History

Brief History – 1st Armoured Regiment

Jan-46 Formed as an independent armoured car squadron for service with the British Commonwealth occupation Forces, Japan.
29-Mar-46 Embarked for occupation duties in Japan on the SS Pachaug Victory disembarking on June 19 at Kure Japan.
18-Dec-48 the Squadron embarks at Kure Japan for its return to Australia.
May-49 The British War office agrees to allot Centurion Tanks for the RAAC
7-Jul-49 The 1st Australian Armoured Car Squadron is re designated at the 1st Armoured Regiment at Puckapunyal.
Jun-51 Alliance with the Royal Tank Regiment approved.
Jun-52 Arrival of the Centurion Tank as the regiment’s main battle tank.
Jun-52 Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters and B Squadrons raised
Sep-52 Nucleus Squadron formed at Detached to Holesworthy, NSW, and this squadron was to be the foundation of the 2nd Armoured Regiment.
1953 The authorization and issue of the Regimental Cap Badge.
1954 Raising of a Reconnaissance troop with Ferret Mark 1 Scout Cars.
1955 The Regiment receives Saracen APC
Oct-55  Nucleus Squadron relocates from Holesworthy to Puckapunyal and rejoin the Regiment as “C” Squadron
6-Feb-56 The Governor General Field Marshall Sir William Slim Presents a Guidon to the Regiment.
Aug-56  Regiment involved in flood relief on the Murray River.
14-Sep-59 The Regiment relocates to Kapyong Barracks at Puckapunyal.
1960 May “A” Squadron was disbanded to form the Australian Regular Army element of the 2nd/14th Queensland Mounted Infantry and 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment. Both these regular squadrons would be designated as “A” Squadrons of their respective regiments.
1961 A Troop is involved in the Tropical Trials in Innisfail Queensland.
1964 The Regiment provides personnel for 1 Troop, A Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment, This Troop was issued with the M133A1 as later deployed with the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Group to South Vietnam in 1965.
1977 Arrival of the Leopard (AS1) as the regiment’s main battle tank.
4-Nov-63 The Governor of Victoria, Maj Gen Sir Rohan Delacombe KCMG,KCVO, KBE DSO, KStJ  becomes the first Honorary Colonel of the Regiment.
7-Oct-67 the Regiment is warned to prepare a Squadron or service in
Feb-68 1 & 2 Troops arrive in South Vietnam under Major Bradman.
May-68 A Squadron is reformed.
May-68 C Squadron participates in actions at the Fire Support Bases Coral Balmoral
Feb-69 B Squadron arrives in South Vietnam.
Jan-70 A Squadron relieves B Squadron in South Vietnam
Dec-70 C Squadron relieves A Squadron in South Vietnam
1972 30 September 1971 Tanks are withdrawn from South Vietnam
Aug-73 B Squadron is designated as the Medium Tank Trials Unit and trials the American M60A1 and the West German Leopard Tanks.
A squadron provides support for Kerang floods.
3-Jun-74 Sir Henry Winneke KCMG, OBE, KStJ ,QC is appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment
24-Nov-76 Last parade of  Centurion Tanks.
18-May-77 Arrival of the first Leopard AS1 Tank. Conversion from the Centurion was completed
13-Nov-79 Trooper Paratus is enlisted as the Regimental Mascot.
Dec-79 A contingent from the Regiments departs for Rhodesia for election monitoring duties.
21-Apr-81 HRH the Prince of Wales presents the Regimental Standard to the Regiment. The Regiment becomes the first unit of the Australian Army to receive a Royal Standard.
20-Nov-81 Kapyong Barracks is renamed as Robertson Barracks
1-Mar-82 His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Brian Murray KCMG,AO, KStJ ,RAN (RL) is appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment
Feb-83 Regiment is involved in fire relief after Victoria’s Ash Wednesday Bush Fires.
1987 C Squadron becomes a General Reserve Squadron
1988 The Regiments Guidon was laid up at the Seymour Shire Offices.
4-Mar-88 Trooper Paratus is promoted to Corporal and retired as the Regimental Mascot his son Trooper Paratus II is enlisted as the Regimental Mascot
16-May-89 Maj Gen M Bradbury AO,CBE,(RL) is appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Regiment.
1993 B Squadron becomes a Ready Reserve Squadron
1994 A troop relocates to Darwin in preparation for the Regiments move to the Northern Territory
July-December 1995 The Regiment relocates from the Puckapunyal area to Palmerston, Northern Territory
14-Jul-02 Governor General, Dr Peter Hollingsworth presented a new standard to the Regiment. It is currently held at Robertson Barracks.
15-Jul-02 The Regiment’s first Standard is laid up at Lone Pine Chapel at Robertson Barracks.
Nov-02 C Squadron reverts to an ARA Squadron
7-Jul-06 Farewell Parade for Leopard Tanks.
29-Oct-11 Trooper Leo Paratus is enlisted as the Regimental Mascot.

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