend Big Sky Publishing to any member interested in Australia’s
Military history. This publisher works collaboratively with Army History
Unit and individuals who produce their own books. The range of military
titles will impress most readers. Prices range from $20 to $70 and often
they will offer a deal on their website (buy one get one free or reduced in
price)
One of their new releases should be of interest,
Harry Smith’s autobiography should be interesting given his battles not
only with the enemy but also the “brass” and bureaucracy.
Web sites
The Military Vehicle Group of Tasmania Inc. who support our Midlands
Military Meet and Rendezvous event now have a web site.
http://stephendenholm.wix.com/military-vehicle-tas
Club Notes
For Sale
Lithgow No 1 Mk 111, .303 Rifle. Lithgow manufacture, converted to a
range rifle with a 6 aperture RAWSON target rear sight, fitted with target
sling swivels , heavy (H) barrel and a rubber grometted nose cap
Price $400 ono (call Peter 0437 243 368). Firearm may be viewed at
Wells Men’s Wear (sports section) ask for P Watkins (licenced dealer at
Store)
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Re Enactments
Bob, Karl, John, Kelvin, Phil and John at the Anniversary of the Boer War
7 June 2015
Members of C Squadron 3rd ALH Re Enactment Troop 7 June 2015
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