Customs and Traditions of the RAAC

p15 NSW Lancers formed 1885 Lord Carrington Governor's Escort - last UK military depart Sudan Relief
p153 Kokoda misspelt
FYI, Good luck with the project. Mr Chris GARDINER

From Major John Baines:

I am looking for info with references related to Customs and Traditions of the RAAC for a revamp of the Army Customs and Traditions pamphlet.

Maybe your users could email me details at john.baines1@defence.gov.au
by last week of Sept

Below is a rough guide as to what has been identified so far:

Customs and Traditions Aust Army 1901-2009
Version May 09
The publication is in a WORKING DRAFT format and is not available for general distribution. HOC Cell has a copy for reference only. Call MAJ Peter Branagan 03 57357460 for further details

Current RAAC Related Inclusions

The following topics are dealt with briefly:

Chapt 1 Evolution of the Army

p15 Volunteer forces NSW Rifles 1854
NSW Lancers raised 1888
p18 VMR CIRCA 1883

Chapt 2 Insignia

p49 4/19 PWLH American Meritorious Unit Citation

Chapt 3 Uniforms and Accoutrements

p101 Black Beret
p110 Black Sam Browne RAAC, Avn, Nurses
p114 Cav sword, description
Light Horse sword descriptiop
p117 Slouch Hat originated with Bvmr
p118 Emu Plumes originated with Chauvel in Qld
p119 Bandoliers and the ALH
p133 Cav colour patches of same col as Royal Tank Corps
p135 Origin of shoulder knots and lanyards withmonted regiments

Chapt 6 Unique military and regimental traditions

p145 Black beret and plumes RAAC

Chapt 7 Origins of Duties & Guards

p165 St George as Patron Saint of Cav
p167 RAAC WITHIN Corps precedence Mil Reg 68
p168 PRECEDEENCE OF UNITS WITHIN raac
p188 RAAC March
p189 RAAC Unit Marches
p214 2/14 QMI Freedom of City Brisbane Scroll (Picture)

Chapt 8 Honours & Awards

p 222 Lt W.E. Bell. WAMI First AMF VC

Chapt 10 (Shown as

p266 LHR Mottos
p267 1st and 2nd Armoured Car mottos
p269 RAAC unit mottos
p273 RAAC Badge
p276 RAAC Unit Badges in colour
p279-82 Obsolete Armour and LHR badges. 1st and 2nd Armoured Car, 3 Cav, 4 Cav, 7/21 Aust Horse, 8/13 VMR, 1ST LH RNSWL, 2 LHR QMI, 3LHSAMR,4-25 LHR
p300 Div Spt Arms & Services WWII Col Patches. 6, 7, 8, & 9 Div Cav
p 301 WW11 Formation Signs. 1-3 Armd Div, 1st Cav Div, 3rd Tank Bde, 4th Armd Bde
p306 RAAC flag


Topics NOT YET included in as examples from RAAC but identified by RAAC HOC Cell as worthy of mention

Chapt 1 Evolution of the Army

p19-21By states, Mention origins of remaining RAAC related units as examples
p28 Reorganisation of the CMF Armoured Units after WWII, 1946-48

Chapt 2 Insignia

p45 Royal added to AAC
p61 RAAC banners

Chapt 3 Crests and logos

p68 Add in SOArmd and RAAC
p110 Origin of Cav swords and silver/chrome embellishments for RAAC
p120 RAAC Lancers

Chapt 6 Unique military and regimental traditions

p173 Unit birthdays with approved criteria
p152 Update historical RAAC beginnings refer p145 RAAC
p153 Dispute origins of “Chocololate soldier” as NOT wanting to fight but rather “Melt in the sun” Compare with 39 Bn and Kakoda

Chapt 7 Origins of Duties & Guards

p189 VMR March to added

Chapt 8 Honours & Awards

p222 Check relevance of Maygar VC and the dates in Boer War


Additional Topics Worthy of Inclusion (not in order)

Corps Representative Colonels
Unit Honourary Colonels
Unit competitions
2 Cav Keldie Cup
1 AR Paratus Cup
Hutton Shield
Prince of Wales Cup
Wearing of Chain Mail
Using Cav swords to open champagne
Wearing of Cav spurs
Tradition and protocols for naming AFVs
Unit mascots
2 Cav, The Eagle Courage
1 AR, Leopard
3/4 Cav, Resolute the dog
Unapproved tradition of sub unit badges in war and peace