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The Border Watch : October 30th 2013
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NEWS TIPS newsroom@tbw.com.au NEWS 7 Historic mortar holds pride of place World War I relic to retain position near Vansittart Park memorial M S sa MORELLO SANDRA sandra@tbw.com.au THE National Servicemen’s Association in Mount Gambier is looking forward to the damaged rotunda being rebuilt and the historic World War I German trench mortar taking pride of place again at Vansittart Park. Both the trench mortar and the Krupp gun were housed in the rotunda when a large tree fell on the structure during a violent storm in April. While there was some discussion about moving the Krupp gun, the South East National Servicemen’s Association has welcomed news both historical war items would remain at the picturesque park. The trench mortar has a rich and fascinating history. The mortar was gifted to the Mount Gambier City Council by the Australian War Museum in 1922 and became an item of interest for children who played soldiers with the levers and wheels over several generations. By 1999, the mortar had begun to deteriorate and rust and was becoming a hazard, prompting the council to decide to take it to the scrap heap. “I became aware of this and asked council if our group of national servicemen could restore it,” servicemen’s association publicity offi cer Ted Jordan said. “It was handed back to the City Council in November 2000, with a ceremony and a plaque unveiled by the Mount Gambier Mayor Don McDonnell and our patron Major Jack Burnett, both of whom have now passed away.” Mr Jordan said the association was delighted that the mortar would have a new home and some protection in the rotunda, along with the fi eld gun at Vansittart Park near the city’s war memorial. “Our group of national servicemen is pleased that this important part of our city’s history will remain where it belongs at Vansittart Park,” he said. The German trench mortar was manufactured in 1916 at the Ehrhardt Ordinance Factory in Germany. After being gifted by the Australian War Museum, it arrived on the Steamship Kapara via Adelaide on June 26, 1922, and was positioned at the Cave Gardens. PROUD HISTORY: South East National Servicemen’s Association members Phil McInnes, Lyndon Manser and Ted Jordan are thrilled the War World I treasure, a German trench mortar, will again take pride of place at Vansittart Park when the damaged rotunda is rebuilt. The mortar is currently wrapped ready for the looming restoration project. Picture: SANDRA MORELLO SHOP 1, 7 JAMES STREET MT. GAMBIER PH: 8725 1411 The Border Watch, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 - 7
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