Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Honour Board, Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, (World War 1)

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Subcollections

Fortress Fremantle and the Defence of Western Australia

Overview

Photograph of Honour Roll of Royal Australian Garrison Artillery (RAGA). The Board honours those RAGA members who served abroad with the Australian Imperial Force during World War 1.

Historical information

Unlike other formations of the AIF, the heavy batteries had been formed mostly from permanent artillerymen of the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery. When war was declared, these gunners were prevented from enlisting for overseas service. Following the destruction of the German raider Emden at Cocoas Island by HMAS Sydney, it was decided that there was little direct seaborne threat to the coastal cities. Orders were issued and the brigade drawn together in Melbourne from the different states. The assembled unit sailed for overseas service in July 1915 on HMAT A67 Orsova.
Only one Australian battery – the 55th Heavy Artillery Battery – was equipped with the 9.2-inch (233-millimetre) howitzers. The battery, and the 54th Heavy Artillery Battery, which had 8-inch (203-millimetre) howitzers, on wheels, were placed together as the Australian Heavy Artillery Group (HAG). These two siege batteries, and their headquarters, moved from Britain to France in March 1916 and became the first Australian units to go into battle on the Western Front.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-316

Inscriptions and markings

The title Royal was exclusive to the permanent gunners who formed both Field Batteries and Garrison Companies (Coastal). The volunteers, now called militia, also formed field and garrison units. During World War I Australia contributed 82 batteries of artillery and saw service at Gallipoli, France and Belgium.
In 1937, in recognition of the service provided in World War I the militia units were granted the title Royal.

Contextual information

This Honour Roll was originally emplaced in Artillery Barracks, Fremantle but is now located in Hobbs Artillery Park, Karrakatta

Links to additional resources

Dedication Ceremony

Last modified

Sunday, 12 October, 2025

Completeness

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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia