A blast of a farewell for 25 Pdr

By Sgt Mick Johnston and Maj Leo Monkivitch

AN ERA ended on August 12 with the last firing of the quick-firing 25-pounder gun (QF 25 Pdr). The Joint Proof and Experimental Unit from the Proof and Evaluation Establishment (PEE), Graytown, conducted the firing.

The British designed gun was produced in Australia and saw Australian Army service from 1940 to the 1960s in the fields of Libya, Borneo and Malaya. The M2A2 and the L5 Pack Howitzer replaced the QF 25 Pdr Gun in artillery service.

The gun served on as a proof and testing platform, used primarily for vertical recovery testing of fuses. A lack of ammunition, high maintenance effort and the decommissioning of the vertical recovery capability at Graytown meant that the weapon was no longer required to support proof and testing capabilities.

On the day, 10 rounds were fired – seven blanks and three High Explosive Substitute (HES) projectiles. Regimental Master Gunner of the RAA, WO1 Colin Watego, who attended the last 25 Pdr gun course held in Australia, rammed in the last round, which was fired by Greg Hall, who was retiring after 36 years. The day was used to farewell a number of long serving civilians as well as the gun system.

PEE Graytown is one of two proof ranges manned by Army and civilian staff and operated by Joint Logistic Command. Together with their headquarters in Sydney, they form the Joint Proof and Experimental Unit, which was raised in May this year. The other range is PEE Port Wakefield, which will soon celebrate its 75th birthday.