Pre-embarkation
After formation and training the Regiment embarked from Port Melbourne in November 1940.
On the ship H.M.T. Strathmore on 16 November 1940. The men are wearing sand shoes on their feet. According to the Unit History (p16) this scene is on the upper deck of the ship. John Pickford is at front with hat in hand.
B Troop, 15th Battery, 1940. Back row: Tarzan McKees; Jack Naughton; Bertie Wilson; Ned Arnold; Jacky Woods; Joe Worrall; Bluey Ryan; Gus McLeod; Bauldy Richie. 6th row: Snowy Chapman; Max Fox; Ken Reilly; Champ Mason; Art Moore; Jack Colley; Alan Brain; Clem Robertson; Geoff Harris; Eric Cenna. 5th row: Bill McFarlane; Eric Kirkman; Stump Smith; Dick Armstrong; Frank Russell; Frank Ransome; Gus Olive; Art Rich; Alyn Lewis; Curly Owen. 4th row: John (Jim) Hargreaves; Alex Reid; Victor "Ghandi" Campbell; Ernie "Skinny or Pullthrough" Mitchell; Bernie Bolger; Bernie Upton; Harry Farnell; D.V. "Dooley" Worrall; L. Jack Currell; Greasy Burns. 3rd row: Jack Robertson; Arthur Peverell; Unknown; Tubby Trewern; Wooma Byron; Alf Woolley; Bluey Wilson: Len Cuthbert; Don Hose; John Pickford. 2nd row: Peter Wharton; Bill Brittingham; Charlie Morton; John Elder; Pop Stevens; Nobby Crisp; Roy Johnson; Sharkeye McKie; McLennan; Johnny Taylor. Front row: Charlie Smart; Snooky Barnes. During 2008 Bluey Wilson of Queensland has identified all but a few of the men. With the help of Edna Worrall the 4th row could be sorted out. There is now only one unknown in the 3rd row!
Troop of Lt. Stanley Barnes. The photo bares the signature of the commanding officer Lt. Col. A.P. Crisp. Bob Douglas has identified the photograph as all Sergeants and Warrant Officers of 15th Battery A and B Troops taken at Puckapunyal prior to embarkation. The background seems to be the same as the group photo of B Troop, 15th Battery. Back row: Unknown; Unknown; John "Tiger" Watkins? 3rd row: Unknown; Charlie Morton; Bob Douglas; Unknown; Henry Gwynne "Fish Eyes" Davies; Keith Watson; Unknown; Unknown. 2nd row: Stanley "Snookie" Barnes; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown. Front row: Fred Rowlands; Alan Braine?; Jimmy "Jo Jo" Tallyn - BQMS; Unknown; Unknown; Unknown; Jack "Black Jack" Williams; Alfie "Turkey Arse" Smith - one time RSM; Keith Batiste.
16th Bty Brighton Tasmania 1940. The vehicle at the right hand side has the registration plate C6743. See the following detail views of this photo. Collection of Jan (daughter of Dick Collins) via Ron Ware.
16th Bty Brighton Tasmania 1940 detail of left hand side. The men on the right hand side overlap with the following detail view.
16th Bty Brighton Tasmania 1940 detail of right hand side. The men on the left hand side overlap with the previous detail view.