Decades of Change
 

Gunners Timeline

This timeline highlights selected Gunner History over the decades ending with 2011.

Anniversary

 

EVENT, DECISION OR ACTION

 220 years ago
 

1791 New defence works commenced on Dawes Point. Completed by December with 14 embrasures and gun platforms.

 

 
210 years ago
  

1801 Sydney Defences

West Bty, Dawes Point 8*12-pdr ML; 2*6-pdr ML; 2*4-pdr ML

East Battery on Bennelong Point 4*6-pdr ML;

Windmill Hill 4*6-pdr ML;

Garden Island 2*6-pdr ML
George's Head - works commenced to command channel 8*12 pdr; manned by NSW Corps Obelisk Point; 1801-1806 & 1942-1945
 150 years ago
  

1861

No1 Bty 15th Brigade deployed to Victoria
 140 years ago
  

1871

NSW Permanent Artillery raised; HQ at Dawes Point
Bradleys Head Upper Battery; 3*68-pdr guns on replica wooden slides and mounts; 1871-1903
Fort Macquarie became the HQ of the NSW Naval Brigade until 1901
Georges Heights; 1871-1939
Steel Point Battery; 1871-1903
 110 years ago
  

1 March 1901

Australian Army formed
 100 years ago
  

1911

Permanent Royal Australian Artillery Regiment divided into:

Royal Australian Field Artillery &

Royal Australian Garrison Artillery

 
 90 years ago
  

1921

1st AIF Disbanded
Reorganisation of the army on a divisional basis

 
 70 years ago
  

1941

3 Jan - 6th Div attacks Bardia which falls on the 5th Jan.
21 Jan - 6th Div commences attack on Tobruk.
6 Feb - Benghazi surrenders to Australian troops.
18 Feb - 8th Div disembarks in Singapore.
4 Apr - 2nd AIF first action against Afrika Corps.
6 Apr - Germany invades Yugoslavia & Greece
10 Apr - Siege of Tobruk begins
20 May - German invasion of Crete

8 Jun - 7th Div attack Vichy French in Syria
6 Jul - Lt Cutler VC
13 Aug - Cabinet approves formation of AWAS – releases gunners for deployment to SW Pacific and northern Australia
8 Dec - GB & USA declare war on Japan
Japanese attack Malaya
12 Dec - Decision to evacuate civilians from Darwin
 60 years ago
  

1951

Jan - 16 Fd Regt RNZA allocated to 27 Bde in Korea - Australian gunners served in exchange postings.
16 Feb - Hill 327 Korean war commences
25 Feb - Australians capture Hill 614 Korea

14 Mar - UN Forces re-occupy Seoul Korea
5 Apr - 3 RAR crosses 38th parallel
24 Apr - Kapyong 3 RAR halt advance
6 Aug - Inception of 1951 National Service Training Scheme
 50 years ago
  

1961

Oct - 103 Bty relieved 101 Bty - Confrontation Malaysia - Indonesia
 40 years ago
  

1971

Feb - A Bty replaces 106 Bty SVN
Mar - 12 Fd Regt relieves 4 Fd Regt
May - 104 Bty relieves 107 Bty & 161 Bty withdrawn from SVN

Oct - A Bty returns to Aust
Nov - 12 Fd Regt returns to Aust
Dec - 104 Bty returns to Aust
 30 years ago
  

1981

RAA Historical Society inaugurated at School of Artillery, Manly
Approval for 36 M198 155mm towed howitzers

 
 20 years ago
 

1991

Parachute drop of a section of 105mm Hamel guns from C130 Hercules

 
 Current
 

2011

Australian Army fires the M777A2 155mm Lightweight Towed Howitzers.

Australian Army Artillery Museum placed into store at Bandiana and RAA Historical Company sets new directions.

 

Ref:

Horner, DM, The Gunners: a History of Australian Artillery

Oppenheim, P, The Fragile Forts, The Fixed Defences of Sydney Harbour, 1788-1963

Wilson AW Lt RA; The Story of the Gun, 1943

Gunfire

 

 

 

GPO BOX 576 SYDNEY NSW 2001