The authors are grateful for the considerable encouragement and support they have received throughout the life of this project. In 2012 this book was accepted as a project by the Army Tank Museum; in 2014 it was embraced by the Head of Corps and the Corps Council of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps as a worthwhile means to celebrate both the centenary of Lieutenant James’ first tentative steps towards forming Australia’s first armoured unit and the landing at Gallipoli. In 2014 the Army History Unit agreed to publish Pioneers of Australian Armour in the centenary year, 2015.
The concept of this project has extended over many years and Pioneers of Australian Armour could not have eventuated without significant help and encouragement from many. The authors wish to acknowledge those who have both assisted us and who have made this project a pleasure: Martin Pegler; Brad Manera, Manager, ANZAC Memorial, Sydney; Colonel Fred Dangar; Dianne Rutherford, Senior Curator, Military Heraldry and Technology, Australian War Memorial; Dr Roger Lee and Dr Andrew Richardson, Army History Unit; Lieutenant Colonels Stuart Cree and Andrew Abbot, Commanding Officers of the School of Armour; Major John Baines, Corps Historian, Royal Australian Armoured Corps; Major Peter Branagan, Office of Royal Australian Armoured Corps Head of Corps; Major Brian Gough, Manager, Army Tank Museum; Joe Linford, Curator, Army Tank Museum; Jane Carolan, Trinity Grammar; Jenny Pearce, The King’s School; Carl Fitchett and John Italia, Defence Archives; Owen Gibbons, Jason Gibbons and Kate Lloyd of the Defence Publishing Service, Corporate Graphics; John Deckert, Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre; Michael Roberts, Collingwood Football Club; Greg Williams, Principal, Diamond Valley College; Shelley Cohn; Caroline Knaggs; Noel Troy and Krystii Melaine. Finally the editing skills of Catherine McCullagh and the high quality work of Denny Neave and his team at Big Sky Publishing brought this endeavour to a fitting conclusion producing the beautiful volume that is Pioneers of Australian Armour.
The families of James’ original Armoured Car Section have also proven both welcoming and generous well beyond expectation. Many years ago Percy Cornwell’s grandson arrived at the Army Tank Museum and handed over Percy’s photo albums. In 2006 Henry Harkin’s nephew donated family treasures to the Army Tank Museum. Along with Captain James’ legacy, these artefacts enabled this project to come to fruition. Since 2013 the families of Ernest James, Ivan Young, Bert Creek, Henry Morgan and Leo Cohn have produced material that will make the Armoured Car Section/Light Car Patrol one of the best documented units of the AIF. We wish to acknowledge the care of these families in the custody of such heritage and we thank them for sharing that heritage without hesitation.
And finally, a special thanks to our families who have encouraged, supported and, above all, tolerated our interests. You all played a vital part in the realisation of this project.
David A. Finlayson and Michael K. Cecil 2015
A. The December 1915 receipt for the purchase of armour plate by Captain James. The construction of the armoured cars was a considerable challenge in 1915 Melbourne.