Hi Ian From the documents contained in AWM 194, there is no mention of them being the property of the Federal government. Rather each community had to appoint three trustees, one of whom had to be a member of the AIF and the committee had to agree to the guns being permanently housed in a public park, building or garden, and were responsible for preservation and safe custody. They also had to arrange a ceremony for the handing over of the guns and also bear all costs. I have been in contact with the AWM over several months now and have accessed the files from the State Trophy Committees etc. A lot of the records are incomplete or missing but I was fortunate enough to obtain the details of trustees, some gun numbers etc. Additionally Ross Billett's book on war trophies mentions nothing about federal control. If anyone knows more about this, I would be happy to hear from you. Best wishes -----Original Message----- From: Ian Welch [mailto:ianwelch@coombs.anu.edu.au] Sent: Thursday, 24 October 2002 1:17 PM To: AUS-AIF-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [AUS-AIF-1914-1919 ] RE: [AUS-NSW-PENRITH] Penrith and StMarys War Memorials From Ian Welch ianwelch@coombs.anu.edu.au WWI guns were destributed around Australia but remained, as I understand it, the property of the Federal Government and are managed, if that is the term, by the Australian War Memorial. I suggest contacting the AWM re guns and in particular, any recent discussions etc. Ian ianwelch@coombs.anu.edu.au Scanned by PeNiCillin http://safe-t-net.pnc.com.au/