By Capt
Michael Brooke
5RAR, the Tiger Battalion, was reunited with its
original Queen’s and Regiment Colours in a ceremony
rich in military tradition.
On a hilltop overlooking Port Augusta, the Tiger
Battalion rededicated itself to its Colours in a
ceremony at Cultana Field Training Area on April 14.
CO 5RAR, Lt-Col Jake Ellwood, said the Colours,
which were originally consecrated and blessed on
October 29, 1967, symbolise the regiment’s important
links with its history, traditions and its soldiers.
“The rededication of the Colours was perfectly timed
as members of the Tiger Battalion prepare for a
deployment on Op Catalyst,” he said.
OBG(W)-3, which comprises 5RAR, 2 Cav Regt, 1CSSB,
1CSR and supporting elements including the
Australian Army Training Team-Iraq 8, are training
hard in the countdown to their deployment to Op
Catalyst.”
Lt-Col Ellwood said the rededication of the Colours
follows the de-linking of 5/7 RAR and the re-raising
of 5RAR on December 3, 2006, after almost three
decades as 5/7 RAR.
The ceremony marked a small milestone in Australian
military history, with the Tiger Battalion being the
first unit to rededicate itself to its original
Colours.
Chaplain 5RAR, Padre Morgan Batt, said the Tiger
Battalion was reunited with its Colours under
Australian Army Regulations and Ceremonial Protocols
that allow re-raised units to take back their
laid-up Colours and to rededicate themselves.
“The original 5RAR Colours were laid up at the
Chapel at Kapooka in the care of the chaplains until
very recently,” he said.
“Because the Colours are consecrated and can never
be deconsecrated, they were laid-up at the Kapooka
Chapel until the re-raising of 5RAR, which has
rededicated itself to the Colours,” he said.
5RAR’s rededication ceremony was conducted at sunset
.
Army pipers played ‘Scotland the Brave’ as the
entire Battle Group comprising several combat teams
equipped with APCs, ASLAVs and Bushmasters assembled
in parade formation.
Padre Batt received the Regt Colours from an M113
and placed them on drums symbolising a church altar,
prior to leading the CO and the 450 personnel
preparing for OBG(W)-3 in reciting the 5RAR Colours
Rededication Prayer.
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