1RAR Archives - CONTACT magazine

The replica Russian Mosin-Nagant sniper rifle on display during its unveiling at the Australian Army Museum of Military Engineering in Holsworthy. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Tale of a sniper rifle has double-barrelled ending

21/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1366 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, Army Museum of Military Engineering, Bandiana, Holsworthy Barracks, Singleton, Vietnam War

Two Australian soldiers were killed and two wounded by sniper fire in the rice fields of Vietnam in January 1966.

Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, fire a 12.7mm Mark 2 machine gun at night at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey and Captain Brittany Evans.

Australian Army News

1RAR fires heavy weapons at night

25/05/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1667 Views 0 Comments 1RAR

Soldiers from the direct fire support weapons platoon (DFSW) of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducted a full-mission profile

Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a clearance of the Townsville Port on Exercise Septimus Stride 2023 in Townsville, Queensland. Photo by Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett.

Australian Army News Videos

1RAR tests urban tactics

26/05/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3585 Views 0 Comments 1RAR

An infantry company has battled enemy role-players to gain control of port infrastructure while practising clearance of a complex urban

Private Jack Sewell, of Direct First Support Weapons Platoon, demonstrates a one-man reload of the 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle. Story and photo by Warrant Officer – Class 2 Max Bree.

Australian Army News

1RAR boning up on anti-armour weapons

17/03/202317/03/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2421 Views 1 Comment 1RAR, Carl Gustav 84mm, DFSW

Their cannons, heavy machine guns and impressive speed make armoured vehicles perfect for annihilating dismounted infantry. CAPTION: Private Jack Sewell,

ADF People Health and Wellbeing History

Marking a milestone for charity

02/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 954 Views 0 Comments 1RAR

How do you mark a milestone birthday? Throw a big party and invite all your friends? Take an overseas holiday

Private Samuel Sutcliffe, centre, from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, volunteers as a patient during combat first-aid training. Story by Lieutenant Amy Johnson. Photos by Leading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Soldiers practise combat first aid at sea

01/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1415 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 2RAR, HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour

Army first aid personnel are returning from sea equipped and ready to step back into the field. CAPTION: Private Samuel

Private Lucas Hinselwood from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment briefs marines from the Mexican Naval Infantry during Urban Close Combat training on RIMPAC 2022. Story by Flying Officer Lily Lancaster. Photo by Corporal John Solomon.

ADF People Videos

From student to teacher on RIMPAC

15/07/202215/07/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1609 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga, HMAS Canberra, RIMPAC

Private Lucas Hinselwood never thought that just two years into his infantry career he would be in Hawaii for the world’s largest

The band of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hiscock, is challenged by a Queensland policeman during the parade in Townsville. Story by Sergeant Matthew Bicker ton. Photo by Sergeant James Duquemin.

Australian Army News

Army Band receives ancient honour

10/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1702 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 3rd Brigade, Australian Army Band

An honour that dates back to ancient Rome was bestowed upon the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment’s (1 RAR) band

Australian Army News

Army Band receives ancient honour

10/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1398 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 3rd Brigade, Australian Army Band

An honour that dates back to ancient Rome was bestowed upon the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment’s (1 RAR) band

Australian Army soldiers from 1 RAR train with Royal Tongan Marines on urban clearance drills at Lavarack Barracks. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Sergeant Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Pacific

Forces combine in lead-up to Rimpac

08/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2174 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, His Majesty’s Armed Forces Tonga, RIMPAC

Rehearsing urban clearance drills like a well-oiled machine, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) and His

Army soldier Trooper Harrison Hinson from the 3rd Brigade soccer team during a soccer match between the 3rd Brigade and USS Ashland. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Corporal Brodie Cross.

ADF People

Sailors and soldiers go head to head at Lavarack Barracks

03/06/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1420 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 3rd Brigade, Exercise Sea Explorer, US Navy

Soldiers from 3rd Brigade welcomed sailors from USS Ashland for a friendly soccer match at Lavarack Barracks to kick off

Soldiers and officers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment on parade during the Queensland Emergency Services and ADF Sunset Showcase at Riverway Stadium, Townsville. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. Photo by Corporal Brandon Grey.

Australian Army Middle East Videos

Soldiers welcomed home from Afghanistan in style

23/11/202124/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 2783 Views 1 Comment 1RAR, Afghanistan, Kabul

As the sun set over Riverway Stadium, the community of Townsville came together to welcome home soldiers recently returned from

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, demonstrate room-clearance drills to members of the Royal Thai Army during Exercise Chapel Gold 2018, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Photo by Corporal Matthew Bickerton.

Asia Australian Australian Army News Overseas Videos

1RAR in Thailand for Ex Chapel Gold

11/07/201817/07/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 7930 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, Exercise Chapel Gold, Rifle Company Butterworth, Royal Thai Army

Australian soldiers arrived in Chiang Mai Province in Thailand on Monday 9 July to conduct jungle warfare training with the

Governor General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove presents new Regimental and Queens Colours to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Photo by Major Al Green.

Australian Australian Army News Veterans

New Colours for 1RAR

19/05/201824/05/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6738 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, Colours

On Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May 2018, 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), in conjunction with the 1RAR

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, parade the battalion Colours during Vietnam Week commemorations at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville (2016). Photo by Corporal Kyle Genner.

Australian Australian Army News Veterans

Upcoming Coral/Balmoral commemorations in Townsville

14/05/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4318 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, Fire Support Base Balmoral, Fire Support Base Coral, FSB Balmoral, FSB Coral

The 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), in conjunction with the 1RAR Association and the Townsville City Council,

Memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battles of FSBs Coral and Balmoral, at the Vietnam War Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra. Photo via DVA.

Australian Australian Army News Veterans

50th anniversary of Battles for Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral

13/05/201813/05/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3230 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 1st Battalion, Fire Support Base Balmoral, Fire Support Base Coral, Royal Australian Regiment

Today the Australian Defence community honoured Australia’s Vietnam veterans and their involvement on the battlefield in Vietnam, as the Australian

1RAR Shooting Team – Champion Major Unit

Australian Australian Army News

1RAR shines at AASAM

23/04/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6710 Views 1 Comment 1RAR, AASAM, Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting

For some time, 1RAR has focused intensely on becoming expert at battlefield shooting, producing world-leading small teams (‘small teams seal

Australian Australian Army News Overseas Pacific

1st RPIR get advanced shooting training from 1RAR

29/03/201828/03/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5542 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 1st Battalion, 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment, Royal Australian Regiment

Members of Papua New Guinea’s 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment benefited from a course of Enhanced Shooting Techniques with soldiers

ADF Australian Australian Army News Talisman Sabre

Talisman Sabre – Aussie ARE passes important test

16/07/201718/07/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3623 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 2RAR, Amphibious Ready Element, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2017, Royal Australian Regiment

The Australian Defence Force’s amphibious capability has passed an important milestone during Exercise Talisman Sabre 17. For the first time,

Australian Australian Army Defence Newspapers Editor's Blog News

Is Plan Beersheba ‘old hat’?

20/06/201729/06/2017 Posted by Brian Hartigan 8829 Views 0 Comments 1RAR, 2RAR, 3RAR, Plan Beersheba, RAInf

A recent letter to the editor here at CONTACT asked about apparent changes happening in infantry battalions, which have not

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