.303 Rifle No.1 S.M.L.E. Marks III and III* (Small Arms Identification Series) by Ian Skennerton

.303 Rifle No.1 S.M.L.E. Marks III and III* (Small Arms Identification Series) by Ian Skennerton

.303 Rifle No.1 S.M.L.E. Marks III and III* (Small Arms Identification Series) by Ian Skennerton.

Born in Maryborough, Qld., Australia in 1948 and schooled at Redcliffe until 1964, Ian then won a scholarship to the Conservatorium of Music. An orchestral clarinet & saxophone player, Ian graduated from the Conservatorium with performing & teaching diplomas for piano and clarinet in 1968.

Ian was drafted into the Australian Army in 1969, serving in Vietnam in 1970. After discharge from the armed forces, Ian studied service arms in England during 1980-81, and catalogued arms and filed records at HM Tower of London & RSAF Pattern Room, Enfield.

He was awarded research grants by the Australian War Memorial in 1975 & 1987-89 and has authored and published about 100 titles on British & Empire arms & edged weapons since 1976.

Ian was awarded the annual medal by the British Arms & Armour Society in 1995, and recently nominated a Fellow of the Australian Institute for History and the Arts in 2008. He currently lives on the Gold Coast in Australia.