Matilda and grant

phoenix · #1 07-12-07, 04:23

On AULRO / REMLR one of the users came up with these photos from his recently deceased fathers camera and is hoping to find out where they were taken. anybody know the spot??

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/remlr-disc...somewhere.html

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #2 07-12-07, 05:16

Phoenix
I would say this is the site of Peers Motors in Murrayville, Victoria. The Peers Brothers after WW2 collected a vast number of ex. military vehicles, mainly armour. Over the years they cut most of it up and what remains now is a shadow of its former glory. This site was always a pilgimage stop for any South Australians going to Corowa. The brothers were very anti-collector as so much stuff was pilfered from their yard over the years. I'll have to dig out my images of this yard and compare them. The country looks right.
Bob

gjamo · #3 07-12-07, 05:21

Definitely Murrayville its still all there.

phoenix · #4 07-12-07, 05:28

Thanks Bob and Graeme for the fast answer. I was sure it looked familiar and knew this was the place to find out!!

Pity that they are anti collecter, but if stuff keeps getting pilfered who can blame them.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #5 07-12-07, 07:37

Graeme - when did you last see Murrayville. I would say there is only 10% of the stuff left, if that.
Bob

gjamo · #6 07-12-07, 21:57

Was over a year ago. Even then it was obvious that a whole lot of stuff had been removed from the gapping holes in the pile.

lynx42 · #7 08-12-07, 10:01

I visited Murrayville in August 2007, and the two chain drive Macks are no longer there. A few enquiries later I found that they are being restored by Mr. Peers grandson, in Murrayville. (Well one is).
There was a fair bit missing from the Macks, but one engine was removed many years ago and used as a standby generator engine in the family workshop. It was not often required, so is in excellent condition and therefore the resoration has had a big push along.
Mr. Peers is quite elderly, so who knows what will happen to the rest in the not too distant future.
Here are a few photos.

AP shot through a Grant road wheel.

One of the Grants.

Interesting Tyre markings.

Close-up.

Ryan · #8 03-01-12, 11:41

Going on a road trip tomorrow that will take me through Murrayville.
Where is all this stuff located? Is it easy to find. I want to talk to the owners before I take any photos, do I find them at Peers Motors?
Ryan

Scrivo18 · #9 03-01-12, 12:01

You will drive straight passed Ryan.. On the left as you enter the town.. You coming any where near Kerang???

Tim

Ryan · #10 03-01-12, 12:22

Hi Tim, wycheproof is probably the closest I get before we swing off to the west and birchip.
I don't want to stir up anything

with the south australian mob as we cross their border. The trip is offically a recce but may end up being a border raid.

Little Jo · #11 03-01-12, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

Hi Tim, wycheproof is probably the closest I get before we swing off to the west and birchip.
I don't want to stir up anything

with the south australian mob as we cross their border. The trip is offically a recce but may end up being a border raid.

Hi Ryan

Just a quick heads up mate, border guards posted on our side of the border.

Good hunting.

Cheers

Tony

anthony urek · #12 05-01-12, 02:44

Hi Ryan,
How did you go? Any success?
T.

Ryan · #13 05-01-12, 12:26

We made it across the border with only a few

holes in the rear of the car.

Murrayville was a bit of an eye opener. I counted the remains of 3 Matildas and 5 Grants. And a Staghound (?) turret.
I can see why stuff has gone missing over the years, as it's right next to the highway.
I spoke to one of the Peers who didn't know who actually owned it all but knew it wasn't for sale. It was all there for people to look at and enjoy. Go figure.

Luke R · #14 06-01-12, 04:29

Did ya get any photos Ryan?

Ryan · #15 06-01-12, 09:55

Here's some pics taken in Murrayville. Jan 2012.
First up the Staghound turret and the Matilda tanks.

Ryan · #16 06-01-12, 09:59

Now the Grants.

Ryan · #17 06-01-12, 10:05

One of the Grants was well hidden and surrounded by piles of metal and undergrowth.

They still have a lot of good bits on them. I wonder what they looked like years ago.

Keith Webb · #18 06-01-12, 10:16

I can hardly believe it, but I took this pic of a C15A Wireless Sigs van at Murrayville back in 1973, 39 years ago.

Ryan · #19 06-01-12, 10:20

Hi Keith, I wonder what happened to the Blitz. I can see a Grant lurking in the background too.
I noticed between my photos and those of Rick Cove's, one of the Grants is now missing it's 75mm gun mantlet.

Keith Webb · #20 06-01-12, 10:52

I have a number of other shots taken at the same time, but in B&W. Will have to dig them up. I imagine there were lots more things there at the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

Hi Keith, I wonder what happened to the Blitz. I can see a Grant lurking in the background too.
I noticed between my photos and those of Rick Cove's, one of the Grants is now missing it's 75mm gun mantlet.

Luke R · #21 06-01-12, 11:14

Cheers for the photos Ryan, how did you go with ya recce?
border raid any time soon?

lynx42 · #22 08-01-12, 07:35

No need for a Border Raid, Luke. Murrayville is in Victoria. Just got to keep those pesky SA blokes away.

Little Jo · #23 08-01-12, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynx42

No need for a Border Raid, Luke. Murrayville is in Victoria. Just got to keep those pesky SA blokes away.

Hi Guys

We are ever on guard duty watching for those pesky Victorian raiders.

Cheers

Tony

Alan McGuinness · #24 08-01-12, 10:36

A youtube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkxrwzrLzsM