M2A2 Howitzer gun given to Hawks Nest Tea Gardens RSL Sub-Branch FEATURED Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest by NOTA - February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 Tea Gardens Hawks Nest RSL Sub-Branch has been honoured with an original M2A2 Howitzer gun used in the Vietnam War. Neil Davy Barry Whiteman Terry Munright Merv Mills Former president of the sub-branch Terry Munright said he first became aware the guns were available back in late 2011. “We filled out a lengthy application form and from 247 applications for only 38 guns, our sub-branch was successful,” he said. “They not only looked at our application but at where the gun would be put and how it would be looked after,” he said. Terry Munright, Merv Mills, Neil Davy of Myall Engineering and Barry Whiteman Tea Gardens was one of four places in NSW to receive one of the guns, the others going to Oberon, Muswellbrook and Thirlmere. The M2A2 Howitzer was introduced into service in 1967 and was critical in providing close artillery fire support to the Australian Army in Vietnam. The gun has special significance for the Vietnam veterans in the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest sub-branch who used the same style of gun during their deployment. “It’s the same type of artillery piece I was over in operation with. It was a very, very necessary weapon over there,” Vietnam veteran Merv Mills said. Myall Engineering is in the process of measuring up the gun so it can be installed on a concrete slab at Anzac Park, Tea Gardens. Mr Munright said he hoped the gun would be installed by next month, and will definitely be in place before the ANZAC centenary.
