RAEME Association Queensland Inc

Above: Ready for the museum. Our historic 1943 Ford GPW Jeep, pictured with Frank Carroll and Keith Wilson, is now running and ready to return to display at the museum.

The latest stage of work on the historic 1943 Ford GPW Jeep has now been completed, and the vehicle is ready to return to display at the museum.

Volunteer Keith Wilson undertook most of the recent work, assisted by another local volunteer who helped bleed the renewed braking system. Although new master and slave cylinders and replacement rubber hoses had previously been supplied, closer inspection found that several of the metal brake pipes were pinched or otherwise unserviceable. New pipes were manufactured and fitted, allowing the braking system to be completed.

Attention then turned to the engine, which would occasionally fire but would not continue running. The fuel lines were cleaned, fresh fuel was added and the spark plugs were removed and cleaned. Further investigation identified a split and unstable distributor rotor cap, together with missing fittings around the carburettor connections.

Above L-R: The new carburettor fitted to the 1943 Ford GPW Jeep. Fuel system completed, the Jeep’s fuel filter and associated components following inspection and repairs to the fuel system.All part of the final work needed to return the vehicle to serviceable condition.

Following discussions with Milspares, a renewed carburettor was sourced and fitted. With the fuel and ignition issues now addressed, the Jeep is again running and ready to return to the museum.

Keith also modified the axe bracket to accommodate the correct Number 4 axe, with a retaining belt added to secure it in place. These finishing touches help maintain the vehicle’s military appearance and historical character.

The completion of this work is a credit to the practical skills, persistence and volunteer effort behind the project. The RAQ sincerely thanks Keith and Frank Carroll for the considerable time and effort they have contributed, and also thanks to parts supplier Milspares.

With the mechanical work completed, the 1943 Ford GPW Jeep will now resume its place on display at the museum, where it can continue to be appreciated by visitors and help preserve an important part of Australia’s military vehicle heritage.

The Jeep forms part of a permanent display at Carroll’s Transport Depot in Coolum. Visitors and local residents interested in historic military vehicles, Rolls-Royce cars and other equipment can view an impressive collection of well-preserved vehicles.

The owner, Frank Carroll opens the display on the first Saturday of each month with a 'Coffee and Cars' display from 7am-10am. Details can be found at this link:

Book Launch - Supporting the Commitment – Australian Army Logistics in South Vietnam, 1962–1973 - Wodonga

Above: Book launch attendees including LTCOL Charmaine Benfield, Ian R Finlayson and MAJ Wendi McAdie. Photo: PTE Kylie West

To master our profession, we must first understand our history.

That message was at the heart of the recent launch of Supporting the Commitment – Australian Army Logistics in South Vietnam, 1962–1973 by Ian R. Finlayson at the Army Museum Bandiana.

Hosted in the recently reopened home of Army logistics history, the event celebrated an important addition to the Chief of Army’s History Series. While many books have explored Australia’s combat operations in Vietnam, Ian’s work shines a light on the logisticians whose planning, innovation and determination made those operations possible.

In her address, Commandant ALTC spoke about the importance of learning from the past, reminding us that the stories of those who served provide invaluable lessons for today’s logisticians and health planners. As she noted, “We’re very good at identifying lessons - sometimes we’re not so good at learning them.” This book helps ensure those lessons are not forgotten.

Drawing on decades of research and experience, Mr Finlayson reflected on the Vietnam veterans who inspired his work, acknowledging that while he wrote the book, they created the history.

Congratulations to Ian on this outstanding publication, and thank you to everyone who joined us at the Army Museum Bandiana to celebrate another important milestone in preserving and sharing Army’s logistics heritage.

Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence

Remembering QX31481 Craftsman Ernest James Hansen

Among those commemorated at Adelaide River War Cemetery Northern Territory is Craftsman Ernest James Hansen, a young Queensland soldier whose life was cut short by a tragic accident during the Second World War.

Ernest was born at Killarney, Queensland, on 29 January 1918. He enlisted in the Australian Army at Brisbane on 15 April 1942, giving Killarney as his home locality and nominating his wife, Linda Hansen, as his next of kin. Allocated the service number QX31481, Ernest served as a Craftsman with the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME) and was posted to the 2/11th Field Regiment.

His surviving service records provide a brief but sobering account of the incident that claimed his life in 1944 in Darwin. The accident fractured his skull, and he was evacuated through 4 Field Ambulance to 129 Australian General Hospital, suffering from the severe head injuries recorded in his file. He was placed on the dangerously ill list, but despite the medical care provided, he died on 12 April 1944. He was just 26 years old.

A subsequent Court of Inquiry was held in the field and determined that Ernest had died from injuries sustained under conditions of service. He was laid to rest at Adelaide River War Cemetery, where his grave continues to preserve his memory more than eight decades later. He is also commemorated on the Killarney Roll of Honour.

Behind the formal entries in his service record was a husband, a Queenslander and a young soldier serving his country far from home. The surviving photograph of Ernest shows the man behind service number QX31481, while his memorial at Adelaide River provides a lasting reminder of the sacrifice made by Ernest and his family.

Our thanks to COL (Rtd) Tony Borg for providing the photograph of Ernest Hansen’s memorial at Adelaide River War Cemetery.

Rest in Peace