The parade will act as a ‘trial run’ for the gun before it is used for the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. It will then be used for every military remembrance ceremony and World War One commemoration until the conclusion of the ANZAC centenary project in 2018.

One of the many behind the ambitious project is Middle Arm man Max Pearce of Beauwood Stud.

The gun limber will be towed by six of Mr Pearce’s finest trained horses.

Earlier this week, he said he was excited about the challenge put before him.

“I’ve been training up to eight horses to pull the World War One limber and the 18 pound English gun at my property,” he said.

“The training carriage I use is an original English ‘Landau’ which is over 120 years old.

“The postillion (mounted) rider/drivers and helpers on the team are either still-serving Australian Army personnel, retired military men or those closely connected.

Generally though, the postillion team is made up of six horses.”

Three riders control the six horses, each riding the left horse and controlling the right hand side with a single rein, Mr Pearce explained.

“All the harnesses are original, and nearly every buckle has a quick release connection.

This was done so that the horse could be harnessed and unharnessed very quickly.

Also, on occasions horses would be shot, and so had to be quickly replaced.”

Mr Pearce said he was almost certain that there had not been a six horse postillion team pulling a limber and 18 pound gun since the World War One era.

“Eighteen pounder guns were also used in World War 2, however by that stage they were being pulled by motor vehicles instead,” he said.

Project Leader for the 18 Pounder initiative Ian Ahearn explained the process of the restoration program and explained why Goulburn would be the ‘trial run’ for the gun and it’s limber.

“I’m responsible for coordinating the whole project, including fundraising plus everything else a project manager does, like public relations and preparing briefs,” he said.

“To me this is a very unique project for the ANZAC centenary.

The gun is basically a living memorial for those who fought in World War 1. This war was often known as the ‘artillery war’, and the 18 pounder gun was used in virtually every battle that the Australians fought throughout World War 1.”

For more information on the history of the 18 pounder gun and the whole project involving its restoration, visit www.artilleryhistory.org/ad_ 18_pound_project.html.