Edition 1204, December 11, 2008 - Department of Defence

6 NEWS
SOLDIERS’ VIEWS
Pte Eduardo Duran
Spt Coy, 3RAR
How long have you
served in the Army/
Infantry?
Almost 4 years.
Which battalions
have you served with?
3RAR.
Why did you join the Infantry? Wanted a challenge,
enjoyed the lifestyle associated with being an
infantry soldier.
Most memorable or proudest moment since joining
the battalion? Stepping off the plane after returning
from Afghanistan and being reunited with
family and friends.
What does this anniversary mean to you? Being part
of a long line of history and being able to carry on
the traditions of those who have gone before us.
Pte Luke Johnson
4 Pl, B Coy, 5RAR
How long have you served
in the Army/Infantry?
Two years. I joined the
infantry in 2006 but I was
employed as an M113
driver in Timor.
Which battalions have you
served with? 5RAR.
Why did you join the
Infantry? I really wanted
to do something different from what everyone
else in my area was doing – lying on beaches in
northern Sydney and going to uni. Life experience
is what I was after.
Most memorable or proudest moment since joining
the battalion? I was involved with rescuing an
Australian national in Timor who got lost while
on a bike ride. It was great to be involved in
something you could see mattered, instead of just
being told your part in the big picture was important.
We didn’t hold out too much hope of finding
him, so when we did, it was a really good feeling.
What does this anniversary mean to you? I think it
gives you a sense of belonging – that you are a
part of something that is bigger than yourself, that
actually makes a difference, that makes the news,
that helps people, not only at home but across
the world.
Pte Christopher Hayton
11 Sect, C Coy, 2RAR.
How long have you served
in the Army/Infantry?
Seven months.
Which battalions have you
served with? 2RAR.
Why did you join the
Infantry? I don’t like desk
jobs and my mum, aunty
and uncle were all involved in the services.
Most memorable or proudest moment since joining
the battalion? Marching into 2RAR, beers with
mates.
What does this anniversary mean to you? We are
here for life.
PERFORMANCE EDGE,
ALL THE TIME, EVERY TIME
www.thalesgroup.com.au
Photograph of Bushmaster © Department of Defence.
Rare event: The Colour Party lowers the colours of the regiment’s battalions during the royal salute to Governor-
General Quentin Bryce at the 60th anniversary celebrations. Photo by Bill Cunneen
Raising the bar
By Sgt Brian Hartigan
THE Royal Australian Regiment
marked a significant anniversary of
service to the nation on November
23 – exactly 60 years to the day since
the regiment was officially raised.
A series of events in Sydney brought
past, present and possibly future members
of the Royal Australian Infantry
Corps together to celebrate the milestone
in style.
A well-attended official dinner
on the Friday night was followed, on
Saturday afternoon, by a solemn service
at the RAR Memorial in Sydney’s
CBD to remember those who have been
killed on active service or died in training
with the RAR.
Sunday, however, was the highlight
of a big weekend, when about
500 people turned out in cold, damp
conditions at the historic Victoria
Barracks, Paddington, to witness a very
rare occurrence – all the colours of
the RAR battalions on parade together.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce
reviewed the parade, which she said
gave her great pleasure as Governor-
General and Commander-in-Chief.
“You have a proud and distinguished
history. You have served in wartime and
in peace, in dangerous offensives and
in humanitarian missions, in distant
deserts and on nearby shores,” she said.
“Through your losses and triumphs,
through evolving modes and methods
of defence, you have followed the spirit
of the Australian infantry, and upheld
the finest traditions of our military –
honour, courage, ingenuity and duty.”
She said the RAR carried the legacy
of its forbearers, through an enduring
dedication to think wisely, speak rightly,
resolve bravely, act kindly and live
purely.
“I am immensely proud of your
unyielding service and ongoing commitment
to defend and protect our
country and our allies.
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“May you be inspired and spurred
on by the history you celebrate today.”
Following her official duties on
the parade ground, Governor-General
Bryce chatted with veterans and soldiers
at an afternoon tea.
She also presented Sgt Peter
Mitchell, 2RAR, with a Single Service
Commendation – Silver for his excellent
service and dedication to duty
as Assault Pioneer Platoon Sergeant,
2RAR.
In East Timor, senior members of
EMBG-5 gathered at the old Portuguese
fort at Balibo to celebrate the anniversary.
The significance of the location
was not lost on the participants, as
the deployments to Timor marked the
beginning of the most active period in
the history of the regiment.
Similar services were conducted
throughout Timor wherever the soldiers
of the Regiment were located.
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Army December 11, 2008
IN THE BEGINNING
UNTIL 1950 the Defence Act
precluded the raising of full-time
or ‘standing’ infantry, armour or
cavalry units in Australia.
In fact, when the Darwin
Mobile Force was raised in
1939, ‘infantry’ soldiers were
actually enlisted as artillerymen
– even using the ranks gunner
and bombardier.
Legislation prevented soldiers
from serving overseas
unless they specifically volunteered
to do so. For this reason,
on the outbreak of each World
War, an Australian Imperial
Force was raised on a volunteer
basis for overseas service.
At the end of WWII, while
most soldiers simply wished to
be sent home as soon as the
fighting stopped, there was still
a need for full-time soldiers for
the occupation of Japan and
other tasks.
Three regular infantry battalions
– the 65th, 66th and 67th
– were drawn together and sent,
with other arms and services,
to Japan as the 34th Brigade,
arriving in February 1946.
Back in Australia, the wartime
system of administering
the army had reverted to peacetime
systems with a military
board exercising control. High
on the priorities list was to raise
a regular army with a field-force
element. Although the brigade
in Japan was legally part of the
AIF and covered under war-time
legislation, Australian authorities
began talking of it in terms of
being the new regular force.
The ‘Interim Army’ was
officially created in May 1946
with legislation back-dated to
October 1945.
On November 23, 1948 the
Australian battalions in Japan
were redesignated 1st, 2nd and
3rd Battalions of the Australian
Regiment and were granted the
‘Royal’ prefix the following year.
Although it has not always
been the case, Australia today
has an all-corps army – including
full-time infantry battalions
– standing ready to commit to
unrestricted service anywhere in
the world.
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