AIRBURST
Royal Australian Artillery
Historical Company
ENewsletter Edition No 50 May 2021
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Dear Gunners (Readers) - 
Welcome to Airburst No 50 May 2021
Winter is beginning to make its presence felt across the country. The RAAHC Board met on 1 May in Canberra. I regret to report that we have lost a number of our Directors. Frank Colley and Brian Hall have resigned for personal reasons and I would like to thank them for their work over a number of years. Brian served as our Treasurer and Frank as our risk analyser. Nick Floyd has also submitted his resignation although he intends to rejoin at the end of the year. He has just been appointed Staff Officer Grade 1 for the 150th Anniversary of Australian Artillery by the Head of Regiment.

Ms Linda Ward has been appointed the Sydney Harbour Federation Harbour Trust’s Interim Executive Director, while a search for a new ED is conducted. The RAAHC is closely aligned with the Trust and look forward to working with Linda and any future Executive Director. SHFT is seeking input from the community on the Draft Concept for North Head. The concept and a chance to comment can be viewed by Clicking Here

The AMW reopened to the public in February. While the vegetation around the Walk has been devastated (and the wildlife) the pavers and plinths were undamaged. There has been some charcoal marks on the Walk due to tree felling but rain seems to keep this clean. Sadly, the Lone Pine tree succumbed to the fire. After negotiations with the Harbour Trust Peter Lawrence arranged for a sapling, which came from the same source at the AWM as the previous tree, to replace the dead tree. The Trust arranged a contractor to cut and ground-out the roots of the dead tree. A volunteer helped him
place a root barrier (required by the Trust)around the new sapling and then
plant the new tree.






RAAHC Book of Days

The RAAHC has gifted copies of the Book of Days to all sub units in the RRAA. The book has been well received. There are still a few copies available should anyone want one. Cost is $55 which includes postage. You can view a "Flip book" of the Book content - CLICK HERE

Ordering and payment can be made on the RAAHC website-  CLICK HERE.

Payment can be made by EFT (please ensure you include your name in the transaction), PayPal or Credit Card.


Ubique

Ian Ahearn
Chair RAAHC



Did You Know?


CHEVRONS
 
Prior to 1802 the badges of rank for NCOs (in the British Army) was quite complicated (eg. sergeants wore gold lace and junior NCOs wore yellow lace on the front, cuffs and flaps of their coats - other 'badges of rank' included sergeants also wearing two gold laced shoulder straps). In 1802 a new 'symbol' was introduced, chevrons; this was to make the recognition of the ranks simpler and less complicated.
 
Chevrons are a part of many (British) family coats-of-arms (based on the ceiling rafters of stately homes) and this symbol was introduced to make the recognition of the various ranks easier.


Puckapunyal Combined Arms History and Heritage Learning Centre

It is pleasing to note that Defence PBS 2021-22 includes a Parliamentary Works Committee (PWC) listing for the Puckapunyal Combined Arms History and Heritage Learning Centre

The initial design for the Puckapunyal Combined Arms Heritage Learning Centre (CAHLC) has been prepared by the design consultant, HDR Australia, and approved by Estate & Infrastructure Group (as the project lead), the Australian Army History Unit (AAHU), as well as representatives of the Head of Corps, Royal Australian Armoured Corps (HOC RAAC) and Head of Regiment, the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (HOR RAA).
 
This is an important step, as it allows Defence to present a costed design for consideration by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works in 2022. If approved by Government, Defence will proceed with construction with an estimated completion date of December 2024. Subject to Government approval, the CAHLC will be a purpose-built, modern museum facility to
house the RAAC and RAA heritage collections. The CAHLC will support training and development of RAAC and RAA personnel as well as personnel across Army and Defence more broadly.
 
It will also provide direct public access to the collections for veterans and their families and the wider Australian community. As the location is a ‘greenfield site’—immediately west of the Puckapunyal Base main gate on Blamey Road—public visitors will not have to enter the Puckapunyal base to access the CAHLC.

The Australian Army Artillery Museum
 
The Artillery Museum continues to restore the Marmon Herington gun tractor with a QF 25-pdr Mk 1 gun and limber as a proposed entrance piece. The gun is almost complete with markings and tie-down straps remaining. Sourcing parts for the truck and limber is taking time. The Museum continues to put artefacts aside for the small items gallery, with the intention of displaying like items used through the 150 years of RAA. For example, grid paper to slide rules to calculators to computers—including associated images to complement the displays.

The collection is about to receive a Portable Search & Target Acquisition Radar (PSTAR) which has recently been removed from service. The PSTAR was used with the RBS-70 Ground-Based Air Defence weapon system and will be a welcome addition to the air-defence collection. Future collection of an RBS-70 and a drone, as these items
are removed from service, will allow the 16th and 20th Regiments to be better represented.

The photos below shows the concept of parts of the Centre.
 
1790’s - PORT JACKSON 4 POUNDER
Gunners of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery proudly reflect on their history and heritage and trace links to the earliest Colonial settlement through the Port Jackson 4 pounder cannon. The restored cannon is now in place at the School of artillery, Puckapunyal.
 
This gun’s barrel was held at the Sergeants Mess, School of Artillery when Army occupied the North Head Barracks. The barrel was relocated with the School’s transfer to Puckapunyal in 1997. Once restored, the cannon will be permanently mounted in a weather protected area at the School of Artillery, Puckapunyal in recognition of the years the School was located at North Head, Middle Head and South Head over the last century.
 
The RAAHC took the lead in a restoration project that involved the School of Artillery, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and a group of their volunteers. The project commenced in May 2019 and the restored cannon on a navel carriage is now in place at the School of Artillery.
 
The cannon is from the second group of guns landed at Sydney Cove in the 1790’s. After establishing a settlement at Sydney Cove in 1788, Governor Philip constructed forts to provide protection from seaborne attack. Progressively, Forts at Dawe’s Point (south end of Harbour Bridge) and Bennelong Point (Opera House) were established to guard against raids on this first settlement in the Colony.
 
This cannon was one of 10 on HMS Supply-2, (a replacement ship for the First Fleet vessel by the same name). She arrived in Port Jackson on 7 September 1795. Following a trip to the Cape of Good Hope in 1797 the Supply-2 was deemed unseaworthy and became a ‘guard ship’.
 
HMS Supply-2 ship’s log records that in 1798 the crew constructed a battery at Bennelong Point (near today’s Sydney Opera House position), and guns from the ship were emplaced there. 
 
This 4 pounder was manufactured by George Matthews and Francis Homfray of Calcutts near Broseley in Shropshire, England. They cast muzzle loading guns for the Board of Ordnance between 1778 and 1785. Its manufacture followed ‘Armstrong-Frederick’ pattern design principles.
 
ABOVE Left: The 4 Pounder in original location at the School of Artillery. Above Right: Group photo of SHFT Volunteers (L to R) Steve Hasset, Garnet Kinlay, Neil Brough, Bert Goodwin, Bill Stuart (project leader) , Peter Lawrence, Dave McBeth (workshop manager), Gerry Butler, Tony Booth, Andy Evans, David Taylor (Stephen McMaster absent)

John Cox and Peter Lawrence pose with the plaque for the gun.
Gerry Butler who restored the cypher with John Cox
Port Jackson gun arrives at the School
School Staff moving the barrell
Assembling the gun
In Place
150th Anniversary of Artillery
History Support

The RRAA continues to seek RAAHC support for the 150th Anniversary-Ubique 150. Request includes how to ‘describe’ 1 August for the Master Gunner, St James’s Park in terms of the 150th. Options were provided and the following has probably been adopted:
  • The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery celebrates its origin from the formation of a permanent battery raised in the Colony of New South Wales on 1 August 1871. As such, this is the date that today’s Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery celebrates as the origin of Australian Artillery.
 
History Director, John Cox, estimates there could about 20 written pieces that will be needed to assist the RRAA. Two examples are a ‘summary page’ on the Queen’s Banner, and a ‘summary page’ on a History of Australian Artillery for the 6 November Banner Parade. There will be ‘speaking notes’ for speakers as well. There is already the request seeking input for Army Newspaper articles.

UBIQUE 150 Events

1.      1 August 2021.National Synchronised fire plan. National Saluting Stations around Australia. Phase 1- 75 rounds blank fire commencing 1200 noon EST at National RAA Memorial. Phase 2 - 75 rounds blank fire commencing 12:30 pm EST. 10:00am -all attendees to RV at the ADFA Sgts’ Mess Car park 1030hrs –Shuttle buses depart car park for the RAA National Memorial, Mount Pleasant.12:00 noon - Commemorative Service and National Gun Salute commences. At the conclusion of the service a light afternoon tea will be served in the ADFA Sgts’ Mess. . Dress: Coat & Tie with medals.
 
2.      1 Regiment RAA will be conducting the salute from Fort Lytton National Park. Location of other saluting troops to be advised. Will include Family Day for 1 & 20 Regiments and a historical display. Ticket entry only-numbers restricted.
 
3.      1 August 2021. Last Post Ceremony Australian War Memorial Commence 4:45 PM EST. Dress: Coat & Tie with medals. All attendees must be in place by 4:30 pm.

4.      20-21 August 2021. Australian Artillery Association. Ubique 150 National Gunner Dinner. Go to: https://australianartilleryassociation.com/2021_national_gunner_dinner/2021_national_gunner_dinner.htm
 
5.      10 September-11 September 2021. Concert & 1812 Overture. Regimental Ball. 1 Regiment Band supporting.

6.      25-26 September 2021. 16 Regiment, 9 Regiment & Associations. Open Day including 1812 Overture.

7.      6 November 2021. Parade and Drum Head Service –Presentation of new Queen’s Banner. Victoria Barracks, Sydney. Commences 10:00 am EDST.
Concludes 1230 pm EDST.

8.      6 November 2021, All Ranks Cocktail Party. Victoria Barracks, Sydney. Commence 5:30 pm EDST Conclude 8.30 pm EDST. Dress Coat and Tie.

9.      6 November 2021. RAA Victoria Association. Cocktail Party, Melbourne

10.  3 December 2021. RAAHC Announcement of intention to handover ANZAC Centennial 18 Pounder to Army. Canberra, Details TBA. 

11.  4 December 2021. RAA Association Victoria. St. Barbara’s Day Dinner, Melbourne.

 
This event information will be updated throughout the year.

Podcasts

James Eling, one of the Directors, has created a Podcast about the 150th Anniversary. The Podcast will cover the development of Australian Artillery over the last 150 years and can be accessed at -Australian Permanent Artillery


Gunners Around the Nation & The World

View the latest Newsletters from various Artillery associations around the nation:
RAA Association Victoria Newsletter - Cascabel
Locating Surveillance and Target Acquisition Association - Newsletter
131 Locators Association - Newsletter

Royal Australian Artillery Association (NSW) -Website

Australian Artillery Association - Website

Royal Canadian Artillery - Royal Canadian Artillery
P.O. Box R1638
Royal Exchange, 1225 Australia