Contact Information:
Special Collections
Academy Library
UNSW@ADFA
CRICOS Provider Code: 00100G
Australian Defence Force Academy
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6268 6270
Fax: +61 2 6247 2324
Email: specialcollections@adfa.edu.au
URL: http://www.lib.adfa.edu.au/speccoll/speccoll.htm
| Prepared by: | Special Collections |
| Date completed: | November 2004 |
| Encoded by: | Special Collections |
| Last updated: | March 2007 |
© Australian Defence Force Academy. All rights reserved.
| Creator: | Harding, Bruce A. (Bruce Alfred), 1920- |
| Title: | Papers of Bruce Harding |
| Date Range: | c. 1955 |
| Reference Number: | MS 174 |
| Extent: | 3 cm (1 folder, 1 box) |
| Repository: | Academy Library, UNSW@ADFA |
| Abstract: | This collection includes a typescript copy of 'Traditions of Australian infantry', by Bruce Harding, which provides a brief history of the Australian army, 1801 to mid-1955. |
This collection includes a typescript copy of an unpublished work entitled 'Traditions of Australian infantry', by Bruce Harding, compiled in the mid-1950s. The work provides a brief history of all the infantry battalions, their origins, evolutions, traditions and service. Parts of the text reflect somewhat values and sentiments of both the mid-fifties era and earlier, and the author's attitude towards the subject as a former lieutenant in the 2nd A.I.F.
Book 1 is in four sections and includes:
Section one, p. 1-15, deals with volunteers, including compulsory traning; relationship of Citizen Military Forces to regular army; and conscription.
Section two, p. 16-29, deals with the origin and formation of the Australian Imperial Force, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.
Section three, p. 30-44, deals with the post war period in two parts: Part 1. The post-war reorganisation of the A.M.F.; introduction of the Australian regular army; reconstitution of the Citizens' Force; and introduction of National Service training.
Part 2. The Royal Australian Regiment, A.R.A. - origin; service of the battalions in Korea; movement of 2nd Battalion to Malaya; alliances and marching tunes.
Section four, p. 45-66, consists of four parts: Part 1. Battle honours and the colours: what they are; significance; evolution of the colour; heraldic description; courtesy to the colours.
Part 2. Colour patches to identify units; problems encountered with the colour patch system; superceding to flashes.
Part 3 The badge: deals with the origin and evolution of the badge of the Australian Military Forces; and its representation.
Part 4 The hat: deals with the Digger hat.
Book 2 is in one section and includes:
Section five, p. 67-257, deals with the histories of each battalion of the Citizens Military Forces, including the lineage to formation; inherited battle honours of 1914-1918; disbandment; war service during the period 1941-1946; motto; heraldic descriptions of badges in use up to 1941; heraldic description of colour patch; alliances with regiments of the British and other armies; marching tunes; and present status to 1955.
Appendices, include:
Appendix No. 1, p. 258-262: Summary of early military contingents, including the Sudan, 1885; South Africa, 1899-1902; and the contingent to China, 1900.
Appendix No. 2, p. 263-267: List of recipients of the Victoria Cross, by wars in chronological order.
Typescript list of amendments by page number.
Papers of Bruce Harding, Academy Library, UNSW@ADFA, Australian Defence Force Academy, MS 174, Series [Number], Folder [Number].
World War, 1939-1945 -- Regimental histories -- Australia.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Australia.
Military decorations -- Australia.