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Darwin Bren Gun Carrier
The following is an extract from page 15 of the June 2011 issue of the club magzine - Caveant Hostes. It was written by Steve Rowan.
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NOW THIS IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST — I first received a phone call then I received an email as below.
Thank you for taking my call tonight. It was great talking with you.
Many years ago I acquired the substantial remains of two LP1 Bren gun carriers here in Darwin, and have been slowly tracking down many of the missing parts to enable me to do the restoration of one of them.
I tried to find out more about their history but kept coming up with blanks. Recently, however, this has changed as I have been delving deep in the National Archives and have been able to find out some more information about these particular carriers (two of ten that were sent to Darwin in 1940, and were first issued to the 2/15 Battalion).
My amazement was overwhelming though when I came across the website for the 2/15 Battalion Association, found the photo hosting on Picasa, and there found a picture of the actual carrier I have which is still identifiable
(a plate on it states it was built at the Victorian Railways Newport Workshops and it is Hull No. 42). This carrier had the registration number C6542 – and there is an actual photo of it in the collection of Tony Rowan (your
father I assume).
I am very keen to find out more about the use of carriers while the battalion was stationed in Darwin, and especially of any photos at all.
I will write up a better email soon, but I just wanted to get this one to you. Attached is a pic of Hull no. 42 as it is now:-
And below is the photo taken by my Dad of his crew in the same Carrier (note the Rego No.) in Darwin 1940.
Now what we are looking for to make this all work folks apart from a lot of TLC, is a differential (that’s only a diff. for the initiated) and Greg Snow said that they saw one on eBay. So ultimately, just like the motor bike over in WA now being tenderly looked after by Peter Barrow (see CH June 2010 Page 10 ), we could have a Bren Gun Carrier to add to our museum with the approval of Jared Archibald up in Darwin of course (who is the new member of ours) who is putting all of this together up there.
If you have any photos etc. Jared’s email for contact is jared.archibald @ nt.gov.au (take spaces out of email)
Steve Rowan, Secretary
