Corps Silver

This section shows the significant pieces of Corps silver held in trust at the Army Logistic Officers Mess at Bandiana. The silver was originally housed in the Army School of Transport Officers Mess at Tobruk Barracks, Puckapunyal and before that, the RAASC Officers Mess. The collection features pieces donated and/or presented to the RACT and its predecessor Corps the RAASC.

Like the Corps Banner, the silver may be borrowed by units for Dining-in Nights however, this is on a user-pays basis for the cost freight.

The RACT Centrepiece - "The Rose Bowl"

"Presented by the officers, Royal Army Service Corps to their brother officers, Royal Australian Army Service Corps, to commemorate the distinction of 'Royal' conferred on their Corps by His Majesty the King, 1949"

Prior to 1949 the Corps was simply known as the Australian Army Service Corps, a nomenclature that had existed since 1st July 1903 when the AASC was first formed by Major General Sir Edward Hutton, KCMG, CB. Major General Hutton assumed command of the various forces of the States on 29th January 1902 and immediately set about reorganising them into a national force based loosely on the South African model. He regarded the existing Army Service Corps as merely a carry-over from the separate and individual State forces, hence his decision to create the AASC

The Field Engineer

"Presented to the Royal Australian Corps of Transport on its formation by the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers on 1st June 1973".

The RACT was formed by amalgamating the RAE functions of water transport, terminal and movements with the RAASC functions of road transport, air dispatch and postal services. The remaining RAASC functions of provision of foodstuffs and POL were transferred to RAAOC. Once this occurred the RAASC was disbanded.

The Air Dispatcher

"Presented to the RAASC Officers Mess by Major T.W. Cawley as a token to recall the service of officers and men of the Royal Australian Army Service Corps with the British Far East Land Forces during the Malayan Emergency, 1955-58".

After WWII the focus of Australian foreign policy changed from the Middle East back to South East Asia. After initially providing RAAF assistance to the British in their struggle with Malayan Communist insurgents in 1950, the Australian Government decided to commit an infanry battalion and supporting elements in 1955. The first RAASC contingent comprised a component for HQ 3 Coy RAASC, 126 Tpt Pl and a relief driver increment. Other positions were subsequently held by RAASC members within the British 28 Bde. Although the State of Emergency was terminated on 30th July 1960, RAASC members continued to occupy positions within 28 Bde, among these two sections of 39 AD Pl, RAASC from 1960-62.

The Royal Wagon Train Officer

"Presented to the Royal Australian Corps of Transport on the occassion of the Australian Bicentenary 1788-1988 from the officers of the Royal Corps of Transport".

As with many Australian Army Corps, the RACT has an affiliation with its sister Corps on the British Army as evidenced by the presentation of this piece to the Corps in 1988.

The Banner Ensign

"Presented to the RACT Officers Mess by Major B. Hollins, December 1983".

The RACT's Colonel-in-Chief is Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester GCB, CI, GCVO, GBE. In 1983 she presented to the RACT a banner (the Princess Alice Banner) that is today held in great esteem since it is a high honour to be presented with a banner, colour or guidon by a member of the Royal family. Major Hollins presentedThe Banner Ensign statuette to commemorate this event. During Dining-in Nights where the Princess Alice Banner is marched into the dining room, The Banner Ensign statuette is traditionally placed on the Banner Ensign's table.

International Mark III 4x4 2.5 Ton Truck

"From Colonel T.G. Miller, MC, VD. In memory of old comrades in AASC".

After WWII the Army continued to use the in-service Ford, Cheverolet and GMC vehicles. Although initially providing an adequate training base, their steady deterioration required commercial vehicles to be purchased in order to fulfill the land transport requirement. In 1957 the Government decided to maintain a regular Bde Gp on notice and this consumed the available war reserve stocks of GMC 2.5 ton 6x6 trucks. International Harvester designed and produced an Australian General Service (GS) 2.5 ton 4x4 truck that was brought into service in 1964. This vehicle was replaced in 1966 by a five ton 6x6 variant that was used through to the 1980s, mainly in cargo and dump variants. It was phased out in the early 1980s and was replaced by the Mercedes Benz Unimog GS four ton and Mack R Series GS eight ton vehicles.

The Unimog

"Model of the Australian Army 'Truck, Cargo, Medium, MC2'. Based on the Mercedes Benz U1700L Unimog. Introduced in November 1982 to replace the International F1. Presented to the RACT by Mercedes Benz".

In 1979 a unique organisation was formed to conduct trials of vehicles to replace the aging International Harvester 2.5 ton and five ton medium trucks. The Medium Truck Trials Team (MTTT) was raised specifically to examine User Evaluation aspects of each of the contenders. In all five vehicle makes were trialled for both the four ton and eight ton classes. Contenders in the the four ton class were the Bedford MKP 2MBO and the Mercedes Benz U1700L Unimog. MTTT conducted trials for 15 months over all types of terrain in all types of weather with Mercedes Benz being the successful tenderer. The Unimog was introduced into service in November 1982.