1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville, Queensland | Armed forces

1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Address: Coral Lines, Lavarack Barracks 4813 Townsville, QLD, Australia

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25.01.2022 As part of National Reconciliation Week, 1 RARs PTE James Dodd was interviewed by Army News in regards to his experience as a participant in the Indigenous Pre-recruit Program (IPRP). The program aims to give Indigenous Australians the best chance of success in Defence, prior to conducting recruit training at 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Wagga Wagga. The full article is on page 9 of the current edition of the Army newspaper and can be accessed via the following link:... https://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/

25.01.2022 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment on parade as the 2019 training year comes to a close. Amongst the last few days of training and admin the Big Blue One took time out for a photo ahead of our end of year Battalion Ball, attended by a record crowd of 620 members of the Battalion and our supportive partners, spouses and friends. Merry Christmas and all the best from the Commanding Officer and all Ranks of the Big Blue One!

23.01.2022 The Battalion would like to conclude our 52nd commemoration of the Battle of Coral-Balmoral, with a short account of the days following the initial assault on FSB Coral. FSB Coral was attacked again on the evening of 16 May and was penetrated, and after a six-hour battle the regimental size force was repelled. The Australian forces conducted patrols forward to approximately 1000m, whilst a Cavalry troop pursued the withdrawing enemy into the afternoon. Please click on the below photos to continue the account.

23.01.2022 An ANZAC Story. Name: PTE David Simcock Unit: 11th Battalion AIF... Not many privates in the Australian Imperial Force would have a Colonel hold up the taking of an official group photograph while he climbed to the top position, but thats exactly what happened to Private David John Simcock in Egypt in 1915. David Simcock or "Pink Top" as he was better known, had so endeared himself to his fellow soldiers that the Colonel insisted he should climb up the pyramid at Cheops to be the highest point in the group of 740 troops from the 11th Battalion. During training in Egypt the 11th Battalion posed for its historic photograph, using the pyramid at Cheops as its stage and once Pink Top had climbed up to take his place, the scene was recorded for posterity. David Simcock had been born in Callington, South Australia, but moved to Perth in 1906 and established a fruit barrow business which proved to be incredibly popular and successful. He called himself "the little boy with the Pink Top" due to his bright red hair, and the name stuck. His outgoing nature and natural cheek and wit appealed to the Saturday night crowds that thronged the streets of Perth before World War I. His natural patter had people crowding round to buy his fruit, with many spilling out onto the road as they tried to get closer. Apart from his entertainment value, Pink Top always supplied top quality with his "bob a bag" fruit being snapped up by keen buyers. He was a shrewd businessman and soon established a shop in Barrack Street between Murray and Wellington Streets. He continued to expand and had opened a second shop in Fremantle when World War I broke out; however, never one to shirk his duty, he left his wife and his thriving business behind and at the age of 35 signed up with the AIF, travelling by ship to the Middle East. If, as the saying goes, "the good die young", Dave "Pink Top" Simcock was proof. He lasted just a short time on Gallipoli, being killed on the Sunday night, 25 April 1915. Image: Australian War Memorial P05717.001

22.01.2022 Combat Team Bravo (CT-B) conducting battle procedure in preparation to conduct a Scenario Tactical Exercise as part of Exercise Brolga Run 2019.

22.01.2022 This week the Battalion acquired the Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L) 'Hawkei'. 1 RAR is excited to introduce the new platform into service in order to complement our current motorised capability.

21.01.2022 Monday saw a piece of the Battalions pre-history return home courtesy of our friends in the Queensland Police Service. History enthusiast, Inspector Sean Dugger, Townsville Tactical Services Group and Acting Chief Superintendent Glen Pointing, Townsville District presented CO 1 RAR LTCOL Chris Jaunay a souvenir Japanese flag embroidered with the names of 12 members of the 65th Infantry Battalion in Japan. The now faded writing on the flag dates it as Xmas 1946, two years be...fore the Battalion was to become 1 RAR with the founding of the regiment in 1948. Inspector Dugger acquired the flag through friends, and after researching the names on the flag through the Australian War Memorial, contacted the unit to make the presentation. The 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions were raised in the closing days of WW2 to form part of the British Commonwealth Occuption Force in Japan following the war, and would eventually become 1 RAR, 2 RAR and 3 RAR. See more

19.01.2022 Soldiers from 1 RAR have been put through their paces in a Mission Rehearsal Activity before deploying to Operation Highroad as part of Force Protection Element 14. The Mission Rehearsal Activity is a progression of scenarios conducted to simulate the likely tasks and issues faced by the deploying force, including mounted moves, logistics runs and impromptu events and cancellations. Also known as Guardian Angels, the FPE supports Australia’s mission in Afghanistan by providi...ng protection and protected mobility support to deployed ADF personnel working in locations throughout Afghanistan. https://www.facebook.com/1438131862900380/posts/3156597104387172/

18.01.2022 A small flashback Friday for the Battalion 2IC, MAJ Chris King, with our brothers and sisters in arms from Bravo Company 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Regiment (51FNQR) visiting Lavarack Barracks for Collective Training (COLT). MAJ King was a previous OC of Bravo Company and took time out to welcome them to Coral Lines and catch up with the team. B Coy draws its soldiers from the Indigenous communities of Cape York and is Armys Eyes and Ears in Far North Queensland as part of the Regional Force Surveillance Group, made up of 51FNQR, NORFORCE and The Pilbara Regiment.

18.01.2022 The Australian Army Skill-at-Arms Meeting 2020 has concluded. 1 RAR were awarded Champion Unit, as well as the majority of the other major awards. LCPL Nicholas Latham was awarded Champion Shot of the Army, and the Battalion had 3 competitors in Armys Top 20.... The 3rd Brigade were also awarded Champion Brigade. The 1 RAR team included: SGT Duncan McFarland (Team Manager) LCPL Nicholas Latham LCPL Kurt Schultejohann PTE Grant Coad PTE Luke Shield PTE Sean Clinton-Morgan Well done lads. Youve done the Battalion proud.

17.01.2022 11th of March. A happy 69th Birthday to our sister battalion. Abi-auka Oreana - "Brave and Courageous".

17.01.2022 This week the Battalion hosted the Diggerworks team from Defence Science and Technology Group, Army. 1 RAR personnel were invited to share their ideas in an interactive setting in order to improve the capability of our front line soldiers.

17.01.2022 Friday saw the CO and the Executive team (RSM, Bn 2IC, OPSO,ADJT) share a #Checkyourmates lunch with the 1 RAR Association - INC team and Operation Compass crew, which includes former COs Barry Caligari, John Salter, Ray Martin and John Caligari. The #Checkyourmates initiative seeks to encourage serving and former serving personnel to reach out and support each other, especially at this time of year.

17.01.2022 The CO, LTCOL Jaunay, meeting with CO 1RPIR, LTCOL Kellerton. LTCOL Kellerton has taken Comd of 1RPIR and both COs are discussing ways for both Units to continue our proud history of working together.

16.01.2022 1 RARs support course suite for 2019 has commenced. The next 4-6 weeks will see our specialist platoons teach and test the next generation of soldiers and officers our Support Company capabilities. Here our Sniper Basic Course attendees are learning to operate the in-service sniper rifles on the range.

14.01.2022 This evening, CO 1 RAR, LTCOL Christopher Jaunay released his open ANZAC Day letter to all Battalion members and families. All 1 RAR members and families past and present are encouraged to stand in their driveways or on their balconies at dawn on 25 April, as a show of our continued solidarity in honour and respect of this important day. Lest We Forget.

14.01.2022 This week saw two members of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment promoted by the CO to Lance Corporal. Congratulation and well done to LCPLs Hayes and Perry.

14.01.2022 This week the Battalion conducted a reorganisation parade so we are prepared to hit the ground running in the new year. As part of this parade, Support Company welcomed a new batch of soldiers. Its worth noting that among these were several female infantry soldiers entering Support Company Platoons for the first time in the Units history. Congratulations to all new members posting to Support Company. We hope you make the most of the opportunity. At the last sports parade fo...r the year we promoted over thirty soldiers into JNCO positions. Armys first female infantry soldier was promoted to Lance Corporal, a significant achievement and something well see more of in the future. The Battalion looks forward to seeing great things from our newest junior leaders. As the unit approaches Christmas the Battalion congratulates them and their families on a job well done. We look forward to seeing everyone return to work safely in 2020 to continue to train and develop our expertise as a Motorised Infantry Battalion. Merry Christmas from all ranks of the Big Blue One.

14.01.2022 An update to the Australian Army Skill-At-Arms Competition leaderboard. Good luck and good shooting.

14.01.2022 Happy Birthday 1 RAR! On 12 Oct this year, the Big Blue One will turn 74! At this weeks Thursday PBVCC parade, we celebrated the occasion in the traditional way, with the CO and the most junior member of the Bn (PTE Atkinson, Log SPT Coy, 17 yo) cutting the cake. This was preceded by a number of promotions from C and SPT Coy - Congrats to new LCPLs Power, Bean, Dalziel, Kovacs and Marosi !

14.01.2022 The 2019 Subject Two Corporal course conducted by 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment concluded recently with trainees completing their range qualifications to supervise a number of different range practices including grenades and other high explosive weapons.

13.01.2022 In the lead up to the 52nd commemoration of the Battle of Coral-Balmoral on Tuesday 12 May, the Battalion would like to invite members of the 1 RAR Facebook page join us in watching the attached video presentation. This can be achieved by clicking the Play button on the video below. The presentation is narrated by CPL Shane Lindgren, a current serving member of 1 RAR and details the actions of the Australian forces at Fire Support Base Coral from 12 May 06 June 1968. We hope you enjoy this presentation and look forward to sharing our memorial service with you tomorrow.

13.01.2022 The Battalion is proud to support the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal for 2020. 1 RAR’s very own Sallyman, Mr Nigel Roden would like to share a personal message to all past and present 1 RAR members. G'day, The month of May sees The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal commences. An annual fundraising activity which supports the community work the Salvation Army achieves, 2020 sees the appeal going digital for the first time. ... The Townsville Sallyman team has been given a unique opportunity to fund raise for the benefit of all members of the 3rd Brigade. Given that our national fleet of Sallyvans is beginning to show signs of fatigue, our project #OperationSallyvan is aiming to ensure the sustainability of Sallyman support into the future. Our fundraising goal is to replace one of the Townsville vans within the next 12 months, with 50% of all money raised via the appeal going towards the costs associated, and the other 50% going to Red Shield Defence Services. 1 RAR members past and present can support #OperationSallyvan personally in three ways: - Personal donations to the appeal via the link: https://digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/townsville-1- - Sharing the above link with family and friends - Signing up as a volunteer collector, via the Join us section of the appeal website. Kind regards and ‘Brew Swiftly’ Nigel 'Chuck' Roden Senior Representative & Officer in Charge Red Shield Defence Services Lavarack Barracks Salvation Army

13.01.2022 This evening saw The Big Blue One retain the annual McAloney Rugby Shield against 2 RAR. The final score sat at 35-0. Thanks to 2 RAR for their valiant efforts and sportsmanship. See you next year!

11.01.2022 The Battalion would like to invite all members of the 1 RAR Facebook page in commemorating the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Coral-Balmoral, by viewing the video presentation below, created in lieu of the traditional Battalion Parade. This can be achieved by clicking on the Play button below. We hope you enjoy our presentation.

11.01.2022 A few images of the Big Blue One training in a combined arms setting.

10.01.2022 Our infantry brethren from 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment led capabilities from across 3rd Brigade - Australian Army through Long Khanh, the culminating combined arms combat team training activity of Exercise Brolga Run 2020. Training at combat team level ensures we are #alwaysready to deploy, whenever, wherever and with whomever to complete any mission asked of us.

10.01.2022 GOOOAL! This afternoon saw the 3rd Brigade Soccer Grand Final Match between 1 RAR and 2 RAR. The Big Blue One triumphed in a hard fought 4 - 0 to secure the trophy. A well deserved win to the Soccer Team, who have been training hard for a number of months. Well done!

08.01.2022 The PNGDF contingent, know as Kumul Force, has force concentrated in Port Moresby ready to travel to Australia tomorrow, marry up with their friends from th...e 3rd Brigade, and provide much appreciated support to #OpBushfireAssist Their operational name is Op Helpem Wantok, which translates to Operation Help our Friend. This is just the third operational deployment for the PNGDF since independence and the first since 2013. We are privileged to be working shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters to the north. : PNGDF #StrongerTogether

08.01.2022 FINAL RESULTS II Congratulations to the Australian Defence Forces champion shots for 2020. The overall winner of #AASAM2020 and the Australian Armys champi...on shot is Lance Corporal Nicholas Latham from 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. The Royal Australian Navys champion shot is Sub Lieutenant Jerome Dillon-Baker from 723 Squadron, HMAS Albatross. The Royal Australian Air Forces champion shot is Flight Lieutenant Rowan McBride from the Officer Training School, RAAF East Sale. The champion unit is 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. The champion brigade is 3rd Brigade - Australian Army. The Combined Arms Training Centre, the hosts of AASAM each year, congratulates the champion shots, and the other 160 soldiers, sailors and airmen and women for their exceptional combat shooting in this years event.

08.01.2022 The Battalion is proud to support the Salvation Armys Red Shield Appeal for 2020. 1 RARs very own Sallyman, Mr Nigel Roden would like to share a personal message to all past and present 1 RAR members. Gday, The month of May sees The Salvation Armys Red Shield Appeal commences. An annual fundraising activity which supports the community work the Salvation Army achieves, 2020 sees the appeal going digital for the first time. ... The Townsville Sallyman team has been given a unique opportunity to fund raise for the benefit of all members of the 3rd Brigade. Given that our national fleet of Sallyvans is beginning to show signs of fatigue, our project #OperationSallyvan is aiming to ensure the sustainability of Sallyman support into the future. Our fundraising goal is to replace one of the Townsville vans within the next 12 months, with 50% of all money raised via the appeal going towards the costs associated, and the other 50% going to Red Shield Defence Services. 1 RAR members past and present can support #OperationSallyvan personally in three ways: - Personal donations to the appeal via the link: https://digitaldoorknock.salvationarmy.org.au/townsville-1- - Sharing the above link with family and friends - Signing up as a volunteer collector, via the Join us section of the appeal website. Kind regards and Brew Swiftly Nigel Chuck Roden Senior Representative & Officer in Charge Red Shield Defence Services Lavarack Barracks Salvation Army

07.01.2022 Enduring Traditions: Shovel Drill In March 1953 at Camp Casey in Korea, at a farewell to troops returning to Australia, the Commanding Officer LTCOL M. Austin, DSO commented on how sloppy he considered the rifle drill. He then proceeded to demonstrate to the acting RSM WO2 L.E. Brennen how the movements were to be performed, using a shovel for the demonstration. There was disagreement between the two on how the drill should be performed so they adjourned to the SGTs Mess whe...re the CO was drilled by the acting RSM before the mess members in a variety of drill movements. At the completion of his drill, LTCOL Austin decreed the shovel be packed and returned to Australia and was to be held in the SGTs Mess. It was to be used upon the first visit to the SGTs Mess by the incoming CO. The drilling of the CO endures to this day and is carried out by the junior CSM of the Battalion. Upon completion, the COs name is inscribed on the handle of the shovel.

06.01.2022 VALE THE RIGHT HON. TIM FISCHER AC. Today the Battalion is saddened by the passing of The Right Hon. Tim Fischer AC. As a National Serviceman, Mr Fischer commanded a platoon in C Coy of the Battalion and deployed to Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat. He then went on to a distinguished career in service of the nation. Our thoughts are with the Fischer family at this sad time (photo courtesy ABC - www.abc.net.au)

06.01.2022 This week saw a number of promotions and service awards delivered by the CO. Congratulations to those rising to LCPL and CPL, receiving Soldiers Medallions and Long Service medals. Well done!

05.01.2022 Flashback from our archives; October 2019. This week saw two members of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment] receive awards, presented by OC A Coy on behalf of the CO. Notable was our Mil Skills Team who represented 3rd Brigade and achieved the highest score of any Australian team achieving the Gold Standard.

05.01.2022 As part of National Reconciliation Week, 1 RAR's PTE James Dodd was interviewed by Army News in regards to his experience as a participant in the Indigenous Pre-recruit Program (IPRP). The program aims to give Indigenous Australians the best chance of success in Defence, prior to conducting recruit training at 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Wagga Wagga. The full article is on page 9 of the current edition of the Army newspaper and can be accessed via the following link:... https://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/

04.01.2022 The Battalion would like to thank Ms Helen Dorothy Ellis who recently donated the service medals and records of her late brother, 213888 CPL Raymond Ellis, a former 1 RAR soldier who deployed with the unit during the Vietnam War. Contained within the records was an original hand-written letter by WO2 Kevin Dasher Wheatley, who was later posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Ray Ellis and Dasher Wheatley had served together in 1 RAR prior to WO2 Wheatleys deployment as ...part of the Australian Army Training Team, Vietnam. The Battalion 2IC, MAJ Rose, flew to Sydney in February this year to collect the significant historical letter and other memorabilia and thank Ms Ellis for her donation. A scanned copy of the letter has been made and framed for viewing in the Patrick Bugden VC Club when it reopens later this year. The unit is grateful and honoured that Ms Ellis chose to donate a significant family heirloom to the 1 RAR Museum.

01.01.2022 This past week saw members of the Big Blue One out and about, including a number of sports activities. Former 1 RAR member Terry Abdul-Rahman (C Coy) and current 1 RAR member PTE Sam McArthur (C Coy) at the Coolburra shield on Palm Island.

01.01.2022 This week the Battalion acquired the Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L) Hawkei. 1 RAR is excited to introduce the new platform into service in order to complement our current motorised capability.