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Well polished piece
By Lt Peter Stanton
Edition 1168, June 14, 2007 |
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Back on display: LCpl Adam Ireson with the Williamstown RSL’s 25-pound artillery piece he spent 18 months restoring.
Photo by Lt Peter Stranton |
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TAKING a shine to your work is something LCpl Adam Ireson took quite literally after volunteering to restore a World War II 25-pound artillery piece.
The signaller from 16 AD Regt spent 18 months of his spare time restoring the relic, which had been on display at the RSL in the small South Australian town of Williamstown, where it had received a fair share of both human and environmental abuse over time.
LCpl Ireson volunteered to take on the project in August 2005, after 16 AD Regt was approached by the Barossa Council to restore it.
He provided the labour in his own time, with the Barossa Council agreeing to provide funds for any work that required outsourcing.
LCpl Ireson, assisted by Cpl Andrew McAulay, Cfn Anton VanDrunen and Cfn David Martin came up against a number of obstacles, mainly time delays, caused by unit commitments.
Many of the tasks thought to be quite straightforward also caused delays because of the rarity and condition of many parts.
With the gun restored, it was returned to the Barossa Council on April 18 by LCpl Ireson, accompanied by CO 16 AD Regt Lt-Col Paul McKay and RSM WO1 Ron Torney.
The gun now sits proudly in front of the RSL where it is hoped it will stay for many years as a reminder to the public of the efforts of WWII soldiers from the area. |
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