Field modified ?

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 3:31 pm

Following on (sort of) from the topic below regarding the modification to the Long Lee during it's time with the opposition, I've always been fascinated by this picture.

Unfortunately over the years I've lost the details like name, location etc but the basic story is the bloke was an ex roo-shooter serving in New Guinea with the Australian army in WWII with the job of unit sniper.

Apart from the obvious modification to the forend the rifle also appears to retain its magazine cut-off.

Also wonder if he brought the bandolier along from home.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v33/w ... wn303a.jpg[/pic]

bradtx · Post by **bradtx** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:17 pm

Woftam, I wonder if it's too much to imagine that it's his personal rifle.

Regards, Brad

Aughnanure · Post by **Aughnanure** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:51 pm

Looks like a unit armourer's job. These were not unknown.

Eoin.

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:51 pm

Brad,

It's possible I suppose but knowing the military mindset I would think it unlikely.

You could get a way with a lot more "in the field " I think, than on induction.

sunray · Post by **sunray** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:20 am

I seriously doubt it's a Long Lee. They were long gone by W. W. II. Looks more like a bubba'd W. W .I No. 1 with a mag cut off to me.

rayinNZ · Post by **rayinNZ** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:30 am

I have seen this before possibly on the Guns& Knives or British Guns

Looking at again is there anything in the picture to indicate this joker is in the regular forces.

Hat does not look right, nothing else looks specially military

Looks more like a coast watcher to me which for those of you who do not know was a really dangerous game....beheading was what happened when it went wrong

Ray

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:17 am

Ray,

You have an excellent memory. When I originally found the photo I posted it on the CSP forum. Back then I actually had the details. IIRC no actual unit was specified, just that he was serving with the Australian forces in NG.

The coastwatcher angle makes very good sense due to the nature of his attire. As you say nothing specifically identifies him as a digger.

Well I did what I should have done in the first place - went and had a good look, this is the photo caption. Pretty good call Ray.

PAPUA. 1942-08-28. INFORMAL OUTDOORS PORTRAIT OF TOUGH AND WIRY PRIVATE H.A. LAKE, ONE-TIME KANGAROO HUNTER, NOW A SNIPER WITH THE 2/5TH INDEPENDENT COMPANY. (NEGATIVE BY DAMIEN PARER)

bradtx · Post by **bradtx** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:23 am

Ray, Thanks for sparking a long dormant memory cell for me also! As a youngster I read a book about the AU and NZ coast watchers. Pvt. Lake is an excellant example of what I imagined a c/w'r would look like.

Woftam, You know, there is a lot of story in this picture, really more of a portrait than a picture. Does "Independant Company" possibly involve coast watchers?

Regards, Brad

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:06 pm

Brad,

As far as I'm aware the independant companies were more akin to commando units. The Coastwatchers were more an intelligence gathering organisation. Below are a couple of links to some info on the Coastwatchers. For what its worth my opinion is you were a brave man to serve in either unit.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-nav ... tchers.htm

http://www.users.bigpond.com/battlefora ... Index.html

BTW I tried looking up Private Lake's service record and if I have identified him correctly he was discharged (no other info) in mid 1943. Wonder what the story was there ?

Woftam · Post by **Woftam** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:38 pm

Brad,

As far as I'm aware the independant companies were more akin to commando units. The Coastwatchers were more an intelligence gathering organisation. Below are a couple of links to some info on the Coastwatchers. For what its worth my opinion is you were a brave man to serve in either unit.

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-nav ... tchers.htm

http://www.users.bigpond.com/battlefora ... Index.html

BTW I tried looking up Private Lake's service record and if I have identified him correctly he was discharged (no other info) in mid 1943. Wonder what the story was there ?