The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Compressed air-activated gas alarm, consisting of a cast steel compressed air cylinder, with brass opening valve positioned at top with a wire-reinforced rubber air tube located at the side. This unit is approximately 570 mm in length and 107 mm in diameter. The tube joins to a brass horn arrangement, with cast brass valve unit and integral mounting bracket, to which is bolted a tapering sheet brass horn. This unit is approximately 394 mm in length and 166 mm in diameter. Both cylinder valve and valve unit are impressed with the British broad arrow and the date '6/17'. The valve is also impressed 'JC. CO Ltd'. The air cylinder has been painted black and has white painted lettering, most of which is unclear (HARRE- is visible), but the date 4/18 is obvious.
No specific history is known of this Strombos compressed air gas alarm, apart from its use with the Australian Corps School as a training aid. This training complex was located near Aveluy in the Ancre Valley, France.
Contemporary accounts note that the Strombos compressed air gas alarm had a penetrating sound which could be heard for up to three to four miles (4.8 to 6.5 kilometres). Enough air was held in the cylinder to allow a full minute-long alarm to be sounded. The design of this alarm originated in the United States of America for use on locomotives and ships.
Circular cast brass handle, with knurled outer face. The inner section has been lightened with six holes, and features and square-section centre hole for locating over the square release valve post on
Brass-cased pressure gauge with painted enamel dial showing increments from zero to 1500 pounds per square inch. The indicator for 1250 is marked with a red line. A needle indicator is mounted low on
German 105 mm shell case converted into a gong for gas alarm. The shell case is made from brass. Markings - ML 1913, 105I; SC, BX, 82L, 16U 8T. The Shell case gas alarm was found in a German post ne
M85 gas mask made from dark green rubber. A pair of clear Perspex lens are secured to the rubber face by black plastic and natural metal clamps. On the upper right side of the gas mask is a moulded m
Hand cranked, hand-held horn klaxon, comprising a cast steel cranking unit with an integral handle. Emerging from the rear is a rotating crank bar fitted with a shaped wooden handle. This unit is bolt
French ARS type gas mask fitted with a centrally mounted removable circular shaped filter unit. The entire respirator is finished in an overall khaki brown colour. Stamped in black ink on the left c
