YOUNG RECRUITS: Xavier Bugg, Harry Anderson and Warick Dale try on helmets from around the world. Harry offered his expertise on the display, correctly naming most of the firearms.

YOUNG RECRUITS: Xavier Bugg, Harry Anderson and Warick Dale try on helmets from around the world. Harry offered his expertise on the display, correctly naming most of the firearms. Contributed

PAUL FOWKES was beaming with happiness on Tuesday when he was finally able to show his gun display collection to the public for Anzac Day after a long and frustrating battle with Weapons Licensing.

"We had about 200 people come through,” Paul said.

"And 120 comments in the visitors' book, and we got some really good comments from everyone,” Paul said.

The Theodore display included genuine bayonets, helmets, flags and medals as well as guns.

"All the kids loved trying on the helmets and having a look through the scopes,” Paul said.

"Even the local police had a good time.”

While Paul was finally granted the approval for his display, the approval was for 20 guns, a lot less than he had asked.

"It is like having a Ford on display and not putting the wheels on it,” Paul said.

"It's half doing it. We still have a lot more we want to display.

"But it is better than nothing to some degree.”

Each year Paul will have to apply for the approval through Weapons Licensing and he knows it won't get any easier.

"I know it will be an ongoing drama with them,” Paul said.

"And next year we have bigger and better plans. We hope to have 50, 60 or even 100 guns.

"I won't back down, that's just not the kind of person I am.”