Hawkesbury connection to the Wallaby Sniping Cage

William Thomas Charley was responsible for inventing the concept of the Wallaby Sniping Cage at Gallipoli in 1915.

The cage was designed to be used at night, holding the rifle in a fixed position after aiming, allowing it to be fired again without re-aiming. He was educated at Roseworthy Agricultural College, graduating Dux of the college in 1891.

He went on to manage his brother Phillip’s property Belmont Park from 1894. He bought 93ha on Redbank Creek, which he called Redbank, built a large dam and planted out more than 20ha to citrus.

Along with his brother and other locals Brinsley Hall, Charles Cox, Robert Bruce Walker and Henry Skuthorp became the first Australian Lighthorsemen in1903.

The first Australian Light Horse Regiment (NSW Lancers) was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Liberty Vernon.

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• ANZAC Day