MUSEUM OF ARROGANT HUBRIS

Welcome to the Museum of Arrogant Hubris.

Most of the images and designs in this collection were worn proudly as morale-boosting emblems on shoulder patches or PT shirts in informal settings.

They were mainly only sanctioned and/or tolerated as informal, good-natured, internal representations of unit or even sub-unit camaraderie – otherwise known as esprit de corps.

But, these are all now banned in the Australian Defence Force – especially Army – yet still remain as fond memories – and treasured ‘illegal contraband’ – for many serving and ex-serving Australian military.

More submission wanted.
Please send to editor@militarycontact.com

 

 

EXHIBIT 1:

T-shirt designs by veteran artist Codey Anderson.
See heaps more work from this amazing artist on his Instagram page, here.

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EXHIBIT 2:

Dear Sir,
Would this sign be classed as Arrogant Hubris? It was put up outside of my tent in Vietnam in 1970, painted by one of my section.

Cheers, Tom Elliott,
Section Commander,
4 section, 5 Platoon, Bravo Coy, 8RAR.

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A most worthy entry – thank you Tom. And thank you for your honourable service – Ed.

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EXHIBIT 3:

This from most likely 1st Armoured Regiment,  A Squadron, 3 Troop, from some time ago.

Not 100% sure as I was Cav.

Keep them coming.
Best regards,
Spent Cartridge

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EXHIBIT 4:

This Horney little devil comes from 108 Field Battery (“Hot Stuff”) from the 1970’s.

I hope it doesn’t inflame anyone’s passions and cause them to go mental (or is that insensitive too?).

Regards
Les

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EXHIBIT 5:

This photo was taken in the ’90s with WA’s ‘A’ Squadron, 10th Light Horse Regiment, where I served before going to ARA.

Traditions start somewhere. Look at The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeth’s Own) – “The Death or Glory Boys”. Look at their hat badge, CDF. The Queen understands and endorses it – tradition.

Cheers,
Spent Cartridge

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EXHIBIT 6:

This image is from a Mortar Platoon PT t-shirt, which was specifically singled out by now CDF General Angus Campbell when, as Chief of Army, he banned ‘death’ symbology/iconography.

 

See related poem by Spent Cartridge, written in homage to the ‘Dealers in Death’.

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EXHIBIT 7:

Corporals K.E. Wills and  C.T. Crawley ‘cross bottles’ in front of the skull-and-crossbones flag of the 2/6 Cavalry Commando Regiment, a tradition on every beer-issue day – on this occasion, at Karawop, New Guinea, 18 September 1945.

In the background were Sergeant J.H. Simpson, WO2 M.J. Hoder and Corporal O.A. Pomoroy.

AWM photo found on Wikipedia by Spent Cartridge.

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EXHIBIT 8:

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Above is a picture I drew in 1971, erected at the front entrance of the 4RAR/NZ(Anzac) Battalion Mortar Platoon compound at Nui Dat.
In later years the image was used on a platoon t-shirt, which us who are still getting together at various reunions wear to this day.
The image shows an Australian mortar-platoon soldier, depicted as a kangaroo, carrying a NZ mortar-platoon soldier depicted as a kiwi with a can of XXXX, in her pouch – plus the mortar barrel, tripod, baseplate and sights.
Because we were an Anzac mortar crew, I had to do a painting that would not upset either the Aussies or the Kiwis – hence, I designed it with a three-fold effect…
1.  it shows the Australian soldier carrying the Kiwi through the Vietnam War;
2. it shows the New Zealand soldier as smart, because he is getting a free ride, making the Aussie carry the load; and,
3. the can of beer is the peacemaker to be shared between the two nations, in this together. We help each other, we care and respect each other, because we are the 4RAR/New Zealand(Anzac) Battalion Mortar Platoon.
I hope this is suitable for display in the Museum of Arrogant Hubris.

Cheers
Garry Heskett – with my wife Suzanne…

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EXHIBIT 9:

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Submitted by Bob Wood
3RAR 1971 Vietnam

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EXHIBIT 10:

T-Wall murals representing D Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR) and 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2 Cav Regt) Sabre Squadron, ‘Charlie V Snoop Troop’, Camp Terendak, Ali Air Base, southern Iraq.

One of a series of photographs taken by Mike Cecil, Head of Military Heraldry and Technology, as part of The Australian War Memorial’s Curators in the Field program.

Mike travelled to Iraq in May 2008 to record the early stages of withdrawal of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) (OBG-W).

AWM photo found by Spent Cartridge.

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EXHIBIT 11:

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B and C Squadrons, 2nd Cavalry Regiment [note – the C Squadron motto on the blue badge should read C’est La Guerre – this is war]

Submitted on behalf of Trooper DJ Cummings

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EXHIBIT 12:

G’day,

Please accept this contribution in the spirit of arrogant hubris.

On my rotation doing Air Security Operations in MEAO in 2005, we had these made as unofficial morale patches.

The team was made up from Regular and Reservist Airfield Defence Guards assigned to TG 633 in support of C130 operations.

Regards,
Brash

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EXHIBIT 13:

Never mind your auld ‘skull symbology’ – “The Fornicating Fifth” had a real skull to go with their placard.

Image taken November 1969, Nui Dat, South Vietnam – 5 Platoon lines, B Company, 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Submitted by Private Bob Whitford (pictured right).

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EXHIBIT 14:

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.G’day mate,

 

 

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EXHIBIT 15:

 

 

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EXHIBIT 16:

  G’Day Brian,
I found this banner online at the AWM.
It’s great to see the RAAF also embraced death iconography and symbology with Skull and Crossbones.
I hope these images are worthy for the collection.
Cheers,
Moorey

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EXHIBIT 17:

.I’m an ex Section Commmander, Delta Company, 4RAR/NZ (ANZAC BN) S.V.N 1971-1972 

 

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EXHIBIT 18:

Hi Brian
Don’t know if this fits into the category of “Arrogant Hubris” but thought you may be able to use it anyway.
Brian Sheils
Ex CPO Coxswain Submarines
1972 – 1993
Cheers,
Noddy