Gloucester Cup

Award

The Gloucester Cup is the common name for three awards of the Australian Defence Force officially called the Duke of Gloucester's Cup,[1][2] the three awards are presented to the most proficient ship of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), infantry battalion of the Australian Army, and squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the previous year. The awards were created by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester in 1946, while he was serving as the Governor-General of Australia, and were first presented in 1947.

Royal Australian Navy

The RAN Gloucester Cup was initially assessed on the gunnery accuracy of RAN ships, based on the number of sleeve targets hit as a proportion of shells fired.[3] This was quickly found to be impractical, and the criteria for the award was changed to "overall proficiency", based on each ship's level of operational efficiency during a calendar year; husbandry and seamanship; supply and administration; officer and sailor training; divisional systems, morale and discipline; and equipment reliability, maintenance and resourcefulness.[3][4] As well as the silver trophy, a winning ship is allowed to paint a yellow star on the superstructure of the ship, which remains until the Cup is passed to a new winner.[3]

Winning ships

Royal Australian Navy recipients of the Gloucester Cup
Year Winner Class and type Reference
1947 HMAS Hobart Leander-class cruiser [3]
1948 HMAS Shoalhaven River-class frigate [5]
1949 HMAS Arunta Tribal-class destroyer [3]
1950 HMAS Sydney Majestic-class aircraft carrier [3]
1951 HMAS Murchison River-class frigate [6]
1952 HMAS Hawkesbury River-class frigate [3]
1953 HMAS Australia County-class cruiser [7]
1954 HMAS Quadrant Q-class destroyer [3]
1955 HMAS Quadrant Q-class destroyer [3]
1956 HMAS Queenborough Q-class destroyer [3]
1957 HMAS Anzac Battle-class destroyer [3]
1958 HMAS Melbourne Majestic-class aircraft carrier [3]
1959 HMAS Quickmatch Q-class destroyer [3]
1960 HMAS Vampire Daring-class destroyer [8]
1961 HMAS Vampire Daring-class destroyer [8]
1962 HMAS Melbourne Majestic-class aircraft carrier [3]
1963 HMAS Vampire Daring-class destroyer [3]
1964 HMAS Vendetta Daring-class destroyer [3]
1965 HMAS Sydney Majestic-class fast troop transport [3]
1966 HMAS Sydney Majestic-class fast troop transport [9]
1967 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [3]
1968 HMAS Stalwart Destroyer tender [3]
1969 HMAS Supply Tide-class replenishment oiler [3]
1970 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [3]
1971 HMAS Brisbane Perth-class destroyer [3]
1972 HMAS Melbourne Majestic-class aircraft carrier [3]
1973 HMAS Stuart River-class destroyer escort [10]
1974 HMAS Swan River-class destroyer escort [3]
1975 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [11]
1976 HMAS Stuart River-class destroyer escort [10]
1977 HMAS Onslow Oberon-class submarine [12]
1978 HMAS Torrens River-class destroyer escort [3]
1979 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [3]
1980 HMAS Brisbane Perth-class destroyer [3]
1981 HMAS Perth Perth-class destroyer [13]
1982 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [citation needed]
1983 HMAS Stalwart Destroyer tender [3]
1984 HMAS Adelaide Adelaide-class frigate [3]
1985 HMAS Orion Oberon-class submarine [3][14]
1986 HMAS Sydney Adelaide-class frigate [3]
1987 HMAS Jervis Bay Training ship [3]
1988 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [3]
1989 HMAS Derwent River-class destroyer escort [3]
1990 HMAS Success Durance-class tanker [15]
1991 HMAS Darwin Adelaide-class frigate [3]
1992 HMAS Hobart Perth-class destroyer [3]
1993 HMAS Tobruk Round Table-class landing ship logistics [16]
1994 HMAS Hobart and
HMAS Darwin		 Perth-class destroyer
Adelaide-class frigate		 [17][3]
1995 HMAS Darwin Adelaide-class frigate [3]
1996 HMAS Brisbane Perth-class destroyer [3]
1997 HMAS Canberra Adelaide-class frigate [3]
1998 HMAS Adelaide Adelaide-class frigate [18]
1999 HMAS Success Durance-class tanker [15]
2000 HMAS Arunta Anzac-class frigate [3]
2001 HMAS Anzac Anzac-class frigate [19]
2002 HMAS Arunta Anzac-class frigate [3]
2003 HMAS Kanimbla Kanimbla-class landing platform amphibious [20]
2004 HMAS Rankin Collins-class submarine [14]
2005 HMAS Sheean Collins-class submarine [4]
2006 HMAS Stuart Anzac-class frigate [10]
2007 HMAS Rankin Collins-class submarine [4]
2008 HMAS Parramatta Anzac-class frigate [21]
2009 HMAS Newcastle Adelaide-class frigate [22]
2010 HMAS Melbourne Adelaide-class frigate [3]
2011 AUSCDT 4 Clearance Diving Team [3]
2012 HMAS Anzac Anzac-class frigate [23]
2013 HMAS Huon Huon-class minehunter [24]
2014 HMAS Success Durance-class tanker [25]
2015 HMAS Melbourne Adelaide-class frigate [26]
2016 HMAS Rankin (SSG 78) Collins-class submarine [26]
2017 HS BLUE Hydrographic Crewing Division [26]
2018 HMAS Melbourne Adelaide-class frigate [26]
2019 HMAS Parramatta Anzac-class frigate [26]
2020 HMAS Arunta Anzac-class frigate [26]

Australian Army

The regular infantry battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment compete against each other for the Duke of Gloucester's Cup in an annual military skills competition.[27] To compete for the Cup, each infantry battalion sends a team to the Lone Pine Barracks at Singleton.[28] These teams participate in a five-day competition demonstrating their training and endurance, from which the winning battalion is determined.[28] First held in 1947 between the Australian battalions then in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, the inaugural cup was awarded to 67th Australian Infantry Battalion (now the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment). Between 1951 and 1971 the competition was not held due to operational commitments. Competition recommenced on a regular basis between 1972 and 1998; however, was again ceased as a result of operations in East Timor. The competition recommenced in 2003.[29]

Winning Battalions

Royal Australian Regiment recipient of the Duke of Gloucester Cup
Year earned Winner Reference
1946 67th Bn -[30]
1947 67th Bn -[30]
1948 3 RAR -[30]
1949 3 RAR -[30]
1950 3 RAR -[30]
1974 6 RAR -[30]
1975 6 RAR -[30]
1976 5/7 RAR -[30]
1977 5/7 RAR -[30]
1978 6 RAR -[30]
1979 6 RAR -[30]
1981 2/4 RAR -[30]
1982 6 RAR -[30]
1983 8/9 RAR ‐[30]
1984 6 RAR -[30]
1985 6 RAR -[30]
1986 1 RAR -[30]
1987 1 RAR -[30]
1988 3 RAR -[30]
1989 8/9 RAR -[30]
1990 1 RAR -[30]
1991 6 RAR -[30]
1992 6 RAR -[30]
1993 2/4 RAR -[30]
1994 1 RAR -[30]
1995 3 RAR -[30]
1996 2 RAR -[30]
1997 1 RAR -[30]
1998 3 RAR -[30]
1999 1 RAR -[30]
2003 1 RAR -[30]
2004 1 RAR -[30]
2005 1 RAR -[30]
2007 2 RAR -[30]
2008 6 RAR -[30]
2009 2 RAR -[30]
2010 3 RAR -[30]
2011 3 RAR -[30]
2012 2 RAR -[30]
2013 2 RAR -[30]
2014 6 RAR -[30]
2015 1 RAR -[30]
2016 3 RAR -[30]
2017 2 RAR -[30]
2018 6 RAR -[30]
2019 2 RAR -[30]
2020 Not held due to COVID-19.[31]
2021 Not held due to COVID-19.[31]
2022 3 RAR -[31]

Royal Australian Air Force

The RAAF's Gloucester Cup recognises the most proficient flying squadron during a calendar year. The winner is announced at the Air Force Awards night, held in April or May annually. Originally awarded for the most proficient squadron, the basis for the award changed in 1989 and again in 1993 and the Cup is now awarded annually to the most proficient Wing, Squadron or Operational Unit within the RAAF's Air Command.

The selection process considers the unit's achievement of objectives set for the year, initiatives taken to develop proficiency in operations, administration, dress and bearing, and morale.

The most-awarded unit is No. 36 Squadron, with seven Cups.[32] In 1991, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron became the first non-flying unit awarded the Cup.

Winning squadrons

Royal Australian Air Force recipients of the Gloucester Cup
Year earned Winner Reference
1947 No. 38 Squadron -
1948 No. 87 Squadron [33]
1949 No. 30 Squadron -
1950 No. 77 Squadron [34]
1951 No. 1 Squadron [35]
1952 No. 36 Squadron [36]
1953 No. 23 Squadron -
1954 No. 38 Squadron -
1955 No. 1 Squadron [35]
1956 No. 10 Squadron -
1957 No. 11 Squadron -
1958 No. 11 Squadron -
1959 No. 1 Squadron [37]
1960 No. 1 Squadron [37]
1961 No. 2 Squadron -
1962 No. 36 Squadron [38]
1963 No. 79 Squadron -
1964 No. 79 Squadron -
1965 No. 5 Squadron -
1966 No. 2 Squadron -
1967 No. 35 Squadron -
1968 No. 9 Squadron [39]
1969 No. 9 Squadron [39]
1970 No. 9 Squadron [39]
1971 No. 2 Squadron -
1972 No. 75 Squadron [40]
1973 No. 3 Squadron [40]
1974 No. 38 Squadron -
1975 No. 38 Squadron -
1976 No. 37 Squadron [41]
1977 No. 11 Squadron -
1978 No. 12 Squadron -
1979 No. 6 Squadron -
1980 No. 5 Squadron -
1981 No.2 Squadron -
1982 No. 35 Squadron -
1983 No. 34 Squadron [42]
1984 Australian Contingent to the Multinational Force and Observers (Egypt) -
1985 - -
1986 No. 9 Squadron -
1987 No. 38 Squadron -
1988 No. 10 Squadron -
1989 No. 36 Squadron [43]
1990 No. 76 Squadron -
1991 No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron -
1992 No. 492 Squadron -
1993 No. 486 Squadron -
1994 No. 82 Wing [44]
1995 Air Transportable Telecommunications Unit -
1996 No. 1 Radar Surveillance Unit -
1997 No. 86 Wing [45]
1998 No. 1 Squadron [46]
1999 No. 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing -
2000 No. 36 Squadron [47]
2001 No. 37 Squadron [48]
2002 No. 92 Wing [49]
2003 No. 38 Squadron -
2004 No. 86 Wing -
2005 No. 92 Wing [50]
2006 No. 33 Squadron [51]
2007 No. 36 Squadron [52]
2008 No. 75 Squadron [53]
2009 No. 11 Squadron [54]
2010 No. 34 Squadron [55]
2011 No. 37 Squadron [56]
2012 No. 36 Squadron [57]
2013 No. 37 Squadron [58]
2014 No. 36 Squadron [32]
2015 No. 33 Squadron [59]
2016 No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit [60]
2017 No. 1 Squadron [60]
2018 No. 2 Squadron [61]
2019 No. 34 Squadron [62]

Citations

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References

  • Cassells, Vic (2000). The Destroyers: their battles and their badges. East Roseville, NSW: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7318-0893-2. OCLC 46829686.
  • Eather, Steve (1996). Odd Jobs: RAAF Operations in Japan, the Berlin Airlift, Korea, Malaya and Malta, 1946–1960. RAAF Williams, Victoria: RAAF Museum. ISBN 0-642-23482-5.
  • Horner, David; Bou, Jean, eds. (2008). Duty First: A History of the Royal Australian Regiment (2nd ed.). Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74175-374-5.
  • RAAF Historical Section (1995). Units of the Royal Australian Air Force: A Concise History. Volume 4: Maritime and Transport Units. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 0-644-42796-5.