Over one hundred and fifty years ago, on 1st August 1871, the Colony of New South Wales raised its first permanent Battery, known as the New South Wales Artillery. This battery complemented existing colonial volunteer batteries. The previous year, the last British forces had departed for England, leaving the young, dynamic colonies across Australia to uphold their own defences. This occasion marked the origins of the substantive, permanent presence of professional Australian artillery soldiers – a presence that endures to this day as the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. In the years that have followed, Australian Gunners have served their country in war and in peace; abroad, and in the defence of their homeland, with honour and dedication, and will continue to do so into the future.
1st August 2021 marked a century and a half of unbroken dedication in the service of our community and the Nation by Australia ’s Gunners – Volunteer, Militia, Reserve, Permanent and Regular; at home, and in far-off lands; defending assaults from the sea, in the sky, and on land; and advising, defending and supporting our comrades-in-arms through summoning and orchestrating devastating fires and effects that are accurate, responsive, dependable & joint. These are, and will remain, the tenets of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery in all its forms.
This is the story of Australia ’s Gunners – so far.
Reviews
‘To mark our first 150 years, it is with great pride that the RAAHC presents this book to Australia ’s Gunner community, as part of our commitment to preserve and promote the history and heritage of Australian Artillery. ’ Colonel Ian Ahearn, OAM, (retd), Chair RAAHC
‘This compelling book provides an essential history of the journey of Australian Artillery, and its unparalleled contribution to defending Australia and its interests. All aspects of the Gunners ’ profession of arms are explained and illustrated – accurately and concisely. ’ Brigadier Damian Hill, AM, Head of Regiment
‘Action! Action! Action! provides a comprehensive account of the vital role artillery has played in Australia ’s strategic posture from colonial times to the ongoing and growing relevance into our future. For over 100 years the essence of the role of artillery has been to establish such fire supremacy in the battle area that the enemy can neither interfere with our operations, nor effectively develop their own. The release of Action! Action! Action! on the eve of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery ’s most significant modernisation efforts since World War 1 provides a timely reminder of the ever changing character of war and the artillery ’s adaptation and evolution to meet the strategic circumstance of today and into the future. ’ ’ Major General Richard Vagg, DSC, Head Land Capability
Author Biographies
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Floyd has over 35 years ’ regular service with the Royal Australian Artillery in gun regiments, instructional institutions, Army and Defence Headquarters. He has served on warlike operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a Director of the RAAHC, he convened the Firepower: Lessons from the Great War Seminar Series, 2015 to 2018. He was previously the Army Contributing Historian to the Official History of Australian Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Australian Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor.
Major General Paul Stevens AO (Retd). served 33 years in the Australian Army before retirement. He saw active service in South Vietnam with 105 Field Battery. He later served as Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor at the School of Artillery, and Chief of Army Personnel. After the Army, Paul held the statutory appointments of Repatriation Commissioner and Director of the Office of Australian War Graves in the Veterans ’ Affairs portfolio and was a member of both the Administrative Review Council and the Australian War Memorial Council. |
