At the 22 ER Family day on 6 February 2022, Jim Davis was presented with the Brigadier General C.H. Foott CB, CMG award for outstanding and significant support or service to the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers by LTCOL Scott D’Rozario
It was a low key event as we were just coming out of Covid restrictions and as Jim is our resident photographer, there were not many photos taken of the occasion.
Jim, after his discharge on 1 Jan 2013, joined the RAE (Vic) Historical and Heritage Association and was elected Secretary at their Annual General meeting in 2013.
At the Associations 2014 Annual General Meeting it was agreed for a name change to the Royal Australian Engineers Association (Vic).
The RAE Association Annual General Meeting tomorrow Thursday 30 March 2023 marks Jim’s 10 years of being Secretary of our Associations.
The RAE Association (Vic) congratulates Jim on this award and thanks him for his tireless work, his dedication and support to foster and maintain the mateship of all Sappers.
An excerpt from Sapper Summit, Number 80, November 2012 summarisers Jim’s army career;
“Jim joined the Australian Army Reserve when he was sworn in at the then 7th Field Engineer Regiment (now the 4th Combat Engineer Regiment) in an office that is now used by the 10th Combat Engineer Squadron. By the time 2012 comes to an end that career will have spanned 37 years.
On joining the Army Reserve in 1975, Jim was allocated to the Corps of Engineers and posted to the 7th Field Engineer Regiment (7 FER) and then to 8th and 10th Field Squadrons respectively following completion of his recruit and IET training in 1976.
There were some challenges along the way including when Jim was transferred by the Bank to Goroka in PNG. The type of move that would end an Army career for many of us, Jim’s love of the Army and dedication saw him posted to the 39th Electrical and Mechanical Squadron, a move which enabled Jim to travel from PNG in order to attend annual field exercises. Upon returning to Australia, Jim resumed his normal Reserve service and was posted back to 7 FER. Tried and true, Jim and his family returned to PNG again (Rabaul) and once again Jim managed to continue to serve as part of 7 FER.
Throughout his career in the Royal Australian Engineers, Jim has served with distinction at 7 FER, 7 ESR, 4 CER and 22 Const Regt. He has also managed to serve periods with the 4th / 19th Prince of Wales Light Horse (in Kyneton) and the-then 2nd Royal Victorian Regiment (in Maryborough).
Of course Jim attained the highest rank possible for an enlisted soldier. On the 1st of January 2001, Jim was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and was appointed SSM of 105th Construction Squadron, 22 Const Regt. In another significant appointment, in 2006 Jim assumed the role of RSM at 22 CR.
Extra regimental appointments were something that Jim willingly volunteered for. Jim continues to show his commitment to the Corps and the Regiment by holding the position of Treasurer of the Combined Officer and Sergeants’ mess at 4 CER and the Southern Region Corps Committee.
In January 2009, Jim’s journey came full circle when he was posted back to 4 CER, where it all began way back in 1975. This time he took up the appointment of OPSWO, once again showing his commitment by accepting the offer of a CFTS contract.
Jim has always devoted countless hours to the units in which he has served and has consistently demonstrated unwavering professionalism, selfless devotion to duty and exceptional leadership. He is one of the most widely recognised Army Reserve members going around and he is respected by all.”
(… Glen Pilbeam� Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer� 4th Combat Engineer Regiment)
Jim’s decorations are; RFD with 4 clasps, ADM, Aust Day Medallion
UBIQUE
RAEAV Collection PV 519
Mel Constable
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Royal Australian Engineers Association of Victoria Inc. 