Drum Major Cdt Hannah Jibson, 122RCU, holds the mace. Photo provided by 122RCU

A SIGNIFICANT piece of north Queensland Army history was recently handed over to a tri-service cadet band in Mackay.

The priceless mace disappeared from 42RQR 30 years ago and despite extensive searching could not be found.

With the King’s crown on top, the polished mace was found recently and presented to the district’s tri-service cadet band at 42RQR annual dinner held at the Mackay RSL.

The band members said they were thrilled with the return of the mace particularly because they could not afford to purchase their own, as they had only recently formed.

Bandmaster PO David Stubbs, ANC, said the band members were thrilled with the nostalgic donation.

“All the equipment we have has been borrowed or donated to us, and this mace has a lot of meaning attached to it.” he said.

The mace will be used by the 122RCU Drum Major, Cdt Hannah Jibson for parades and promotions.

“It’s great to have a military mace, which has so much history attached to it, particularly since it has been missing for three decades,” she said.

AAC-HQ NQ is also seeking donations of RSMs’ pace sticks, Sam Browne belts, white mess jackets and khaki polyester uniforms. Please contact Lt-Col (AAC) Roy Landis (07) 4926 3799.

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