Sussex Inlet RSL Second World War Artillery Gun

About

This artillery piece is a standard Ordnance Quick Firing (QF) 25-pounder Mark II gun. It was manufactured in 1942 in Melbourne, Victoria, for use in the Second World War. The gun is believed to have been issued in 1943, when the 2/14th Field Regiment moved to Loftus, NSW, and were re-equipped with the Ordnance QF 25-pounder gun. It reportedly saw action in New Guinea from December 1943 until the Regiment returned to Australia in 1945. The gun is a Mark II version. The 'MO 1942' stamped on the barrel indicates it was made at the government-owned Maribyrnong Ordnance Factory. Its saddle was manufactured by Charles Ruwolt Pty Ltd. The breech of the barrel is closed by a vertically sliding block, and when opened, the block opens downwards. A lever on the right side of the barrel operates this mechanism. Attached near the traverse wheel, on the left-hand side of the fully riveted trailm, are two brass manufacturer's plates for the saddle and carriage. They are inscribed with both raised and stamped lettering and numerals. The text is transcribed in the Inscription section below.  The gun can be fired from two positions. The first is by a firing lever on the left side of the barrel. The second is a firing mechanism on the back of the breech block, to which a lanyard can be attached. A canvas cap is used to cover the mouth of the gun, for protection when not in use. The breech also has a canvas cover for this purpose. The gun is located in the Sussex Inlet RSL War Memorial precinct. It was refurbished in 1998 and 2011. It was dedicated on 25 April 2012 by Sussex Inlet RSL sub-Branch, in memory of all Australian and Allied service personnel.  In 2020, a Significance and Condition Assessment was undertaken on the gun, which was proudly supported by a Community War Memorials Fund grant from the NSW Government Office for Veterans Affairs.  Detailed background and technical information about the gun has been collated by Sussex Inlet RSL sub-Branch and provided to the NSW War Memorials Register. It is available to view as a PDF via the link in the Related Links section below.