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Royal Military College, Duntroon

The Royal Military College, Duntroon, also known simply as Duntroon, is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence headquarters at Russell Hill. Duntroon is adjacent to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), which is Australian Defence Force's tri-service military academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy.

Royal Military College, Duntroon
MottoLatin: Doctrina vim promovet[Note 1] lit: Learning promotes strength
TypeMilitary college
Established27 June 1911; 112 years ago (1911-06-27)
Commanding OfficerLieutenant Colonel Brian Hickey
Students425 (85 cadets in 5 companies)
Location, ,
Australia

35°17′59″S 149°09′54″E / 35.29972°S 149.16500°E / -35.29972; 149.16500
Campus150 hectares (370 acres) suburban
ColoursRegimental Colours consist of the badge of the Corps of Staff Cadets on a blue ensign. Additionally, the Sovereign's Company carries the King’s Colours, which originally comprised the Union Flag with a Crown and Royal Cipher as central motif, however, since 1970 the Australian National Flag has replaced the Union Flag on the King’s Colours
NicknameCordie[1]
AffiliationsDuntroon Society
Mascot'Enobesra'
Websitearmy.gov.au/Army-life/Army-careers/RMCD

History edit

 
Major General William Bridges

The Royal Military College, Duntroon, was opened on 27 June 1911 by the Governor-General, Lord Dudley. Situated on the Campbell family homestead in Canberra, which had been named "Duntroon" (1833) after Duntrune Castle—their ancestral home on Loch Crinan in Argyll, Scotland[2]—the college was one of the first Commonwealth facilities established in the newly created capital.[3] The Australian Government first rented the Duntroon homestead for two years (November 1910 – July 1912) and finally acquired the freehold to the estate and 150 hectares (370 acres) after the creation of the federal capital.[4]

The first Commandant of the college was Brigadier General William Bridges, who later died on a hospital ship after being wounded by a sniper on the shores of Gallipoli.[5] Under his recommendations the college was modelled on aspects from the Royal Military College of Canada and the military colleges of Britain, and the United States of America.[6] Several British officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Charles Gwynn as Director of Military Art, were assigned as faculty to the newly established college. During Bridges' frequent absences, Gwynn served as acting Commandant.[7]

 
First Class of cadets at Royal Military College Duntroon 1916–1919

The First World War provided the college with its first chance to demonstrate its worth. However, when the war broke out in August 1914, there had not been enough time for the first class to complete the full Duntroon course. Nevertheless, it was decided to graduate the class early so that they could be sent over to Gallipoli, where General Sir Ian Hamilton, commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, said that "...each Duntroon educated officer was...worth his weight in gold".[8] During the war 158 Duntroon graduates had been sent overseas on active service, of whom 42 were killed or died of wounds and another 58 were wounded.[8] In 1927 the King's Colour was presented to the Corps of Staff Cadets by His Royal Highness, The Duke of York.[9]

 
Military cadets on parade at RMC, Duntroon, taken around 1920

In the beginning, the college offered a four-year course, during which the first two years focused upon civil subjects and the last two years focused upon military subjects. Over the entire course, however, there was military specific training, including physical training, drill, signalling and weapon handling. Over the years, however, with the impact of the two World Wars, the duration and focus of the course changed as the requirements of the Army dictated.[10] The college was forced to relocate to the Victoria Barracks, Sydney between 1931 and 1936 due to the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression.[11][12] The commandant at the time, Brigadier-General E.F. Harrison considered the move of the college, a severe blow to the 'Duntroon spirit',[13] suggested to the Minister for Home Affairs, Arthur Blakely, that the name "Duntroon" move with the college to Sydney, and the local area in Canberra be changed to "Campbell".[14] The proposal for the name moving to Sydney was, supported by Percy Deane, the head of the Department of Home Affairs (1929–32) in an official memorandum stating that the heritage of Duntroon had become so great that "As a matter of fact, "Duntroon" is as well known in military circles as "Sandhurst"",[15] however he later stated it was proposed that the area in Canberra retain its name Duntroon.[16] In letter to Blakeley, Albert Ernest Green the Minister for Defence stated that in relation to the College in Sydney being called Duntroon, the Military Board has, "recommended in view of the tradition established by the Royal Military College and its association with the name "Duntroon" that the name be retained for use on transfer of the Royal Military College to Paddington".[17] The area would remain to be called Duntroon until 1956 when the suburb of Campbell was created named after Robert Campbell of the Campbell family, where ADFA and RMC-D reside.[18]

During the Second World War short courses of between six months and a year were run,[19] and ultimately 696 graduates of the College undertook active service overseas in either the Australian, British or New Zealand armed forces,[20] while a further 122 former cadets who had not graduated served in varying capacities. Of these 122, three went on to have quite distinguished careers, with one rising to the rank of brigadier in the Australian Army, another to brigadier in the New Zealand Army and a third, R.C. McCay, reaching the rank of lieutenant general and serving in the British Indian Army and then becoming chief-of-staff of the newly formed Pakistan Army.[21]

Following the war, the length of the course was set at four years again and efforts were made to increase the level of academic rigour in the college's programs. This culminated in 1967 when the college affiliated with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to offer bachelor's courses in Arts, Science or Engineering, commencing in the 1968 academic year. Under this program, the first degrees from RMC were awarded in 1971. To graduate, cadets had to achieve passes in both military and academic studies and leadership.[10] The link with UNSW was almost severed in 1969 when Duntroon was the centre of an inquiry after Gerry Walsh, a member of the academic staff, revealed details of bastardisation passed on to him by a student at the college.[22] The inquiry resulted in at least one army career ending, while other personnel were severely punished. A further bastardisation scandal was exposed in 1983.[22]

 
Duntroon Homestead

With the closure of the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in December 1985, and the closure of the Women's Officer Training Wing at Georges Heights, Sydney, in December 1984,[23] the Royal Military College, Duntroon became the sole General Service Officer training institute in the Australian Army, as all Regular Army officers serving in combat, combat support or service support Corps were required to attend Duntroon to be commissioned.[24] Shortly after this, the role of the college changed again with the establishment of the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1986. As a result of this change, Duntroon ceased to offer university degrees as ADFA became responsible for the academic training of Army cadets, as well as those from the Air Force and Navy.[24] The same year, the college celebrated its 75th anniversary (1911–1986). As an acknowledgement of this, 33-cent stamps featuring the head of a male officer cadet were printed; the first day of issue was 27 June 1986.[25]

RMC's purview was expanded in 1995 as it "became responsible for the initial military training of all full-time, part-time and specialist service officers in the Australian Army".[26] This resulted in the centralisation of all officer training courses under the college's auspices; this included short courses for specialist service officers such as doctors, nurses, lawyers and chaplains, under the auspices of Romani Company, as well as the delivery of the final module of the Reserve officer training continuum. For a brief period, under the Ready Reserve Scheme, Reserve officers attended the college for a cut-down six-month version of the full-time course.[26] For full-time General Service Officer cadets though, the program remained essentially unchanged from that which had been established after the formation of ADFA, when the course had been reduced to 18 months, and broken up into three distinct classes—III (third), II (second) and I (first) Class.[27] Under this program, which has been maintained since 1986, cadets who wish to pursue a degree attend ADFA for three years upon appointment, before going to Duntroon for 12 months, and starting the course in II Class.[28] This is referred to as "going over the hill", as cadets are marched in formation over a spur of Mt. Pleasant that divides the ADFA and RMC campuses.[29] For those cadets who pursue a four-year bachelors degree (such as Engineering or Hons), they come back to ADFA for their final year as a Lieutenant, graduating with their degree after five years after starting.

Anonymous reviews of officer training in 2007 brought to light racism and harassment of female recruits.[30] In 2011, Andrew Wilkie admitted to being both a victim and perpetrator of bullying while at Duntroon.[31]

In 2011, the college celebrated its centenary (1911–2011); as part of the celebrations, Queen Elizabeth II presented the college with new colours.[32] A series of twenty-eight-gram (one-ounce) silver dollar coins were also minted.[33]

 
Trooping the Colour ceremony, 6 June 2015, at Rhonde Terrace, Anzac Parade, beside Lake Burley Griffin. Reviewing Officer: General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of Australia. Also present: Chief of the Defence Force; Chief of Army; Chief of Navy; Commandant, RMC

Present day edit

Organisation edit

 
Corps of Staff Cadets Unit Colour Patch

The majority of the cadets at Duntroon are members of the Australian Army, although the college also trains some Royal Australian Air Force personnel who are training to become Ground Defence Officers. By tradition a small number of officer cadets from New Zealand also attend the college, while since 1967 there has been a steady number of foreign cadets attending the college from nations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.[34] While at the college, officer cadets are referred to by the honorary title of 'staff cadet', which is used as a substitute for the cadet's rank which is technically 'Officer Cadet'. This title came about due to the fact that originally graduates entered the Staff Officer Corps of the Australian Army.[35] After the late 1940s, however, graduates were assigned different corps upon graduation and were no longer posted to the Staff Corps. The title was kept on as a tradition at Duntroon, however, although officer trainees at all other Australian Army officer training establishments are referred to as 'officer cadets'.[Note 2]

Administratively, the cadets are organised into a nominal infantry battalion structure, which is known internally as the 11th Infantry Battalion,[Note 3] with companies, platoons and sections which form the Corps of Staff Cadets. Within each of these formations there are cadets from all three classes (levels of training), who are organised into an internal hierarchy that gives the cadets themselves responsibility for looking after their own administration while the Corps is in barracks, albeit with guidance and supervision from training staff. Field training, however, is delivered by the non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers of the training staff and during this phase the cadets are separated into their distinct class groups.[36]

Since its inception, the size of the Corps of Staff Cadets has fluctuated. Initially the Corps was organised into a single company, however, in 1922 the decline in the number of cadets being admitted meant that in reality only two platoons existed.[37] Nevertheless, since then the Corps has largely increased. In 1947, when the four-year course was re-established following its suspension during the Second World War, the Corps was organised into two companies that were designated alphabetically 'A' and 'B'.[38] In 1950, however, as the size of the Corps rose to 190 cadets, a third company, designated 'C' Company was established. These companies were re-organised the following year, however, as the Corps was expanded to 210 cadets and a fourth company raised. At this time the alphabetical designations were replaced with geographical names that were chosen based upon places where Australians had fought: Gallipoli, Bardia, Alamein and Kokoda.[38]

By 1954 the number of cadets had risen further to 260, necessitating the raising of a fifth company and at this stage it was decided to name the companies after famous Australian battles, these names being: Alamein, Gallipoli, Kokoda, Kapyong and Romani.[38] Following this expansion, however, the size of the Corps dropped and in 1958 the number of cadets had fallen to 200 and as a result Romani Company was disbanded.[38] In 1974 a fifth company was raised—Long Tan—while in 1976, a sixth company was raised and Romani Company was re-established.[39] In 1986, as a result of the changing role of Duntroon, the Corps was reduced to four companies again, with Kokoda and Romani Companies being disbanded.[40] Kokoda was reformed in 1987 as the size of the Corps reached 370 cadets,[41] while Long Tan was disbanded in 1991 and reformed in 1995.[42]

There are currently five full-time companies making up the Corps, these are: Long Tan, Alamein, Gallipoli, Kapyong and Kokoda. The sixth company, Romani, is used for Reserve officers who come to the College in January and July to complete the final module of their training.[43] There is also a rehabilitation and administration company known as Bridges Company, established in October 1989.[42] Over the course of the training semester the five full-time companies compete through sporting events and academic studies for the honour of carrying the Sovereign's Banner on parade, with the first placed company taking the title of 'Sovereign's Company' for the next semester and taking their place on the right flank when the Corps is on parade.[44]

Programs edit

 
"The Gun Gate Entrance", north side of RMC Duntroon onto Fairbairn Avenue. The current gates were commissioned by then Brigadier (later General) Peter Cosgrove, Commandant 1997.

The charter of the Royal Military College, Duntroon is "to produce officers capable of commanding platoon-sized elements in the Hardened and Networked Army concept, and to prepare specialist candidates for commissioning. The College prepares cadets and other selected candidates for careers in the Army by promoting leadership and integrity; by promoting high ideals and the pursuit of excellence, and by inculcating a sense of duty, loyalty and service to the nation".[45] The current full-time program is a course of 18 months in duration, broken into three distinct classes, numbered as III, II and I Class.[28] Each class lasts six months in duration and cadets must successfully complete each component to graduate and receive their commission.[28] Throughout the course, cadets receive training in leadership, tactics, weapons systems, military law, military accounting systems, corporate governance and military history. The course is designed to test the cadets physically and mentally and graduation is by no means guaranteed. Upon graduating, cadets are promoted to the rank of lieutenant and receive a Diploma in Military Leadership.[46]

Within the full-time course, there are two streams of cadets, those that enter from the Australian Defence Force Academy and those that enter through the direct entry method. Direct Entry cadets complete the eighteen-month course, whilst cadets from ADFA join Duntroon in II Class, combining with the Direct Entry cadets and completing twelve months at the college. The leadership and military training provided at ADFA during the three years of training is considered the equivalent of III Class at RMC.[47]

The college also oversees the program for training officers in the Australian Army Reserve. Upon appointment to the Reserves, members join a University Regiment within their location and then undertake their training over the course of five modules run by the various University Regiments around Australia. Additionally, they are required to parade at their unit one night a week and one weekend a month. The final six-and-a-half-week module of the Reserve officer course is conducted at Duntroon. In January 2008, the Part-time Officers course was shortened to a duration of 104 days, with further employment training, specific to Corps allocation, conducted thereafter.[48]

In 2003, the Officer Tertiary Recruitment Scheme (OTRS) was introduced, which involves the recruitment of officers enrolled in tertiary study. Essentially, this program involves undergraduate sponsorship of university students, who are appointed as Officer Cadets in the Australian Regular Army, while they study. During their tertiary study, they train with the applicable University Regiment as reservists and conduct modules of training as they are able to fit in around their studies. At the conclusion of their study (provided they have completed the necessary modules) they enroll at Duntroon in II Class.[49]

The Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon edit

The Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon has been in existence in some shape or form since 1916 when a part-time band was established from volunteers drawn from the riding staff.[50] Nevertheless, it was not until 1954 that they were officially established, when a band formed from members of the Regular Army was established at the college.[51][52] In 1968 it became part of the Australian Army Band Corps and since then it has become a regular feature of the ceremonies and parades conducted at the college, as well as at other events around Australia and overseas. Perhaps the most notable of these performances was in 2000, when the Band accompanied a detachment of the Australian Federation Guard to Great Britain where, as part of the celebrations of the centenary of Australia's federation, the AFG mounted the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace, while the RMC Band provided the Guards Band.[52] Recently the band has also supported Australian troops serving overseas.[53]

In the 1980s the band began performing shows for local charities, known as the "Strike up the Band" shows[54] and this continues today, albeit under the guise of the "Music at Midday" shows which the band performs six times a year, with proceeds going to local charities.[55]

Buildings and features edit

 
View of the library and the Long Tan Company, Forbes Block building, from below the parade ground

The College itself is situated at the foot of Mount Pleasant on the Duntroon estate. The base is one of the only military bases in Australia that is open to the general public, consisting of a large area of land incorporating a golf course,[56] a library, a residential area for Defence members and their families, various area logistics and infrastructure units, a military hospital, a retail area,[57] vast sporting facilities and the Australian Defence Force Academy.[56]

The ship's bell from MV Duntroon (which served as a troopship from 1942 to 1949) was removed when the ship was sold by her Australian owners in 1960, and was presented to the College in 1978. It is now positioned at the base of the flag station near the parade ground and is used daily as part of the cadets' flag duties.[58] Many of the original buildings from when the college was first opened in 1911 still stand and continue to be used today, having been heritage listed. An example of this is the officers' mess, known as 'Duntroon House', which is an imposing stone building, that was actually built as the Campbell family's house before the land was purchased by the Crown.[59]

The Majura Training Area is located nearby and is currently where cadets from the College undertake the majority of their basic field training in III Class.[60]

 
Chapel

The Anzac Memorial Chapel of St Paul was opened on 30 April 1966. The chapel has a common foyer with two specific chapels: Anglican/Protestant Denominations and Catholic. Retired Colours are displayed in the foyer. Also in the foyer is a perpetual light that is lit while former cadets are on operations with the ADF. The chapel is also used for the Graduation Church Parade. Beside the main chapel is the Changi Chapel, which was reconstructed on the site and rededicated in August 1988.[61]

 
Changi chapel, built by Australian POWs in 1944, later relocated to Duntroon, Canberra

Graduation awards edit

There are two main awards presented to cadets upon graduation: the King's Medal and the Sword of Honour. The King's Medal is awarded to the cadet graduating top of their class academically. It was originally instituted in 1919,[62] and all cadets, including foreign cadets attending the college, are eligible. Indeed, Singaporean cadets established a long tradition of receiving this honour, doing so in 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1982 according to a 1986 source.[63] The Sword of Honour is awarded to the cadet who displays "exemplary conduct and performance of duty" throughout their course.[64]

Reserve Units of the Royal Military College – Australia edit

In 1997 the Royal Military College took responsibility for overseeing the training provided to Reserve officer cadets and as a result in 1998 the Royal Military College of Australia was established as a formation.[65] As a part of this formation, the following University Regiments were placed under the college's command:

In July 2008, however, responsibility for Reserve officer training was taken away from Duntroon, and these units were placed under the command of the 2nd Division, with each regiment reporting directly to its parent brigade unit. Nevertheless, they continue to follow the Duntroon curriculum in modularised format, and Reserve officer cadets attend the college for their final four-week training block prior to commissioning.[67]

Commandants edit

The following officers served as commandants of the college:[68][69]

Ordinal Rank Name Term start Term end Time in office Notes
1 Brigadier General William Throsby Bridges CMG 1910 1914 3–4 years
2 Major General John William Parnell CMG 1914 1920 5–6 years
3 Major General James Gordon Legge CB, CMG 1920 1922 1–2 years [70]
4 Colonel Commandant Francis Bede Heritage CBE, MVO 1922 1929 6–7 years
5 Brigadier Eric Fairweather Harrison 1929 1931 1–2 years
Brigadier Francis Bede Heritage CBE, MVO 1931 1931 0 years
6 Major General Julius Henry Bruche CB, CMG 1931 1931 0 years
7 Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Henry Pratt DSO, MC 1931 1931 0 years [Note 4]
Brigadier Francis Bede Heritage CBE, MVO 1931 1932 0–1 years
8 Colonel John Lavarack CMG, DSO 1933 1935 1–2 years
9 Brigadier Charles Miles CMG, DSO 1935 1939 3–4 years
10 Brigadier Eric Plant DSO & Bar, OBE 1939 1940 0–1 years
Brigadier Eric Fairweather Harrison 1940 1942 1–2 years
11 Brigadier Bertrand Combes CBE 1942 1945 2–3 years
12 Brigadier Eric Lacy Vowles MC 1945 1948 2–3 years
13 Major General Henry Wells CBE, DSO 1949 1951 1–2 years
14 Major General Ronald Hopkins CBE 1951 1954 2–3 years
15 Major General Ian Campbell CBE, DSO 1954 1957 2–3 years
16 Major General John Wilton CBE, DSO 1957 1960 2–3 years
17 Major General R. W. Knights CB, CBE 1960 1962 1–2 years
18 Major General C. H. Finlay CB, CBE 1962 1968 5–6 years
19 Major General C. A. E. Fraser CBE 1968 1970 1–2 years
20 Major General Sandy Pearson DSO, OBE, MC 1970 1973 2–3 years
21 Major General Bob Hay CB, MBE 1973 1977 3–4 years
22 Major General Alan Morrison AO, DSO, MBE 1977 1981 3–4 years
23 Major General J. D. Kelly DSO 1981 1983 1–2 years
24 Major General John Coates MBE 1983 1984 0–1 years
25 Major General B. H. Hockney AO 1984 1987 2–3 years
26 Major General M. P. Blake AM, MC 1987 1990 2–3 years
27 Brigadier R. G. Curtis AM, MC 1990 1993 2–3 years
28 Brigadier S. V. L. Willis 1993 1995 1–2 years
29 Brigadier B. G. Stevens 1995 1996 0–1 years
30 Brigadier Peter Cosgrove AM, MC 1997 1998 0–1 years
31 Brigadier P. L. G. Pursey 1999 1999 0 years [Note 5]
32 Brigadier M. R. McNarn AO 1999 2001 1–2 years
33 Brigadier M. F. Paramor AM 2002 2003 0–1 years
34 Brigadier C. G. Appleton 2004 2005 0–1 years
35 Brigadier M. D. Bornholt AM 2006 2008 1–2 years
36 Brigadier M. Moon DSC, AM 2009 2011 1–2 years
37 Brigadier D. M. Luhrs CSC 2011 2013 1–2 years
38 Brigadier D. Gallasch AM, CSC 2013 2016 2–3 years
39 Brigadier M. Brewer CSC & Bar 2016 2018 1–2 years
40 Brigadier R. Hoskin AM 2018 2019 0–1 years
41 Brigadier A. Duncan CSC 2020 2022 1–2 years
42 Brigadier J. Groat CSC, DSM 2023 incumbent 0–1 years

Plaque edit

In 2010, a plaque dedicated to RMC graduates was placed on the ACT Honour Walk. It reads:

Situated at the former Campbell homestead at Duntroon, the RMC was opened on 27 June 1911 by the Governor-General, Lord Dudley. The first Commandant was Colonel (later Major-General) William Throsby Bridges, who was killed at Gallipoli. RMC was created to oversee the initial military training of all officers in the Australian Army. As one of the first institutions to be established in Canberra, RMC has been integral to the life of the ACT. The RMC Band regularly performs at ceremonial and community events. Since its establishment, RMC graduates have served in every military conflict in which Australia has been involved.[71]

See also edit

Notes edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ According to Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 41, the College's motto was taken from Horace, Book 4, Ode 4 and was suggested by Professor T.G. Tucker of Melbourne University.
  2. ^ Other officer training establishments that have existed concurrently to RMC-D are the OCS Portsea, OCTU Scheyville and the Women's Officer Training Wing at George's Heights.
  3. ^ Although this unit is not part of the official Australian Army order of battle and is distinct from the 11th Battalion, which has its own lineage.
  4. ^ Pratt was a British officer serving on exchange with the Australian Army. He is the only non-Australian officer to serve in the role as commandant of Duntroon. Moore 2001, p. 428.
  5. ^ Pursey was the first graduate of OTU Scheyville to serve as commandant of Duntroon.

Citations edit

  1. ^ "Australian Words:C–G". Australian National University. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  2. ^ Dennis et al. 1995, p. 521.
  3. ^ Hart 2009, p. 18.
  4. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 32.
  5. ^ Grey 2008, p. 96.
  6. ^ Grey 2008, p. 79.
  7. ^ "Gwynn, Sir Charles William (1870–1963)" (printable). Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 22 April 2009.
  8. ^ a b Scott 1941, p. 199.
  9. ^ Hedges 2012, p. 273.
  10. ^ a b Dennis et al. 1995, p. 522
  11. ^ . Australian Army. 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  12. ^ Odgers 1988, p. 108.
  13. ^ Clark, Chris, "Eric Fairweather Harrison (1880–1948)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 27 November 2023
  14. ^ Blakeley, Arthur (12 December 1930). "Letter to A. E. Green - Royal Military College Retention of the name "Duntroon"". National Archives Australia. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  15. ^ Deane, Percival Edgar (15 December 1930). "Department of Home Affairs - Memorandum - P.E. Deane, Secretary - Royal Military College Retention of the name "Duntroon"". National Archives of Australia. A1, 1931/25, 45044. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  16. ^ Deane, Percival Edgar (15 December 1930). "Department of Home Affairs - Memorandum - P.E. Deane, Secretary - Royal Military College Retention of the name "Duntroon"". National Archives of Australia. A1, 1931/25, 45044. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  17. ^ Deane, Percival Edgar (15 December 1930). "Department of Home Affairs - Memorandum - P.E. Deane, Secretary - Royal Military College Retention of the name "Duntroon"". National Archives of Australia. A1, 1931/25, 45044. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  18. ^ "History – Campbell Community Association". Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  19. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 152.
  20. ^ Moore 2001, p. 402
  21. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, pp. 140 and 210
  22. ^ a b Ross Eastgate (25 April 2011). "Bully tactics indefensible". Townsville Bulletin. The North Queensland Newspaper Company. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  23. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 252.
  24. ^ a b Dennis et al. 1995, p. 523.
  25. ^ "Pre-Stamped Envelope – Australia – 75th Anniversary Royal Military College". Indian Stamp Ghar. 28 December 2009. from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
  26. ^ a b Hart 2009, p. 19.
  27. ^ Moore 2001, p. 140.
  28. ^ a b c "Curriculum – RMC – Forces Command". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  29. ^ "Glossary of Cadet Terms". humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  30. ^ Cynthia Banham (3 March 2007). "Racism, abuse: army training in time warp". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  31. ^ "Wilkie, Defence to combat bullying together". ABC News. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  32. ^ "Queen presents new royal colours to mark Duntroon's 100th anniversary". The Australian. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  33. ^ "2011 $1 Centenary of RMC Duntroon 1911–2011 Stamp and Coin Cover". Gold and Silver Coins. Retrieved 13 October 2012.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 213.
  35. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 16.
  36. ^ Hartigan, Brian (23 June 2011). "How RMC works". Army News: The Soldiers' Newspaper. Edition 1261. p. 42. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  37. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 88.
  38. ^ a b c d Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 182.
  39. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 235.
  40. ^ Moore 2001, p. 132.
  41. ^ Moore 2001, p. 143.
  42. ^ a b Moore 2001, p. 145.
  43. ^ Moore 2001, p. 158.
  44. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 190.
  45. ^ "Home – RMC – Forces Command". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  46. ^ . Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
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  49. ^ McLeod, Elisabeth (6 October 2005). "ADF support an educated choice". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. Edition 1130. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
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  51. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 189.
  52. ^ a b . Department of Defence (Australia). Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010.
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  54. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p.255.
  55. ^ . Canberra Ticketing. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  56. ^ a b "Sporting: RMC". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  57. ^ "Retail Precinct: RMC". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  58. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 240.
  59. ^ "Officers' Mess: RMC". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 24 June 2010.
  60. ^ "Training – RMC – Forces Command". Department of Defence (Australia). Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  61. ^ Hedges 2012, p. 215.
  62. ^ Moore 2001, p. 461.
  63. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 242.
  64. ^ . Our work: News and media December 2012. Australian Army. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  65. ^ Moore 2001, pp. 160–162.
  66. ^ Moore 2001, p. 162.
  67. ^ . Defence Jobs.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  68. ^ Coulthard-Clark 1986, p. 266.
  69. ^ Moore 2001, p. 428.
  70. ^ "Legge, Lt-Gen. James Gordon", in Who Was Who 1941–1950 (A. & C. Black, 1980 reprint: ISBN 0-7136-2131-1)
  71. ^ "ACT Honour Walk 2010: Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon". Retrieved 13 October 2012.

References edit

  • Coulthard-Clark, Chris (1986). Duntroon. The Royal Military College of Australia, 1911–1986. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-0-86861-883-8.
  • Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; Prior, Robin (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History (1st ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553227-9.
  • Grey, Jeffrey (2008). A Military History of Australia (3rd ed.). Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-69791-0.
  • Hart, Steve (2009). Duntroon: Its Heritage and Sacred Legacy. Canberra: Defence Publishing Service. ISBN 978-0-642-29697-9.
  • Hedges, Jason (2012). Royal Military College of Australia 1911–2011: Celebrating 100 Years at Duntroon. Newport: Big Sky Publishing. ISBN 978-1-921941-47-4.
  • Moore, Darren (2001). Duntroon: The Royal Military College of Australia 1911–2001. Canberra: Royal Military College of Australia. ISBN 978-1-876439-97-2.
  • Odgers, George (1988). Army Australia: An Illustrated History. Frenchs Forest: Child & Associates. ISBN 0-86777-061-9.
  • Scott, Ernest (1941). Australia During the War. Official History of Australia in the War of 1914–1918, Volume XI (7th ed.). Sydney: Angus and Robertson. OCLC 152414976.

Further reading edit

  • A. C. T. (1938). Notes on the Royal Military College Duntroon 1938. Canberra: Royal Military College. OCLC 13361849.
  • Department of Defence (1978). Duntroon. Royal Military College. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 978-0-642-03770-1.
  • Dwyer, Vivien (2004). Duntroon: An Artist's Impression. Singleton: Lonsdale Gallery Press. ISBN 978-0-9751978-0-6.
  • Lee, Joseph (1952). Duntroon, the Royal Military College of Australia, 1911–1946. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 7938215.
  • Moore, Bruce (1993). A Lexicon of Cadet Language: Royal Military College, Duntroon, in the period 1983 to 1985. Canberra: Australian National Dictionary Centre. ISBN 978-0-7315-1377-2.
  • Rayward, Rod (1988). More Than a Mere Bravo: Duntroon Slang 1930–1980. Canberra: Australian Defence Force Academy. OCLC 19335257.
  • Royal Military College (1972). Enobesra. A Cadet Handbook. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. OCLC 221489153.
  • Solomon, G. (1978). A Poor Sort of Memory: A Personal Memoir of the Royal Military College Duntroon. Roebuck Society. ISBN 978-0-909434-16-8.
  • Thompson, Alan (2002). Never Let the Bastards Get You Down. Canberra: Royal Military College (Duntroon, A.C.T.). Class of 1957. ISBN 978-0-646-41873-5.

External links edit

  Media related to Royal Military College, Duntroon at Wikimedia Commons

  • Commonwealth heritage places in the Australian Capital Territory
  • RMC Duntroon @ National Library of Australia

royal, military, college, duntroon, also, known, simply, duntroon, australian, army, officer, training, establishment, founded, duntroon, canberra, australian, capital, territory, 1911, foot, mount, pleasant, near, lake, burley, griffin, close, department, def. The Royal Military College Duntroon also known simply as Duntroon is the Australian Army s officer training establishment It was founded at Duntroon in Canberra Australian Capital Territory in 1911 and is at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin close to the Department of Defence headquarters at Russell Hill Duntroon is adjacent to the Australian Defence Force Academy ADFA which is Australian Defence Force s tri service military academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Australian Navy Royal Military College DuntroonMottoLatin Doctrina vim promovet Note 1 lit Learning promotes strengthTypeMilitary collegeEstablished27 June 1911 112 years ago 1911 06 27 Commanding OfficerLieutenant Colonel Brian HickeyStudents425 85 cadets in 5 companies LocationCampbell Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia35 17 59 S 149 09 54 E 35 29972 S 149 16500 E 35 29972 149 16500Campus150 hectares 370 acres suburbanColoursRegimental Colours consist of the badge of the Corps of Staff Cadets on a blue ensign Additionally the Sovereign s Company carries the King s Colours which originally comprised the Union Flag with a Crown and Royal Cipher as central motif however since 1970 the Australian National Flag has replaced the Union Flag on the King s ColoursNicknameCordie 1 AffiliationsDuntroon SocietyMascot Enobesra Websitearmy wbr gov wbr au wbr Army life wbr Army careers wbr RMCD Contents 1 History 2 Present day 2 1 Organisation 2 2 Programs 3 The Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon 4 Buildings and features 5 Graduation awards 6 Reserve Units of the Royal Military College Australia 7 Commandants 8 Plaque 9 See also 10 Notes 10 1 Footnotes 10 2 Citations 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External linksHistory edit nbsp Major General William Bridges The Royal Military College Duntroon was opened on 27 June 1911 by the Governor General Lord Dudley Situated on the Campbell family homestead in Canberra which had been named Duntroon 1833 after Duntrune Castle their ancestral home on Loch Crinan in Argyll Scotland 2 the college was one of the first Commonwealth facilities established in the newly created capital 3 The Australian Government first rented the Duntroon homestead for two years November 1910 July 1912 and finally acquired the freehold to the estate and 150 hectares 370 acres after the creation of the federal capital 4 The first Commandant of the college was Brigadier General William Bridges who later died on a hospital ship after being wounded by a sniper on the shores of Gallipoli 5 Under his recommendations the college was modelled on aspects from the Royal Military College of Canada and the military colleges of Britain and the United States of America 6 Several British officers including Lieutenant Colonel Charles Gwynn as Director of Military Art were assigned as faculty to the newly established college During Bridges frequent absences Gwynn served as acting Commandant 7 nbsp First Class of cadets at Royal Military College Duntroon 1916 1919 The First World War provided the college with its first chance to demonstrate its worth However when the war broke out in August 1914 there had not been enough time for the first class to complete the full Duntroon course Nevertheless it was decided to graduate the class early so that they could be sent over to Gallipoli where General Sir Ian Hamilton commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force said that each Duntroon educated officer was worth his weight in gold 8 During the war 158 Duntroon graduates had been sent overseas on active service of whom 42 were killed or died of wounds and another 58 were wounded 8 In 1927 the King s Colour was presented to the Corps of Staff Cadets by His Royal Highness The Duke of York 9 nbsp Military cadets on parade at RMC Duntroon taken around 1920In the beginning the college offered a four year course during which the first two years focused upon civil subjects and the last two years focused upon military subjects Over the entire course however there was military specific training including physical training drill signalling and weapon handling Over the years however with the impact of the two World Wars the duration and focus of the course changed as the requirements of the Army dictated 10 The college was forced to relocate to the Victoria Barracks Sydney between 1931 and 1936 due to the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression 11 12 The commandant at the time Brigadier General E F Harrison considered the move of the college a severe blow to the Duntroon spirit 13 suggested to the Minister for Home Affairs Arthur Blakely that the name Duntroon move with the college to Sydney and the local area in Canberra be changed to Campbell 14 The proposal for the name moving to Sydney was supported by Percy Deane the head of the Department of Home Affairs 1929 32 in an official memorandum stating that the heritage of Duntroon had become so great that As a matter of fact Duntroon is as well known in military circles as Sandhurst 15 however he later stated it was proposed that the area in Canberra retain its name Duntroon 16 In letter to Blakeley Albert Ernest Green the Minister for Defence stated that in relation to the College in Sydney being called Duntroon the Military Board has recommended in view of the tradition established by the Royal Military College and its association with the name Duntroon that the name be retained for use on transfer of the Royal Military College to Paddington 17 The area would remain to be called Duntroon until 1956 when the suburb of Campbell was created named after Robert Campbell of the Campbell family where ADFA and RMC D reside 18 During the Second World War short courses of between six months and a year were run 19 and ultimately 696 graduates of the College undertook active service overseas in either the Australian British or New Zealand armed forces 20 while a further 122 former cadets who had not graduated served in varying capacities Of these 122 three went on to have quite distinguished careers with one rising to the rank of brigadier in the Australian Army another to brigadier in the New Zealand Army and a third R C McCay reaching the rank of lieutenant general and serving in the British Indian Army and then becoming chief of staff of the newly formed Pakistan Army 21 Following the war the length of the course was set at four years again and efforts were made to increase the level of academic rigour in the college s programs This culminated in 1967 when the college affiliated with the University of New South Wales UNSW to offer bachelor s courses in Arts Science or Engineering commencing in the 1968 academic year Under this program the first degrees from RMC were awarded in 1971 To graduate cadets had to achieve passes in both military and academic studies and leadership 10 The link with UNSW was almost severed in 1969 when Duntroon was the centre of an inquiry after Gerry Walsh a member of the academic staff revealed details of bastardisation passed on to him by a student at the college 22 The inquiry resulted in at least one army career ending while other personnel were severely punished A further bastardisation scandal was exposed in 1983 22 nbsp Duntroon Homestead With the closure of the Officer Cadet School Portsea in December 1985 and the closure of the Women s Officer Training Wing at Georges Heights Sydney in December 1984 23 the Royal Military College Duntroon became the sole General Service Officer training institute in the Australian Army as all Regular Army officers serving in combat combat support or service support Corps were required to attend Duntroon to be commissioned 24 Shortly after this the role of the college changed again with the establishment of the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1986 As a result of this change Duntroon ceased to offer university degrees as ADFA became responsible for the academic training of Army cadets as well as those from the Air Force and Navy 24 The same year the college celebrated its 75th anniversary 1911 1986 As an acknowledgement of this 33 cent stamps featuring the head of a male officer cadet were printed the first day of issue was 27 June 1986 25 RMC s purview was expanded in 1995 as it became responsible for the initial military training of all full time part time and specialist service officers in the Australian Army 26 This resulted in the centralisation of all officer training courses under the college s auspices this included short courses for specialist service officers such as doctors nurses lawyers and chaplains under the auspices of Romani Company as well as the delivery of the final module of the Reserve officer training continuum For a brief period under the Ready Reserve Scheme Reserve officers attended the college for a cut down six month version of the full time course 26 For full time General Service Officer cadets though the program remained essentially unchanged from that which had been established after the formation of ADFA when the course had been reduced to 18 months and broken up into three distinct classes III third II second and I first Class 27 Under this program which has been maintained since 1986 cadets who wish to pursue a degree attend ADFA for three years upon appointment before going to Duntroon for 12 months and starting the course in II Class 28 This is referred to as going over the hill as cadets are marched in formation over a spur of Mt Pleasant that divides the ADFA and RMC campuses 29 For those cadets who pursue a four year bachelors degree such as Engineering or Hons they come back to ADFA for their final year as a Lieutenant graduating with their degree after five years after starting Anonymous reviews of officer training in 2007 brought to light racism and harassment of female recruits 30 In 2011 Andrew Wilkie admitted to being both a victim and perpetrator of bullying while at Duntroon 31 In 2011 the college celebrated its centenary 1911 2011 as part of the celebrations Queen Elizabeth II presented the college with new colours 32 A series of twenty eight gram one ounce silver dollar coins were also minted 33 nbsp Trooping the Colour ceremony 6 June 2015 at Rhonde Terrace Anzac Parade beside Lake Burley Griffin Reviewing Officer General Sir Peter Cosgrove Governor General of Australia Also present Chief of the Defence Force Chief of Army Chief of Navy Commandant RMCPresent day editOrganisation edit nbsp Corps of Staff Cadets Unit Colour Patch The majority of the cadets at Duntroon are members of the Australian Army although the college also trains some Royal Australian Air Force personnel who are training to become Ground Defence Officers By tradition a small number of officer cadets from New Zealand also attend the college while since 1967 there has been a steady number of foreign cadets attending the college from nations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East 34 While at the college officer cadets are referred to by the honorary title of staff cadet which is used as a substitute for the cadet s rank which is technically Officer Cadet This title came about due to the fact that originally graduates entered the Staff Officer Corps of the Australian Army 35 After the late 1940s however graduates were assigned different corps upon graduation and were no longer posted to the Staff Corps The title was kept on as a tradition at Duntroon however although officer trainees at all other Australian Army officer training establishments are referred to as officer cadets Note 2 Administratively the cadets are organised into a nominal infantry battalion structure which is known internally as the 11th Infantry Battalion Note 3 with companies platoons and sections which form the Corps of Staff Cadets Within each of these formations there are cadets from all three classes levels of training who are organised into an internal hierarchy that gives the cadets themselves responsibility for looking after their own administration while the Corps is in barracks albeit with guidance and supervision from training staff Field training however is delivered by the non commissioned officers and commissioned officers of the training staff and during this phase the cadets are separated into their distinct class groups 36 Since its inception the size of the Corps of Staff Cadets has fluctuated Initially the Corps was organised into a single company however in 1922 the decline in the number of cadets being admitted meant that in reality only two platoons existed 37 Nevertheless since then the Corps has largely increased In 1947 when the four year course was re established following its suspension during the Second World War the Corps was organised into two companies that were designated alphabetically A and B 38 In 1950 however as the size of the Corps rose to 190 cadets a third company designated C Company was established These companies were re organised the following year however as the Corps was expanded to 210 cadets and a fourth company raised At this time the alphabetical designations were replaced with geographical names that were chosen based upon places where Australians had fought Gallipoli Bardia Alamein and Kokoda 38 By 1954 the number of cadets had risen further to 260 necessitating the raising of a fifth company and at this stage it was decided to name the companies after famous Australian battles these names being Alamein Gallipoli Kokoda Kapyong and Romani 38 Following this expansion however the size of the Corps dropped and in 1958 the number of cadets had fallen to 200 and as a result Romani Company was disbanded 38 In 1974 a fifth company was raised Long Tan while in 1976 a sixth company was raised and Romani Company was re established 39 In 1986 as a result of the changing role of Duntroon the Corps was reduced to four companies again with Kokoda and Romani Companies being disbanded 40 Kokoda was reformed in 1987 as the size of the Corps reached 370 cadets 41 while Long Tan was disbanded in 1991 and reformed in 1995 42 There are currently five full time companies making up the Corps these are Long Tan Alamein Gallipoli Kapyong and Kokoda The sixth company Romani is used for Reserve officers who come to the College in January and July to complete the final module of their training 43 There is also a rehabilitation and administration company known as Bridges Company established in October 1989 42 Over the course of the training semester the five full time companies compete through sporting events and academic studies for the honour of carrying the Sovereign s Banner on parade with the first placed company taking the title of Sovereign s Company for the next semester and taking their place on the right flank when the Corps is on parade 44 Programs edit nbsp The Gun Gate Entrance north side of RMC Duntroon onto Fairbairn Avenue The current gates were commissioned by then Brigadier later General Peter Cosgrove Commandant 1997 The charter of the Royal Military College Duntroon is to produce officers capable of commanding platoon sized elements in the Hardened and Networked Army concept and to prepare specialist candidates for commissioning The College prepares cadets and other selected candidates for careers in the Army by promoting leadership and integrity by promoting high ideals and the pursuit of excellence and by inculcating a sense of duty loyalty and service to the nation 45 The current full time program is a course of 18 months in duration broken into three distinct classes numbered as III II and I Class 28 Each class lasts six months in duration and cadets must successfully complete each component to graduate and receive their commission 28 Throughout the course cadets receive training in leadership tactics weapons systems military law military accounting systems corporate governance and military history The course is designed to test the cadets physically and mentally and graduation is by no means guaranteed Upon graduating cadets are promoted to the rank of lieutenant and receive a Diploma in Military Leadership 46 Within the full time course there are two streams of cadets those that enter from the Australian Defence Force Academy and those that enter through the direct entry method Direct Entry cadets complete the eighteen month course whilst cadets from ADFA join Duntroon in II Class combining with the Direct Entry cadets and completing twelve months at the college The leadership and military training provided at ADFA during the three years of training is considered the equivalent of III Class at RMC 47 The college also oversees the program for training officers in the Australian Army Reserve Upon appointment to the Reserves members join a University Regiment within their location and then undertake their training over the course of five modules run by the various University Regiments around Australia Additionally they are required to parade at their unit one night a week and one weekend a month The final six and a half week module of the Reserve officer course is conducted at Duntroon In January 2008 the Part time Officers course was shortened to a duration of 104 days with further employment training specific to Corps allocation conducted thereafter 48 In 2003 the Officer Tertiary Recruitment Scheme OTRS was introduced which involves the recruitment of officers enrolled in tertiary study Essentially this program involves undergraduate sponsorship of university students who are appointed as Officer Cadets in the Australian Regular Army while they study During their tertiary study they train with the applicable University Regiment as reservists and conduct modules of training as they are able to fit in around their studies At the conclusion of their study provided they have completed the necessary modules they enroll at Duntroon in II Class 49 The Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon editThe Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon has been in existence in some shape or form since 1916 when a part time band was established from volunteers drawn from the riding staff 50 Nevertheless it was not until 1954 that they were officially established when a band formed from members of the Regular Army was established at the college 51 52 In 1968 it became part of the Australian Army Band Corps and since then it has become a regular feature of the ceremonies and parades conducted at the college as well as at other events around Australia and overseas Perhaps the most notable of these performances was in 2000 when the Band accompanied a detachment of the Australian Federation Guard to Great Britain where as part of the celebrations of the centenary of Australia s federation the AFG mounted the Queen s Guard at Buckingham Palace while the RMC Band provided the Guards Band 52 Recently the band has also supported Australian troops serving overseas 53 In the 1980s the band began performing shows for local charities known as the Strike up the Band shows 54 and this continues today albeit under the guise of the Music at Midday shows which the band performs six times a year with proceeds going to local charities 55 Buildings and features edit nbsp View of the library and the Long Tan Company Forbes Block building from below the parade ground The College itself is situated at the foot of Mount Pleasant on the Duntroon estate The base is one of the only military bases in Australia that is open to the general public consisting of a large area of land incorporating a golf course 56 a library a residential area for Defence members and their families various area logistics and infrastructure units a military hospital a retail area 57 vast sporting facilities and the Australian Defence Force Academy 56 The ship s bell from MV Duntroon which served as a troopship from 1942 to 1949 was removed when the ship was sold by her Australian owners in 1960 and was presented to the College in 1978 It is now positioned at the base of the flag station near the parade ground and is used daily as part of the cadets flag duties 58 Many of the original buildings from when the college was first opened in 1911 still stand and continue to be used today having been heritage listed An example of this is the officers mess known as Duntroon House which is an imposing stone building that was actually built as the Campbell family s house before the land was purchased by the Crown 59 The Majura Training Area is located nearby and is currently where cadets from the College undertake the majority of their basic field training in III Class 60 nbsp Chapel The Anzac Memorial Chapel of St Paul was opened on 30 April 1966 The chapel has a common foyer with two specific chapels Anglican Protestant Denominations and Catholic Retired Colours are displayed in the foyer Also in the foyer is a perpetual light that is lit while former cadets are on operations with the ADF The chapel is also used for the Graduation Church Parade Beside the main chapel is the Changi Chapel which was reconstructed on the site and rededicated in August 1988 61 nbsp Changi chapel built by Australian POWs in 1944 later relocated to Duntroon CanberraGraduation awards editThere are two main awards presented to cadets upon graduation the King s Medal and the Sword of Honour The King s Medal is awarded to the cadet graduating top of their class academically It was originally instituted in 1919 62 and all cadets including foreign cadets attending the college are eligible Indeed Singaporean cadets established a long tradition of receiving this honour doing so in 1975 1978 1979 1980 and 1982 according to a 1986 source 63 The Sword of Honour is awarded to the cadet who displays exemplary conduct and performance of duty throughout their course 64 Reserve Units of the Royal Military College Australia editThis section may contain information not important or relevant to the article s subject Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this section November 2023 Learn how and when to remove this message In 1997 the Royal Military College took responsibility for overseeing the training provided to Reserve officer cadets and as a result in 1998 the Royal Military College of Australia was established as a formation 65 As a part of this formation the following University Regiments were placed under the college s command Melbourne University Regiment MUR Monash University Regiment MonUR Queensland University Regiment QUR Including North Queensland Company University of New South Wales Regiment UNSWR Sydney University Regiment SUR Including Australian National University ANU Company Adelaide Universities Regiment AUR Including Northern Australia Platoon Western Australia University Regiment WAUR University of Tasmania Company UTC 66 In July 2008 however responsibility for Reserve officer training was taken away from Duntroon and these units were placed under the command of the 2nd Division with each regiment reporting directly to its parent brigade unit Nevertheless they continue to follow the Duntroon curriculum in modularised format and Reserve officer cadets attend the college for their final four week training block prior to commissioning 67 Commandants editThe following officers served as commandants of the college 68 69 Ordinal Rank Name Term start Term end Time in office Notes 1 Brigadier General William Throsby Bridges CMG 1910 1914 3 4 years 2 Major General John William Parnell CMG 1914 1920 5 6 years 3 Major General James Gordon Legge CB CMG 1920 1922 1 2 years 70 4 Colonel Commandant Francis Bede Heritage CBE MVO 1922 1929 6 7 years 5 Brigadier Eric Fairweather Harrison 1929 1931 1 2 years Brigadier Francis Bede Heritage CBE MVO 1931 1931 0 years 6 Major General Julius Henry Bruche CB CMG 1931 1931 0 years 7 Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Henry Pratt DSO MC 1931 1931 0 years Note 4 Brigadier Francis Bede Heritage CBE MVO 1931 1932 0 1 years 8 Colonel John Lavarack CMG DSO 1933 1935 1 2 years 9 Brigadier Charles Miles CMG DSO 1935 1939 3 4 years 10 Brigadier Eric Plant DSO amp Bar OBE 1939 1940 0 1 years Brigadier Eric Fairweather Harrison 1940 1942 1 2 years 11 Brigadier Bertrand Combes CBE 1942 1945 2 3 years 12 Brigadier Eric Lacy Vowles MC 1945 1948 2 3 years 13 Major General Henry Wells CBE DSO 1949 1951 1 2 years 14 Major General Ronald Hopkins CBE 1951 1954 2 3 years 15 Major General Ian Campbell CBE DSO 1954 1957 2 3 years 16 Major General John Wilton CBE DSO 1957 1960 2 3 years 17 Major General R W Knights CB CBE 1960 1962 1 2 years 18 Major General C H Finlay CB CBE 1962 1968 5 6 years 19 Major General C A E Fraser CBE 1968 1970 1 2 years 20 Major General Sandy Pearson DSO OBE MC 1970 1973 2 3 years 21 Major General Bob Hay CB MBE 1973 1977 3 4 years 22 Major General Alan Morrison AO DSO MBE 1977 1981 3 4 years 23 Major General J D Kelly DSO 1981 1983 1 2 years 24 Major General John Coates MBE 1983 1984 0 1 years 25 Major General B H Hockney AO 1984 1987 2 3 years 26 Major General M P Blake AM MC 1987 1990 2 3 years 27 Brigadier R G Curtis AM MC 1990 1993 2 3 years 28 Brigadier S V L Willis 1993 1995 1 2 years 29 Brigadier B G Stevens 1995 1996 0 1 years 30 Brigadier Peter Cosgrove AM MC 1997 1998 0 1 years 31 Brigadier P L G Pursey 1999 1999 0 years Note 5 32 Brigadier M R McNarn AO 1999 2001 1 2 years 33 Brigadier M F Paramor AM 2002 2003 0 1 years 34 Brigadier C G Appleton 2004 2005 0 1 years 35 Brigadier M D Bornholt AM 2006 2008 1 2 years 36 Brigadier M Moon DSC AM 2009 2011 1 2 years 37 Brigadier D M Luhrs CSC 2011 2013 1 2 years 38 Brigadier D Gallasch AM CSC 2013 2016 2 3 years 39 Brigadier M Brewer CSC amp Bar 2016 2018 1 2 years 40 Brigadier R Hoskin AM 2018 2019 0 1 years 41 Brigadier A Duncan CSC 2020 2022 1 2 years 42 Brigadier J Groat CSC DSM 2023 incumbent 0 1 yearsPlaque editIn 2010 a plaque dedicated to RMC graduates was placed on the ACT Honour Walk It reads Situated at the former Campbell homestead at Duntroon the RMC was opened on 27 June 1911 by the Governor General Lord Dudley The first Commandant was Colonel later Major General William Throsby Bridges who was killed at Gallipoli RMC was created to oversee the initial military training of all officers in the Australian Army As one of the first institutions to be established in Canberra RMC has been integral to the life of the ACT The RMC Band regularly performs at ceremonial and community events Since its establishment RMC graduates have served in every military conflict in which Australia has been involved 71 See also editAustralian Defence College Royal Australian Naval College Officer Cadet School Portsea RAAF CollegeNotes editFootnotes edit According to Coulthard Clark 1986 p 41 the College s motto was taken from Horace Book 4 Ode 4 and was suggested by Professor T G Tucker of Melbourne University Other officer training establishments that have existed concurrently to RMC D are the OCS Portsea OCTU Scheyville and the Women s Officer Training Wing at George s Heights Although this unit is not part of the official Australian Army order of battle and is distinct from the 11th Battalion which has its own lineage Pratt was a British officer serving on exchange with the Australian Army He is the only non Australian officer to serve in the role as commandant of Duntroon Moore 2001 p 428 Pursey was the first graduate of OTU Scheyville to serve as commandant of Duntroon Citations edit Australian Words C G Australian National University Retrieved 24 July 2010 Dennis et al 1995 p 521 Hart 2009 p 18 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 32 Grey 2008 p 96 Grey 2008 p 79 Gwynn Sir Charles William 1870 1963 printable Australian Dictionary of Biography National Centre of Biography Australian National University ISSN 1833 7538 Retrieved 22 April 2009 a b Scott 1941 p 199 Hedges 2012 p 273 a b Dennis et al 1995 p 522 History of Duntroon Australian Army 2016 Archived from the original on 4 December 2015 Retrieved 8 January 2016 Odgers 1988 p 108 Clark Chris Eric Fairweather Harrison 1880 1948 Australian Dictionary of Biography Canberra National Centre of Biography Australian National University retrieved 27 November 2023 Blakeley Arthur 12 December 1930 Letter to A E Green Royal Military College Retention of the name Duntroon National Archives Australia Retrieved 27 November 2023 Deane Percival Edgar 15 December 1930 Department of Home Affairs Memorandum P E Deane Secretary Royal Military College Retention of the name Duntroon National Archives of Australia A1 1931 25 45044 Retrieved 27 November 2023 Deane Percival Edgar 15 December 1930 Department of Home Affairs Memorandum P E Deane Secretary Royal Military College Retention of the name Duntroon National Archives of Australia A1 1931 25 45044 Retrieved 27 November 2023 Deane Percival Edgar 15 December 1930 Department of Home Affairs Memorandum P E Deane Secretary Royal Military College Retention of the name Duntroon National Archives of Australia A1 1931 25 45044 Retrieved 27 November 2023 History Campbell Community Association Retrieved 27 November 2023 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 152 Moore 2001 p 402 Coulthard Clark 1986 pp 140 and 210 a b Ross Eastgate 25 April 2011 Bully tactics indefensible Townsville Bulletin The North Queensland Newspaper Company Retrieved 14 June 2011 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 252 a b Dennis et al 1995 p 523 Pre Stamped Envelope Australia 75th Anniversary Royal Military College Indian Stamp Ghar 28 December 2009 Archived from the original on 16 April 2013 Retrieved 13 July 2014 a b Hart 2009 p 19 Moore 2001 p 140 a b c Curriculum RMC Forces Command Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Glossary of Cadet Terms humanrights gov au Retrieved 27 November 2023 Cynthia Banham 3 March 2007 Racism abuse army training in time warp The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 14 June 2011 Wilkie Defence to combat bullying together ABC News 19 April 2011 Retrieved 14 June 2011 Queen presents new royal colours to mark Duntroon s 100th anniversary The Australian 22 October 2011 Retrieved 13 October 2012 2011 1 Centenary of RMC Duntroon 1911 2011 Stamp and Coin Cover Gold and Silver Coins Retrieved 13 October 2012 permanent dead link Coulthard Clark 1986 p 213 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 16 Hartigan Brian 23 June 2011 How RMC works Army News The Soldiers Newspaper Edition 1261 p 42 Retrieved 28 June 2011 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 88 a b c d Coulthard Clark 1986 p 182 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 235 Moore 2001 p 132 Moore 2001 p 143 a b Moore 2001 p 145 Moore 2001 p 158 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 190 Home RMC Forces Command Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Assessment and Recognition Department of Defence Archived from the original on 24 August 2010 Retrieved 2 July 2010 Registered Training Organisation Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Training Officers amp Management Defence Force Recruiting Retrieved 24 July 2010 McLeod Elisabeth 6 October 2005 ADF support an educated choice Army The Soldiers Newspaper Edition 1130 Retrieved 24 June 2010 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 83 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 189 a b The Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon Department of Defence Australia Archived from the original on 24 April 2010 Retrieved 24 June 2010 Moore C A 2004 The Band of the Royal Military College Duntroon The Duntroon Society November 2 2004 1 4 permanent dead link Coulthard Clark 1986 p 255 Music at Midday Canberra Ticketing Archived from the original on 6 July 2011 Retrieved 2 July 2010 a b Sporting RMC Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Retail Precinct RMC Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 240 Officers Mess RMC Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 24 June 2010 Training RMC Forces Command Department of Defence Australia Retrieved 2 July 2010 Hedges 2012 p 215 Moore 2001 p 461 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 242 RMC Graduation Our work News and media December 2012 Australian Army Archived from the original on 9 April 2016 Retrieved 14 May 2016 Moore 2001 pp 160 162 Moore 2001 p 162 Military Training Army Reserve General Service Officer First Appointment Course ARes GSO FAC Defence Jobs gov au Archived from the original on 2 June 2011 Retrieved 29 September 2011 Coulthard Clark 1986 p 266 Moore 2001 p 428 Legge Lt Gen James Gordon in Who Was Who 1941 1950 A amp C Black 1980 reprint ISBN 0 7136 2131 1 ACT Honour Walk 2010 Royal Military College RMC Duntroon Retrieved 13 October 2012 References editCoulthard Clark Chris 1986 Duntroon The Royal Military College of Australia 1911 1986 Sydney Allen amp Unwin ISBN 978 0 86861 883 8 Dennis Peter Grey Jeffrey Morris Ewan Prior Robin 1995 The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History 1st ed Melbourne Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 553227 9 Grey Jeffrey 2008 A Military History of Australia 3rd ed Melbourne Cambridge University Press ISBN 978 0 521 69791 0 Hart Steve 2009 Duntroon Its Heritage and Sacred Legacy Canberra Defence Publishing Service ISBN 978 0 642 29697 9 Hedges Jason 2012 Royal Military College of Australia 1911 2011 Celebrating 100 Years at Duntroon Newport Big Sky Publishing ISBN 978 1 921941 47 4 Moore Darren 2001 Duntroon The Royal Military College of Australia 1911 2001 Canberra Royal Military College of Australia ISBN 978 1 876439 97 2 Odgers George 1988 Army Australia An Illustrated History Frenchs Forest Child amp Associates ISBN 0 86777 061 9 Scott Ernest 1941 Australia During the War Official History of Australia in the War of 1914 1918 Volume XI 7th ed Sydney Angus and Robertson OCLC 152414976 Further reading editA C T 1938 Notes on the Royal Military College Duntroon 1938 Canberra Royal Military College OCLC 13361849 Department of Defence 1978 Duntroon Royal Military College Canberra Australian Government Publishing Service ISBN 978 0 642 03770 1 Dwyer Vivien 2004 Duntroon An Artist s Impression Singleton Lonsdale Gallery Press ISBN 978 0 9751978 0 6 Lee Joseph 1952 Duntroon the Royal Military College of Australia 1911 1946 Canberra Australian War Memorial OCLC 7938215 Moore Bruce 1993 A Lexicon of Cadet Language Royal Military College Duntroon in the period 1983 to 1985 Canberra Australian National Dictionary Centre ISBN 978 0 7315 1377 2 Rayward Rod 1988 More Than a Mere Bravo Duntroon Slang 1930 1980 Canberra Australian Defence Force Academy OCLC 19335257 Royal Military College 1972 Enobesra A Cadet Handbook Canberra Australian Government Publishing Service OCLC 221489153 Solomon G 1978 A Poor Sort of Memory A Personal Memoir of the Royal Military College Duntroon Roebuck Society ISBN 978 0 909434 16 8 Thompson Alan 2002 Never Let the Bastards Get You Down Canberra Royal Military College Duntroon A C T Class of 1957 ISBN 978 0 646 41873 5 External links edit nbsp Media related to Royal Military College Duntroon at Wikimedia Commons Commonwealth heritage places in the Australian Capital Territory RMC Duntroon National Library of Australia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Royal Military College Duntroon amp oldid 1214144943 Graduation awards, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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