The RAA Assoc of Tasmania has been formed to unite the gunner movement in Tasmania. In recognition of those Tasmanians who have contributed to the defence of the Colony of Tasmania and the Commonwealth of Australia over the past 140 years in the service of Artillery the:

The Artillery Historical Trust of Tasmania (State Council);

The Artillery Historical Trust of Tasmania (Hobart Branch);

The Artillery Historical Trust of Tasmania (Northern Branch);

Artillery League of Tasmania; and the

Launceston Artillery Old Comrades Association.

have agreed to establish and incorporate the Royal Australian Artillery Association of Tasmania.

The formation of this new Association is seen by these organisations as being in the best interest of their members to provide:

- meaningful support and welfare to those Tasmanians currently serving or with past service to Artillery;

- promotion of the role of Artillery in the defence of Australia;

- continuing recognition and preservation of the heritage and traditions of those Tasmanians and Tasmanian Units who have served Artillery in the defence of the nation.

In recognising service to Artillery, the founding organisations are mindful not only of those individuals and units of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery and its predecessors, but also of those individuals and units of other corps and services who have contributed to Artillery in peace and war. In acknowledging their contribution, such individuals and units of other corps supporting the objects and purposes herein are welcome to join the Association.

The Artillery Historical Trust of Tasmania was one of the founding organisations

Artillery Trust Objectives

The Artillery Historical Trust of Tasmania Northern Branch was formed 27th May 1982 with its main objectives as follows:-

To foster and maintain the history of the Tasmanian Volunteer Artillery, the Northern Branch to have emphasis on the LAUNCESTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY CORPS whose history is unique in the annals of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery as it has the distinction of being the oldest volunteer movement with continuous history in Australia.

- To collect, acquire, preserve and display weapons and other material that relate to the history of the Australian Artillery.

The Northern Branch of the Trust is based in Launceston having interests in Artillery Australia wide.

A Brief History of the Launceston volunteer Artillery Corps

“The Launceston Volunteer Artillery Company” was formed at a meeting at the Launceston Hotel on 6th June 1860.

A fort was built at Corminston to repel any invading fleet which dared to sail up the Tamar. The fortification was erected in 1866 under the direction of Colonel Chesney (Royal Engineers) who came to Tasmania as Consulting Officer.

Launceston to this day has volunteer artillery which is unique in Australia and claims to be the oldest volunteer artillery with continuous history – others may have formed before the Launceston Volunteer Artillery, but they have broken histories.

In September 1865, the Tasmanian Government asked the British Admiralty for an iron-plated gunboat for the defence of the Derwent. The Admiralty regretted that it could not lend such a vessel and the expense of building one would be too great. But two guns were sent for the defence of Launceston. These arrived by the schooner Storm Bird on September 13th, 1866, and were soon installed at the Corminston fort. The guns were 8-inch smooth-bore muzzle-loaders, each weighing 56 hundredweight. After approximately 15 years the two guns were sent back to England to be modernized by conversion into rifled guns.

During the 1880′s the military authorities had decided that the Corminston fort was useless as a defence post for the Tamar and the newly rifled guns were never remounted at the fort. The site is now private land. One of these guns now adorns Paterson Barracks, St John Street, Launceston, and is mounted on the northern side of the main gates.

The next step taken for the defence of the Tamar was the selection of a site at Brown’s Bluff, facing Nelson’s Shoals (Legana area near where Muddy Creek enters the Tamar River). The land was purchased upon which it was intended to erect the Battery, but so slow was the progress of events in this direction that the intended battery was never erected.

Two muzzle-loading, smooth bore brass howitzers arrived at Launceston in 1861 to defend Launceston and were in use for drill purposes almost continuously until 1908. These were never fired against any invaders of the city. They now adorn the flagpole of the Launceston Church Grammar School. These guns were used to fire the Salutes on Windmill Hill in the 1870′s.

The Government previous to that time was supporting the Volunteer movement, and was supplying uniforms; but in 1870 no provision was made in the estimates for carrying on the Volunteer service of the colony.

Consequently, the Launceston Volunteer Artillery was unable to keep its members up to the original strength, which was reduced to about 25 men. These, however, remained staunch and loyal to their colours from 1870 until 1878 (a period known to the old hands as “the winter of neglect”) without any assistance whatever from the Government or the public. During that period regular drills were held, and the regular duties in the Corps were carried out with the same precision as they had been previously.

Queen Victoria’s Birthday (May 24) was always honoured during that period by the firing of a Royal salute by this loyal Corps of Volunteers in uniform, although no provision was made for the hire of horses with which to haul the guns on to Windmill Hill, where the salute was fired.

As instancing the indomitable courage and loyalty of the members of the Corps, it might be mentioned that each year they brilliantly polished the old brass howitzers, decorated them with the orthodox wreath, hooked on their drag ropes, hauled the guns up the steep incline to the aforesaid hill, fired the salute punctually at noon, returned the guns to the barracks, and then drank to the health of Her Majesty in bumpers three times three.

In 1875 the Government called for a census of the strength of all volunteer forces then in existence. As a result of the returns all other volunteer corps were ordered to be disbanded, but the Launceston Volunteer Artillery with its 23 members was allowed to remain.

In 1878 the Government reversed its decision and decided to increase the strength of all volunteer corps. In consequence, the Launceston Volunteer Artillery was built up to 80 men.

In 1884 the Launceston Volunteer Artillery received two Armstrong 40-pounder siege guns and two 2.5 inch mountain screw guns. The two 2.5 inch screw guns are mounted outside Anglesea Barracks Officers’ Mess, HOBART. The 40-pounders were breech loaders, the first seen by the volunteers, so the old muzzle loaders went into the background as far as gunnery practice was concerned.

Many thousands of rounds were fired from the 40-pounders before they were retired to become ornaments for a few years on the lawn in front of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

In 1885, Gunners T. Lilley and W. Learoyd, who were members of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery, enlisted into the New South Wales “A” Field Battery contingent to see active service alongside the British forces in the Boer War. These two gunners were the first members of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery to see active service. The 15 Pounder B.L. gun at Ross War Memorial is one of the guns used in this action by Australian gunners.

More guns arrived in 1893. These were two 12-pounders and two 15-pounders, which did good service for 15 years.

In 1908 the Launceston Volunteer Artillery received four quick firing 18-pounders, each capable of firing 20 rounds a minute. With them came four ammunition wagons and a large quantity of general stores and equipment. The total expenditure was 7,000 pounds.

More than 40 per cent of the corps enlisted in 1914 for the First World War and went overseas with the 9th Battery A.I.F. This Battery used quick-firing 18 pounders on Gallipoli and in France, and was known as the fighting NINTH.

By the time the Second World War broke out in 1939 the official title of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery had become the 16th and 17th Batteries of the 6th Field Brigade.

Shortly after the outbreak of war, many members of the Launceston Batteries enlisted in the 1st Anti-tank Regiment of 6 Div. A.I.F. In 1940 many of the others were members of 16 Field Battery which joined the 2/8th Field Regiment and embarked for overseas service in November with 9 Div. A.I.F. 25 Pounder gun Howitzers were first issued to the Launceston trained unit, 16 Field Battery, which served in North Africa and played an important part in the Battle of El Alamein.

Because of the Japanese threat the 9 Div. was recalled to Australia. 16 Field Battery next went into action against the Japanese in Borneo.

The present home of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery up to June 1948 was known as Victoria Barracks, and had its name changed to Paterson Barracks in honour of Lt Col Paterson, first commander of troops in Northern Tasmania. Before that the home of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery was known as the Volunteer Building.

For a short while after the Second World War the unit was known as 6th Anti-Tank Regiment and reissued with 17-pounder guns. In February 1950, it became 6th Field Regiment, again with 25 pounder quick firing guns, with Regimental Headquarters and P and R batteries in Launceston still clinging proudly to its century old name – The Launceston Volunteer Artillery.

The 25 pounder gun/howitzers served the unit well through name changes, e.g. 1960 – 112 Field Battery RAA; 1963 the name reverted once again to 6 Field Regiment RAA. In 1962 muzzle brakes were fitted to the 25 pounders. 1965 saw the start of the initial phasing in of the 105mm M2A2 towed Howitzer guns (U.S.A. design). 6 Field Regiment RAA was equipped with one battery of 6 x 105mm guns and one battery of 6 x 25 pounder QF guns.

In 1967 the 105mm M2A2 Howitzers were withdrawn from the Launceston Volunteer Artillery and reissued to the Australian Regular Army Artillery. (At this time South Vietnam was a theatre of war in which the Australian troops were involved). So the sturdy 25 pounders were once again the sole guns in use with the Launceston Volunteer Artillery. 1973 saw the final phasing out of the 25 pounders – a gun which had served long and well, and the reissue of the 105mm M2A2 Howitzer, although the Hobart sub-unit retained the 25 pounders for an extended period for use as saluting guns.

Artillery in Tasmania has passed through a bewildering number of designations since the turn of the century and the HEADQUARTERS has been located in either LAUNCESTON or HOBART with sub-units functioning in both cities.

The list of designations is as follows:-

1860 LAUNCESTON VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY CORPS

1903 NO. 1 BATTERY (LAUNCESTON) AUSTRALIAN FIELD ARTILLERY

1912 15TH BATTERY

1914 40TH BATTERY

1914 9TH FIELD BATTERY (AIF BTY)

1915 16TH FIELD BATTERY

17TH FIELD BATTERY (AIF BTY)

1921 6TH FIELD BRIGADE AFA

1941 6TH FIELD REGIMENT RAA

1948 6 ANTI TANK REGIMENT RAA

1950 6 FIELD REGIMENT RAA

1960-1963 112 FIELD BATTERY RAA

1963-1976 6 FIELD REGIMENT RAA

1976 16 FIELD BATTERY RAA

The City of Launceston honoured the 6th Field Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, by granting it the Freedom of the City of Launceston. The scroll reads:-

” TO Lieutenant-Colonel P.R. Patmore E D, the Officers and other Ranks of 6th Field Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.

GREETINGS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Whereas the Mayor, Alderman and Citizens of the City of Launceston being sensible of the great record and glorious traditions of your most distinguished Regiment over many years of loyal and devoted service to her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Predecessors and the Commonwealth and being desirous of recognising, cementing and fastening the association which is now, and has for so long been enjoyed between our City and the Regiment in which so many of our sons have been proud to serve

Do by a resolution of the Council dated the twenty-seventh day of April, 1970 confer upon you the title, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of our City of Launceston on all ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and guns on parade.

Given under the Common Seal of the Mayor, Alderman and Citizens of the City of Launceston this sixth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and seventy.”

(Sgd). R M GREEN
Mayor

(Sgd). C ALLEN
Town Clerk

The above was the City of Launceston’s way of showing its appreciation to the Launceston Volunteer Artillery and its 110 years of continuous history/association with the City at that time – 6th June 1970.

The Colours

The guns of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery are its Colours. On ceremonial occasions the guns on parade are accorded the same compliments as the Colours and Guidons of the Corps of Staff Cadets, the Infantry Regiments and the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

The Colours of a unit represent the spirit of the Regiment. In the days when the infantry carried their Colours into battle they were to be found in the centre of the front rank, a position in which they were easily seen and recognised, for they acted as a rallying point for the soldiers. The rallying point for Gunners has always been the guns.

Up until the turn of the century guns were deployed in the open, in full view of the enemy, and the detachments were instilled with the tradition of serving their guns under fire and to abandon them was, and still is, the ultimate disgrace.

Another version of the guns being the Colours goes back to the days when the largest piece in an artillery train carried the equivalent of today’s Queen’s Colour and it was known as the ‘Colour’ or ‘Flag Gun’. In the latter part of the eighteenth century this practice ceased and the guns themselves became the Colours.

Today the guns on parade, be they a Regiment’s worth (18 guns), a Battery (6 guns), or a section (which in the case of a heavy battery is 1 gun), constitute the Colours. All the guns are paid the correct compliments and respect, not just the first gun of the group.

There are many occasions when it is impracticable to pay compliments to the Colours; however, they are to be treated at all times with the greatest dignity and respect. Such practices as smoking on or near them, decorating them for social occasions, hanging clothing off them, sitting, standing or leaning on them, and leaving them unprotected, are unacceptable.

The Royal Australian Artillery Standard

In July 1945 it was proposed by the Royal Artillery that there was a need for a flag of some description for its units; this was agreed to by the Master Gunner’s Committee.

The College of Heralds produced a design which was approved by HM King George IV and the Standard was finally adopted in August 1947. The RAA adopted the Standard in 1952.

The Standard conforms in shape and style to heraldic usage and custom.

The Standard is flown on special occasions only, by HQ and units (including independent batteries) and the School of Artillery. These occasions are generally visits by Royalty or Vice-Royalty and visits or inspections by General Officers, Colonels Commandant, RAA Formation Commanders and the Director of Artillery. It may also be flown on visits by senior civilians or Allied Officials of comparable rank or appointment.

The Battle Honour ‘UBIQUE’

Battle Honours seek to record occasions when a unit has distinguished itself in war. Commemorations of such notable exploits of a unit’s past help create and maintain a pride within itself.

The first Battle Honour, or Honorary Distinction as it was correctly called, was awarded in the British Army to the 18th Royal Irish Regiment by King William III for its service at the siege of Namur in 1695. Thereafter the custom of granting Battle Honours became more common.

All the regiments which took part in the defence of Gibraltar (during the Great Siege of 1779-83) were allowed to bear the title “GIBRALTAR”. This included a number of batteries from the Royal Artillery. The Gunners were also awarded the Battle Honour WATERLOO.

In 1833, the Gunners were granted two mottos, “UBIQUE” and “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT”. It was stated that “UBIQUE” (Everywhere) was also to be granted as a Battle Honour and was to substitute for “all other terms of distinction for the whole Regiment”. This was the end of all other Battle Honours in the Royal Artillery.

A committee was assembled in 1882, under Major General Sir Archibald Allison, to review all the past history of the British Army and to regularise the holding and the granting of Battle Honours, less the Royal Artillery who had already been given the single Battle Honour UBIQUE.

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery was granted the Battle Honour, by His Majesty King George VI, in January 1950 (it is not a Battle Honour for the engineers). This included 6 Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery CMF who were granted approval and from then on wore a replica badge to that of the famous parent corps, the Royal Artillery, and bears the same two mottos – “UBIQUE” (Everywhere) which takes the place of individual battle honours of an infantry regiment, and “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT”. Unlike the infantry regiments of the line, the Artillery has no regimental colours – its colours are the guns themselves. Nor does the Artillery have battle honours – its battle honour is the one word EVERYWHERE.

Battle honours are not to be confused with “Honour Titles” which are borne by a number of batteries in the Royal Artillery – an example is 171 (The Broken Wheel) Battery RA.

There is a provision made in the RAA Standing Orders for batteries to be granted Honour Titles. The main rule applying for the granting of these titles is “Place names should be limited to occasions of historic interest, and even then be awarded only in outstanding cases where the susceptibilities of other batteries are not likely to be hurt”.

Mottos of the Regiment

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery was granted the two mottos of The Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1950 by His Majesty King George VI: “UBIQUE” (Everywhere) and “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT” (Where Right and Glory Lead).

The original motto of the NSW Artillery was “SEMPER FIDELIS” (Always Faithful). There is a line of thought that the motto in fact was “SEMPER PARATUS” (Always Ready) but this appears to be incorrect, even though ‘A’ Field Battery has adopted the latter.

The Origin of the White Lanyard

The lanyard had a genuine purpose in war. It was originally a piece of cord, approximately a metre in length, used to secure a jack-knife which was issued to both the artillery and the cavalry. The knife had a number of uses; the blade was for cutting loose horses which became entangled in the head and heel ropes of the picket lines, and the spike of the knife was used as a hoof pick, for the removal of stones from horses hooves. A fuze key was also attached to the lanyard.

Hanging loose, the lanyard soon became dirty and for the day-to-day barrack routine it looked out of place on an otherwise smart uniform; so for peace time purposes the lanyard was plaited, and blancoed white, to match both the white bandolier and the white waist belt worn by the gunners of the day. The lanyard was worn on the left shoulder with the end containing both the knife and fuze key tucked into the left breast pocket.

In 1920 the lanyard was moved to the right shoulder, simply because of the difficult problem of trying to remove the knife from the pocket underneath the bandolier. By now the bandolier and belt, worn with battle dress, had long ceased to be white, whilst the lanyard remained so.

The knife was removed in 1933 and the lanyard then became a straight cord, worn purely as an ornamental item of dress.

In 1955 it was, for a short time, reintroduced in the plaited style, but it quickly went back to the straight lanyard currently worn today.

General Information

Scattered throughout Tasmania and indeed Australia, in such places as town parks and war memorials, may be found many historic guns that were at one time manned by gunners.

Summary

Artillery is of particular interest in Tasmania for it has played a leading role in the State’s defence forces. Since 1885 artillery units have participated in most of the wars or conflicts in which Australian Military Forces have been involved. The RAA Historical Society, assisted by the RAA Assoc of Tasmania, will endeavour to record and publish the history of these and future actions.

Artillery has come a long way since the first “artillery” of the bows and arrows days. Today it may well be said that artillery includes guided missiles and that the gun as we know it may well follow the long bow into history.

The Royal Regiment of Artillery is even now supplying the men behind these new weapons. The efficiency of the man must advance with the efficiency of the weapon, and gunners as always are meeting the challenge of the age.

Locally, the Royal Australia Artillery Association of Tasmania Inc supports the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery which is the custodian of much of the memorabilia donated to this Trust. Eventually it is hoped the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery will be in a position to display memorabilia donated to this Trust in an exhibition on the volunteer history of Northern Tasmania – featuring artillery.