7th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery

The regiment traced its lineage to the 7th Field Artillery Brigade that was formed as part of the 3rd Division in March 1916, which served on the Western Front during World War I. This unit was re-formed during the inter-war years as a part-time unit in New South Wales. In 1938 the unit was redesignated as the 7th Field Regiment RAA (Militia) and throughout the war undertook garrison duties in New South Wales and Western Australia. Although it was later gazetted as an AIF unit after the majority of its personnel volunteered for overseas service, the regiment was deemed surplus to requirements and disbanded in October 1943 and its personnel used to reinforce other units.[1]

During the post war period, the regiment was re-raised when the Citizens Military Force was established in 1948. Personnel were received from the disbanded 21st Field Regiment in 1957, and in 1960 the regiment also gained personnel from the 14th Field Regiment. In 1965, 26 Field Battery's 25-pounders were replaced with L5 howitzers but these were withdrawn in 1967, the battery reverting to 25-pounders. The regiment reorganised several times, with various component batteries existing at various times: R, P and Q batteries existed during the 1950s and early 1960s before being reorganised. Later the regiment contained 5, 26, 27, 28, and 113 Batteries. In 1996, the regiment's headquarters moved to Suakin Street, Pymble, following the closure of the Warrane Road, Willoughby, depot on 16 March of that year.[1]

Following changes brought about by Plan BEERSHEEBA, the regiment was disbanded on 1 January 2013 and replaced by a battery sized establishment known as 7 Light Battery. It is equipped with 81mm mortars. The former gun batteries were reduced to troop size and remain at the same depots.

Just prior to its disbandment, the regiment had two gun batteries which were equipped with the L119 Hamel Gun:[2]

• 28 Field Battery based at Dee Why.
• 113 Field Battery based at Adamstown with a Troop at Erina.

The 7TH field artillery regiment was also based at Warane rd Willoghby Sydney I was a soldier. My main task was as a signals operator plus later RHQ senior control operator. I was known as instructor SLR 7.62 mm rifles. My tasks also was to train new soldiers to make sure they could march correctly. I came from a long line of British soldiers as far back as the 16th century in England all were officers some in English navy. One friend of the family was Sir Willian Hill was knighted by Queen MARY. He was a friend of Sir Colin Campbell who was friend of our family. Sir Colin went to Sandhurst Military Collage England.  

Indian mutiny story now. The Relief of Lucknow. When one day in Lucknow a young girl was looking out on small mound she heard in the distance the beating of drum. She stared what is that? In the distance she saw men marching with skirts on. She kept staring and got up and ran to the city yelling the Campbells are coming. ( 98TH Highlanders with Colin Campbell as Commander) My brother was named after Colin Campbell as friend of my dad's relations.

• Horner, David (1995). The Gunners. A History of Australian Artillery. Sydney, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1863739173.

• The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, Digger History