RAA CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS Regimental Training Team SMIG

1. RAA CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSRegimental Training Team SMIG

2. Army Combat Arms Training Centre

3. Army Combat Arms Training Centre TEST AT THE END!

4. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Royal Australian Artillery Queen Victoria conferred the title “Royal” on the permanent Artillery of NSW, VIC and QLD in Aug 1899. The units then became Colonial State Regiments of the RAA. This was 17 months prior to federation. As a consequence of the Defence Act, in 1904 the permanent artillery from all States became the Royal Australian Artillery.

5. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Royal Australian Artillery In 1936 the militia artillery was granted the title “Royal” and became known as the Royal Australian Artillery (Militia). It was not until 1949 that the permanent artillery and the militia became part of the one Royal Australian Artillery.

6. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery On the 19th Sep 1962 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II granted the RAA the title of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. Thus all Australian Gunners are considered members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery Upon being granted the title “Royal Regiment” The Queen then became the Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.

7. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Captain General During a quest night at Woolwich, in Dec 1950 His Majesty King George VI expressed a desire to have his title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Artillery changed to that of Captain General. The title itself originates from 1736, when the rank of Captain General was replaced with Field Marshal. Currently Queen Elizabeth II is Captain General RAA.

8. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Colours The Colours of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery are the guns. On ceremonial occasions the guns are accorded the same compliments as the Standards and Guidons of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, and the Colours of the Corps of Staff Cadets and Infantry Regiments.

9. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Colours The Colours represent the heart, soul and spirit of the Regiment. When the infantry carried their Colours into battle they were always located in the centre of the front rank, a position from where they were easily seen and acted as a rallying point for the soldiers. The rallying point for gunners has always been the guns.

10. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Colours When the guns and the banner are on parade together, the guns take precedence in order of Colours. Although there are many occasions where it is impractical to pay compliments to the Colours, at all times they are to be accorded the greatest dignity and respect.

11. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Queens Banner (2) To celebrate the centenary of A FD BTY, a decision was taken to approach Queen Elizabeth II and seek a new Banner for the Regiment.

12. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Queens Banner (2) The request was granted and on the 1st Aug 1971 a Queens Banner was presented to the Regiment. The Queens Banner is kept on display at the Royal Australian Artillery Officers mess unless requested by units for parades.

13. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Royal Australian Artillery Standard (3) In Jul 1945 the Royal Artillery raised the requirement for a flag to assist in unit identification. The proposal was supported by the Master Gunners Committee.

14. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Royal Australian Artillery Standard (3) The design was approved by King George VI and approved for use by the Royal Artillery

15. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Royal Australian Artillery Standard (3) The Royal Australian Artillery adopted the Standard in 1952. The approval was given by the Master Gunner St James’s Park, Field Marshal the Viscount Alan - Brooke.

16. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Royal Australian Artillery Standard (4) Royal Australian Artillery units only fly it on special occasions: Visits by Royalty General Officers Col-Commandant RAA Formation Comd

17. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Battle Honour “UBIQUE” Battle honours record exceptional occasions on which a unit has collectively distinguished itself in war. The public recognition and commemoration of these exploits create and maintain a pride within and outside the unit for the profession of arms.

18. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Battle Honour “UBIQUE” In 1832 the Royal Artillery was granted two mottos, Ubique and Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt. The approval further stated that “Ubique” was granted as a battle honour and was to substitute all other terms of distinction on any part of dress or appointments throughout the whole Regiment.

19. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Battle Honour “UBIQUE” The Royal Australian Artillery was granted “Ubique” as a battle honour by his His Majesty King George VI in Jan 1950. The concept of a single battle honour is unique to the Gunners and implies that where and whenever there is a battle the artillery will be found serving.

20. Army Combat Arms Training Centre “UBIQUE” Everywhere “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT” Where Right and Glory Lead

21. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Cypher The practice of embossing or inscribing the Royal Cypher onto gun barrels commenced during the period covering the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century The purpose was and still is a technical quality assurance requirement. It has met with the laid down manufacturing standards.

22. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Cypher

23. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Cypher (6) The Australian version of the British Light Gun (Hamel Gun) has the Australian Coat of Arms on the barrel as a cypher

24. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The 21 Gun Salute The gun salute originated in the early 14th century for two reasons. As a ceremonial method of creating noise to honour guests

25. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The 21 Gun Salute Confirming the guns were empty through firing. This was considered a gesture of friendship and trust, the rationale being that once fired the guns could not easily be reloaded

26. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The 21 Gun Salute The number of rounds fired for Royal Salutes varied greatly in the past, however, in 1830 an inquiry was held and agreed to fix the number of guns for a Royal Salute to 21.

27. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Badge During the period 1913 - 1939 the gunner badge of the Royal Australian Artillery was similar to that of the Royal Artillery

28. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Badge It displayed the mottos UBIQUE and CONSENSU STABILES, with the title AUSTRALIA. The RAA (militia) wore this badge from 1939 - 1942.

29. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Badge Today all members of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery proudly wear one artillery badge. It is a badge which has the unique distinction of carrying the Regimental Colours and Battle Honour.

30. Army Combat Arms Training Centre TAKE A BREAK!

31. Army Combat Arms Training Centre

32. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard Originally the lanyard had a purpose in the military. It was a piece of cord approximately 4 feet in length used to secure a jack knife which was issued to the artillery and cavalry.

33. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard The blade was for cutting loose horses which had become entangled in the picket line ropes. The spick was used as a hoof pick. A fuse key was also attached to the lanyard.

34. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard The lanyard was initially worn on the left shoulder with the knife and fuse key tucked in the left breast pocket.

35. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard It soon became dirty and looked out of place on an otherwise smart uniform, the lanyard was then plaited and blanched white to match the white bandolier and waist belt worn by gunners of the day.

36. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard In 1920 the lanyard was changed to the right shoulder because of difficulty in getting the knife out of the pocket from underneath the bandolier.

37. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard In 1933 the practice of carrying a knife ceased and a straight cord worn purely as an ornamental item of dress was adopted

38. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard Gunners of A FD BTY continue to wear the lanyard on the left shoulder. Stories such as King Edward VIII granted them this honour for services during the Second Boer War are false.

39. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Lanyard The Bty for reasons unknown simply did not adopt the new practice along with other artillery units in 1920.

40. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Pace Stick The origins of the pace stick are found in the RA. It was referred to as the Gunners Stick and was designed as a means of ensuring the correct distance between guns laid out on the battle field.

41. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Pace Stick The current pace stick carried by the RSM also evolved from the Gunners Stick. Although the pace stick is primarily a badge of office, it continues to have a practical purpose as an aid to drill.

42. Army Combat Arms Training Centre The Master Gunners Stick It was also from the original ‘Gunner Stick’ that the modern ‘Master Gunners Stick’ originates. In the RAA Warrant Officers Class One in designated master gunner appointments carry a Master Gunner Stick. Regimental Master Gunner Master Gunner Land Command Artillery

43. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Saint Barbara St Barbara is the patron saint of most gunners throughout the world. Like all mythology and traditions, over time the origins of the legend surrounding St Barbara have become blurred between fact and fiction.

44. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Saint Barbara Serving and former gunners celebrate St Barbara’s Day on the 4th December each year, which is the day set aside by the Christian Church in the calendar of saints..

45. Army Combat Arms Training Centre BOMBARDIER

46. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Bombardier Bombard (Crecy) 1346 CPL Two Chevrons & Bombardier One Chevron 1920 RA Introduced Lance Bombardier 1924 RAA Revised rank structure

47. Army Combat Arms Training Centre Sir Roden Cutler VC AK KCMG KCVO CBE April 1940 joined 2nd AIF.Merdjayoun, Syria 19 June 1941 Cited for the VICTORIA CROSSONLY AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERYMAN TO BE AWARDED THE V.C.

48. Army Combat Arms Training Centre A FD BTY 1 AUG 1871 PERM ARTILLERY This date is now the RAA corps birthday. 100 Men all Ranks (First full-time Australian soldiers). Battery Commander -Captain George Airey. BSM-Henry Green. 1885 first saw service in Sudan as part of the NSW Contingent.