Field Telephone Mechanic

Our field telephone mechanic is another symbol of the impact of technology on the Great War.

The field telephone mechanic is providing ‘landline’ communications between divisional headquarters and brigade, battalion headquarters, or command posts on the Western Front. The soldiers who provided this means of communication are called signallers. This field telephone mechanic is using the latest in electrical communication, but he is dressed to ride a horse as he is wearing leather leggings, riding breeches and has a water bottle slung over his shoulder.

It is summertime in France or Belgium as he has stripped down to his undershirt, but he is within range of enemy artillery as he is wearing a steel helmet. Between his legs is a spool of signal wire, and he holds a field telephone handset to his ear.

Explore field telephone mechanic 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.