Gunners Church Service & Luncheon
Held at the Holy Trinity, 'Garrison Church', Millers Point, Sydney on Sunday 2nd December 2007.
Under clear skies a smaller group, reflecting the diminishing number of WW2 gunners, met on St Barbara's Day to observe a tradition continuing since 1956, when some aspects of pre-WW2 observance were reintroduced. It brings together gunners from the current regular and reserve units, with those of earlier eras.
The BC of 'A' Fd Bty, the COs of 7 & 23 Fd Regts, senior NCOs and a number of soldiers were present. The Colour Party was provided by 23 Fd Regt, consisting of ensign Lt Stephen Rowe, and Sgts Donald Friend and Nestor Casas as the escorts.
Selected photographs of the Day
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MAJGEN CMI (Sandy) Pearson AO DSO OBE MC (Rtd) dropped by and chatted with some of the Vietnam veterans and their partners. |
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Outgoing BC 'A' Fd Bty talking with Vic Willey VP Operations RAA Assn (NSW). |
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Representative Colonel Commandant MAJGEN Tim Ford AO (Rtd) spent some time with members of 'A' Fd Bty. |
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The Band of 23 Fd Regt provided incidental music in the courtyard during morning tea. |
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COL Don Tait, President of the RAA Association (NSW) , prior to the Act of Remembrance, delivered a eulogy commemorating the contribution of Bevan Lennie RFD ED, a previous president of the Association.
MUSN J Howell played the Last Post and Reveille.
The Band of 23 Fd Regt played both national anthems, and during the service they played 'The Hymn for the Fallen' from the movie 'Saving Private Ryan'. Following hymns and prayers Rev Michael Sanders, Assistant Minister Holy Trinity Church, delivered the sermon emphasing the need for preparedness to meet God.
The Garrison Church was established in 1840, and was the place of worship for the British Regiments of foot stationed in New South Wales, and later, British Artillery units. When these were withdrawn and replaced by volunteer artillery units from 1870, 'A' Fd Bty NSW Artillery, then based at Victoria Barracks, kept up the tradition until 1899, when the formation of The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery caused them to become 'A' Fd Bty RAA.