Whose Name We Share

78 GNR Matthew James Despite all this positivity it would be improper not to mention that the Battery suffered yet another shocking death in 2017. GNR Matthew James perished on 4 th February 2017, dying in a motor vehicle accident in Darwin. The Battery marked the passing of Gunner James by sending a bearer party to the funeral proceedings which were held in Brisbane. 25 members of the Regiment travelled to help the family through the loss of their son as well as to mourn. Gunner James was remembered as a hilarious bloke who was always having a laugh. A Service was held in the Regiment some time later on the 17 th April one year later. During the Regimental commemorations the Brew Room was completely cleared out to accommodate a sea of people of who stood in silence as the padre offered some comforting words. Gunner James’s portrait is hung in the Battery Brew Room to this day and his name is mounted on the bar so that all can remember him. Gunner James’s death marks the sixth member the 103 rd Battery has lost to the roads whilst in service. The 103 rd Battery has unfortunately lost more members to motor vehicle accidents than to the Vietnam War. Those members who are left to mourn the loss of their mates always, without fail, urge others to be considerate and mindful of the road. It is a senseless and unfortunate place to die. The battery has had to learn this lesson too many times across the decades.