A number of army units were stationed on Phillip Island at Ventnor and Rhyll, and at San Remo, for various intervals during the second world war years, while training exercises and manoeuvres were carried out.
The local girls were delighted by their presence, according to a couple of local lasses who remember, because they used to come to the Cowes Friday night dances.
It seems that the chaps took time out at one stage while on the island, to introduce the native wildlife to the weaponry of war, as this photo shows.