Allora’s abundant history was enhanced in recent times with the restoration of the military 40mm Bofor light anti-aircraft gun, which is on display at Apex Park, adjacent to the New England Highway.
At a time of year when our district and nation’s role in military conflict is at the forefront of our community’s mind, the gun is a tangible link for locals with military action endured by local servicemen and women.
The restoration was made possible by a $4000 grant under the Federal Government’s ‘Saluting Their Service’ Commemorations grants program, with the support of the Southern Downs Regional Council.
‘Saluting Their Service’ is an initiative that aims to honour 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 is designed to preserve our 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 40mm 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 cannon remains in service as of 2012, still in use by the Royal Navy, making it one of the longest-serving artillery pieces of all time.
The Allora-based gun arrived at the Allora Railway Station in the early 1970s, after which it was towed to its current location, where it remained, forlorn and neglected for many years until June 20, 2008.
A member of the Brisbane-based Gunners and Signallers’ Club made a refreshment stop at Apex Park and observed the plight of the Bofors gun.
He happened to be the secretary of the organisation, Rob Collins, MBE (Mil).
The chance visit resulted in correspondence from the Gunners and Signallers’ Club to the Allora RSL Sub Branch advising of funding programs available for the gun’s 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, before being returned to Apex Park in October last year.
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 took almost four years to reach fruition, but according to local ex-serviceman Rob Sinton it was time well spent.
Mr Sinton and fellow local RSL Sub Branch member Eric Taylor recently reminisced while inspecting the restored gun.
Mr Taylor 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’s welcome.
Mr 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. “The guns were essential equipment in a convoy,” Mr Sinton said.
Both Mr Sinton and Mr Taylor, two of Allora’s links with past conflicts, are more than pleased with the Bofor gun restoration outcome.
They both agreed that it served as another reminder of the sacrifices made for our country and freedoms.
Story: Glyn Rees
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