Herald 20221018

On a fishing trip to Moreton
Island in 1984 the photos of a
gun battery at Cowan Cowan
were taken.
Darwin was attacked by the
Japanese on February 19, 1942.
The urgency of guarding the
sea approaches to Brisbane
brought about the construction
of the Cowan Battery on Moreton
Island which began in early
1942.
Across Moreton Bay on the
northern tip of Bribie Island fortifications
included two six-inch
naval guns and searchlights.
The two forts were guarded
by the 14th Garrison Battalion.
Other guns and fortifications
surrounded the coast of Moreton
Island. Moreton Bay had extensive
minefields.
The six-inch guns which
weighed 12 tons each were
dropped off a barge into the sea
and manhandled by 12 men into
position by being rolled with
LIVING HISTORY with MAX and PAM BACON
Guns at Fort Cowan Moreton Island
ropes along wooden bearers.
Fort Cowan had searchlights
and a radar station. Gun crews
practised by firing at towed targets.
On March 4, 1942 the Minesweeper
“Tambar” had a mix-up
in code signals with the Cowan
Battery resulting in the firing of
a six-inch, bring-to shot, across
the bow of the “Tambar.”
The shell hit the ship’s forecastle
killing Able Seaman A.E.
Bartch instantly. The shell then
passed through the captain’s
cabin killing Steward E.R. Harrison.
It then passed through the
radio room where it severed
the legs of Warrant Officer H.
Theeman who later died in
Greenslopes hospital in Brisbane.
The Cowan guns were recovered
in 1947 with one of the
guns, Serial No. 2327, being
stored at Kelvin Grove Barracks
Alan Bacon, Frank Griinke, Rod Harvey and Michael Griinke discovered this World War Two Fortification high on the sandhills
of Moreton Island above the eastern beach. It was well defended by swarms of sand flies. August 1984 - Max BAcon photos
in Brisbane while its twin went the National Artillery Museum,
south.
North Fort, Manly, New South
In the 1950s a C.M.F. Unit Wales. The closure of this Museum
conducted an exercise to reinstall
saw the gun go into storage
the Kelvin Grove gun to the at Bandiana. It will hopefully go
Cowan Battery site.
on display at an Artillery School
The Maritime Museum recovered
Museum at Puckapunyal in Vic-
and stored the gun in 1985, toria.
the year after our photos were The Cowan Gun seems to
taken in 1984. In 2001 it was have been the gun that no one
acquired and put on display by wanted but everyone wanted.
LAND
USE FOR
THE GROOM
ELECTORATE
Lloyd Simkins and Frank Griinke inspect the Cowan Gun.
August 1984
Frank Griinke and Lloyd Simkins look across Moreton Bay
from the Cowan Gun. August 1984
Tree of love
OR LAND & WATER RUINATION FOR
THE GROOM ELECTORATE????
Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, residents in Parkland
Estate at Crows Nest, who have for years been looking
after this nearby roundabout making it a focal point in
the estate, have transformed this tree into an exciting tree
of love. - Contributed
10 - HIGH COUNTRY HERALD - OCTOBER 18, 2022
To advertise phone 4615 4416 or email herald@highcountrynews.net.au