Map of Australia: Volunteers needed to maintain Compton Chamberlayne

The 'Map of Australia' was carved into the downhill by Australian soldiers at Hurdcott Camp, Compton Chamberlayne.

Now, roughly 106 years since its creation, the Map of Australia Trust is seeking volunteers to help look after it.

The Map of Australia in 1919 (Image: Map of Australia Trust)

The chalk badge is the only tangible link to the thousands of Australians who spent time training and recovering from wounds at Hurdcott Camp.

It held up to 3,000 soldiers at a time and the fields were full of huts, training areas, practice trenches and gas and rifle ranges.

Recovering soldiers were also discharged to camps like Hurdcott as they no longer needed hospital treatment, but could not be sent home to recover. 

Today, nothing survives of this huge camp except the Map of Australia badge, a legacy to the memory of those soldiers.

Hurdcott Camp in 1919 (Image: Map of Australia Trust)

Founder Helen Roberts set up the Map of Australia Trust in 2017, 100 years after the badge was created.

At this time, the badge, despite being a Scheduled Ancient Monument and on the 'Heritage at Risk' register, had been abandoned and was no longer visible on the hillside.

Volunteers restored the Map in 2018 and have held an Anzac Day service on April 25 each year.

Helen said: "The Trust is seeking new volunteers to help work on the Map of Australia - to help keep the chalk weed free and top up with fresh chalk when required."

Working parties will take place on the following dates in April - Wednesday 12, Saturday 15 and Saturday 22, with a small Anzac Day service being held at 10am on Tuesday, April 25. 

To get involved and volunteer for the Map of Australia Trust, email ww1australiamap@gmail.com.