Monuments & Guards

**CINDERS** · 10-11-2023 03:26 AM

This one was a discovery made as it is under cover so does not show up on Google Earth.

Its another small obscure town (Coo as in pigeon - Row - as in boat) plenty of webs and the RSL hall looks pretty ancient.

I may ask Peter Laidler icon

if he could please chime in with his expertise and explain to us the markings on the top of the barrel for the 25 Pdr.
MO = ?
Jacket = ?
QF = quick firing ? thats about all I gather.
Mk II = Mark 2
8 0 - 4 = ?

Also if you could also please explain the nuances of the carrier plaques please.

Cheers.

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**CINDERS** · 10-15-2023 12:04 AM

Missed the name of this one unfortunately.

**CINDERS** · 10-17-2023 02:46 AM

This APC was another discovery on the run as being undercover as said it did not show up on Google Earth.
You'll also notice that the numbers of personnel is lower on the monuments in WWI than the second WW when WWI began Australia icon

had only @5 million people living here.
This is why the war had such a profound effect on these small rural places in Australia young men going away sometimes with their father as well leaving it to the women.

I'm doing my best to show these little places and some bigger ones coming up to show like other countries dotted all over the landscape are the testaments to those that gave everything for us.

**Peter Laidler** · 10-18-2023 06:21 AM

Can't help with the rear barrel-jacket markings Cinders except that the QF is for Quick Firing. It's an old set of initials, alongside BL - or breech loading. The BL uses just a projectile and b ag charges and a primer cartridge, like the .55" howitzer. Whereas a QF uses a shell and projectile. All that stuff was in the realm of the Gun Fitters.

**CINDERS** · 10-18-2023 06:51 AM

Thank you for the input Peter much appreciated.

**Daan Kemp** · 10-18-2023 10:05 AM

The barrel jacket covered the rear half of the barrel [so the gunners couldn't easily interfere with the recoil mechanism]. The M O and year with the Jacket with squiggle would indicate when and by who the jacket/gun was manufactured and probably the specific mark. There were several different models 25Pdr from different factories and improvements.
Not sure about the 8 but the 0 4 probably indicates how good the barrel is. The life of the barrel was indicated in quarters and this possibly indicates it is in very good condition or worn out, the 0...
In South Africa the artillery used the 25Pdr guns for initial training as the distance easily fits in with the ranges and ammunition was relatively inexpensive compared to the larger guns. In the late seventies these guns were still in their first quarter of use IIRC, although all dating to WWII. Some of the ammunition were still vintage too, I believe.

**browningautorifle** · 10-18-2023 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

Some of the ammunition were still vintage too, I believe.

Easy to believe, in the '70s I shot 81mm mortar ammo dated from 1940s. WW2 issue...

**Daan Kemp** · 10-18-2023 10:19 AM

In 1972 shot 303 ammo, nuwest date 1942, with the last of the 303 Brens still in the SADF. All worked but the fall of the shot was erratic, anywhere from about 100m to 300m, the targets at 300m. The trajectory of the tracer was impressive, many curving anywhere except the backstop - left, right, up and inbetween.

**CINDERS** · 10-19-2023 05:59 AM

The 3rd Leopard 1 we received in the state and as such that Geraldton is very close to the coast the tank has suffered with the salt air, a 105mm also there.
There is 3 parts to Geraldton as there is a very poignant memorial there, pretty moving to stand there to take it all in, along the lines of the USA icon

's Arizona memorial.

**CINDERS** · 10-23-2023 11:17 AM

A poignant memorial to a part of our naval history which saw one of our finest vessels that was lost with all hands, however she finished her adversary off though mortally hit.
(A detailed survey of her wreck showed the German icon

raiders initial salvo's to be devastating to the Sydney)

So much to this story why she got so close, the captains failure, the carley raft at Christmas Island with the unknown sailor, the japanese submarine theory.

What I liked is the monument of the bow section showing you the depth of her deck to keel in relation to the stone wall gives a good reference.
Then the black wall (Not unlike the US VN war casualties) which has the name of all the sailors and their rankings on board.
The bronze woman eternally scanning for her lost love and finally the dome of the memorial it felt just like when I stood on the Arizona memorial a great sense of loss!