Bishop bang on
83-year-old ex-GPO gets back on gun line

Bishop David Shand fires a Hamel with the 53 Bn boys. Photos by Cpl Damian Shovell, Army newspaper

A chuffed Bishop Shand inspects a cartridge case with Capt Paul Duncan and Lt Eugene Shanasy.

By Cpl Damian Shovell

THE last time 83 year-old retired Anglican Bishop David Shand directed artillery fire with 53 Bty was more than 60 years ago, and at the Japanese.

The ex-Gun Position Officer (GPO) from Mornington in Victoria, served with the battery in New Guinea in WW2 and on a recent visit to Puckapunyal said little had changed among gunners as he described what it’s like to once again see his battery at work.

“Unbelievable, it takes me back 60 years ... the same feel to this place,” he said.

Bishop Shand volunteered in the AIF as a gunner in October 1941, and received quick promotion, being commissioned six months later.

He narrowly missed being sent to Singapore to reinforce 2/10 Bn before it fell to the Japanese, which eventually lead him to his appointment at 53 Bty.

His visit coincided with an indirect fire activity followed by a 7km man-handle to a direct fire position where the battery engaged targets from 700m to 4.7km.

He said the direct-fire activity was similar to exercises conducted during his career on the unit’s then “25 pounder shorts” and reminded him of fire missions he directed as an FO during the war.

“By and large that kind of close support was very effective,” he recalled.

He said although technology has changed procedures, nothing has changed with the camaraderie among the gunners.

“They’re a great bunch of guys, they work well together – and they have to work well together to make the guns function properly, if somebody slips up they all pay for it.”

Bishop Shand swapped the Army for priesthood following the war and was ordained in 1949, returning to Army as a reserve chaplain in about 1950 for seven years.

Bishop Shand concluded his visit by firing off a couple of rounds on a 105 Hamel gun, later commenting, “I think the gun was as surprised as I was”.

CO School of Arty Lt-Col Peter Gates told assembled soldiers of the importance of such visits.

“It maintains a link to our past and reinforces our values – this is our living history,” he said.

He said the visit is important for both the soldiers and veterans as it allows the soldiers to see who has come before and allows the veterans to see the ethos and values that they upheld are still being carried on today.