Boom. The sound of cannon fire echoes in your mind. Not a real boom of course. But the imagined roar of artillery from a bygone era. You stand before the very spot where Sydney’s defence began. This is Artillery the birthplace of Australian artillery.
Imagine 1788. The First Fleet arrives. HMS Sirius offloads its cannons. These weren’t just any cannons. They were the first line of defence for a fledgling settlement. They were positioned around Sydney Cove a small earthen redoubt near present-day Macquarie Place to protect the vulnerable colony. These early guns were manned by marines and infantry soldiers. They lacked the expertise of trained gunners.
Fast forward to 1854. The Crimean War sparks fear. The Russians a distant threat. Yet Sydney residents worry. Volunteer forces are raised. A battery of artillery is formed right here in Sydney. Others followed in Victoria and South Australia. This was the beginning of volunteer artillery units. Tasmania joined in 1859 Queensland in 1862 and Western Australia in 1872.
The Imperial troops leave in 1870. Local defence becomes crucial. Victoria’s permanent artillery unit under Captain Stubbs and Battery Sergeant Major Downs was short-lived. It disbanded in 1880. But New South Wales persevered. On 1 August 1871 Captain Airey and Battery Sergeant Major Green raised a battery. This unit the longest-serving permanent unit in the Australian Army still exists today.
In 1885 a pivotal moment. New South Wales offers troops for the Sudan uprising. A battery of artillery is included. It’s the first Australian artillery unit deployed overseas. The same year a School of Gunnery opens at Middle Head in Sydney. British officers Bingham and Bunbury established it. This school was a significant step towards federation. Other colonies sent students to learn gunnery.
The permanent artillery of New South Wales Victoria and Queensland joined in 1899. Seventeen months before Federation. On 1 March 1901 the Commonwealth Ministry of Defence took control of all colonial forces. A battery from New South Wales was even involved in the Boer War.
The Royal Australian Artillery’s motto Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt Where Right and Glory Lead rings true. Their history is etched in this very ground. From the first cannons protecting Sydney Cove to modern deployments in Iraq Timor and Afghanistan their service is Ubique Everywhere. This is more than just artillery. It’s a legacy a testament to courage and dedication. A story written in the very earth beneath your feet.