Book Presentation
On 1st July, WO1 John Pollock (Retd), a former Master Gunner of the School of Artillery and WO2 John Pollitt (Retd), a former 'A' Field Battery Gun Sergeant presented the Battery with a manuscript of the Battery's history for the Henry Green Room. The book is entitled "100-Odd Mates" and is a comprehensive history of the 2nd Mountain Battery (now 'A' Field Battery).
Said WO1 Pollock, "The story of the 2nd Mountain Battery draft copy was written by members of the Battery, however it is not know if it was ever published.
"In the introduction the only indication that is is the story of 'A' Field Battery during World War II was where the writers stated thatin peace time it was the oldest artillery battery in Australia and was the School of Artillery's depot battery at Holsworthy.
"I was given the draft I am presenting to the Battery by Steven Finney, the sone of Alf Finney OAM who was the BQMS of the Battery prior to and during the war and is mentioned several times in the book. He appeared to be the typical scrounger as is with all BQMS over the years."
Steven Finney also donated, through WO1 Pollock and WO2 Pollitt, a port bottle commemorating the Battery's 121st birthday.
Sports Week
At the conclusion of Ex CATA, 'A' Field Battery stayed in Townsville for a few days for 4th Field Regiment's sporting competition. The competition involved a cross country run (which the Battery dominated), an obstacle course (in which the Battery did...okay), an AFL competition and a soccer competition (the Battery did well in both but was let down by umpires).
Ex CATA
June involved the Battery deploying to High Range Training Area for Ex CATA. Please see the "Exercises" page for more details...
Parachute Training
May. For the first time in 2008, the Battery took to the skies. Nowra was the venue for parachute training with most members jumping six times over a two day period. It was the first time most had jumped for over a year, and those new members of the Battery yet to attain their qualification were fortunate enough to be afforded the opportunity to view the jumps from up in the aircraft.
JTAC Exercise - March 2008
That Battery commenced it's live firing for 2008 with a one-week exercise to support a Joint Terminal Attack Controller course at Singleton. "The week afforded the Battery a valuable opportunity to practise themselves in their skills at an individual and detachment level, which sets them up well for the rest of the training year," said the Battery's Operations Officer, Captain James Groves. The exercise involved the Battery firing "mark" missions to mark targets for fast jets to attack.