AUSTRALIAN WORLD WAR 1 ARTILLERY

An 8 inch howitzer of the Australian Heavy Artillery, in action near Gordon Roads. The 1st Australian Siege Battery went into action in this position about the 14 September 1917 and remained there until the 26 September 1917 taking part in many heavy bombardments during this short period. The map reference is Sheet 28 Edition 3 I 16B and I 17A. The Battery was commanded by the late Major McDonald DSO, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). The light railway in the foreground was used for bringing up ammunition to the Battery. Left to right: Gunner (Gnr) E. B. Cameron; Gnr C. L. Proops (foreground); Gnr H. Andrews (leaning over shells); Gnr Marriott; Lieutenant W. W. Whittle, RAA (background); Gnr G. W. C. Whyte; Gnr J. F. Ryan (foreground); Gnr E. A. McRae; Gnr E. Pearce (beside gun); Sergeant W. Jones (lying on ground in foreground).

The 12th Army Battalion, Australian Field Artillery, preparing an 18 pounder battery site behind Vaulx, for registration on Lagnicourt. The gun layer, Corporal A C Crockson, is just visible above the shield (right foreground). A team of six horses is towing three limbers hitched together, is moving to the rear to refill after dumping ammunition under camouflage netting. Also identified is Lieutenant Raymond (left), standing behind a tripod, surveying the gun site.

The 26th Battery of Australian Field Artillery going into action near Gressaire Wood, to support the attack by the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade at Bray and Happy Valley. Identified in the foreground, left to right, are: Driver (Dvr) E. P. Smith; Dvr J. P. Allen and Dvr C. Mathews.

Near Vaux-sur-Somme, France. The 29th Battery of Australian Field Artillery in action in the open near Vaux-sur-Somme, on the morning of 29 March 1918. Arriving with the infantry on 27 March, the Australian Artillery found fine targets, and easily out fired the enemy in the artillery battle the following day.

An eighteen pounder of the 30th Battery of Australian Field Artillery, in action in an open field. Left to right: 35900 Gunner (Gnr) E. Hauser; 29153 Corporal S. M. Short; 22209 Bombardier V. R. McDowall; 37398 Gnr R. E. Cox; 29565 Gnr C. N. Polain

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