Following the end of the war in 1918, the Australian Government presented various war trophies to towns across the country which had contributed to the military effort in Gallipoli and the western front.
On the eve of the centenary of Anzac Day, local military historian Gary Lucas says Liverpool was given a German field gun and a trench mortar.
The gun was initially on display at Liverpool Railway Station.
But he says that this gun has gone missing for many years.
He thinks the centenary of Anzac Day is an appropriate time to seek to find the gun and return it to its rightful place.
“My research so far has shown that this field gun was removed sometime between 1950 and 1965, by whom and for what reason it is not known,’’ he says.
“The reason for my concern is that this historical German Field Gun (number 8053) was donated to the citizens of Liverpool as sign of appreciation from the government of the day for Liverpool’s contribution in men and women towards WWI.
“After WWI, when this and other war trophies were presented to Australian towns, a written agreement was signed guaranteeing that they would be permanently displayed and preserved.
“This was more than a gentleman’s agreement – it was a written bond,’’ Mr Lucas says.
“The Liverpool RSL were the last recorded Trustees of Liverpool’s War Trophies as of the 21st December 1929.
“If anyone can advise me of when, where and why the German Field Gun, as well as a German Trench Mortar (number 4811) went from the Liverpool Railway Station would they please contact me via email at gjlucas@bigpond.net.au
“It would be great to be able to put back on display in Liverpool this gun,’’ Mr Lucas said.
