Army Museum of Western Australia
Encyclopedia
The Army Museum of Western Australia is a museum
located in an historic Artillery Barrack in Fremantle, Western Australia
. The museum was established in 1977 and has three Victoria Cross
es on display.
, a 19th century building located on Bulwer Street, Perth.
The museum was relocated to its current site at the Artillery Barracks site in Burt Street, Fremantle in 1995. The Barracks were constructed between 1910 and 1913 as the base for the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, who manned the heavy artillery guns guarding the port of Fremantle. In 1914 with the commencement of World War I, the barracks were then used as hospital wards, firstly for sick recruits of the First Australian Imperial Force, then for the convalescing wounded from the West Front, a use which continued for a year after the war concluded. From 1948 onwards the barracks mainly served as a training venue for the Citizen Military Forces, which then became the Army Reserves. This entire precinct has been heritage listed with several of the buildings having historical significance. Each gallery reflects the Army in Western Australia and Western Australian's service within the army from the colonial period through to the present day. The site is currently the oldest continuously occupied defence site in Western Australia.
In 2000 the Museum was faced with the prospect of having to be relocated once again due to plans for the Artillery Barracks site being sold off by the Federal Government. A successful "Save the Barracks" campaign was initiated to gain support for the retention of the barracks site as a heritage precinct remaining in public ownership and for the museum to remain at this site. After lengthy negotiations the Government has agreed that the Museum can remain at the Barracks under a special licensing arrangements. Currently the museum is supported by two part-time Army personnel, around 80 'active' volunteers, and 120 'sponsor' members.
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
located in an historic Artillery Barrack in Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
. The museum was established in 1977 and has three Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es on display.
History
The Army Museum of Western Australia was established in 1977 and was originally located at Dilhorn HouseDilhorn House
Dilhorn House is a two storey Federation Queen Anne-style building located on Bulwer Street in Perth, Western Australia.-Construction:The building was constructed in 1897 for businessman William Thorley Loton who also owned a large area of land opposite known as Loton's Paddock...
, a 19th century building located on Bulwer Street, Perth.
The museum was relocated to its current site at the Artillery Barracks site in Burt Street, Fremantle in 1995. The Barracks were constructed between 1910 and 1913 as the base for the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, who manned the heavy artillery guns guarding the port of Fremantle. In 1914 with the commencement of World War I, the barracks were then used as hospital wards, firstly for sick recruits of the First Australian Imperial Force, then for the convalescing wounded from the West Front, a use which continued for a year after the war concluded. From 1948 onwards the barracks mainly served as a training venue for the Citizen Military Forces, which then became the Army Reserves. This entire precinct has been heritage listed with several of the buildings having historical significance. Each gallery reflects the Army in Western Australia and Western Australian's service within the army from the colonial period through to the present day. The site is currently the oldest continuously occupied defence site in Western Australia.
In 2000 the Museum was faced with the prospect of having to be relocated once again due to plans for the Artillery Barracks site being sold off by the Federal Government. A successful "Save the Barracks" campaign was initiated to gain support for the retention of the barracks site as a heritage precinct remaining in public ownership and for the museum to remain at this site. After lengthy negotiations the Government has agreed that the Museum can remain at the Barracks under a special licensing arrangements. Currently the museum is supported by two part-time Army personnel, around 80 'active' volunteers, and 120 'sponsor' members.
Displays
- Pre-1914 Gallery
- The WW 1 Gallery and Trench scene
- WW 2 Gallery
- Prisoner of War Gallery
- Post-1945 Gallery
- Vehicles and weapons
- Museum grounds
Items of significance
- 3 Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
s awarded to Western Australians, Martin O'MearaMartin O'MearaMartin O'Meara VC was both an Irish recipient and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early Life:O'Meara was born at Terryglass, Lorrha, County Tipperary...
, Percival Eric GratwickPercival Eric GratwickPercival Eric Gratwick VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
and Leslie Thomas StarcevichLeslie Thomas StarcevichLeslie Thomas "Tom" Starcevich VC was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.-Details:Starcevich grew up and later lived at Grass Patch, north of...
. - Military MedalMilitary MedalThe Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
to a Nursing Sister in the Australian Army Nursing Service World War I - 1 of only 7 awarded to Australian nurses - Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(GVR) to an Hon. 2Lt 44 Battalion - DCM, MM to 1st AIF
- Two Military Medals to brothers
- DCM to 10LH for ES Salt. World War I
- DCM to 2/16 Battalion for Gona. Died of wounds
- DCM 2/16 Battalion for Shaggy Ridge
- DSO awarded to Major Jack Gerke 3RAR3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment is a parachute infantry battalion of the Australian Army, based in Sydney. 3 RAR was initially formed in 1945 as the 67th Battalion and has seen active service in Japan, Korea, Malaya, South Vietnam, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq...
Korea for the Battle of Maryang San. - Western Australian Mounted Infantry Queen's South Africa Medals and Colonial Long Service Medals and Decorations
- Campaign Medal group to a Western Australian nurse murdered by the Japanese on Banka Island