Platoon of The Century

LTCOL Alistair Capp (CO MUR 2003 – 2005) suggested to the Melbourne University Rifles Association (MURA) that it might consider forming a ‘Platoon of the Century,’ along the lines of the AFL ‘Teams of the Century,’ as part of the impending MURA Centenary celebrations.

“The idea is that for the MUR Centenary in 2010 we will produce a list of the Regiment’s most notable members since its establishment. Their selection will depend on the military service both within and apart from MUR, their civilian career and any other attainments. It is envisaged that the final result will be a display with a montage of photographs of each together with a short biography. Whether this will be produced in a poster display or book, in electronic format or a combination is still to be decided.”

BRIG Andy McGalliard (CO MUR 1973 – 1976) offered to lead this project in 2007. As time passed and the complexity of the project became more apparent, the writing team grew in size and COL John Coulson (CO Mon UR 1977 – 80) accepted leadership of the team and editor of the project. Whether the final product would be in printed or electronic form was an ongoing point of discussion.

There was much debate within the writing team as to who should be included in the final ‘Platoon of the Century’ (POTC). This notional platoon would be an egalitarian mix of high achievers, representative of the Melbourne University Rifles (1910 – 1942) and the Melbourne University Regiment (1948 – ) over the past hundred plus years. Its selection criteria would have to be sufficiently flexible to include members who actually served before the formation of MUR in 1910, i.e. D Company (University) of the 4th (Mount Alexander) Battalion, Victorian Rifles. Surely we couldn’t leave out military luminaries such as Sir John Monash, Sir James McCay and ‘Pompey’ Elliott?

COL Maurie Ryan (CO MUR 1984 – 1986) penned the following statement in his excellent history of the Regiment …

“Among former members have been two governors-general, two prime ministers and a leader of the opposition, two full generals and seven major or lieutenant generals (including three who served as CMF Member of the Military Board or CRes), two air vice marshals, two state premiers, five governors and a lieutenant governor of Victoria, and three chief justices of Victoria.”

The ‘Platoon of the Century’ doesn’t endeavour to include all the alumni listed above or indeed all the other equally laudable members of the Regiment. Again as Ryan points out…

“Literally thousands of field and junior rank officers and NCOs and a legion of private soldiers have gone on to the professions and commerce, to industry and politics, to the public service and the church, all shaped by way of their experience, and whose perception of the armed services was formed by their time in the MUR.”

This notional platoon simply cannot incorporate all the eligible nominees; otherwise it would have to be ‘A Battalion of the Century’. As a consequence, its current composition seeks to characterize the breadth of the academic ability, the inspiring military service and achievements, the extent of the civil accomplishments and the exceptional community service that have been so characteristic of MUR members over the past one hundred plus years. The MURA doesn’t consider this book or its electronic equivalent as a completed work and encourages other members of the regimental family to contribute in the years to come.

The team comprised past members of the regimental family selected by the traditional military method of volunteering. Readers will note that several members of the team indeed were nominated to the platoon for their personal accomplishments. The team included LTCOL Alistair Capp, COL John Coulson (team leader), CPL John Dance, CAPT Rupert Dalley, LTCOL Michael Gaylard, LTCOL John Henry, CMDR Peter Hicks (RANR), CAPT Peter Lumb, BRIG Andy McGalliard, LT Lorenzo Marasco, MAJ Graeme Rees-Jones, LTCOL Ian Upjohn, COL Maurie Ryan and COL Jim Wood.

John Coulson’s coordination and editing, Andy McGalliard’s guidance, Jim Wood’s research and proof reading skills together with Lorenzo Marasco’s invaluable computer technology expertise and technical advice were all important factors as the team created this book and its digital version on our web site. On behalf of MURA I thank John and his team for this outstanding contribution to our centenary celebrations.

This companion digital version of ‘A Platoon of the Century’ can be accessed by members of the regimental family. It will provide the opportunity for registered people to nominate additional members to the platoon and insert material that will reflect the contributions and achievements of more contemporary members of the regimental family as time passes. Perhaps in the future a companion book will be produced that incorporates these later entries?