Hunters Hill First World War Howitzer No. 1177

This 150mm German Howitzer No.1177 was captured at La Motte near Estrees, France, in October 1918 by the 20th Battalion Australian Imperial  Force (A.I.F.). It was given to the people of Hunters Hill in 1922 in recognition of their contribution to the war effort. It was originally dedicated in 1927 and re-dedicated on 24 April 2015.

The Howitzer was relocated from outside the Hunters Hill RSL Sub-Branch, back to the Hunters Hill Town Hall and now forms part of the Hunters Hill War Memorial. 

The cannon underwent extensive restoration between 1988 and 2015 for the 'Centenary of ANZAC'. A book has been published for the Centenary on the restoration and dedication: 

• Hunter's Hill (N.S.W. : Municipality). Council (issuing body) (2015). History of our WWI trophy gun. Hunter's Hill, N.S.W. Municipality of Hunter's Hill, at the State Library of NSW here.

An excerpt is below, from Clr Richard Quinn, Mayor:

This cannon has now been faithfully restored by Vintage Motor Garage with generous funding assistance from Hunter's Hill Council and the Federal and State governments as a Centenary of ANZAC project. The work has been co-ordinated by Hunter's Hill Council Military Memorabilia Restoration Advisory Committee chaired by ex-serviceman Councillor Peter Astridge. The restored cannon reminds us all of the ultimate prize, our freedom, for which our service men and women have selflessly fought and, in many cases, sacrificed their lives. We continue to remember them. 

Journey of the gun from France to Hunters Hill

• 1918 After capture in France near Beaurevoir, the gun was transferred to Croydon Ordinance Depot in the United Kingdom for storage prior to shipment to Australia.
• 1919 
  • April - The gun arrived in Melbourne aboard HMAT 45- Bulla, as part of a consignment of 320 war trophies. The Bulla, formally SS Hessen, a German freighter impounded by the Australian Commonwealth on 3 September 1914.
  • June - The gun was displayed in the Melbourne Domain circa June 1919. 
  • 13 September - Tree planted in Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill by Sir Walter Davidson K.C. M.G. "In commemoration of the patriotism of the youth of Hunter's Hill during the Great War".
• 1920 23 November - The Hunters Hill Council Town Clerk applies to the NSW War Trophies Committee for a share of the war trophies.
• 1921
  • February - Heavy machine gun allocated to Hunters Hill by the NSW War Trophies Committee.
  • May - Commonwealth War Trophies Committee advised Hunters Hill Council heavy machine gun No.1573 with sleigh mount has been forwarded by steamer from Melbourne. The Town Clerk (Sydney) reported the gun could not be located.
  • June - Ordinance Officer Commonwealth Forces advised Hunters Hill Council the German heavy machine gun No.1573 dispatched on board the steamer "Calula" could be obtained at the Depot, Darlinghurst Gaol. Hunters Hill Council decided the machine gun be obtained and housed at the Town Hall for the present.
• 1971 27 September - Hunters Hill Council given permissive occupancy of Woolwich Lookout.
• 1974 
  • 14 January - Hunters Hill Council resolves to move the War Memorial from the corner of Woolwich Road and Ferry Street to its present location in front of the Hunters Hill Town Hall.
  • 23 January - Gun moved from Town Hall to Woolwich Lookout in order to accommodate the re-erection of the War Memorial in its place.
• 1978 8 January - Hunters Hill Town Hall and bronze Honour Roll destroyed by fire.
• 1979 10 September - Hunters Hill Council resolves to refurbish the gun, although no action was taken.
• 1984 
  • 19 February - Hunters Hill resident Mr J. Woodbridge offers to remove the gun at no great expense to Hunters Hill Council. Council declines the offer.
  • 30 April - Council again resolves to refurbish the gun.
  • 11 October - Gun moved to Woolwich Army base.
• 1986 July - Proposal to remove gun from Army property.

The passing of another quarter of a century saw the gun in a deteriorated condition. In 2009, Hunters Hill Council obtained quotes for its repair and restoration. In 2013, Council sought possible solutions that would see the gun restored and preserved as part of the Council's Centenary of Anzac project. The Military Memorabilia Restoration Advisory Committee was formed by resolution of Council via Minute No. 118/13 in an endeavour to oversee the restoration in time for the 2015 Centenary of Anzac Commemorative Service.