RAA LIAISON LETTER 2025 – 2026 EDITION CANNONBALL SUPPLEMENT 116 Belgium: Flanders, WestVlaanderen, Ypres 15 September 1917 At the time this photograph was taken, this battery (then the 54th Australian Siege Battery RGA in the 10th Corps) was in action at a position on the Ypres-Comines Canal near Lock 8 and covering the front of the 2nd Anzac Corps. It had taken up this position on 25 August for the Ypres offensive, having been during the months of June, July to the middle of August, in action on the Nicapori Sector. The battery then consisted of six 8 inch BL Howitzer MkII guns and was commanded by Major McDonald DSO. At the particular moment the battery was engaged in a heavy bombardment of the enemy trenches preparatory to an attack which was to be launched on the morning of 16 September. The battery occupied this position for six weeks and during that time fired about 18000 rounds. When the offensive started, the range to the front line was about 5000, but owing to the enemy retreating and the range being increased to about 6500, the battery pulled out and took up a position at Half Way House near Hellfire Corner on 6 October. Identified, left to right: T/Sergeant Cullen; Sergeant Johnson (other side of gun); Gunner Roy. Regimental Committee Visit to the Army Museum Puckapunyal Major DT (Terry) Brennan As part of the Regimental Committee meeting in November 2025 the newly branded Army Museum Puckapunyal hosted a visit by the committee members to the ‘new’ museum located in what was the old Armoured Museum. Due to the cancellation of the approved purpose built museum planned to house the artillery and armoured collections in a location near the front entrance to Puckapunyal to facilitate easy access by the public as well as military members, the Australian Army History Unit very quickly overcame the disappointment and set about establishing an compromise. Naturally there was always going to be financial challenges. At the time of our visit the museum it was not officially open. However it was evident that significant investment has been made in this initiative in terms of manpower (military and volunteers) and dollars. The Regiment’s appreciation must go to Peter Armstrong and his replacement Natalia Bittner as the Artillery collection curators. Their efforts and dedication are to be commended. Whilst not the rolls Royce solution that we had all hoped, dreamt and prayed for over many years, the current solution has the bones of a sound family car which will do the Royal Regiment proud.
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