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Newsletter #7, November 2014
The official newsletter of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) Association
In this issue
Page
President's Update
1
Upcoming Event
1
Social Roundup
2
A Tribute to Tom Ryan
3
News from the CO
4
C Sqn at Ex Warfighter
5
The Tarin Kowt Memorial Dedication 6
2015 Events Calendar
7
Season Greetings
8
W
elcome to our Newsletter #7, the fourth and
final for 2014. As you will see from the upcoming
Events Calendar, there's plenty happening, so mark
the dates in your diary.
Since our last newsletter in August, well known
former regimental member and Museum stallwart,
Tom Ryan passed away on Friday 12th September.
A tribute to Tom, written by Miles Farmer, appears on
page 3.
Maurie Meecham,
President
Change of Corps Director
The Director of the RAAC, BRIG John “JJ”
McKenzie has handed over the role to BRIG
Mark Brewer who is the DG Training at
FORCOMD. These days, the Corps Director
role is a secondary role for the appointed
officer. The Association thanks John for his
service as Corps Director and we welcome
Mark to the role.
UPCOMING EVENT
Bus Trip to Gunnery Camp on 28 Nov 14
The Regiment has kindly invited Association members
to visit the Stage 4 Gunnery Camp at Tin Can Bay on
Friday 28 Nov 14.
If there is sufficient interest, the Association will
arrange a bus for the day at a cost of $25 per member.
Participating members must wear enclosed boots or
shoes and it is suggested that members also bring
hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle and snacks.
A BBQ lunch will be provided by the Regiment. The
bus will leave the Kedron Wavell Services Club car
park at 0830 hrs and return at approx 1730hrs. If
you are interested, you must register your interest by
either sending a cheque or money order for $25 per
person with your details to:
The Events Manager
2/14 LHR(QMI) Assn
PO Box 508
West Ashgrove QLD 4060
or by EFT to:
Account Name: 2nd 14th Light Horse Regiment
(Note: Defence Bank members must use 2nd as the
three characters for a Defence Bank transfer)
BSB: 803205
Account No: 20362781
Please ensure you tag your deposit with your surname and 28 Nov.
Cheques or eft transfer and names must be received
no later than Friday 15 Nov 14 so that a suitable bus
can be hired.
(Note: Cheques will be returned and you will be
advised should the visit not be able to proceed for
any reason e.g. poor weather affecting Tin Can Bay, or
insufficient numbers).
2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) Association Inc
www.2-14lhrqmi.asn.au | PO Box 508, Ashgrove West Post Office Qld 4060
Page 2
Regimental Tour on 13 Sep 14
About twenty members and guests enjoyed the
Association tour of the Regiment on 13th September
where they met some serving personnel, were briefed
by the CO and saw some equipment including a visiting Abrams main battle tank from 1st Armoured Regiment. Our thanks to the CO, Ash Collingburn; the
RSM, Dennis Barlow and CAPT Zac Klein for hosting
the Association. The visit was capped off by some
enjoyable fellowship at the 41 Club.
A few photos from the day …
Frank Beattie enjoying a cold drink with Patrick and
Bethmay O’Loughlin at the 41 Club
Dinner for Like Minded Persons (29 Aug)
A good roll up of Association members attended
The Abrams MBT - a bit different from the Centurion!
the annual Dinner for Like Minded Persons at the
Kedron Wavell Services Club on 29th August. Greg
Peake did a great job “MC’ing” the evening and
many of our members were spotted in the crowd,
including Bob Lane, Ash Collingburn, Bob Hagerty,
Victoria Freeman, Jack Chipman, Greg Smith, Bill
Cross, Gary Holder, Phil Lilliebridge, and Rod Lang
amongst many others. President Maurie spoke
briefly and during the dinner CO Ash Collingburn
updated us on the Regiment’s achievements and
concerns. An enjoyable evening was had by all.
Beersheba Day Parade
Our Events Member Phil Lilliebridge and Assistant
Secretary Shayne Burley represented the Association at the Regiment’s Beersheba Day Parade at
Gallipoli Barracks on 31st October .
The CO and Danny Brookes in deep conversation
Maintaining Communications
Members are asked to keep the Association
informed of any changes to their postal or email
address and telephone numbers to ensure our
Membership Register is up to date.
For future newsletters, please forward to the Secretary any news items and photographs you think
may be of interest. Your Management Committee
would like to thank you for supporting the Assn.
CHRISTMAS DRINKS
Association Secretary Graeme Nicholas and Scott
Crawford
Association members, partners and friends are
invited to join the Management Committee for
Christmas Drinks from 5pm on Tuesday 9th
December at the Fox Hotel, 71-73 Melbourne
Street, South Brisbane.
Page 3
The Regiment's Program
V
A
L
E
The Regiment’s program for the remainder of 2014
includes:
• Support to the G20 summit with over 100
personnel;
• Completing a gunnery assessment as part of the
Chauvel Cup, premier Troop competition in Wide
Bay; and
• Undertaking a number of in-unit courses to
prepare the Regiment for 2015.
Early 2015 will see the Regiment complete all
mandatory training in late January and then focus
on individual and troop level activities in February. The Regiment will deploy as a unit to the field
in March to complete its initial gunnery (stage 4)
practices.
THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN OAM RFD ED
04/03/42 - 12/09/14
Tom enlisted in C Sqn 2/14 QMI on 28 July 1960. He
was 18 years of age. On 10 November 1985, after 25
years service he took his discharge with the rank of
Warrant Officer Class Two. His devotion to the 2/14
QMI, now 2/14 LHR (QMI) is legendary, despite his
actual Corps being RAEME.
Many members of our Association will remember
Tom having served with him during his 25 years, but
younger members, particularly those now serving will
remember him as the person who was always to be
seen at the Museum, or with his head in the engine
compartment of one of the collection of historical
vehicles. Despite his ill health he was tireless in
trying to achieve more. He will be sorely missed by
many, but particularly all those associated with the
Museum.
The huge gathering of his many mates and friends at
his funeral service reflected the high regard that he
was held in. He would have appreciated the Guard of
Honour provided by the Regiment.
Our condolences are extended to his three daughters
and grandchildren.
Rest in Peace
Lest We Forget
Of note, 2015 will herald the re-introduction of
the upgraded M113 family of vehicles back into
the Regiment.
“Armoured Soldier” CD
Some members will be aware that many years
ago Association member Vic Hall wrote and sang
the song “Armoured Soldier” as a tribute to our
RAAC soldiers. Vic has kindly donated a copy on
CD to the Association for use at special events.
If you are interested in your own copy, Vic sells
copyrighted CDs of it for $10.
His contact details are:
Vic Hall,
66 Railway Street,
Helidon QLD 4344
Tel: 07 46976863
Page 4
News from the CO
The Regiment has been training exceptionally hard in
2014 and has covered a lot of ground as the 7th Brigade cycles through the Readying phase to become
the online Combat Brigade from mid-2015. We continue to set the standard for the employment of combined arms and remain, as always, the premier unit
within the Brigade. Concurrently, as the landscape of
the Royal Australian Armoured Corps shifts with Plan
BEERSHEBA, we are keenly paying attention to the
lessons learned by the 1st and 3rd Brigades as their
RAAC Units restructure into Armoured Cavalry Regiments (ACRs).
CO, LTCOL Ash Collingburn addressing the Beersheba Day Parade
2014 has seen the Regiment conduct training across
a broad spectrum of mission essential tasks. As cavalrymen, every soldier in the Regiment was given the
primary core value to be brilliant at basic soldiering
and prepared to fight both mounted and dismounted.
Through a ‘crawl, walk, run’ training methodology
a foundation was laid early through ‘back to basics’
individual training. This rapidly evolved through the
cavalry collective training continuum, culminating in
a mid-year brigade-directed Combined Arms Training
Activity (CATA).
For CATA in June, Battle Group WARHORSE formed,
comprising four combat teams based on two organic
cavalry squadrons, two motorised infantry companies
from 8/9 RAR, an engineer squadron from 2 CER,
and an artillery battery from 1 REGT (RAA). The BG
Headquarters facilitated challenging and realistic
training for the four combat teams, which focussed on
combined arms integration and was characterised by
a combination of live fire and force-on-force training
serials. The cavalry combat teams each completed
two demanding live fire Stage VI activities and the
soldiers gained a first hand appreciation of the true
benefits of battle grouping and combat teaming -“the
whole is more than the sum of its parts.”
While A and C Squadrons were tasked with BG WARHORSE duties, B Squadron’s primary focus was to
introduce the Multi Spectral Surveillance Suite (MSSS)
into operational service whilst concurrently supporting the army’s amphibious ready element. In July, The
B Squadron ‘Spartans’ were attached to the 2 RAR
amphibious battle group as the Opposing Force for
Exercise HAMEL. This large, multi-national exercise,
based out of Townsville, focussed the Army’s broad
suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection assets against a composite enemy
battlegroup. As part of the 2 RAR Group, B Squadron
worked alongside a number of entities, including the
Marine Rotation Force – Darwin. The exercise combined a vast array of organisations and systems that
provided a wealth of exposure and a highly challenging training medium. B Squadron integrated with
elements from the United States Marine Corps, artillery Forward Observers, infantry snipers, Electronic
Warfare specialists and Ground-Based Air Defenders
to generate an ISR capability that achieved disproportionate effects in the battlespace.
Most significantly this year, the Regiment has been
afforded the opportunity to upgrade key elements of
the ASLAV turret systems to enhance reliability and
performance. This upgrade has had an immediately
positive impact on the performance of crews during
live-fire training. In addition, the entire Regiment has
been issued the latest Tiered Body Armour System
with more practical, durable and light-weight load
carriage.
The CO promoting soldiers on the Parade Ground
Page 5
Looking forward, The Regiment will start transitioning to an Armoured Cavalry Regiment from January
2015 with the arrival of the first 12 M113AS4 for the
combat mobility squadron. While we will retain a
strong ASLAV Cavalry capability throughout 2015,
the Regiment will commence transition to ensure it
is done responsibly over time. While we wait for the
major systems to arrive, we will grow the crewmen
required to operate them.
Reflecting on my first year as the CO, I have placed
enormous trust in the soldiers and officers under my
command. I have set my expectations for initiative,
innovation and leadership and I have not been disappointed. I implemented a Soldier of the Month program from the beginning of the year and I have been
extremely proud to recognise outstanding individuals
who epitomise the army’s core values and ethos.
Throughout 2014, I have sought every opportunity to
promote the public profile of the Regiment. We have
conducted extensive media and public engagement,
provided three royal guards of honour, and supported
numerous charities, schools and many other community
organisations. Our soldiers take great pride in promoting the Regiment and the cavalry capability that we
generate; they strive to be the best they can be and
they do so with great professionalism and skill.
C Squadron 2nd/14th Light
Horse Regiment
(Queensland Mounted Infantry)
River Lancers. They were well opposed by an enemy
manned by a Troop from B Squadron 2/14 LHR (QMI).
The Squadron entered their AO within the High Range
Training Area and commenced their mission to disrupt
members of the International People’s Militia (IPM)
who were training and supporting an Insurgency aimed
at de-stabilising the Government of Tropicana. Over an
intensive nine days, the Squadron conducted a large
number of tactical tasks in the foundation warfighting continuum including a number of Combat Team
level clearances, a Combat Team Screen and a Combat
Team Quick Attack. The Combat Team was also able to
practice its Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures in an
environment away from Shoalwater Bay Training Area,
a change which presented its own challenges.
Warfighter
Over two weeks in September a Cavalry Combat Team
based on C Squadron 2/14 LHR (QMI) had the opportunity to take part in a Combat Training Centre –
Live Combat Team Warfighter. Officer Commanding
C Squadron Major Simon Petie said his troops were
incredibly enthusiastic about taking part in the activity
as it would be the culmination of a years worth of high
quality training.
Forward!
Ash Collingburn, Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding Officer
2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment
(Queensland Mounted Infantry)
WARHORSE
was approved as the
2/14 LHR (QMI)
Field Shoulder Patch
in 2014
Over the course of the two missions which were executed over a nine-day period, the Combat Team Charlie
‘Wolfpack’ achieved mission success and disrupted
IPM operations in an AO that extended over 50% of
the High Range Training Area. This activity was all
recorded, observed and tracked by CTC and the data
was used to support Section, Troop and Squadron After
Action Reviews (AAR) for each mission. These AARs
provided valuable feedback on the development of
updated Armour/Infantry TTPs for 2/14 LHR (QMI)
and 8/9 RAR.
C Squadron ASLAV on patrol during Exercise WARFIGHTER
Two Sabre Troops and the HQ from C Squadron were
well supported by a Platoon from 8/9 Battalion, The
Royal Australian Regiment, a Joint Fires Team from 1
Field Regiment and Cavalry Scouts from 12/16 Hunter
This was a highly successful warfighter for both the
Combat Team in the ‘box’ as well as for the Combat
Training Centre. The Combat Team were able to
validate TTPs and SOPs in a high intensity foundation
warfighting environment and practice the integration
of a number of key enablers from a spectrum of capabilities. This has prepared C Squadron well to assume
responsibility as Army’s online Cavalry Capability from
December 2014.
Page 6
THE TARIN KOWT MEMORIAL
CROLL MEMORIAL PRECINCT, SHERWOOD-INDOOROOPILLY RSL
UNVEILING & DEDICATION CEREMONY, SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2014
The memorial wall at Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan Province,
Afghanistan was destroyed by the Australian troops
before they left, so that it could not be defaced by
the Taliban. A bronze replica was arranged by the
Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL, and fixed to the wall of
the Croll Memorial Precinct. It is beside the Kokoda
Memorial Plaque on the wall, and near the Kokoda
Memorial, a conglomerate of stone from Kokoda.
It carries the names of 41 Australians, 49 American
and 24 Dutch servicemen who were killed in Uruzgan
Province. There is also the name of one French soldier
who lost his life there.
Despite heavy rain it was a wonderful ceremony,
supported by the 7th Brigade, and the Army Band,
Brisbane. 7 Combat Engineer Regiment mounted the
Catafalque Guard, and also the Honour Guard. The
Regiment’s Labrador mine detector dog was also on
parade with the troops.
The newly dediacated memorial at Sherwood-Indooroopilly
RSL Sub-Branch
to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Holland’s
liberation from the Nazis. It was very emotive and
created a poignant atmosphere for the Ceremony
which followed.
Many families of the soldiers whose names are
recorded on the Memorial had a place of honour.
Floral tributes were provided to them which they laid
at the Memorial. Tears flowed. A wreath, honouring
David Pearce and Milo Milosevic was laid by the Vice
President of the Regimental Association.
Wreath layed on behalf of the 2/14 LH (QMI) Association
Major General John Cantwell AO, DSC (ret’d), a
former operations commander in the Middle East
(incl Afghanistan) gave a stirring address. It was made
all the more memorable when he stepped from the
protected dais and stood out in the rain to talk to the
troops who were on parade. John is the Hon Colonel
of the 2/14 LHR (QMI), and Patron of the Regimental
Association.
An interesting lead into the Ceremony was the playing of a recording of “IL Silenzio”. The trumpeter was
a 13 year old girl, and was backed by the orchestra
of André Rieu. The music had been commissioned
Grateful thanks are extended to the President and all
members of the Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL for their
initiative in creating this wonderful memorial, their
arrangements for the ceremony and their hospitality
afterwards.
[Colonel Dr David Gifford Croll was an RMO during
WW1, and founded the Greenslopes Military Hospital in WW2. He was a foundation member of the
Sherwood RSL, and on his death his estate gave the
RSL the funds to build the Croll Memorial Hall and
the Sherwood Services Club premises. When the RSL
acquired the building which is now known as the
Harry Dalziel VC Centre, the Memorial Precinct was
created to ensure Dr Croll’s memory was not forgotten.
Harry Dalziel was also a member of the Sherwood
RSL]
Page 7
EVENTS CALENDAR FOR 2015
Date / Time
Event
Location
Organised By
03 Feb
1000hrs
Onverwacht Service
Sherwood Cemetery
Miles Farmer
24 Feb
1500hrs
Management Commitee Meeting
and Association Drinks
Legacy House (tbc) then Fox Hotel
South Brisbane
Maurie Meecham
Phil Lilliebridge
27 Feb
tba
Regimental Birthday
Details tba
Regt 2IC
10 Apr
1500hrs
Annual General Meeting and
Happy Hour
Kedron Wavell Services Club's
Community Centre
Phil Lilliebridge
Maurie Meecham
25 Apr
ANZAC Dawn Service
2/14 LHR (QMI)
Chauvel Lines, Gallipoli Barracks
Phil Lilliebridge
25 Apr
ANZAC Day March - first time
under the new Assn banner
Brisbane City and Suburbs
Maurie Meecham
Miles Farmer
17 May
Billy Sing Commemorative Service
(in conjunction with 31st Bn Assn)
Lutwych Cemetery
Phil Lilliebridge
19 May
1500hrs
Management Committee Meeting
Legacy House
Maurie Meecham
Phil Lilliebridge
31 May
1000hrs
National Boer War Memorial Day
Commemorative Service
ANZAC Square Brisbane CBD
Miles Farmer
4 Aug
1500hrs
Management Committee Meeting
& Association drinks
Legacy House (tbc) / Fox Hotel tbc
Maurie Meecham
Phil Lilliebridge
29 Aug
1830hrs
Dinner for "Like Minded Friends"
Kedron Wavell Services Club's
Community Centre
Greg Peake
(Mob 0408 743 241)
13 Sep
Regimental Museum & Gallipoli
1300-1600hrs Barracks Tour
Chauvel Lines, Gallipoli Barracks
Phil Lilliebridge
Regt 2IC
20 Oct
1500hrs
Management Committee Meeting
Legacy House
Maurie Meecham
Phil Lilliebridge
31 Oct
Beersheba Commemoration
Details tba
Phil Lilliebridge
Regt 2IC
11 Nov
1100hrs
Remembrance Day
ANZAC Square and local areas
RSL's
14 Nov
1300hrs
BBQ and Drinks
Enoggera Barracks - 41 Club
Danny Brookes
Nov 2014
The Lighthorse Ball
tbc
Regt 2IC
8 Dec
1500hrs
Management Committee Meeting
& Association Christmas Drinks
Legacy House / Fox Hotel
Maurie Meecham
Phil Lilliebridge
Page 8
Seasons Greetings
The Management Committee wishes all our
members and your family a merry Christmas
and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
We look forward to seeing you at some
of our events in 2015.
PS: Don't forget Christmas Drinks from 5pm
on Tuesday 9th December at the Fox Hotel,
71-73 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane.