1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery

1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
Unit name	1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
Dates	1914–1973
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Artillery
Role	Field artillery
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Victoria
Battles	Gallipoli Campaign, Western Front, North African Campaign, Greek Campaign, Battle of Crete, Syria–Lebanon Campaign, New Guinea campaign, Borneo campaign
Notable commanders	John Monash, Leslie Morshead

1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery was a regular regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery raised in the early 20th century that served in both world wars and underwent several reorganisations during the mid-20th century. The regiment fought in major campaigns including the Gallipoli Campaign, the Western Front in World War I, and multiple theatres in World War II before being restructured during the Cold War era and finally disbanded in the early 1970s. Its lineage connected to formations that served alongside units from the Australian Imperial Force, the British Army, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and later under joint commands with the United States Army.

History

The regiment traces its antecedents to pre‑First World War volunteer batteries in Victoria and connections to colonial artillery formations raised during the Second Boer War and the federation period. During World War I it was expanded within the Australian Imperial Force framework and attached to divisions that fought at Gallipoli Campaign, on the Western Front, and at battles such as Pozières, Bullecourt, and the Hundred Days Offensive. Between conflicts the unit formed part of the Citizen Military Forces establishment and participated in interwar exercises with commands influenced by doctrines from the British Army and lessons from commanders including John Monash.

Formation and Early Years

Originally constituted from volunteer artillery batteries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the regiment’s formation reflected imperial designs linked to the Royal Regiment of Artillery and colonial defence arrangements under the Defence Act 1903. Pre‑war commanders fostered ties with coastal batteries at Port Phillip Bay, training exchanges with the Royal Australian Navy and militia brigades that later aligned with the 1st Division. Early commanders pursued modernization influenced by campaigns such as the Second Boer War and doctrines circulated through the Staff College, Camberley and liaison with officers from the British Expeditionary Force.

World War II Service

During World War II the regiment deployed batteries to multiple theatres. Elements served with the 1st Australian Division, reinforcing actions in the North African Campaign at engagements comparable to Bardia, Tobruk, and El Alamein, before detachments joined the Greek Campaign and Battle of Crete alongside formations from the British Army and New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Other components were reconstituted for service in the South West Pacific Area under commands such as General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters, participating in the New Guinea campaign including operations at Lae, Salamaua–Lae campaign, and later the Borneo campaign linked with amphibious operations planned with the Royal Navy. The regiment worked in combined arms operations with the Australian Army Service Corps, Royal Australian Engineers, and infantry brigades including the 7th Division and 9th Division.

Post-war Reorganization and Cold War Era

After World War II the regiment was demobilised and reconstituted within the Citizen Military Forces and later the Australian Regular Army, adapting to Cold War imperatives such as counterinsurgency readiness during the Malayan Emergency, and regional commitments influenced by the ANZUS Treaty and alliances with the United States. Reorganisation exercises followed models used by the British Army and US Army for field artillery, shifting from towed pieces to more mobile systems to meet threats like the Korean War’s artillery demands even when not deployed as a whole. The unit trained at bases such as Puckapunyal, Vernon ranges, and participated in joint exercises with units from the Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Air Force for close support and counter‑battery coordination.

Equipment and Organisation

Throughout its existence the regiment fielded artillery including early colonial guns, QF 18 pounder, BL 60 pounder, 25 pounder gun-howitzer, and later more modern pieces such as the 105 mm howitzer family and self-propelled platforms influenced by the FV433 Abbot concept and US designs like the M109 howitzer. Organisation shifted between battery and troop structures aligned with divisional artillery doctrine used by the 1st Division and higher formations, integrating liaison with Royal Australian Corps of Signals for fire control and the Royal Australian Survey Corps for mapping and meteorological support. Ammunition logistics were coordinated with the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and training conducted at schools derived from the Royal Military College, Duntroon syllabus.

Battle Honours and Traditions

The regiment inherited battle honours emblazoned for actions at Gallipoli Campaign, Somme, Bullecourt, Ypres, El Alamein, Greece, Crete, New Guinea, and Borneo. Traditions included ceremonial links to Anzac Day, regimental parades at Royal Exhibition Building and memorial commitments with organisations such as the Returned and Services League of Australia. Colours, insignia and gun salutes were rendered in accordance with practices shared with the Royal Regiment of Artillery and heritage affiliations preserved in museums like the Australian War Memorial.

Legacy and Disbandment

The regiment’s lineage influenced successor artillery formations within the Australian Army Reserve and the Australian Regular Army after it was disbanded during force rationalisation in 1973 amid broader restructures tied to the end of conscription and shifts following the Vietnam War. Veterans formed associations maintaining regimental records and associations with descendants serving in units such as the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery and the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Artefacts, diaries and unit histories are held by institutions including the Australian War Memorial, State Library of Victoria, and regimental museums, preserving links to figures such as Leslie Morshead and campaign narratives involving the Australian Imperial Force and allied formations.

Category:Royal Australian Artillery regiments Category:Military units and formations of Australia