Man sitting on gun, c. 1990

OBJECT TITLE / NAME

Man sitting on gun, c. 1990

DATE1990

MEDIAImage

PHOTOGRAPHERIan Cook

COLLECTIONHastings-Western Port Historical Society

REG NO.P291

HISTORY

This man is Mr Peter Ainsworth with the Hastings-Western Port Historical Society’s Armstrong Gun. The Armstrong Gun was one of four, 40 pound guns brought to Hastings c. 1890 because of a perceived Russian threat. Peter Ainsworth was the only Town Crier for the shire of Hastings until his death in 1999. Born in England, he served as a Naval Petty Officer at HMAS Cerberus. Peter was very active in community life, serving on many committees including a term as Shire President in 1979. Written on the back in blue pen is: “Ian Cook Peter Ainsworth 940211-157”.

DESCRIPTION

This image shows a very happy grey haired man sitting on the top of a gun barrel smiling for the camera. He is holding a rag in both hands and leaning forward polishing the barrel. He is dressed in light coloured trousers, a white T-shirt with the words ‘Western Port Festival’ on the front and a open cardigan. The gun is sitting on a field carriage on the lawn in front of a building. There is a large tree in front of the building and a tree fern on the right-hand side in the background. Part of a car can be seen in the background on the left-hand side and a line of trees in the distance.

SUBJECTS

Cannons, Festivals and celebrations, Guns, Local history, Men, Military history, Town criers

KEYWORDS

Ainsworth, Peter, Cook, Ian, Hastings-Western Port Historical Society