9.2 inch Howitzer Mk 1 Projectile Loading Tray : 1st Australian Imperial Force

Projectile laoding tray made from steel. The loading tray is designed to support a projectile on a loading hoist to aid the projectile being loaded into the breech before the artillery piece is prepared for firing. The loading tray is made from steel components rivetted and welded together and is concave in shape on the upper surface. The loading tray is painted olive drab. The loading tray features four attachment points that attach to the retracting hoist that is designed to assist the loading of a projectile into the breech mechanism. There is substantial corrosion in the loading tray. Markings - BRR Co 9.2 HOW 1/1917.

This howitzer was received by the Australian War Memorial in 1939 and subsequently made available for proof purposes to the artillery proof range (Proof and Experimental Establishment) at Port Wakefield, South Australia (SA). It was returned to the Memorial's Sydney store in April 1949. The howitzer was then loaned to the Royal Australian Artillery at Holsworthy, where it remained on display until recovered to the Memorial in 1998. It is probable that this particular howitzer was used in action by the 55th Siege Battery in France in 1917.