The 82nd Annual Gunner Dinner was held at Parramatta RSL Club on Saturday, 8th August 2009, 91 years to the day since Brigadier General Walter Coxen, planned the artillery support that contributed to the success of the corps’ operation on 8 August 1918. At 0420 hrs the battle commenced with 324, 18 pdr guns firing a barrage 200 yds in front of the Infantry FUP. Coxen commanded between 520 and 550 guns on that day and was instrumental in turning the tide for the allies on the Western Front.
The Guest of Honour was Captain Joshua Bolton, who in the company of Major General Tim Ford AO, Representative Colonel Commandant, and Colonel Allan Piercy, Colonel Commandant Eastern Region, joined with gunners from many units spanning the period WW2 to the present, to mark this annual occasion.The Dining President for the evening was Lieutenant Colonel Schon Condon RFD, President, RAA Association (NSW).
 |
An Ensign from 23 Field Regiment places the Banner of Queen Elizabeth, Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, in its holder behind the Dining President and Guest of Honour. | |
The Banner Party from 23 Field Regiment marches out, after the placing of Queen Elizabeth's Banner. |
 |
|
 |
Our guest and after dinner speaker Capt Joshua Bolton, spoke of his recent experiences in Afghanistan, while deployed as a Forward Observer with 2nd Reconstruction Task Force, and supported by Dutch artillery in Uruzgan province. | |
Past Presidents COL Don Tait OAM, and Phil Easton, were acknowledged and presented with Certificates of Appreciation, by current President LTCOL Schon Condon |
 |
|
 |
Locating Artillery representatives with President Schon Condon and Major General Ford. |
GPO BOX 576 SYDNEY NSW 2001