Now it’s Mum’s Army

Parade in review: Maj-Gen Ken Gillespie takes the salute. Photos by 6RAR

Proud moment: Members of 6RAR Association pin Infantry Combat Badges on members of Secdet 6.

By Capt Scott Campbell

6RAR, whose proud history was forged at Long Tan, has celebrated its 40th birthday, cutting loose in style with subunit functions involving exmembers of the battalion and a Trooping of the Regimental Colour at Gallipoli Barracks.

Me too: 6RAR mascot Blue with Ptes Robert Kerslake, Jason Lefevre, of D Coy, Pte Clancey Filon, Admin Coy, LCpl Scott West, A Coy, and Pte Lance Smolders, D Coy.

The battalion was raised under Lt-Col C.M. Townsend in Brisbane in June 1965. More recently, its tours of East Timor – including being the last Australian Infantry Battalion to have served there – and its current commitments to Operations Catalyst and Anode have continued its proud tradition.

Additionally, 6RAR was the first battalion to form a Parachute Group and provided ceremonial activities, including the flag party for the closing ceremony, during the Commonwealth Games in 1982.

During the 1990s, 6RAR was re-roled as a motorised battalion and introduced the Ready Reserve Scheme.

Completing the Ready Reserve Scheme, the battalion was selected to trial the A21 Motorised Battalion organisation that saw traditional supporting arms (armour, artillery, engineers, signals and intelligence) embedded within and under command of the unit.

As part of the week of celebrations, members of Secdet 6 were awarded their Infantry Combat Badges for their service in Iraq by members of the 6RAR Association.

The olds and bolds felt immense pride in being able to present these awards to Secdet 6 and it was commented that, while they are not as sprightly as they once were, the drill was still sharp.

The significance of the parade was reflected by the attendance of Maj-Gen Ken Gillespie as the reviewing officer. The host officer was Col- Comdt 6RAR Maj-Gen Jim Connolly (ret’d), and the principal official guest was Comd DJFHQ Maj-Gen Mark Kelly. DCJOPS Maj-Gen Mark Evans, a former CO, was also present.

CO 6RAR Lt-Col Shane Caughey, thanking all who attended, said the parade was a fitting tribute to the proud and extensive history of the battalion and the high level of drill, dress and bearing was a result of extensive practice under the careful eye of the RSM, WO1 Wayne Giddings.