Army exercises involving troops in a mock ambush at Fort Largs.

At the outbreak of World War One in Europe, there was concern for the safety of citizens and goods at home in South Australia - despite our distance from the theatre of war. Troops from the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery were stationed at Fort Largs for defence. At the end of December 1914, in the first issue of The Gunner, the publication of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, the editor wrote:

Although we are not at the actual front, we are still on service, and it is through no fault of ours that we have as yet had no opportunity of justifying our being here. It is our duty to wait and watch day in, day out, and no one can charge us with not carrying out our duty. More fortunate fellows than us have gone to the fighting zone, where we know they will uphold their honour as Britishers. We are part and parcel of a mighty Empire, and we can comfort ourselves in some measure when we remember that in staying here and defending this place we are furthering the mighty plan by which we hope to defeat our enemies. Then again we may see the time when we will be under an enemy's fire. There are thousands of men all over the Empire, at other forts, who have not been in action yet and who are longing for "the day." (The Gunner, No. 1, Vol. 1, 24 December 1914, p. 3)

The Gunner, Adelaide : Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, 1914-1915

"SOLDIERS FOR FORT LARGS." Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924) 6 Aug 1914: 5. Web. 14 Oct 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105633826>.

"ON GUARD." The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954) 8 Aug 1914: 2 Edition: 10 a.m. EDITION. Web. 14 Oct 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59743975>.

"GUARDING PORT ADELAIDE." Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924) 10 Aug 1914: 6. Web. 14 Oct 2014 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105634699>.

Weekend Notes: Fort Largs