ARTILLERY GUN CARRIAGE USE AT FUNERALS.   Where, Why and How did funerals using a gun carriage come about and do they still use a actual gun as such. Does Artillery provide the gun and members?
 

Artillery gun carriages are synonymous with military funerals. However, despite popular belief and Hollywood-made history, this has not always been the case. It was not until the mid-1800s that Queen's Regulations authorized the use of a gun carriage and team, when available, to carry a coffin to a burial ground, providing said ground was more than a mile (1.6 kilometres) away. Today the carriage and procession combine for the departure of the coffin from the church or chapel, and again on its arrival at either the cemetery or crematorium (in between the two locations the coffin/casket is transported by a hearse).

The carriages today, in the RAA, are 25pdrs with a platform attached above the gun to carry the coffin and, yes, they should be manned by gunners (each Military District has a carriage for funerals).

COVERING MEDALS.   At funerals and memorial services it is customary to  place the right hand over ones medals or left breast pocket.   When, where and why did this custom come into effect.

FOLLOW ON:   With respect I offer an alternate comment regarding the hand salute. It is my understanding that the hat/hand/ over medals originated with the AIF at ANZAC Day marches. By covering their medals initially by removing their hats and of recent times by placing the right hand over their medals as hats are not worn to the same extent it shows that no matter what award is worn even the VC it does not compare to the those fallen who had made the supreme sacrifice.
 

The accepted civilian-attire equivalent to the military salute is, depending on the occasion, the doffing of one's headdress, the complete removal of the headdress, the right hand up across the heart, or the bowing of one's head.

There really isn't an origin as such to the hand over the heart 'salute'.   The hand is placed over the heart (the salute isn't over the medals, it's just that medals are worn over the heart) because the heart is considered to be the life and soul of the body (the same as some people swear or promise with their hand over their heart).

FOLLOW ON REPLY:   If one is wearing a hat the hat is removed, as a salute, and placed over the heart. If you're not wearing headdress then the hand is placed over the heart in lieu (as you would do if you were wearing a hat).

The placing of headdress over the heart was in place long before The Great War; however, as time has moved-on, and less people wear hats, the hand (only) goes over the heart (the heart representing the life & sole of the person). The wearing of medals has nothing what-so-ever to do with the salute; if this were so, next-of-kin, who wear their relative's medals on the right, would salute with the left hand.

It is also said that medals are worn by the recipient on the left so that they are positioned over the heart.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RA AND RAA HAT BADGE.   How can you tell the difference between the Australian cap badge compared to the Royal Artillery badge, as the wording is the same.

FORMAL DINNER.   What is the history of and the procedure for a formal dinner.

The origin of the mess dinner goes back several hundred years and over this time many of the dinner customs have been modified according to individual regiments' own traditions and traits.

The origin of the word mess (itself derived from the Latin missus) goes back to France, where it was used to describe a serving of food, in a dish, for four people. In time it was used to describe a group of people who continually sat eating together at a table. Now it is the name used to describe the places where officers, and warrant officers and senior NCOs, eat and live.

At a formal dinner in the mess, when the meal has been served, the first person to eat is the Dining President; this custom dates back to the days of Queen Victoria when, at dinners given by Her Majesty, no one at the table would start to eat until she, the Hostess, did so. In those days, it was also the custom that everyone would cease eating when Her Majesty had
finished her meal; this presented some problems to those who were served later rather than earlier. The story told is that at one such dinner a certain distinguished gentleman, who had been on the receiving end of this etiquette once too often, removed himself from his seat, approached the Queen at the Top Table and, in no uncertain terms informed Her Majesty that
he had not yet finished his meal, was hungry, and intended to return to his seat and finish same. That part of the custom was from then on discontinued.

The custom of drinking the Sovereign's health (which, at dinners, is toasted after the meal is completed) originated during the exile of Charles II in France. His Royal Bodyguard toasted him with the words "Here's a health unto His Majesty, confusion to his enemies and a safe return to reign over the
Kingdom of his forefathers". Later, during the reign of the Hanoverian Georges, and with the threat of a Stuart restoration, the Duke of Cumberland, who was then Commander-In-Chief, ordered that the toast be always honoured. The Royal Australian Navy, carrying on the traditions of the Royal Navy, toast the Sovereign seated; this custom dates back to the days when there was little head room in the men-o'-war and standing up for the toast was both difficult and impractical.

There are many variations of passing the port, varying from corps to corps, and from unit to unit. There is though, no 'right' or laid-down way of passing the port, except it is always passed from right to left.

CORPS BELT COLOURS.   Some of the other corps try and wind us up by saying that the yellow on our corps belt stands for cowardice, relating it back to some old myth that an Artillery unit abandoned their guns in battle and they were saved by the cooks and drivers. Is there any truth at all to this story?

The Artillery colours are red, blue and gold. Gold has always been a part of the colours and the "Records of the British Army" lists the Regiment's colours as ".scarlet and blue, with gold cord".

The original colours of the Regiment, when it was a part of the Board of Ordnance, were red and black (a red coat with black velvet trimming). In 1689 the Duke of Schomberg was appointed the Master-General of Ordnance by the Dutch-born King William III and he changed the gunners' coats to blue with orange trimmings (the colours of Holland). In time the King was forced to change the colours to sooth patriotic discontent within England; the red coat was re-introduced, but with blue facings and linings, and the breeches and waistcoat were blue too.

Later the Army's coat's button-holes were strengthened with braid; the Infantry regiments used white braid and the gunners gold. In time the Infantry adopted the white for their chevrons and the gunners gold for their chevrons (it is also interesting to note that red and blue are considered to be the "Royal colours"). In the mid-1700s the gunners changed the colour of their coats from red to blue because it was found that the colour blue was more practical in hiding the stains caused by the flash and smoke of guns when they fired.

The supposed story of a colour in relation to cowardice (with gunners deserting their guns) is aliened to the white lanyard; it is often said, by ignorant bastards who know no better (in most cases the Infantry), that the gunners wear a white lanyard due to the (RA) gunners deserting their guns during the Battle of Colenso, in South Africa, in 1899. Firstly, and most importantly, the gunners did not desert their guns during the Battle; a large majority were either killed or seriously wounded whilst serving the guns (in one case a whole detachment was killed) and the guns were over-run whilst being served. The guns were later re-taken and the force that did so consisted of a good number of gunners. Secondly, the lanyard was initially worn by both the cavalry and the gunners, and its purpose was to hold a jack-knife, and it was white long before the South African War. The knife had a number of uses; the blade was for cutting-loose horses which became entangled in the head and heel ropes of the picket lines, and the spike was used as a hoof pick, for the removal of stones from horses' hooves. The gunners also attached a fuze key to the lanyard.

The lanyard was blanched white to match both the white bandolier and the white waist belt worn on the gunners' blue uniform. The lanyard was worn on the left shoulder with the knife (and fuze key) tucked into the left pocket; however, in 1920, because it was finally agreed that it was difficult to remove the knife from under the bandolier, the lanyard was moved to the right shoulder and in 1933 the practice of carrying the knife on the lanyard ceased (however, many Australian gunners still carry a clasp knife on a (brownish) lanyard in the field).

It is often stated that the red and gold (yellow) represent the flash of the gun firing and the blue the subsequent smoke; a nice 'story' but there's no substance to this fable.

HOW MANY TRADITIONS.   Exactly how many traditions does Australia have.

When you ask how many traditions does Australia have do you mean the Australian Army, or the Country as a whole?

The Army has a great range of traditions; those belonging to the Army as a whole, then each corps has its own traditions and within the corps all the individual units (eg. regiments, battalions, squadrons, batteries, etc) have theirs.

The Royal Australian Navy has its own traditions as does the Royal Australian Air Force. Then there are the eight individual Australian police jurisdictions; they too have a number of traditions.  The various Australian parliaments have their traditions too. You could then look at our schools and universities; they also have customs & traditions, especially the older ones.

WEARING OF GUN CHEVRONS.   What custom or special rank, if any, is denoted by the wearing o a "Gun" above chevrons in the same manner as worn by Staff Sergeants etc.

In the Royal Australian Artillery gun detachment commanders (gun sergeants) used to wear a badge of a 9 pounder RML gun (as incorporated within the Regimental badge) above the chevrons. The practice ceased within the Regiment in 1964.

In the British Army the "Right of the Line" is a privilege bestowed solely upon King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, and is only applied when the Unit is on parade with its guns (the honour means that the Troop is positioned on the right of the parade ground (the left as seen by the observer), taking
seniority over all other corps and regiments on the Order of Battle.

In the Australian Army the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery takes precedence after the Corps of Staff Cadets and units of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, The term "Right of the Line" does not apply to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.

Within the Regiment units take precedence according to numerical order by regiments and then by independent batteries; however, A Field Battery, if on the Order of Battle as an independent unit, has precedence within the Regiment.

SPECIAL CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.   Do Gunners have any special customs or Traditions relating to Messes such as when passing the "Port" it is not to touch the table.

The only mess-related traditions that the Gunners have are the Grace, the Loyal Toast and the toast to the Regiment.

The Gunners have a laid down Regimental Grace; "For what we are about to receive. thank God"

All the other corps' and regiments toast "The Queen", however, the Gunners toast "The Queen, our Captain-General" (the dining president taps the gavel and says "Mr Vice, the Queen, our Captain-General", Mr vice stands and calls the dinner to order by saying "Gentlemen (Ladies and gentlemen)". all stand
and then Mr vice will say "The Queen"; all respond by saying "The Queen" - no other words are added, such as "God bless Her").

The toast to the Regiment starts with the dining president taping the gavel and saying "Mr Vice, the Regiment", Mr vice stands and again calls the dinner to order by saying "Gentlemen (Ladies and gentlemen)". all stand and then Mr vice will say "The Royal Regiment", all respond by saying "The Royal
Regiment").

There is NO Gunner tradition with regard to the passing of the port, As with all messes the port is passed to the left, starting with the dinning president and Mr vice (who, initially, only half-fill their glasses - they top-up their glasses on the return of the decanters; the stoppers are not replaced until such time as the dinning president decides that no more port is to be circulated and poured. There is NO tradition within Gunner messes with regard to the decanter touching the table - it is accepted and allowed that the decanters may touch the table during their rounds.

WEARING OF ARTILLERY TIES.   What is behind the tradition, if any, of Gunners wearing a "Gunner" tie on Fridays when in mufti.

It used to be a custom that gunners, when wearing 'civvies' on a Friday, would wear a Gunner tie. There's no record of the tradition as such, it was just that ex-serving gunners (mainly those in a Gunner association) would get together for drinks on a Friday evening.

Times have changed in many ways and less people wear ties nowadays when socialising. However, it was nice custom.

ARTILLERY TIES.  I have seen two different pattern ties worn.    One with a lighting bolt and the other with Corps Gun Badge.    Is one more recognised/Official than the other.

There are, in fact, a number of "official" Gunner ties. The most common is the blue tie with the red lightning bolts; another is the A Field Battery Centenary Tie, it's a blue tie with the red lightning bolts and between each bolt is the Gunner grenade above the Roman numeral C (for 100).

A number of unit ties are also blue with the red lightning bolts and between each bolt is the Gunner badge with the unit's number in Roman numerals (eg. 4th Field Regiment has the badge with the Roman numeral IV).

There are also some ties, in blue, with just the Gunner badge (in gold) and there is a maroon tie out with the gold badge; however, in reality it's the British RHA airborne tie (the maroon representing the maroon beret).

REVERSE ARMS & REST ON ARMS REVERSE.   Please explain the significance and symbolism of the following Funeral Drill movements:

a. Reversed Arms, and

b. Rest on Arms Reversed

The origin of the tradition of resting on reversed arms is lost in time. However, it was used by a Commonwealth soldier at the execution of King Charles I in 1649 (the soldier was duly punished for his symbolic gesture towards the King’s death), and it is recorded that at the funeral for Marlborough, in 1722, the troops carried out a formal reverse arms drill which was especially invented for the service, as a unique sign of respect to the great soldier.

ARMS EXTENDED FIST CLENCHED.   During WW2 I believe it was the custom that 2 soldiers were stationed either side of field guns holding their right arms up with fists clenched as the gun was fired.  Was this a residue from earlier times when gun carriages were horse drawn and the horses needed to be restrained from bolting because of the loud bang when the gun fired?

Yes, a gunner within the RHA (Royal Horse Artillery) used to stand behind the gun and hold the horses by the reigns, if there wasn't time to re-position them, to prevent them from bolting when the gun fired; this practice was, at times, carried-out during The Great War. At times, as a joke, the 'drill' was carried-out even if the horses weren't there (a gunner standing with his arms out-stretched holding imaginary horses), and there are stories of this procedure being carried-out when RHA SPs (self-propelled guns) were being fired in the 60s & 70s.

THE LANYARD.   I have heard many theories about the origin of the lanyard, the RSL Handbook 2005  states that the Lanyard was originally used by mounted regiments while foraging to attach hay to the saddle. I imagine there may be some truth to this story, however as the webmaster of a Cadet Website (www.122acu-mackay.org) I would like to get it right. Could you please clarify and if possible provide sources / references.

SPURS.   Although Army Standing Orders for Dress states that only Armoured and Transport officers may wear box spurs with mess dress, some Gunner officers still wear spurs. They cite that Gunners used to wear spurs (since the guns were drawn by horses) but the practice just fell out of favour.
Is there (or was there) a legitimate precedent for Gunners to wear spurs? If so, when did it die out?

Yes, I know some gunner officers wear spurs with their Mess Dress, however, they're not entitled to do so. In the Royal Artillery spurs are worn by officers (and by all ranks of the King's Troop when in ceremonial dress), but this item of dress is not authorized to be worn by Australian gunner officers.

Spurs were worn by Australian gunners, as an every-day accruement, prior to The Great War (WWI), but they then disappeared - I must confess I don't know exactly when or why  ('though I would suspect it was when our guns ceased to be drawn by horses).

COLLAR BADGES.   Why does the Royal Regiment Australian Artillery bursting bomb (Officers) collar badge have two less "flames" than the Royal Australian Engineers and do the number of flames have any significance.

No, there is no significance with regard to the number of flames on either badge; however, the different numbers (seven for the Gunners and nine for the Sappers) is purely to denote the difference between the two corps'.

COLLAR BADGES. What is the history behind the Royal Regiment Australian Artillery being different from other corps by having two different collar badges. Namely "bursting bomb" worn by Officers and "Scroll" worn by other ranks.

Artillery isn't the only corps that has two different collar badges; the Engineers also have two designs.

In the British Army most corps' and regiments have two types of collar badges, one for the officers and warrant officers class 1, and one for warrant officers class 2 and below (it's an old British "Class" thing); however, only two Australian corps' carried the custom across (RAA & RAE).

PURCHASE OF A PENNANT OR FLAG.   The son of a deceased member has asked if there is a pennant or flag available which he could fly in memory of his father. He had in mind one of the 4 Field Regiment - his fathers unit.

I'm sorry to say that there's really no satisfying answer to this question.   The Regiments don't have unit flags as such; the flag flown is the Regimental Flag, that is the one with a red and blue field defaced by the Regimental badge (the number of the regiment doesn't appear on the flag).   The only devices with a unit number (eg. 4) are the RAA regimental standards
and theses are not for public use.

The only answer, perhaps, is to approach the Regiment and ask if the relative could purchase an RAA regimental flag.

MASTER GUNNER.   does the Master Gunner St James park have any link to the RAA? does the colonel commandant RAA consult him?

The Master Gunner St James’s Park’s responsibilities do not extend beyond the Royal Artillery; but other Artillery Regiments of the Commonwealth accord the Office its due respect. However, at times, in special circumstances, the advice and assistance of the Master Gunner may be sought by the (Australian) Regiment’s Representative Colonel Commandant (eg. the Colonel Commandant may wish to sound-out the Master Gunner before putting forward a special request to the Regiment’s Captain-General – ie. The Queen).   

HOW DOES A MINUTE GUN SALUTE DIFFER FROM A CONVENTIONAL SALUTE.   In the reply to Salutes for decommission warships mention is made of "Minute Gun" salutes eg 15 minute guns.   How does a minute gun salute differ from a conventional salute and why are not all salutes "conventional" gun salutes
 

The origin of the gun salute is that by firing the guns and making of noise one honoured a guest and, at the same time, because they were then empty (ie. unloaded and could not be easily and quickly reloaded) it was a friendly and trusting gesture to the guest; a sign that he was trusted and considered an ally. Hence the term GUN salute rather than ROUND salute.

The timing between the firing of guns during a salute is based on the actual number of equipments (guns) taking part in the salute; six pieces fire with an interval of five seconds, whilst four equipments has an interval of 10 seconds (a 'larger' time gap allowing for re-loading).

At Defence conducted funerals certain personages and military ranks are entitled to the firing of a Minute Gun, which fires a relevant laid-down number of rounds (each at a minute's interval) during the procession away from the church at the completion of the funeral service. The firing of the gun adds solemnity to the occasion and is the military equivalent of a church bell tolling at a civilian funeral service.

Standards and Guidons are the Armoured Corps' equivalent of Colours. Standards were carried only by heavy horse units and today they are carried by heavy armour units (in Australia the only unit to carry a Standard is the 1st Armoured Regiment). Guidons are, in the main, carried by light armoured organizations. However, for a unit to receive a Standard, it must first have had a Guidon for 25 years and have been on operational service.

The Guidon was considered an easy item to carry, being small in size, and it easily flew free due to its swallow-tail shaped fly. The heavy units removed the tail, making the Standard more square-shaped and thereby easily distinguishing them from the light regiments. Within the Armoured Corps, units with Standards take the right of the line on parade over units with Guidons.

In 1913 approval was granted for the Light Horse regiments of the Australian army to possess and carry Guidons. However, it was not until 1926 that the Military Board published instructions (Instruction A 120) which laid down the design details, with the first presentations being made to units in 1927. The instructions were later amended to authorize armoured units that had converted from Light Horse regiments also to carry a Guidon. Both Standards and Guidons, like Colours, carry Battle Honours.

ARTILLERY SALUTES.   What is the significance of Artillery doing a seven gun salute for the decommissioning of a Navy ship?
 

It's not Defence policy for artillery salutes to be fired for the de-commissioning of war ships (nor is there any tradition for this); however, for "sentimental" reasons the RAN decided to fire a salute for the recent de-commissioning of HMAS ADELAIDE (it was a request from the Navy, to the Army). The number seven was decided-on because it is the lowest recognized salute. The recognized personages for whom salutes are fired, and their numbers, are as follows:

* Royalty, foreign sovereigns (and their family members), foreign heads of state and the Governor-General: (21 guns);

* State Governors (19);

* Commonwealth and foreign heads of government (19);

* Funerals of admirals of the fleet, field marshals and marshals of the RAAF (19 minute guns);

* Funerals of a foreign high commissioner or ambassador in Australia (19 minute guns);

* Opening, proroguing or dissolving of Federal or State parliaments (19);

* Funerals of admirals, generals and air chief marshals (17 minute guns);

* Retiring Chief of the Defence Force (17);

* Funerals of Service chiefs (15 minute guns);

* Lieutenant-Governors - if administrating a government (15);

* Funerals of rear admirals, major generals and air vice marshals (13 minute guns);

* Funerals for charges d'affaires and British consuls-general (13 minute guns);

* Funerals for foreign consuls-general (11 minute guns);

* Funerals for foreign consuls (7 minute guns); and

* Salutes to foreign (non-British Commonwealth) war ships (a number agreed-on on a case-by-case basis).

The parade ground is considered to be a sacred feature because (in days of old) after a battle, when retreat was sounded and the unit had re-assembled to call the roll and count the dead, a hollow square was formed. The dead were placed within the square and no one used this area as a thoroughfare. Today the parade ground represents this square, and hence a unit's dead. It is deemed to be Hallowed Ground, soaked with the blood of our fallen, and the area is respected as such.

OLD ARTILLERY BADGE AND MOTTO.   I have found an old Artillery badge with an old motto in latin on it available for sale on ebay.   Can you tell me its origins and the meaning of the motto please.

WHITE LANYARD & RED/BLUE INSIGNIA.   Have been asked why we wear a white lanyard and the red/blue corps insignia, but transport corps has a red/blue lanyard. Please help.
 

ARTILLERY BADGE SPINNING WHEEL.   Can you please tell me why the wheel on an Artillery Officers hat badge spins, I have heard a number of stories, but would like the definitive answer.
 

USE OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY BADGE IN HEADSTONES.   I wonder if you could assist my family; my father recently passed away and we are in the process of arranging for his headstone at Macquarie Park cemetery (the old Northern Suburbs) in Sydney.

Like many of his colleagues, Dad was very proud of his artillery service and recalled this period of his life with honour, particularly the long-standing friendships which lasted right through his life.

Consequently, one of Dad's requests was to have the RAA badge included on his headstone.

We have approached the War Graves Commission, who can and have given permission for the "Rising Sun" badge, however they have directed us to the association for permission to use the RAA badge.

I'm hoping you could provide a letter giving permission for Dad's headstone to have the badge included.

The Royal Australian Artillery badge is not copyrighted.   Therefore it is believed that no approval is required for the next of kin and/or dependants of a deceased member of the Royal Australian Artillery Corps to display the Royal Australian Artillery badge on the gravestone.

It is not known from whom within the Department of Defence approval is officially sought unlike the Rising Sun badge whereby approval is obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

ARTILLERY BADGE - MALE SOVEREIGN.   Can you give details of the Arty Badge (Male Sovereign) "Consensu Australia Stabiles" When & Why ? Look forward to hearing from you , & I Enjoy your book.

The Australian militia artillery units didn't become a part of the Royal Australian Artillery until 1936; prior to this there was a wide variety of Artillery badges and one of these was the badge you refer to. The badge was adopted in 1913 by the (Artillery) Siege Brigade and carried the mottos Ubique and Consenu Stabiles (Firm and Steadfast), along with the title Australia. The badge is surmounted with the 'King's Crown'.

The current style of Crown on Australian Army badges is commonly referred to as the 'Queen's Crown' and is based on the St Edward Crown, whilst the badges worn pre-1954 bore the 'King's Crown', said to be based on the Tudor Crown. All sovereigns select their own style of crown for their cypher and it is this crown that is 'used' throughout their reign. All British sovereigns, however, since Charles II have been crowned with the St Edward Crown (there's no guarantee that the badges will revert to the 'King's Crown' on the succession of Prince Charles to the throne).

ARTILLERY MOTTO.   Artillery history behind "Ubique Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt".

The Australian militia artillery units didn't become a part of the Royal Australian Artillery until 1936; prior to this there was a wide variety of Artillery badges and one of these was the badge you refer to. The badge was adopted in 1913 by the (Artillery) Siege Brigade and carried the mottos Ubique and Consenu Stabiles (Firm and Steadfast), along with the title Australia. The badge is surmounted with the 'King's Crown'.

The current style of Crown on Australian Army badges is commonly referred to as the 'Queen's Crown' and is based on the St Edward Crown, whilst the badges worn pre-1954 bore the 'King's Crown', said to be based on the Tudor Crown. All sovereigns select their own style of crown for their cypher and it is this crown that is 'used' throughout their reign. All British sovereigns, however, since Charles II have been crowned with the St Edward Crown (there's no guarantee that the badges will revert to the 'King's Crown' on the succession of Prince Charles to the throne).