During the period of the ‘Cold War’, which was always flaring up into little ‘accidental’ hot-spots, the old militia training programmes, which had never really ceased, now assumed an extra intensity and sense of urgency.
The 6th. Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A.A. of two batteries was raised and equipped with Q.F. 17 pounder anti-tank guns, with ‘P’ Battery stationed in Launceston and ‘Q’ Battery in Hobart.
However, by request and because of the impending Chinese involvement on October 18th.1950, on the side of the North Koreans, the regiment was converted back to a field regiment armed with 25 Pounder guns with a re-designation as the 6th. Field Regiment, R.A.A.
Eventually, with the availability of National Service man-power, an additional battery was formed - ‘R’ Battery- and stationed in Launceston.
Whilst the regiment underwent an intensive build-up, both in man-power and training, and was subject to a comprehensive tactical overhaul to comply with pessimistic predictions of the time, it was not called upon directly to supply personnel for Korea.

By early April 1953, the first talks began in Panmunjom, in regard to an exchange of wounded and prisoners, and eventually these led to the still uneasy truce that exists today after nearly 50 years of political tightrope treading, and the occasional bloody incursion, which has kept thousands of men in a state of armed readiness for all these decades.
From Nov. 1952 - 64, Australian concerns about Communist take-overs in Malaysia and Thailand were also a contributing factor in military decision -making.

‘All good things must come to an end’, they say, and in 1959 the National Service scheme was abolished and the ranks thinned so dramatically to the point that the regiment was again down-graded and re-designated as 112 Field Battery, R.A.A. with ‘A’ Troop in Launceston and ‘B’ Troop in Hobart.
(The original ‘112’ had been a battery of the 24th. Howitzer Brigade, A.F.A. during the First World War and had later served with the 12th. Field Brigade, A.F.A., but it had been reformed as a militia unit after the war and then disbanded during the Second World War without seeing further overseas service.)

Again world tensions, this time in Vietnam, played a part in the temporary revitalisation of the regiment when National service was re-introduced in 1961 and the 6th. Field Regiment, R.A.A. dusted itself off ready for another go in 1962.
It was during this period that a group of Australian Army advisers were sent to Vietnam to assess the situation and assist with training the South Vietnamese Army.
By June 1964, the ‘Advisers’ had been committed to active service and had sustained casualties - including one of my original National Service instructors from 1956, (Acting Platoon Sergeant) Bombardier J. A. Cashin, R.A.A., who had lived at Pontville, a few miles from Brighton Camp, with his young family.

The old ‘P’ and ‘Q’ Batteries were re-raised but, in 1966, they were numbered to fit in with the existing traditions and became 16 Field Battery and 112 Field Battery (the old Hobart Battery number ‘106’ was being used by a regular army unit that had been formed in 1965).

Freedom of the City of Launceston.
On 6th. June 1970, the City of Launceston greatly honoured the traditions of the Launceston Volunteer Artillery, by granting the 6th. Field Regiment the Freedom of the City of Launceston, which was resolved by the Council on 27th. April 1970.
The scroll, which was presented to Lieutenant-Colonel Peter R. Patmore E.D., the Officers and other ranks of 6th. Field Artillery, the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery by the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Launceston reads, in part :-

‘.....Being sensible of the great record and glorious traditions of your most distinguished Regiment over many years .... to Her Majesty, the Queen.......(and) the association which is now, and has for so long, been enjoyed between our City and the Regiment in which so many of our sons have been proud to serve........confer upon you the title, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of our City of Launceston on all ceremonial occasions with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and guns on parade.’

From time to time, the Artillery still ceremoniously exercises it’s right of passage.

 

In keeping with the Australian Governmental policy of up-dating equipment to compliment our major allies ordinance, the regiment finally phased out its old faithful 25 pounders and, in 1974, welcomed back the 105 mm. M2A2 howitzer as the replacement weapon. (In 1965, part of the Regiment had been issued with 6 of the 105’s (which were held by the Launceston battery), but they had been withdrawn for use in Vietnam in 1967.)
 
 
 
 

In 1975, the controlling organisation of military affairs, the Military Board, was abolished under the Defence Force Reorganisation Act and general control was passed on to the politically-appointed Minister of Defence, who would exercise his control through the Chiefs of Staff of the three Services.

The Miller report, commissioned by the Government in 1975, recommended that the 6th. Field Regiment be again reduced to battery strength and, in 1976, the 16th. Field Battery, R.A.A. was placed on the Order of Battle as an independent field battery of the Army Reserve, with detachments in Hobart and Launceston.

In 1984 it still had the distinction of being the only Army Reserve battery with six guns, and the Hobart troop was carrying out the duties of Saluting Troop as well as providing the stirring accompaniment to the annual ‘1812 Overture’ concert in conjunction with the 6th. Military District Band.
Unit name changes appear to have kept someone in a job for a long time, but it doesn’t alter the fact that a ‘gunner’ is always a ‘gunner’ and like thousands of his comrades in artillery units all over Australia, past and present, he has a job to do and he does it with full knowledge of the traditions behind him!
 

In 1832, the Royal Artillery was granted two mottos, to encompass their role and dedication to duty, and which were to act as unique ‘battle honours’.
This was an honour that no other corps had ever been awarded.
In January 1950, the late King George VI granted the Royal Australian Artillery the same honours as the Royal Artillery.