“Military Restoration Complete at Last” I strolled down to Allora’s Apex Park on Saturday morning to meet with well known locals and Allora RSL Sub-Branch members Bob Sinton & Eric Taylor at Alloras Apex Park. Bob has been one to champion the cause of the restoration of the military 40 mm Bofor light anti-aircraft gun which is on display at the Park, sitting aside the New England Highway, a challenge that has had his focus for quite a few years. While the gun restoration was officially opened in 2012 when almost completely restored, it was minus its original sights, the British designed Stiffkey Sight. The sights disappeared from the gun in the 1960’s, but were mysteriously delivered to Warwick Sandblast & Powder Paint in September last year. The Warwick business owned by Stephen Batterham had carried out the high quality restoration of the gun but for the missing components. That matter of completing the refurbishment has now been addressed thanks the determination of Bob and quality work by Allora local tradesmen Craig Sinton, a set of sights now fixed to the gun and so completing the community valued restoration. It was great to catch up with Bob & Eric, who have previously recalled their experiences regarding Bofor guns in their military lives. But adding to an interesting morning chat with the two veteran ex-servicemen and Allora identities, was the arrival of two passing motor cyclists who pulled into the adjacent rest area. Coincidently one of the riders was also an ex-serviceman who had operated a Bofor gun during his military service. Allora’s abundant history has been enhanced with the restoration of the military 40 mm Bofor light anti-aircraft gun displayed at Apex Park. The restoration was made possible by a $4,000 grant under the federal government’s “Saluting Their Service” Commemorations grants program, with the support of the Southern Downs Regional Council. “Saluting Their Service” was an initiative that aimed at honouring the sacrifice and service of Australia’s servicemen and women in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and to promote appreciation and understanding of the role that those who served have played in shaping the nation. The program was designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of activities and projects. The gun, which now sits looking resplendent restored and powder coated, is displayed on stands in an enclosed area in Apex Park. Bofors guns were introduced into service in 1938, the Allora based gun seeing service in Korea. The gun was manned by a crew of five when in action and had a rate of fire of 120 rounds per minute. An anti-aircraft autocannon, the Bofors 40 mm gun was designed by the Swedish defence firm of Bofors Defence. It was one of the most popular medium-weight anti-aircraft systems during World War II, used by most of the western Allies as well as by the Axis powers. Crews of Bofors guns shot down 14,657 Axis planes in World War II. The Allora based gun arrived at the Allora Railway Station in the early 1970’s, after which it was towed to its current location, where it remained, forlorn & neglected for many years until June 20th, 2008. A member of the Brisbane based Gunners & Signallers’ Club made a refreshment stop at Apex Park, observing the plight of the Bofors gun. He happened to be the Secretary of the organization, Mr. Rob Collins, MBE (Mil). The chance visit resulted in correspondence from the Gunners & Signallers’ Club to the Allora RSL Sub Branch advising of funding programs available for the guns restoration. The letter also advised that a Bofors gun on display at Southport had fallen into a bad state due to the effects of sea air, it was considered dangerous and cut up for scrap, the message being “don’t let this happen to the Allora gun”. Allora local Rob Sinton adopted the gun restoration project with a passion, and was more than pleased when at a meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council, Councillors resolved to “take the restoration project on board”. The decision resulted in correspondence in January 2011 from the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon MP, that the restoration grant application submitted by the Southern Downs Regional Council was successful. Allora’s Bofors gun was subsequently removed to Warwick for sandblasting and powder coating by Warwick Sandblast and Powder Coat, before being returned to Apex Park in October 2012. The gun is mounted and secured as a fitting display and memory to the role it played in conflict, and a prompt to us all of the sacrifices and hardships endured by our servicemen and women. The project, which commenced back in 2008 with a chance visit to Apex Park by a Gunners & Signallers’ Club member from Brisbane, took almost four years to reach fruition, but according to local ex-serviceman Rob Sinton it was time well spent. With the new sights attached and the project now complete, it could be said it has taken six years to total completion. Fellow local RSL Sub Branch member Eric Taylor has also monitored the gun restoration closely. Eric was a member of 12 Squadron RAAF at Merauke on the western coast of Dutch New Guinea, his main role the servicing of 24 dive bombers. He recalls the morning ritual fly over of the Japanese “Mavis” aircraft, the Kawanishi H6K, and the sound of the Bofors gun welcome. Rob Sinton is another long serving member of the Allora RSL Sub Branch, originally joining the Citizens Military Forces in 1948. He served with the 11 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery and recalls the operation of the Bofers guns at Brisbane’s Kelvin Grove training field. Both Rob and Eric, two of Allora’s links with past conflicts, are more than pleased with the Bofor gun restoration outcome. “It serves as another reminder of the sacrifices made for our country and freedoms” they both agreed. Next time you’re passing through “the Best Little Town on the Downs’, call in at the Apex Park rest area and take a look at the magnificently presented piece of military memorabilia, a tangible link for locals as we try and understand the military action endured by local servicemen and women. Glyn Rees Image: Allora ex-servicemen Eric Taylor & Rob Sinton with the now complete Bofors gun that has been restored and resited in Allora’s Apex Park.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 02:47:13 +0000
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