RAA LIAISON LETTER 2025 – 2026 EDITION CANNONBALL SUPPLEMENT 115 8 inch RML Mark VI A couple of years ago the RAAHC was approached seeking information on the colour and paint scheme used on the 8 inch howitzer of the 54th Australian Siege Battery. With the recent raising of 54th Battery it is appropriate we now provide details on why the question was raised. Peter Bowers, a retired engineer, wanted to commemorate the service of his grandfather 228 Gunner Robert Bowers who served with the 54th Australian Siege Battery during World War I. Peter decided to make a 11:1 scale model of the 8 inch Mark VI Howitzer used by his grandfather. But before we get to that some background on his grandfather. Robert Bowers joined the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery on 29 April 1915 and was posted to Fort Arthur’s Head, Fremantle to man the 6 inch guns. He enlisted in the Siege Brigade on 1 June 1916 and embarked with them on the HMAT Orsova on 17 July 1916. Following training in the UK he was posted to the 54th Australian Siege Battery which went into action near Arras on 16 March 1916. Gassed twice before being wounded in August 1917 when the gun was fired before he was clear of the wheel. The injury resulted in him being returned to Australia in December and discharged in March 1918. Commencing work in May 2023 he painstakingly undertook the task of machining the parts. There was no complete set of drawings available but providing the drawing had the wheel in it he could scale the part in the drawing. May 2023 to December 2023 was spent making the wheels. Then followed the barrel in January and February 2024. This required a cutting tool be made for cutting the rifling in the barrel sleeve using a press. February to March was spent making the breech including the gears and levers to operate the breech screw. Next came the milling of the lower frame for the carriage, May to August 2024, and shim for the front axles. Followed by the upper frame, September to October 2024, cradle, elevating gear and quick loading linkage, October to December. December 2024 to January 2025 saw work on the recoil suppressor and recuperator undertaken. Traverse gearbox, elevation gearbox and handwheels were made between January and May 2025. Finally the brakes and shells were manufactured between September and October 2025. The finished job is a great credit to Peter. His eye for detail is outstanding. The hole in the wheel isn’t a missing rivet but is a hole deliberately left in the wheels to allow spikes to be inserted for moving the gun on difficult ground. In Honour and Remembrance to all who served in the Australian Siege Batteries in World War I. Lest We Forget. (Thanks to Peter Bowers for the photos and information)
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