RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA Liaison Letter 2024 / 2025 Edition 8 the parapet and offered a view. I am in no doubt that in some circles this intervention is not welcome, however could I be so bold as to suggest that perhaps it might be a good thing to convene a meeting of some of these former members and harness their ideas instead of blandly dismissing them on the grounds that they are no longer serving and are out of touch. In my editors comment in the last edition I touched on those responsible for recruiting are not focused enough on promoting the “profession of arms” as the primary purpose and role of Army, for that matter Defence. If you wish to be more diplomatic and less dramatic, Defence is the ultimate extension of foreign policy. I am pleased to report that I received a welcome response from Brigadier Nick Jans (Retd) who is a former Gunner who was respected for his intellect across all matters of Defence. He wrote regarding his tenure as a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Defence College, and his experience of visiting the US Army to discuss “military professionalism”. You will see more about this in the Letters to the Editor section and elsewhere in this edition. Cannonball Supplement The Cannonball supplement in the last edition had a focus on the 50th Anniversary of the War in Vietnam from an RAA perspective. The supplement created feedback from veterans who were keen to set the record straight and / or correct errors and omissions that I made in the section. These contributions were and are still most welcome. The focus of the Cannonball Supplement in this edition will include this feedback. Missing Regimental Trophies With some success in tracking down “lost” Regimental trophies, my campaign continues … I am currently seeking assistance in locating the Heath Trophy and the Brigadier Paul Chambers Memorial Award. Heath Trophy The Heath Trophy was created by the late Alfred Edward Heath Esq, to show appreciation for the co-operation of the military forces during the 1949 coal strike and to celebrate the Jubilee of the Commonwealth of Australia. The trophy was initially in the form of a silver cup. Originally five individual cups were to be presented in five consecutive years in a competition between CMF units of strength greater than 100. Points were allotted for attendance at parades, standard of drill and camp layout and for the percentage of qualified rifle shots in the unit. The first cup was won in 1951 by 30 Infantry Battalion NSWScottish Regiment. In 1952 it was decided to buy one worthwhile trophy with the remaining money so that the Heath Trophy did not disappear as an entity but would be held for a period of one year by the winning unit. [The perpetual trophy is being held in the photograph on page 154.] The Heath Trophy was won by the 18 Light Anti- Aircraft Regiment in 1955-56 and again in 1958- 59, 1959-60 and 1960-61. The unit was also runner up in 1957-58. It was also won by R Battery in 1963 for the fourth time. Eventually the trophy was given to the Regiment in perpetuity, and it remained with the Regiment until it was disbanded in 1974. The trophy is now missing. There is a school of thought that it either went to the School of Artillery, Australian Artillery Museum [remember both of these were in Manly NSW at this time] or Headquarters 2nd Division. In 2002 the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 2nd Division conducted a search but did not find the trophy. Today, by following the chain of re-structures and capability changes there is a theory that it could be held by 23 Battery, given its link to the anti-aircraft Regiment, possibility not even appreciating the trophy’s background and providence. Brigadier Kenneth Drummond (Paul) Chalmers Memorial Award The Brigadier Kennth Drumond (Paul) Chalmers Memorial Award was an annual award to perpetuate the memory of the first anti-aircraft gunner in Australia. He was the first officer posted to the anti-aircraft cadre, 1st Heavy Brigade RAA in 1929 and he became a brigadier in November 1943. His command appointments during World War Two encompassed: • Commanding Officer 2nd/4th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment