The finest soldiers around

By Pte Tezza McQuillan
TO CELEBRATE the Army’s 102nd birthday 1Div/DJFHQ’s youngest and most senior members performed the traditional cake cutting ceremony at a morning tea held on February 28.

Before the cake was cut DJFHQ CO Lt-Col Iain Cruickshank said the Army had a long and proud history of serving the nation.

“On the 1st of March 1901, the control of various colonial military forces, including permanent soldiers, part time militia and unpaid volunteers was passed from colonial authorities to the Commonwealth of Australia,” he said.

“The Army initially comprised of 28, 886 personnel, of whom just 1500 were permanent soldiers.”

Commander 1 Div Maj-Gen Mark Evans said it was wonderful that the Army had such a great history and tradition.

But, in praising the personnel themselves, he said, “an army is only as good as the people it consists of and the Australian soldier is one of the finest soldiers in the world.”

.