Lithgow 1925 III - With Some Aussie Provenance
Hi Folks,
I posted this rifle a couple years back on the Enfield forum but thought I'd raise it here as well to share with this group of enthusiasts for your feedback.
Picked up this neat 1925 Lithgow III for nearly a song.
What mainly attracted me to it, was the interesting markings on the stock.
Best I can make out, it belonged to a Lt. Hopkin from the 15th Battalion of the AI (Australian Infantry).
Thought it would be really neat to trace back this officer's heritage, and I was able to research a bit from Aussie archives.
Turns out, in July of 1945, the 15th was involved on Bougaineville - and probably at a pretty brutal level, based on the battles that were waged between the allies and the Japanese for the possession of that jungle island.
The folks back at the Military Records department weren't able to get me any closer to making contact with his decendants.
But always thought it would be the honorable thing to do, to at least touch bases, to let his kin know that the rifle is still intact, and actually still shoots like it was brand new!
Based on the 2 "Notches" carved prominently in the stock, it apparently served Lt. Hopkin effectively, as well.
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