Army Museum of Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Victoria Barracks |
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The main entrance to the Army Museum of Western Australia
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| Alternative names | Army Museum of Western Australia |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free Classical |
| Location | Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Address | Burt Street (corner Queen Victoria Street) |
| Coordinates | 32°2′42.74″S 115°45′15.84″E / 32.0452056°S 115.7544000°E |
| Current tenants | Army Museum of Western Australia |
| Construction started | 1910 |
| Completed | 1956 |
| Owner | Department of Defence |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hillson Beasley |
| Architecture firm | Public Works Department of Western Australia |
| Structural engineer | Public Works Department of Western Australia |
| Main contractor | Carrick, T.F. |
| References | |
| Designated | 2 September 1997 |
| Reference no. | 991 |
The Army Museum of Western Australia is a museum in Fremantle, Western Australia. It is located in an old army building called the Artillery Barracks on Burt Street. The museum first opened in 1977. It proudly displays three Victoria Crosses, which are very special awards for bravery.
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History of the Museum and Barracks
The Army Museum of Western Australia started in 1977. Its first home was a 19th-century building called Dilhorn House in Perth. In 1995, the museum moved to its current location. This new home is the historic Artillery Barracks in Fremantle.
The Fremantle Artillery Barracks is also known as Victoria Barracks. The government bought the land in 1909. The barracks were built between 1910 and 1913. They were a base for soldiers who operated large artillery guns. These guns protected the port of Fremantle.
The main idea for the buildings came from Hillson Beasley. He was the Government Architect at the Public Works Department. The barracks are made of red brick and limestone. They were designed to house 120 soldiers and officers. Their job was to protect the harbour.
The location of the barracks was chosen carefully. Leaders like Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs thought enemies would attack by sea. The barracks supported two forts nearby. These forts were part of Fremantle Harbour's defences before World War I.
The first part of the barracks was built in 1910. It included a two-storey building for 40 soldiers. There was also an office, guard room, and a separate kitchen and gym. Three years later, more buildings were added. These included another soldier's block, homes for married soldiers, and officers' quarters. A hospital was also built, which later became the Sergeants' Mess.
When World War I began in 1914, the barracks changed. They became hospital wards for sick soldiers. Later, wounded soldiers from the Western Front recovered there. This continued for a year after the war ended.
Between the two World Wars, more buildings were added. These included sheds and garages. In 1928, a wooden signal tower was built. It took over from an older signal station.
After World War II, Major General John Whitelaw lived at the Commanding Officer's Quarters. This home was known as Gun House. It became a tradition for the most senior army officer to live there. Since 1946, eighteen regional commanders have lived at the site. From 1948, the barracks were mainly used for training. This training was for the Citizen Military Forces, which later became the Australian Army Reserves.
In 1935, some land was given to the Royal Australian Navy. They built their own store there. In 1956, a new signal station was built on Cantonment Hill. It was used by the Fremantle Harbour Trust. This station only worked for eight years. New grain silos blocked its view. A new facility was then built on top of the Fremantle Port Authority building. The Cantonment Hill station was given back to the Army.
Why the Barracks are Important
The entire area of the barracks is considered historically important. Many of its buildings have special historical value. The Barracks were officially recognized by the National Trust of Australia (WA) in 1980. They were added to the Register of the National Estate in 1982. They became a permanent part of the State Heritage Register in 1997. The City of Fremantle also listed them in 2000. This site is the oldest continuously used defence site in Western Australia.
Around 2000, the museum faced a challenge. The Federal Government planned to sell the Artillery Barracks site. This would have meant the museum had to move again. A campaign called "Save the Barracks" began. People wanted the site to stay in public hands. They also wanted the museum to remain there. After many talks, the government agreed. The museum could stay at the barracks under special agreements. Today, the museum is supported by two part-time army staff. It also has about 80 active volunteers and 120 sponsor members.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has several different areas, called galleries. Each gallery shows how the Army was involved in Western Australia. They also show the military service of people from Western Australia. This covers periods from colonial times to today.
There are seven galleries to explore:
- Pre-1914 Gallery;
- World War I Gallery and Trench scene;
- World War II Gallery;
- Prisoner of War Gallery;
- Post-1945 Gallery;
- Vehicles and weapons; and
- Museum grounds.
Special Items on Display
The museum has many important items in its collection. Here are some of the most significant ones:
- Three Victoria Crosses awarded to Western Australians. These went to Martin O'Meara, Percival Eric Gratwick, and Leslie Thomas Starcevich.
- A Military Medal (MM) given to a Nursing Sister. She served in the Australian Army Nursing Service during World War I. This is one of only seven given to Australian nurses.
- A Distinguished Service Order (DSO) awarded to an honorary second lieutenant from the 44th Battalion.
- A Distinguished Conduct Medal and MM group. This was awarded to a soldier from the 1st AIF.
- Two Military Medals that were awarded to brothers.
- A DCM awarded to a member of the 10th Light Horse. This was for fighting around ES Salt during World War I.
- A DCM to a 2/16th Battalion soldier. He died from wounds during the Battle of Buna-Gona.
- A DCM awarded to a 2/16th Battalion soldier for the Battle of Shaggy Ridge.
- A DSO awarded to Major Jack Gerke from 3RAR. This was for the Battle of Maryang San.
- A collection of Queen's South Africa Medals and Colonial Long Service Medals. These were given to members of the Western Australian Mounted Infantry.
- A campaign medal group awarded to a Western Australian nurse. She was sadly murdered by the Japanese on Banka Island during World War II.
