By Tony Foley.

The year was 1960, the exact month unknown. The New Guard was furnished by the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery and it was to be the first public exposure of the new 7.62 Self Loading Rifle (SLR) replacing the historically famous Lee-Enfield .303. 

The Guard Commander was Lt. "Curly" Cooper Royal Australian Artillery.   Who in later years retired as a Brigadier.   The Guard Sergeant was "Jesse" James and if memory serves me right he was then with the 102nd Light Battery.   The remainder of the guard were from the Survey Troop Regimental Headquarters and underwent extensive training by Warrant Officer Class Two Alan "Bruno" Sneddon (then Battery Sergeant Major of A Field Battery).   The Historical interest was the differences in the Rifle movements and the Orders: for example from the familiar (then) orders of "Old Guard----- Slope Arms"  to the new orders of New Guard----- Shoulder Arms".   

The entire Mounting was televised by ABC TV, and the full programme titled "Victoria Barracks" Narrated by the popular newsreader John Chance.   It is believed to have been "Archived" by ABC TV.  The SLR 7.62 new "movements " were demonstrated by "Bruno" Sneddon giving orders to an individual digger Namely Gunner Tony "Blue" Foley.   As a matter of interest during training at Holsworthy the week before, we were all made very aware of just how sharp those new "short" Bayonets were, ripping a 3 inch tear in a diggers jacket (right shoulder).  

From then on they were given the respect they deserved.   Anyway that is one of my places in history and I remember it well and just wanted to share it with everyone.