2nd Cavalry Regiment (Recon) Regimental Mascots

 

 

Courage 1

As a result of the selection of the eagle for a badge, and after viewing a documentary film dealing with wedge tailed eagles, members of the unit decided an eagle as a mascot was a sensible idea. The members of the unit petitioned the 2IC (Captain A.J. Hull) to make a representation to the Wild Life Division of the CSIRO to obtain an eagle as a mascot. A series of letters were exchanged until 26 October 1967 when a suitable eaglet was located.

On 14 November 1967 the new mascot, Trooper Courage, then six weeks old, was presented to the unit. The first ceremonial activity that Courage took part in was a Beating of the Retreat at Victoria Barracks Sydney in 1969. Courage paraded with the Regiment on nearly every ceremonial occasion since that time including the presentation of the guidon on 5 August 1972, when she won much praise by the then Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler. The highlight of her career was in February 1974 when she took part in the house guard for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Courage was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant, and became a very tolerant mascot, even attending dinners in the Sergeants Mess.

On 2 April 1987 Sergeant Courage died. Her death was commemorated with a memorial service and a special edition of Routine Orders was published.


Her record of service is as follows:

Regimental Number F98765
Date of Birth 6 August 1967
Date of Enlistment 14 November 1967
Promoted Corporal 10 December 1971
Promoted Sergeant 16 March 1984
Deceased 2 April 1987


Courage II

A new mascot, a male wedge tailed eagle, hatched at Taronga Park Zoo on 14 August 1987, and was presented to the Regiment on 15 October 1987. On 25 January 1988 Trooper Courage was a part of the Royal Guard for the arrival in Australia of HRH the Prince of Wales, who was representing the Queen during Australia’s Bi-Centennial celebrations.

Courage is trained to fly to his handler, a skill which has made him a feature of several parades. Courage flew onto parade at the presentation of the Guidon, and the opening of Waler Barracks.

On Friday 17 November 1997 Corporal Courage was participating in flight training with his handlers on the Regimental parade ground. Late in the afternoon he refused to co-operate with his handlers and flew away. He was not found until 1600 hrs on Sunday 8 November, four kilometres from the guard room. An extensive search had taken place over two days, involving the guard and other soldiers of the Regiment. Charged with AWOL, he was reduced to Trooper. Due to good behaviour and commendable service he was promoted to the rank of Corporal again on 2 July 1998.

His service details to date are as follows:
Regimental Number MB289
Date of Birth 14 August 1987
Date of Enlistment 15 October 1987
Promoted Lance Corporal 25 November 1994
Promoted Corporal 28 November 1996
Reduced Trooper 13 November 1997
Promoted Corporal 2 July 1998

(www.army.gov.au)


Lance Corporal Paul Portelli, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's mascot handler, holds mascot Sergeant Courage, a source of intense interest to children of soldiers who are deploying to Iraq.
(www.army.gov.au)


Courage II standing at attention during a speech from Prime Minister John Howard.
(www.army.gov.au)

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