RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA L I A I SON L ETTER 2024 – 2025 E D I T I ON C ANNON BALL S UP PLEMENT 150 Army Training. In 1966 he was deployed to Vietnam and subsequently awarded a Vietnamese Medal of Honour for his efforts. Though the award was accepted by Brigadier Gerry Warner, Ross’s achievements left no doubt that he embodied the school motto in every aspect of his life. Movingly, the Brigadier said: “I know that Ross, if he was here, would acknowledge his Wesley foundations and if anyone shows that he lived and works by the school’s motto, it’s Ross Buchan. I know that he would congratulate his fellow inductees, and I do that for him. I am delighted that he is in such splendid company for his final Wesley parade.” Acceptance Speech Brigadier AG (Gerry) Warner, AM, LVO (Retd) Representative Colonel Commandant & Colonel Commandant Western Region4 December 2012 – 16 February 2019 I thank Wesley for the opportunity to accept this honour in the absence of my fellow Gunner officer, the late Major General Ross Buchan. On graduation from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1957 into the still nascent Australian Regular Army, only a decade after the end of WW2 and as the world was reorganising and realigning itself, he was allotted to the Royal Australian Artillery. I am sure that like me, Ross relished the requirement that Gunner officers exercise tactical, technical, leadership, and management skills in their regimental service. That he was successful is evidenced by his appointment to command the 1st Field Regiment. Regimental command was and is highly valued and all artillery officers aspire to such an appointment. Relevant to tonight’s ceremony, his service exemplified the Wesley motto – “by daring and by doing”. As a young officer Ross saw active service during the Malaya Emergency, and later as a newly - promoted major served in Vietnam with the legendary Australian Army Training Team, was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Vietnam Medal of Honour. Training appointments also figured prominently in Ross’ career trajectory. In these roles he profoundly influenced the Army, its capabilities, competence, culture and reputation. His appointment as an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1989 was fitting recognition of the contribution and professionalism of a greatly respected Gunner officer. Relevant to tonight’s ceremony, his service exemplified the Wesley motto – “by daring and by doing”. General Buchan’s Duntroon class of 1957 produced another major general from a Perth school. Although Major General Duncan Francis was an Old Aquinian like myself, it is fair to say that as Ross Buchan and I were Gunners, the influence of the Wesley general on my service far outweighed that of General Francis, a distinguished military engineer. Like Wesley, the Royal Australian Artillery appreciates the sterling service giving rise to this honour afforded Ross tonight. Field Marshal the Viscount Slim dedicated his classic history Defeat into Victory to his wife Aileen, writing “a soldier’s wife who followed the drum and from mud-walled hut or Government House made a home”. On behalf of Ross, I acknowledge the support afforded him by his wife Carole who similarly followed the drum. I know that Ross, if here, would acknowledge his Wesley foundations and congratulate his fellow inductees. I do so