Longlookers up on the Downs

By WOCKBob Barb

The author moving chalk for the memorial.

The team hard at work, the rays of the AIF badge can be clearly seen.

CPOCISSM Darren Thompson hard at it.

WOMTE Mick Nixon with another load.

On Saturday July 12, 25 exchange personnel from Exercise Long Look fanned out across Lamb Down near Codford in Wilshire, England, to repair the Lamb Down Badge.

Australian and New Zealand troops began arriving in Codford, July 1916. There were ANZAC hospitals and rehabilitation and training centres in the area.

The badge was carved into the hillside in 1916-18 by Australian troops. The then Australian Brigade Commander of the nearby Australian garrison would gaze out from the reading room at Stockton House and came up with the
idea of leaving his mark on the English countryside.

His decision led to defaulters carving out a copy of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF’s) “Rising Sun” badge in the chalk on the hillside. The 13th Training Battalion, (AIF), started the initial carving and clearing work on the badge. It was then embedded with green, brown and clear beer bottles to make it shine bronze, like the badge worn on the Australian uniform.

Maintaining the badge became the focus of punishment parades and the spur on which it is carved became known as “Misery Hill” by Australian troops.

The badge remained untouched until WWII when it was covered over to prevent enemy aircraft using it as a navigation aid. After the war it was uncovered, however most of the glass had either washed away or sunk into the chalk below.

The outline of the Lamb Down Badge remains to this day and due to the nature of its construction material, chalk, it requires annual maintenance. Being some 175ft wide by 150ft tall this is a daunting task.

A Committee was formed in order to maintain the badge and every year they meet mid year, in conjunction with Long Look to conduct maintenance.

The work essentially involves chipping back the grass, re-creating the chalk outline, cleaning out dirty chalk and replacing it.

The hard work of cleaning up the badge this year was followed up by a hearty lunch prepared by the wives of the Codford community.

After lunch the weary crew visited local war grave sights and nearby Stonehenge.

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