90 years of guts

On parade: Minister for Defence Robert Hill inspects 2 Div soldiers during their commemorative parade. Photo by Bill Cunneen

Through the mud: Members of 2 Div on the move in France in 1916. Photo by British official photographer

AFTER serving in two world wars, losing more than 12,000 men, winning 13 VCs and deploying soldiers to every major theatre of operations, Army’s 2 Div has reached the milestone of offering 90 years of continuous service to Australia.

More than 350 soldiers from the division paraded at Sydney’s Victoria Barracks on July 30 to celebrate the occasion with the Army Banner, all Corps Banners, and all the divisional Guidons and Colours on parade.

Hosted by Commander 2 Div Maj-Gen Paul Irving, a crowd of more than 1000 looked on. Defence Minister Robert Hill, CDF Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie were present to congratulate the division.

Maj-Gen Irving said the soldiers of 2 Div, which hosts the bulk of Australia’s reserve combat soldiers from nearly every State and Territory, were “ordinary people doing extraordinary things” and carried the tradition of the citizen soldier.

“The division has played a vital role in safeguarding Australia’s interests and has served with distinction throughout every major theatre of operations from Gallipoli to the Middle East,” he said.

“Our reservists are to be commended for taking time from their daily lives to make a valuable contribution to the defence and security of our nation.

“This anniversary is an important time to remember the sacrifices of the past and present members as well as comrades in the ADF serving overseas.”

2 Div also commemorated its anniversary earlier in the week at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, where it paid tribute to soldiers killed in the defence of Australia.

Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence De-Anne Kelly joined Maj-Gen Irving and Director General Personnel - Army Brig Craig Orme at the wreath-laying ceremony, where soldiers from 5 Bde mounted a catafalque party.

Symbolically, 5 Bde’s youngest fully qualified soldier, Pte Stuart Brown, laid a special wreath for Pte James Martin at the Roll of Honour.

Pte Martin, a member of 2 Div, was the youngest Australian soldier known to have died on active service – at the age of 14 years and nine months.

Two of Pte Martin’s relatives also attended the commemoration.

Each brigade in 2 Div also planted a seedling from a pine cone gathered from Lone Pine in Gallipoli, and the Army planted 12 such seedlings Australia-wide during this week to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our country.

A brief look at 2 Div history