Driver, Field Artillery

The field artillery driver is equipped to ride a horse team into battle on the Western Front

Photograph of the Field Artillery Driver buttress sculpture on the Memorial's facade

Most of the field artillery pieces on the Western Front were towed into action by a horse team. The driver is ready to mount the lead horse of a team harnessed to an ammunition limber. On his left leg he wears a standard leather legging, while on his right he wears one that is reinforced with a narrow steel shield to protect his leg from being crushed by the central spar of the limber. He is holding a bridle for his horse. Accurate artillery fire was essential to the success of any attack during the Great War. Men and horses took extraordinary risks to get their guns into action where the infantry needed them most.

Explore driver, field artillery 3D model

On this day

12 May

— 1917

During consolidation operations at Bullecourt, Victorian Lt Rupert ‘Mick’ Moon was wounded four times charging a German machine gun nest and consolidating his troops’ defensive positions. For these actions he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

— 1945

During fighting on Tarakan, Leichardt-born Cpl Jack Mackey serving with the 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, single-handedly charged successive Japanese machine gun positions until he was killed. For these actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross and remains the only Australian pioneer so decorated.

— 1968

Personnel from 1st Australian Task Force established Fire Support Base Coral in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam. Fighting in the area would become Australia’s costliest campaign of the Vietnam War.