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Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery

Posted 02/08/21

MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER GUNNER ST JAMES’S PARK TO THE

ROYAL REGIMENT OF AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY ON THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR FORMATION – 1 AUG 2021  

Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB DL, Master Gunner St James’s Park, sent the following message to Brigadier R Vagg DSC, Head of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, on behalf of all ranks, serving and retired, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, to coincide with their 150th Anniversary on 1 Aug 21:  

As Master Gunner St James’s Park and on behalf of all ranks, serving and retired, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, I send our very best wishes and congratulations to all ranks, serving and retired, of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of your formation on 1st August 2021.  

Such milestones are historically important and give pause for thought and reflection.  They particularly allow us to remember the very many individuals who have served your Regiment with dedication and honour during those one hundred and fifty years, and on those who continue today to uphold your Regiment’s values, standards and traditions so impressively in the face of any and all challenges and adversities that they may face.  

The fact that today we face a shared but invisible enemy in the form of the pandemic remains a matter of great concern; I wish all Gunners safe passage through it.  What is equally impressive is that, alongside that, officers and soldiers in our Royal Regiments continue to provide national security through operations, deterrence and training.  We should all take great pride in those achievements.   

I wish your Regiment a very Happy ‘150th Birthday,’ and once again, I extend the Royal Regiment of Artillery’s sincere and very best wishes for your forthcoming celebrations and for your next 150 years”.  

The Master Gunner also had commissioned, an 1822 pattern Royal Artillery sword which he presented to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery to mark their 150th Anniversary. The blade was finely etched and bore on one side of the blade the inscription:  

“ Presented by the Master Gunner St James’s Park

and All Ranks of The Royal Regiment of Artillery to

The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery on the occasion of the

150th Anniversary of their formation 1 Aug 1871 – 1 Aug 2021”.  

On the other side of the blade the Royal Artillery’s Coat of Arms was etched, and above it, etched on individual, symbolised scrolls, entwined with laurel leaves, the names and dates of each of the six Monarchs, from Victoria to Elizabeth II, that the Royal Australian Artillery has so loyally and gallantly served.  

Finally, on the spine of the blade near the hilt, is deeply engraved “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT 1 AUG 1871 – 1 AUG 2021”.  

Both the Master Gunner’s letter of congratulations and the sword, were safely delivered and received ahead of their anniversary on 1 Aug 21.     

Commemoration, General, Social Media
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