The Simpson Trophy competition originated in 1890 as an annual rifle shooting match, fired by service members under service conditions. The trophy was provided by the Hon Alfred Mueller Simpson MLC who: "Having received from Her Majesty's Government by way of payment for his services as a member of the Legislative Council is desirous of appropriating the said sum to some useful public purpose". Is still being competed for.
Army Museum of South Australia
The museum is situated within Defence Centre - Adelaide's Keswick Barracks. The Barracks were established in 1912 when the Army moved from North Terrace, Adelaide, to a fringe parklands area at Keswick. The museum is housed in an original 1912 building near the Anzac Highway entrance gates and is accessible to the general public. It is tri-service, with a collection steadily growing to embrace all aspects of service life - army, navy, air force and women's services - from pre-Federation to the present day. The museum was opened on 30 September 1992.
Address:
Keswick Barracks, Anzac Highway, Keswick, SA
Tel:
0883056374
Hours:
Sunday 12:00noon - 4:00pm
Admission:
Free
Facilities:
Car parking, wheelchair access, guides
Collection:
10,000 items of militaria. Approximately 9,000 badges. Strengths include a large military memorabilia collection (pre- Federation to Vietnam) including World War II uniforms, badges, buttons, colour patches, and a collection of Army medical/nursing artefacts (World War II).
Items
Armed Services Rifle - Shooting Trophy
The Simpson Trohpy
Creator:
Basse & Co. Adelaide
Description:
The trophy is a handsome silver mounted work depicting the Army of the 1890s with mounted and dismounted soldiers and is suitably inscribed.
Date:
1890
Item Id Number:
A001
Army hat badge
Hat badge: Australian Commonwealth Horse 1st Pattern 1902
Creator:
Not Known
Description:
Brass, oxidised badge, the original precursor to the rising sun badge.
Date:
1902
Item Id Number:
GC 5617
This is the badge, issued in 1902, which is the precursor to today's famed general service badge, commonly known as the 'rising sun'. The original design came from a series of bayonets radiating out from the brass crown. It was the first design on issue to Australian Troops going to the Boer War post Federation.
Military tunic
Tunic
Creator:
Not Known
Description:
Khaki army tunic, woollen- silver buttons; heavy white cords and epaulets; two pockets (breast pockets); GS collar badges.
Date:
1902
Item Id Number:
GC 5730
Tunic from soldier's uniform especially tailored for men who comprised the Australian Army contingent to the coronation of King Edward VII.
Foundation Stone
Foundation Stone
Creator:
Not Known
Description:
Engraved marble block 36cm x 23cm x 42cm. Engraving reads: "This stone was laid by Denison S K Miller, Governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 1st War Service Home October 24th 1919."
Date:
1919
Item Id Number:
AUO2
When the family left their home, they took this stone with them; it passed to the Army Museum this year by the daughter. The house was built in the Adelaide suburb of Prospect.
Hand Gun (military)
Artillery Luger
Creator:
Georg Luger
Description:
Luger automatic pistol, commonly known as Artillery Luger, 1917 vintage, complete with detachable shoulder stock, leather harness and holster; overall length 31cm, barrel length 19cm. Nod 8295.
Date:
1917
Item Id Number:
F22
Taken by officer of the 9th Light Horse Regiment AIF during operations in Palestine (World War I) from a German pilot whose aircraft had been forced down by accurate ground fire from the 9th Light Horse AIF (a South Australian unit).