For 50 years, a World War II 25 Pounder Field Artillery Gun has stood proudly in King Island’s War Memorial Park at Currie. While generations of locals have passed by the historic gun, few knew the remarkable story behind it – or that it is a genuine wartime relic with a fascinating history.
King Island’s WW11 25 Pounder Field Artillery Gun situated in the War Memorial Park, Currie. The gun is 86 years old and has been on display for 50 years.
Thanks to the dedication of volunteers from the King Island RSL Sub Branch and support from the Artillery Historical Association (AHA), the 86-year-old field gun is now being recognised as an important piece of Australia’s military heritage.
King Island has a proud history of military service. Islanders have served in every major conflict of the 20th century, with many continuing to serve in the Australian Defence Force today. Following the Second World War, the local community rallied to create a lasting place of remembrance for those who had served and those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
That vision became the War Memorial Park in Currie and the adjoining War Memorial Building, which has been home to the King Island RSL Sub Branch for almost 70 years. Since its formation in 1919, the Sub Branch has remained committed to supporting veterans and their families while preserving the island’s military history for future generations.
Today, the War Memorial Park features commemorative plaques, Lone Pine trees, an Eternal Light, flagpoles and the iconic 25 Pounder Field Artillery Gun. Installed in 1976 after the King Island RSL Sub Branch successfully secured the gun through an Australian War Memorial disposal ballot, it has become a familiar local landmark.
Recent research has revealed just how significant the gun really is.
After King Island Council’s Works Coordinator offered assistance with improvements around the memorial, and an old enquiry from the Artillery Historical Association resurfaced, the Sub Branch began investigating the gun’s origins. Historical records confirmed it was manufactured in the United Kingdom in 1940 by Vickers Armstrong and Crossley Brothers and is believed to have served with an Australian artillery unit in North Africa before returning to Australia.
Although decades of paint, weather and the loss of original records have made the investigation challenging, support from the Artillery Historical Association has helped uncover the gun’s remarkable story. Far from simply being an old display piece, it is now recognised as a rare and historically significant example of the standard field artillery used by Australian and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War.
The project highlights the importance of preserving not only military artefacts but also the stories that accompany them. Volunteers are encouraging other RSL Sub Branches and local communities to record the history of their own collections so valuable knowledge is not lost over time.
As the King Island RSL Sub Branch continues its work to care for veterans, support the local community and preserve the island’s military heritage, the restored understanding of its 25 Pounder stands as a reminder that every memorial has a story waiting to be told.
Image: Currie, King Island © Kind Island Tourism
