History of the Australian Artillery

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Customs and Traditions

On reading the RRAA history, you might be further interested in knowing some of our Customs and Traditions and where they come from by opening the following Powerpoint presentation or going to ADEL for a deeper read.

Notable Gunners

Coming Soon

Colour Patches

11 FD REGT	131 DIV LOC BTY	16 AIR DEFENCE REGT	16 FD BTY
1st FD REGT	23 FD REGT	4 FD REGT	48 FD BTY 16/13 FD REGT
7 FD BTY	7 FD REGT	8/12 MDM REGT	DARTY-A

History of Colour Patches

Colour patches were worn on uniform by the Australian Army in the period 1915–49 through two world wars and the periods of peace between and after. In their shape and colour combinations they are believed to be a uniquely Australian innovation.

Whilst the majority of units within divisions wore patches unique to each unit, outside divisions many patches were worn collectively by units of the same corps within the same higher formation or by non-corps units commanded by a higher headquarters. In this sense, the 1915–49 colour patches were not truly ‘unit' colour patches.

The wearing of the 1915–49 colour patches was reintroduced in 1987 primarily on the basis of fostering the Army's heritage, through unit lineage and similarity of roles to units of 1915–49 which had approved colour patches. Those patches authorised since 1987 are, with the exception of some divisional troops units, are specifically ‘unit' colour patches, being unique to each unit authorised to wear
one.

1.4 The record of the Army colour patch system employed in the period 1915–49 is ‘The Army Colour Patch Register 1915–49' (ACPR). This was issued by Assistant Chief of the General Staff—Materiel in 1993 down to and including brigade headquarters and equivalent level, to Head of Corps (HOC) and Army school level. The Register contains copies of all authorities for colour patches issued in the period 1915–49. It is the authoritative base for the granting of entitlements for the wearing of Series I colour patches.

Introduction of new patches

The nature of the order of battle in the early 1990s was such that only about 25 per cent of units, regular and reserve, had lineage and similarity of role to 1915–49 units and were able to claim those patches. At the same time only a relatively small number of units had unique unit badges by which to be identified.

Because of these circumstances, the number of units unsuccessfully seeking approval for colour patches and the apparent need for a system of unit identification particularly in case of expansion, a second ‘series' of colour patches was designed. These would complement the 1915–49 series to provide every unit of the Army with its own unit colour patch regardless of the size of the order of battle. The Chief of the General Staff Advisory Committee approved the concept in 1994 and introduction was effected in 1995.

CONCEPT OF THE UNIT COLOUR PATCH SYSTEM

The concept of the unit colour patch system is based on the following themes:

a. The heritage for the Australian Army in maintaining and developing the colour patch system introduced and worn by the 1st AIF in World War I and the whole Army from 1921, through World War II to 1949.

b. The importance of the identification of each unit of the Army (headquarters, unit and independent minor unit commanded by a field-grade officer) for unit morale as well as control purposes.

c. The capability of the Series I system including logical but limited extensions, with Series II to provide for a major expansion in the event of a defence emergency. This theme acknowledges the precedent of Australian Army strength and the number of divisions raised in World War II from a population of seven million.