RAAF No.95 Wing to request Freedom of Entry to Redland City

A centuries-old military-civilian tradition will be acted out when the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) asks for the right to enter Redland City on Saturday 13 April.

The No.95 Wing of the RAAF will hold a ceremonial military parade through the streets of Cleveland on the day as part of a Freedom of Entry tradition.

It will mark the 10th anniversary of when the RAAF was last granted entry on 12 April, 2014.

Freedom of Entry to the City dates back to the Middle Ages when cities were fortified by walls to protect residents from invaders – right of entry to outside armed forces was a privilege rarely granted but came as a sign of respect for the protection and friendship offered.

While it bestows no legal right or privilege these days, the ceremony has deep historical significance and is accepted as the most honourable distinction a city can bestow on a contingent of the Australian Defence Forces.

During this year’s parade, about 150 representatives of the No.95 Wing will be challenged by the Queensland Police Service and will be required to present their scroll declaring their right to Freedom of Entry.

An officer of the No.95 Wing of the RAAF presents the official scroll declaring their right to Freedom of Entry to Redland City to a representative of the Queensland Police Service during the ceremony in Cleveland in April 2014.

The parade is proudly presented by Redland City Council and will pass along Shore Street West, from Raby Bay Harbour Park to the ANZAC Centenary Park.

It will feature military members dressed in ceremonial attire, battle honours will be flown and the Royal Australian Navy Band Queensland from HMAS Morton will accompany the parade.

The RAAF we have the following military vehicles on display on the day: Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle Light (PMV-L); Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV-M); and a G-Wagon.

An Australian Defence Force G-Wagon SRV similar to one that will be part of a military vehicle display for the Freedom of Entry to Redland City event in Cleveland on 13 April.

The granting of Freedom of Entry recognises Redlands Coast’s proud connection with the RAAF and other Defence Forces, particularly in light of their activities in the city before and during World War II.

From 1939, the 42nd and 43rd Water Transport Divisions of the Operating Company of the Royal Australian Engineers were stationed on Coochiemudlo Island to train for missions in Papua New Guinea.

During World War II, the Redland Bay Hotel was commandeered by US Forces to serve as officers’ quarters; while in 1943, about 400 US soldiers were stationed at Capalaba on land behind the local hotel where officers were billeted.

Armed service personnel, including Australian and US Army radar units, were also stationed on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) with gun emplacements built at Point Lookout.

Also during the War, the US Army Signal Corps had a radio transmitter site at Redland Bay and a receiving site at Cotton’s Farm, Capalaba (now Birkdale).

RAAF’s No.40 Squadron operated Sunderland flying boats from Redland Bay during the War, while the Australian Women’s Land Army set up camps in Redland Bay, Birkdale and Victoria Point from 1942 to “help fight on the food front”.

A RAAF Sunderland flying boat that operated out of Redland Bay during World War II.

The US Navy gunnery school at Wellington Point was active until 1944 with a series of gun pits built along the north-east shoreline during this time; while from early 1944, the Ship and Gun Crew Command No.1 used Cleveland Point Reserve as a firing range for six months and installed a concrete gun platform for a 20mm gun.

EVENT: Freedom of Entry to Redland City

WHEN: 8.30am to 10am, Saturday 13 April, 2024

WHERE: Parade starts at Raby Bay Harbour Park and proceeds to the ANZAC Centenary Park, Cleveland