Tradition
lights up Townsville
By
Cpl Belinda Mepham
MORTAR Platoon charged from the stronghold into all-round defensive
positions moments before 1RAR Beat the Retreat on the unit’s
57th Birthday.
More
than 2000 of Townsville’s public watched the three customs
of early day warfare unfold at the Strand park.
Two
hundred soldiers representing 1RAR stood still and quiet as they
would have on the battlefield at sunset during the 16th century.
The
crowd was asked to stand and the colours marched on, bringing
the history of 1RAR, dating back to WW2, into the ceremony.
Traditionally,
the fife and drums played on the ramparts, a signal to the soldiers
outside the fortifications that the gates were about to be closed
and night duties would begin.
This
time the 1RAR Band and AAB Kapooka played the signal.
CA
Lt-Gen Peter Leahy and CO 1RAR Lt Col Stuart Smith spoke on behalf
of the Army and 1RAR, thanking Townsville for their ongoing support
to the battalion.
The
second tradition began and the troops marched into review order
and the band played a hymn in honour of the fallen of that day’s
battle.
Three
perfectly timed volley shots were fired over the heads of the
audience.
Under
the silhouette of Castle Hill the national flag was lowered and
the audience stood fast with the troops in honour of the day’s
battle done.
The
colours marched off the parade, an illustration where historically
they would have been lodged for safe keeping in the colour ensign’s
quarters for the night and the evening watch mounted.
With
the ground held for the evening the troops accepted the applause
from the crowd in appreciation of the story performed.
1RAR
Band and AAB Kapooka took to the stage and entertained the crowd
for the interlude while the preparations were made for the finale
of the night.
Six
4 Fd Regt 105mm Hamel Guns facing out to sea would accompany the
bands for the 1812 Overture.
Local
radio personality Steve Price warned the audience that soon the
music would take them on a journey of battle.
The
music told the tale of victorious and defeated battles fought
during some of the most renowned and savage wars.
At
the peak of the overture, blank 105mm rounds were fired from the
guns in victory, the guns adding the effects of battle to the
musical story.
A
colourful birthday fireworks display was the final thank you from
1RAR to Townsville on its birthday.
The
history of 1RAR dates back to the end of WW2.
On
October 12, 1945, soldiers from the 7th Div 2AIF formed the 65
AIB at Moratai, Dutch East Indies.
65
Bn served with the British Occupation Forces in Japan from 1946
until 1948 when it returned to Sydney and was renamed the 1st
Battalion, Australian Regiment. In March 1949 the unit was changed
to 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment — 1RAR.
