Find and Sign The Rising Sun Traditional Cache

Fort Glanville was first built in 1882. At the time of its construction it was at the forefront of such fortification design, and was considered state of the art. Today the Fort retains its original guns and comprises gun emplacements, magazines, guard room, barracks, gunner's mess, officer's quarters, stores and more, serving as a reminder of our colonial heritage.

The famous Rising Sun Badge selected as the Army's General Service badge in 1902 but now the badge of the army, originated in colonial South Australia.

The original rising sun trophyThe original concept, a collection of bayonets and sword bayonets radiating from a crown, was designed as a trophy. The initial drawing was done by Major Joseph Maria Gordon, of the South Australian Permanent Artillery who, in 1893, was appointed to be the first commanding officer of the newly constructed Fort Glanville on the coast west of Adelaide. The working drawing for the trophy was the work of an Adelaide artist, Mr. Frank Bartels, and was titled 'Australian - Rising Sun'.

Major Gordon requested the assistance of the navy in the manufacture of the trophy. It was made by a shipwright aboard the South Australian colonial vessel HMCS Protector and Major Gordon hung it in the officer's quarters at Fort Glanville, probably in 1893.