HISTORY OF THE A COY BEAR AND MOTTO

In the mid-seventies, the A coy logo motto was “THE BIG A PILE ON” it was meant to mean that A Coy could carry the whole Battalion but for years was lost in translation Circa 1979 when MAJ John Guy took over the Coy being a total Anglophile loving all things British.

He decided we needed a change so he changed it to the Black Bears in reference to the march “The Black Bear “the pipers would play on parades he even went a step further and while on Kangaroo 111 when the Coy spent several weeks playing enemy and a few weeks before the Ex digging in positions.

He had Section Commanders and Pl SGTs taking singing lessons to ensure all Coy members memorised the words and tune.

Thanks to Pat “Spud” Cairns

Footnote –

Back in the day when the whole Pipes and drums wore the Kilt of the Irish Guards it was John Guy who changed it that only pipers wore the Kilt and Drummers wore red tunics

Right of the Line Motto could be from a couple of meanings:

The first is in relation to the Battle of the Hook in Korea. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) held the Hook on the Commonwealth left and 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment held the right of the Marine line. D Company 2RAR held the Hook itself, a knoll on a ridge curving towards the enemy. C and A companies were to D’s rear on the left and right respectively. B Company was in reserve.

The second goes back to possibly ancient times where the right flank’s importance took on a great significance. Often an allied general or a favoured subordinate was given command of this unshielded flank. Since the shields were worn on the left arm, the right flank units had to be the strongest – they could not falter or the rest of the Army would expose a shield less flank to the enemy.

Both of the above are still up for confirmation…let us know…