History of the Puckapunyal Buckler’s Hill Cairn

In the 1950s Lieutenant Colonel Sydney (Spin) Buckler was Commanding Officer of 14 NSTB (National Service Training Battalion). The hill behind the battalion lines at Puckapunyal was named Buckler’s Hill. It was decided that a commemorative cairn would be built on the hill to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Stones were carried up the hill by men of the battalion. The cairn was unveiled on Coronation Day, 2nd June 1953, by Ballarat born Brigadier Charles Kappe, commanding the 1st Brigade, and his wife. (Mount Kappe at Puckapunyal is named after him).

During Lieutenant Colonel Darrell Strickland’s time as Commanding Officer of 22 RVR (around 1969), after the battalion had moved into S Block at Puckapunyal, the 22 RVR assault pioneer platoon reconstructed the cairn.

In 2004 with the cairn having fallen into disrepair, the plaque was relocated to the Puckapunyal Memorial Park on Blamey Avenue, adjacent to the National Servicemen’s Memorial. A re-dedication service held on 21st March 2004. 

The original 1953 cairn plaque:

THIS CAIRN WAS ERECTED BY MEMBERS OF 14 NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING BATTALION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CORONATION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABTH THE SECOND 2^ND JUNE 1953

The 2004 re-dedication plaque:

CORONATION DAY ACTIVITIES
PUCKAPUNYAL JUNE 2nd 1953

In the early hours before first light, 14^th Battalion lines were alive. This was the start of a day that will long be remembered by those belonging to the unit and indeed, to the whole free world. This was Coronation Day, the day on which Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 was to be crowned.

14^th Battalion’s celebrations began 0630 hours with the unveiling of a commemorative Cairn, constructed by National Service Trainees of the Unit. It was an occasion which will be remembered by all who were privileged to be there. Large log fires traced the route up Buckler’s Hill. On the very top of the hill was the Cairn, illuminated by floodlights at its base. After the arrival of Brigadier Kappe and his wife, the short ceremony began. The inscribed plaque was then unveiled. Then Padre Bennet conducted a short dedication service. A very successful display of fireworks, provided by Captain Madden and members of A Company followed.

At 0900 hours Companies began to move to the Battalion Parade Ground for a very short rehearsal of drill they had been practising in previous weeks. It was a proud moment for Trainees as they marched on to the Brigade Parade to the music of the Southern Command Band. Relatives and friends were lined along the road awaiting the arrival of Brigadier Kappe, the Parade Commander.

Officers were posted in Review Order, and orders were given for the firing of a Feu de Joie (a joyous salute). On the Brigadier’s command, thousands of rifles were fired in succession from fight to left. The salute was fired three times. Then three rousing cheers were given. After a short address by Brigadier Kappe, Troops began the march-past. Thousands of servicemen, ARA and National Servicemen (with only 5 weeks training) swung past the saluting base with Military precision at its peak with the “Eyes Right”.

The many thousands of Troops took 20 minutes to pass the Dais and were a magnificent sight for relatives and friends. The Cairn erected on Buckler’s Hill, affectionately known to the Nashos as “Tit Hill” was intended to stand forever as a reminder of the honour and devotion in which the National Servicemen hold their Queen.

50 years later however the Cairn had fallen into disrepair. Due to the efforts of the members of the National Servicemen’s Association of Victoria in reclaiming the Plaque from the Cairn, it is now preserved for future generations to reflect on in this Memorial Park at Puckapunyal.

Allegiance to the Queen was again demonstrated at this site on Sunday 21st March 2004.