The City of Swan has restored the historic guns at Stirling Square in Guildford to their former glory in time for Anzac Day.
The City worked in consultation with the Royal Artillery Association of WA to remove rust from the two 25 pound guns and give them a new lease on life.
City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the guns are a central part of the war memorial at Stirling Square, which was unveiled on November 6, 1920.
“This memorial is a place of pride for our community, and it stands as a reminder of the service and sacrifice Australians have made for our freedom,” he said.
“The City is proud to support this restoration of the War Memorial, which will be the centre of an Anzac Day service on April 25, one of our most important national days.”
The placement of guns at Stirling Square traces back to 1921, when the Guildford community was gifted with a Howitzer trophy gun which was captured at Hamel in France in WWI.
This original gun was melted down for scrap metal as part of the war effort in WW2 and later replaced in 1962 with two 25 pound guns donated by the Guildford branch of the RSL.
The guns were removed after deteriorating in the weather, and were replaced with the present 25 pounders in 1974 by the 3rd Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery.
Midland/Guildford Ward Councillor Claire Scanlan said a self-guided walk trail goes through Stirling Square outlining the pioneering and historical past as part of the Guildford Heritage Trails.
“The Swan Valley Visitor Centre is located across the road from Stirling Square, and you can pick up a brochure and map to wander along one of four heritage walk trails,” she said.
“Much of Guildford’s original town plan, including the central church square, subdivisions and general land use, remains as it was, leaving a largely intact early 19th century English market town.
“A visit provides a rare glimpse into early colonial settlement with many well-preserved civic, commercial and private buildings dating from the 1840s to the 1920s and 1930s.”
An Anzac service will be held a Stirling Square at 9.00am on Thursday, April 25, organised by the Returned & Services League (RSL) Eastern Regional Sub Branch.
