Grenade Howitzer Mark 1 (Garland Trench Mortar) : Lone Pine, Gallipoli

Place Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Anzac Area (Gallipoli), Lone Pine Area, Lone Pine
Accession Number RELAWM07849
Collection type Technology
Object type Grenade
Physical description Steel, Wood
Date made c 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Steel barrel 590mm in length. with internal diameter of 65mm. Fastened to a clamp on the mid-point of the barrel is a steel stirrup, fabricated out of 6mm steel bar. This stirrup would have engaged a large brass breech block and held it in place against the breech, forming the primary means of obturation. The brass block was secured to a wooden base, with the barrel fixed at a 45 degree elevation. A number of parts are missing from this example.

History / Summary

The 65 mm Grenade Howitzer Mark 1 (also known as the Garland Trench Mortar) was used by Australian and British forces during the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War. This example was apparently used in the Australian Trenches at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. The weapon was devised by Herbert Garland, and manufactured in Cairo.

This mortar was found at Lone Pine in January 1919 by Lieutenant William Hopkins James, who headed a small party to Gallipoli for the Australian War Records Section (the precursor to the Australian War Memorial). They arrived at Gallipoli in mid December 1918, and remained there until late March 1919. With the assistance of members of the 7th Light Horse Regiment stationed in the area, they collected items, and photographed the battlefield. In February 1919 they were joined by the Australian Historical Mission, lead by Official Historian C E W Bean, who remained at Gallipoli until mid March.