HQ 7th Heavy Brigade RAA (M)

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Brief History

At the outbreak of war, the coastal defences of Western Australia were manned by permanent soldiers of 3rd Heavy Brigade RAA. They were supported by the militia of 7th Heavy Brigade RAA (M). These units were based at Fremantle Artillery Barracks with 6th Heavy Battery manning the guns on Rottnest Island with help of the 125th Heavy Battery (M). Meanwhile the 11th Heavy Battery manned the guns at Arthurs Head and Swanbourne, assisted by the 123rd Heavy Battery (M). A detachment manned the Albany guns assisted by 124th Heavy battery (M). In late 1940 a re-organisation of coastal artillery saw the militia and permanent men combining to form integrated batteries. HQ 3rd Heavy Battery and HQ 7th Heavy battery combined to form HQ Fremantle Fixed Defence. By day all guns were controlled by Rottnest Fire Command, but at night the mainland batteries were controlled by a separate Mainland Fire Command.

Unit Personnel

• John (Jack) Balshaw 21 Jul - 4 Dec 1941
• Hamilton John Crook 21 Jul 1941 - 16 Oct 1944
• Eric William Taylor 17 Feb - 16 Nov 1942
• Joseph George Jalli

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 3.164 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018