Water Cart (Furphy)
Water carts were used to take water to Australian Army personnel during the First World War in Europe and the Middle East.
The steel and cast iron tanks were first made in the 1880s and were used on farms and by stock agents. The Memorial's example is a replica, made in the 1980s.
The carts, with "J. Furphy & Sons" written on their tanks, became popular as gathering places where soldiers could exchange gossip, rumours and fanciful tales—much like today's water cooler discussion, hence the word ‘furphy’ entering the lexicon.
Another suggested explanation is that the rumbling of an approaching water cart sounded like the firing of artillery, thus causing a false alarm. It is also used to refer to a foolish mistake.
This Furphy water wagon is a replica of the type used during the First World War. It is significance lies in the fact that it was made by the same company who supplied the water wagons during the war, using the same techniques, original moulds and in most instances, the same materials.