War machines’ new life
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KEEPING history alive and paying respects to the wounded and dead soldiers of WWII is the pivotal role the Military and Historic Vehicle Club of Townsville plays in the local community.
The club preserves WWII American army vehicles before they are lost to time, with many members using similar vehicles during their own military service.
President Col Feather joined the club in 1995 and said his interest in historic vehicles developed at age 14.
“I am pretty mechanically minded and interested in military vehicles and it is just one of those things for me,” he said.
“It is historic that has a relationship to the people in the Second World War and it is keeping history alive and well.”
Mr Feather’s collection includes three jeeps, an ambulance and a Harley all dating back to WWII.
Contact name: Col Feather Number: 0407 020 579 Email: mhvc.tvl@gmail.com Facebook: Military and Historic Vehicle Club Townsville
When: Every 2nd Tuesday at Ryan Catholic College Membership: $30 single/$50 couple
The club’s members own about 25 vehicles collectively including Jeeps and Landrovers that are largely all made in the USA and Canada.
All of the vehicles were leftovers from the war, with most of them salvaged from people’s sheds and restored to their former glory.
Mr Feather said his pride and joy was his WWII ambulance, which took eight years to restore. “An uncle of mine that retired spent countless hours rebuilding the body because it was so similar to what he did in the railway,” he said.
“I like the old-style military vehicles and I like driving them as well.”
The club was formed in 1981 and is actively involved in the community, attending various shows and events during the year.
Anzac Day is the most important day on the calendar for the club, transporting ex-army soldiers who are unable to march so they can still commemorate their day.
The club also showcases its vehicles at the Townsville show, the Battle of the Coral Sea anniversary in Cardwell and the Defence Show and Shine at Lavarack, just to name a few.
Mr Feather said the club had about 25 members and was hoping to find new blood to join in 2020.
“Our biggest worry is finding new members to carry on the legacy simply because most of our members are 70 odd,” he said.
“If we all dropped out especially on Anzac Day the city would miss us and it would be good to keep it going with younger members.”