Guildford Western Australia Celebrates A Special Military Centenary

Published on: 16 Nov, 2013
Updated on: 18 Nov, 2013

Our correspondent from Guildford, Western Australia, Barbara Dundas has emailed details and pictures of its recent celebration marking the 100th anniversary of its artillery HQ.

Solders on the march as part of the centenary service celebrations in Guildford Western Australia.

On November 3, 2013, the historic town of Guildford Western Australia, celebrated 100 years since the artillery established its headquarters adjacent to the town. 

On the November 1, 1913, the people of the township welcomed the 38th Battery as it took up its headquarters. The residents of Guildford were asked to look after these men, thereby establishing a tradition that has lasted 100 years.

The 38th Battery of the Australian Field Artillery are welcomed at Guildford on November 1, 1913. Picture courtesy of LISWA, Battye Library, Western Mail newspaper, November 7, 1913.

Following the military traditions of England, the mother country as it was referred to then, Australia after Federation adopted the recommendations of the Kitchener Report.

Compulsory conscription was introduced in 1911 and the following year the Federal Government started acquiring land and facilities for training. In 1912, 203 acres was purchased from the Malahide Estate  in South Guildford, for military purposes.

A photo from the West Australian newspaper of February 11, 1916, showing the 17th, 18th and 19th Reinforcements of the 8th Battery leaving the Guildford Depot.

In 1913, as the Mayor of Guildford welcomed the new recruit,s he spoke of Guildford becoming the ‘Aldershot’ of WA, for the 13th Field Engineers were to be based in Guildford, the 10th Light Horse, the Signallers and Remount staff.

This group of young Artillery Reservists he believed  would be an efficient unit of defence and Guildford must look after them. He described them as a fine group of young men – worthy of their country, the flag and the King.

Within 12 months, most of these young men had enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces and were on their way to Egypt, to take part in battles such as Gallipoli. The 37th and 38th Batteries were designated the 8th Field Battery under the 3rd Australian Artillery Field Brigade.

They were one of the first units to see action at Gallipoli and fired the final shot. They served with distinction and contributed to the ANZAC legend that has become a defining point in Australian history and nationhood.

After 1915 the Artillery and other units were moved to the Western Front. Men trained at camps like Hurdcott.

In 1919 the war weary and injured soldiers returned home. The churches and schools of Guildford gathered names for their honour rolls and war memorials. There are eight honour rolls in the town today.

The artillery flag presented to the Garrison Church of St Matthews. Picture courtesy of LISWA, Battye Library, 101624PD.

Men of the 8th Battery considered the future of the silk ensign presented to them prior to leaving Albany, Western Australia. It had been flown at Mena Camp, on the Somme and at Ypres. It was decided it should be presented to St Matthew’s the garrison church, where it was accepted as a most sacred treasure to valued by the community in 1919.

Two years later the town received a war trophy of a howitzer gun, captured at Hamel, France. This was melted down for the war effort in 1944 and subsequently replaced with two more recent guns in 1960. These were replaced by the Royal Australian Artillery Comrades Association (RAAACA) in 1974, due to their deteriorating condition. They still stand today next to the war memorial.

In 1928 the RAAACA) organised a gunners’ march with the support of St Matthew’s, residents and Guildford municipality. This was first held on August 8, 1928, 10 years after the Australian troops played a significant role in breaking the Hindenburg Line at Villers-Brettonneux.

The day of the march was later changed to the first Sunday in November, because of the inclement winter weather. This march continues  to this day and is the only regimental march held outside Anzac Day in WA. 2013 was the 85th Gunners’ Day march held.

The war trophy in Stirling Square in about 1930.

In Stirling Square also stands the Memory Gates, unveiled in 1932 to the memory of the Artillery, Light Horse and AIF who trained at Guildford.

Lieut General Sir J. J. Hobbs, whom the gates honour. The new gates use both old timbers and architectural featurs from Hobbs’ original front gates of 1932. Hobbs was a noted architect, soldier and citizen in Australia. He originally came from England as a builder and later married his boss’s daughter. Picture: RAAHS WA.

Guildford’s military tradition is a significant part of its history and features are visible throughout the town. The City of Swan (the amalgamated municipality including the town of Guildford), agreed to confer on the town a gift of gates at the original church entry, to mark the centenary of Artillery establishing its headquarters in Guildford.

The gateway came from remnants of the original front gates of Lieutenant General Talbot Hobbs. He was an Australian commander of the Artillery and later Australian Forces. This gate was unveiled on November 3, 2013, as Guildford recalled its commitment made 100 years ago.

Servicemen, reservists and cadets marched into Stirling Square, led by a military band. They stopped at the gates for the unveiling, then marched through them to the war memorial where the wreath laying took place.

Brigadier G. A. Warner and Mayor C. Zannino unveiled the plaque commemorating the event. The march and service was organised by the Royal Australian Artillery Association WA.

Marching through the new gates. Picture by John Blylevens.

The military, families and guests proceeded to St Matthew’s Garrison Church for a moving service. A fine luncheon was held by the City of Swan at the Guildford town hall, where a photographic display of photos from Lieut Gen Hobbs’ personal albums was displayed together with photos from the official war album.

This event marked another significant day in the town’s history. If ever any Guildfordians from UK  are visiting WA, they are welcome to view our wartime monuments and  our shared history.

The centenary service in Stirling Park.

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