Foundation News Army Museum of Western Australia Foundation Artillery Barracks Burt Street, Fremantle, WA 6160 Phone: (08) 9430 2535 Fax: (08) 9430 2519 June/July 2008 Email: info@armymuseumwa.com.au Web: www.armymuseumwa.com.au From the Chairman s Desk I must start with an apology to those volunteers who didn t get the word about the Bar-be-que on Sunday 1st June. Your criticism is noted. We will do better next time. When we presented long service membership badges at the above event I reflected on the changes that have taken place at the Museum in the past ten years. In 1998 the Museum had only just been relocated in Fremantle for 3 years and the campaign to save the Barracks was still ahead of us. Today we can look at our efforts over that time and be justifiably proud of what has been achieved. We have secured our home and developed the Museum to the point where we set the standards for other regional Museums in the AHU network. From the Manager s Desk A highlight of the museum s calendar of events over the past two months was the opening by the Deputy- Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs (WA), Mr Arthur Edgar on 9th May of our special display in the Post- 1945 Gallery to commemorate the 40 th anniversary of the battles for Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral in Vietnam in 1968. A number of Coral/Balmoral veterans were also in attendance. A precursor to this exhibition was the public lecture on these battles presented by museum volunteer and Vietnam veteran Mr Norm Wells on 30 th April. An article providing background information on Coral and Balmoral was also included in the March/April edition of the Foundation News. The Museum faces the challenge of a significant expansion over the next few years with the move into the rest of the barracks and opening on additional days. How we plan to achieve this is outlined in the continued on page 2 I N S I D E TH I S IS S U E 1 From the Chairman / From the Manager 2 Extension of Museum opening days 3 Personal Profile Lt-Colonel John Deykin 4 Coral/Balmoral Display Opening further photos 5 The GS Wagon Restoration Project 6 Launch of Boer War Memorial Campaign Fund in WA 7 Events and Sponsors 8 From the Curator s Desk Museum Curator, Capt Wayne Gardiner (Left) with Coral/Balmoral veterans from 3RAR and Deputy Commissioner DVA (WA), Mr Arthur Edgar (on right), on the occasion of the opening of the Coral/Balmoral display. Over recent months the museum's administrative area has undergone changes in structure designed to accommodate the growing pressure on administration continued on page 2 Foundation News 1
From the Chairman s Desk - continued from page 1 From the Manager s Desk - continued from page 1 Draft Strategic Plan a copy of which is being sent out with this newsletter. Please read it carefully and comment as you see fit. It is our plan for our Museum. Our special thanks go to Mike Brennan who took up the challenge to collect the ideas from our special general meeting last year and along with contributions from the Board, shaped them into a coherent plan. The expansion of the Museum to take over the whole of Artillery Barracks has been approved. This provides both a challenge and an opportunity to those who work in the various curatorial sections. In all the planning that is needed I would stress that it is important that we plan for the best. All projects are a compromise between the demand for quality and the constraints of money and time, so aim high. If we don t say what we want to achieve we will never achieve it. The challenge to the Foundation is to find the resources to meet these demands. On a closing note, well done to the following volunteers who qualified for respective long service awards: 15 or more years service - *Pat Clarke 10 or more years service Ralph Laplanche, Dale and *Wes Olson, *Robert Campbell 5 or more years service -, Jim and Valma Hanson, *Kevin Costello, Barry Ford, Tom Goode. (Those marked * were not in attendance at the BBQ and their badges will be forwarded to them). To my surprise I found myself among the latter group - how time flies when you re having fun. Tom Goode Chairman Army Museum of WA Foundation Board staff as the museum grows. The major change is in the forming of the Human Resources Department which will control areas such as volunteer recruiting and training a well as coordinating the volunteer duty roster. Many of these tasks will be done in close liaison with the Foundation Board and other administration areas including Operations. George Sulc has been appointed to head up the Human Resources Team Defence Support Group has advised that contracts for ongoing building works at the museum should commence 1 July 2008 On the staff side we welcomed back in early June our clerical assistant, Private Danielle Taylor, who returned to duty at the museum following back surgery which saw her on leave for over a month. A Museum Induction Course was held on 26th June which was attended by George Sulc, Ralph Paramour and Mark Stevens. Capt Henry Fijolek Museum Manager Extension of Museum Opening Days A decision by the Museum Foundation Board with support from the Museum Advisory Committee has been made to open the museum on Fridays, commencing on Friday 3 October 2008. In order to achieve this, a recruiting drive is planned during July for additional gallery attendants. Current senior and experienced gallery attendants and gallery guides will be required for Friday staffing to mentor new volunteers. Human Resources Section is seeking gallery staff who presently man the museum on Wednesdays and weekends to indicate whether they are interested in attending on a Friday in lieu of, or in addition to, their current days of attendance. Please contact the Manager of Human Resources, George Sulc. Chairman Tom Goode (Left) with other proud long service award recipients Ralph Laplanche and Dale Olson at BBQ 1 June Foundation News 2
Personal Profile Lt-Colonel John Deykin,RFD, ED London Branch of National and General, returning to Australia in 1968 where he worked for a while in their Sydney office. He resigned from National and General in 1969 and joined the insurance broking firm of Brian Coppin Pty Ltd which later became Australian Insurance Brokers. John completed studies in insurance with the Australian Insurance Institute, becoming Fellow of the Institute in 1969. During the late 1960s he also commenced further studies at Perth Technical College in accounting and in 1972 he qualified as an Associate of the Australian Society of Accountants, being accepted as Member the following year. He subsequently was appointed as a Certified Practising Accountant and later as a Registered Auditor. John Dewar Deykin was born in the Perth suburb of Nedlands in 1933. He grew up in the Nedlands and Crawley area, attending Hollywood Primary School in 1939 and then the East Claremont Practising School from 1941-45. He went to Guildford Grammar School as a boarder in 1946 and can vividly recall the intense flooding of the Swan and Helena Rivers during that year with floodwater rising to cover part of the School grounds at Guildford and playing football in soaked playing fields. He transferred to Hale School in West Perth in 1947, completing his schooling there in 1948. During his schooling at Hale in 1948 John played A grade hockey and remained closely associated with the sport for many years. In 1996, as Chairman of the Hale Hockey Club, he was instrumental in getting new hockey facilities built at Hale. In December 1948, just 4 days before his fifteenth birthday, John started as an office boy in the London and Lancashire Insurance Company, thus commencing a career in insurance in which he is still involved some sixty years on. Throughout the 1950s he gained experience in various aspects of accident and motor vehicle insurance, transferring to National and General Insurance Co Limited in March 1956 as Chief Clerk. John married Diana in April 1965 and they have one son, Richard, who subsequently followed his father s footsteps into the insurance business. In 1980 John left Australian Insurance Brokers and formed his own broking company, Westside Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd. During the period 1989-1993 he taught insurance subjects at Perth TAFE. In March 1997 he sold his interest in Westside and formed Parkside Insurance Brokers where he remains today. John s military involvement commenced with his call up for National Service in 1953. Prior to this he was keen on serving with the air force and was accepted for pilot training, but as he was under 18 at the time and his father did not approve he was destined for army service. After completing his full time training with 17 th National Service Training Battalion at Swanbourne John was posted to HQ Squadron of the 10 th West Australian Mounted Infantry in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, CMF. (This regiment was later redesignated as 10 th Light Horse in 1956). He initially became a transport driver then later completed an intelligence training course, becoming Intelligence Sergeant. John became commissioned in 10 th Light Horse in January 1958, holding various postings and promoted to Captain as Second in Command of B Squadron in 1962. He subsequently commanded B Squadron (1963-64) then C Squadron (1965-66), being promoted to Major in 1966. During his employment in London from 1966-1968 John managed to obtain a secondment posting to one of the British Territorial Army regiments of the In May 1966 John was appointed as manager of the continued on page 4 Foundation News 3
Personal Profile-John Deykin - continued from page 3 Royal Armoured Corps, the Kent and County of London Yeomanry, becoming appointed as OC of HQ Squadron in the regiment. In September 1966 he was fortunate to also serve for a month of exercises with the Regular Army regiment 10 th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales s Own) during their posting to Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine. (This British regiment was allied with the 10 th Light Horse). He was able to repeat this each year until his return to Australia, gaining valuable experience. Upon his return to Australia in 1968 he was initially posted to CSTU then returned to 10 th Light Horse in 1970, being appointed as Second in Command. During 1971 he went to Vietnam as part of a CMF Officer Observer group. He was promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel in 1973, becoming Commanding Officer of the regiment until 1975. He was subsequently appointed Colonel Commandant of the Australian Cadet Corps in WA for a 2 year period. the first to have received this category of membership within the Foundation. In addition to his work and military activities John has been very active in Church life, being a member of the Parish Council for many years in both Christ Church in Claremont and also St Lawrence Anglican Church at Dalkeith. He also became a member of the Bible society in 1954 in which he was Treasurer on the State Committee for 22 years. He has just stepped down from the Society Board this year Coral/Balmoral Display Opening Further photos from the opening of the Coral/Balmoral Display on 9 th May: John s association with the Army Museum began not long after the inception of the museum in 1977, being appointed as Secretary in early 1978 to the Management Board of the Army Museum of Western Australia Inc., the corporate body that was the predecessor to the current Foundation. Throughout his period of appointment as Secretary going into the 1990s the entire secretarial operation, including minutes of meetings, mail outs, rosters and advertising was completed from his office and the entire costs borne by his company. As a result of rationalisation of the management of army museums throughout Australia that commenced in 1996, the Army Museum of WA Foundation was created as a company limited by guarantee under Commonwealth Corporations legislation, comprising members of the previous body and volunteers contracted to the Army to run the museum. John was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation at its inaugural meeting in February 1998. As Chairman of the Board John continued to guide the Museum Foundation in its new role and provided firm leadership during the museum s ongoing campaign from 2000 to 2004 for securing its home at Artillery Barracks. He was succeeded as Chairman by Lt- Colonel John Tick in November 2004, but continued as a Director on the Board until stepping down in 2007. At the AGM of the Foundation in 2007 John was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Foundation, Foundation News 4
The GS Wagon Restoration Project In February 2001 the former President of the Army Museum of WA, Lt-Colonel Jack McRoberts, together with Mr B Barltop, travelled to Balladonia Station to recover this World War 1 vintage General Service wagon. The vehicle was donated by the owner of Balladonia Station John Crocker. His father, Walter Charles Crocker, acquired it in October 1945 and it was driven by camels rather than horses. It was used to cart fence posts, firewood and by fencing contractors until about 1952. It had remained idle on the property until recovery by the AMWA in 2001. plate bearing the numeral 6 on the front locker. A bronze plate attached to the side of the wagon included manaufacturer markings T.J.R. ADELAIDE Sth Aus Wagon GS Mark X AP Reg No. 683 1916 TJR was the abbreviation for the company TJ Richards, well known body builders at the time. AMWA staff mainly involved in the restoration the late Bob Raine, Lyle Guley, Cliff Foster and Wayne Smith. As is typical of the vehicle boys, other members of the team helped from time to time. Other acknowledgements- Alan Warman supplied much of the timber and also machined the timber he supplied (during this process some of his own machinery was damaged). He also provide valuable technical assistance during the restoration process. Merv Searle of Searle Fastener Sales Company for providing the nuts and bolts required to complete the restoration. The late Bill Hepton restoration of the wagon wheels. A skill that is becoming a lost art. Original photo of the wagon being driven by camels on Balladonia Station, 1945. Condition of the wagon at the time of donation was extremely poor and it was realised from the start that a total rebuild was necessary. The iron work was largely complete however the timber body was beyond restoration and would need replacement. The wagon undergoing final stages of restoration in 2007 The wagon in its original state when recovered in 2001 Further examination of the wagon revealed a number of markings and stampings on both axles and a single continued on page 6 Foundation News 5
GS Wagon Restoration Project - continued from page 5 but none in Australia s principal commemorative precinct. This project seeks to address this omission by erecting a memorial to all who served in the Boer War, on Anzac Parade, Canberra. Approval for the proposal was given by the Canberra National Memorials Committee in March 2007 and funds to support its construction are being raised nation wide. As part of this and in recognition of the contribution made by West Australians in the Boer war, the Western Australian Government has provided a grant of $30,000. The final restored GS Wagon 2008 GS Limbered Wagon 1916 (rear section) A small 2 wheel cart that was attached to a similar wagon to the above, thus becoming an articulated horse drawn vehicle for rough cross country work, was donated to the AMWA over 20 years ago. The restoration completed in more recent times was largely done by Dave Leaman. Launch of Boer War Memorial Campaign Fund Parliament House, Perth, 13 May 2008 Curator, Capt Wayne Gardiner with WA Premier, Mr Alan Carpenter at the Boer War Memorial Fund Launch. The Army Museum of WA was invited to attend the official launch of the Western Australian Boer War Memorial Fund by Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter and Peel MLA Paul Papalia, held at Parliament House, Perth on 13 May. Representing the Museum at this event were the Curator, Captain Wayne Gardiner, the Chairman of the Museum Foundation, Mr Tom Goode, Foundation Treasurer, Mr Joe McKenna, and Board Member Mr David Nicolson who also acted as official photographer for the event. The Army Museum also provided a number of Boer War artefacts to support the occasion. The memorial is to be a national Boer War Memorial located amongst the various other memorials on Anzac Parade in Canberra and was proposed at the instigation of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps Association. There are many memorials throughout Australia to those who served in the Boer War, the majority of which commemorate those killed in action, Museum Foundation Chairman, Mr Tom Goode, with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Ms Alannah MacTiernan at the launch. Foundation News 6
Museum Sponsors BACK TO THE BARRACKS LECTURE 7 A UGUST 2008 The third of our 2008 Public Lectures will be on 7 August with a talk on 1918 - The Year of Victory. Speaker is Captain Wayne Gardiner, RFD, the Museum Curator. This will provide an overview of the significant battles and events during 1918. All foundation members and guests are welcome. Cost: The Army Museum of Western Australia Foundation has received financial support from the following: PARKSIDE $15 (includes supper) Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd Time: 7:00 pm Venue: Conference Room, Bldg 7, Leeuwin Barracks, Riverside Road, East Fremantle. Bookings: Ring 9430 2535. MOBILE DISPLAY AT DALWALLINU, S EPTEMBER 2008 The Army Museum is providing a small mobile display of items in the wheat belt town of Dalwallinu from 1213 September which is during the Dalwallinu Wattle Week Festival. The display will relate to Australian involvement in the war in South Vietnam and will also provide a number of "touch and feel" items for the benefit of local school children. The display, which will be mounted in the local Craft Hall at Dalwallinu, has been coordinated with our volunteer members Judy and John Borrett from Ballidu which is in the adjacent shire to Dalwallinu. Volunteers from Perth who are assisting include Joe McKenna (who will transport the display items to and from Dalwallinu) together with Carole Temple with her husband Bill. MUSEUM BAND CONCERT Foundation Bar-be-que Sunday 1st June Some further photographs from that event: 2008 The Army Museum of Western Australia Foundation, in conjunction with the Australian Army Band, Perth, will again be organising its annual th concert under the stars, Saturday 8 November. Guest performer will be Guy Sebastian. Location- Parade Ground, Artillery Barracks, Burt Street, Fremantle. Bookings can be made through BOCs www.bocsticketing.com.au Foundation News 7
From the Curator s Desk My Curatorial Notes in the previous edition (March/April) concentrated on building and gallery usage in the museum s future plans once WAUR move from Artillery Barracks in November this year. The Precinct Planning Committee has met on a number of occasions and planning is progressing well with cost estimates being sought and decisions on movement priorities being confirmed. In March the Army Museum of Western Australia Foundation sponsored the Biennial National Conference of the Military Historical Society of Australia in conjunction with the WA Branch of this organisation. Delegates came from all over Australia and it proved a most successful event held over the Easter long weekend at Artillery Barracks. The Society held a dining in night at the Leeuwin Barracks Officers and Sergeants Mess and a financial donation from the WA Branch of the MHSA was presented to the AMWAF Chairman, Mr. Tom Goode. The interstate attendees were overwhelming in their praise of the quality and standard of our Army Museum. Following this event all attention was on ANZAC Day and the contribution that the AMWAF made was again substantial. March and April of course are always a hectic time with us having to meet numerous demands from the public in support of ANZAC Day events, particularly from schools. The repainted M113 APC The sparkling new interior of the M113 Without notice, we also had a visit by Mr. Dominique Hanson who is the General Director of Belgium s Royal Museum of Army and History (their equivalent May saw us preparing for the ADF annual weapon census and this was successfully completed on time as tasked. In the meantime research had been going on towards the DVA funded Coral Balmoral display to th commemorate the 40 anniversary of this battle with th the official opening occurring on the 9 of May. Also in May, at short notice, the AMWA put on a small display at WA Parliament House in support of fund raising for the National Boer War Memorial to be erected in the ACT. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Army Museum and also network amongst the invited business attendees. of our Australian War Memorial). Our volunteers made me aware that he was on site, so I had the opportunity to talk with him. He was very impressed In June our M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carrier/Light Recon Vehicle returned to the museum with a new camouflage paint job completed both to the exterior and interior. This was funded by the AMWAF. The APC/LRV looks superb. We also received our long awaited 106mm recoilless rifle (rendered innocuous) to be eventually mounted on the RCL land rover. through Museums Australia and held at the Wireless Hill Museum in Applecross on the weekend of 28-29 June. with what he saw. All Curatorial sections continued to perform great work with a special mention to Graham Donley and John Knox in Heraldry. Images have also achieved outstanding results thanks to Graham Horne, Helen Birch and Frank Caddy. Two Curatorial staff, Keith Downes and Barry Ford, attended a weekend workshop on conserving and preserving metal objects. This was organised To all our museum volunteers enjoy yourselves and continue your important work. Capt. Wayne Gardiner, Curator Foundation News 8