By Sarah Thompson
A WORLD War I cannon buried for more than 70 years has been restored to its former glory and placed on display at the Light Horse and Field Artillery Museum in Nar Nar Goon.
The cannon was one of three used by the Moonee Ponds 58th battalion in France from 19141918.
Missing several pieces that were blown off during battle, the cannon returned to Australia as a war trophy in the late 1910s, where it was eventually buried outside Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building before being unearthed in 1997.
Museum curator Bernie Dingle said it was buried because it wasn’t complete.
“After it was finally unearthed, Museum Victoria had it in a holding yard for eight years because they wanted to give it to a good home.”
The cannon is a great addition to the artillery museum, which Mr Dingle has been working on for more than 18 years.
“My grandfather was in the 3rd Australian Light Horse Battalion and the war has been an interest of mine since I was a kid,” he said.
Showcasing several other combat weapons, including guns captured from the enemy during both world wars, the museum also pays homage to the forgotten role of animals in the war.
The remarkable story of pigeon GI Joe, which delivered a note through Papua New Guinea that saved the life of British brigade members, is one of great interest.
GI Joe was awarded with the Dickens Medal for animal heroism – the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
Other museum displays include the tribute to the Farmer family, whose services to Australia during the war are most notable.
Daughter Violet participated in various street parades to raise money for the Purple Cross, an organisation designed to raise money for war animals’ veterinary bills.
After raising more than 700 pounds for the cause Violet went on to become the first woman jockey in Victoria. She was killed in a barn fire trying to save animals she had campaigned for. Her husband and animals perished by her side.
Through a large display, Mr Dingle and his family have immortalised this story, illustrating the war effort that went on in Australia.
