2nd Battalion (Australia)

2nd Battalion (Australia) was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised in 1914 for service in World War I, it formed part of the First Australian Imperial Force and fought at major battles including Gallipoli and on the Western Front. The battalion was re-raised for World War II, serving in the Malayan Campaign before its capture following the Battle of Singapore. It was subsequently re-formed twice more in the post-war period before being amalgamated into the Royal New South Wales Regiment.

History

The battalion was originally formed in August 1914 at Randwick, drawing its personnel primarily from the state of New South Wales. As part of the 1st Brigade of the 1st Division, it was among the first AIF units to land at ANZAC Cove during the Gallipoli Campaign in April 1915. Following the evacuation from Gallipoli, the battalion was transferred to the Western Front in France and Belgium, where it participated in numerous significant actions, including the Battle of Pozières, the Battle of Bullecourt, and the Battle of Amiens. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the battalion was disbanded in 1919. It was re-formed as a part-time unit within the Citizens Military Force in 1921. During World War II, the battalion was mobilised for full-time service and deployed to British Malaya as part of 8th Division. It fought in the Malayan Campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army and was ultimately forced to surrender after the fall of Singapore in February 1942, with most of its personnel becoming prisoners of war. The battalion was re-raised in the post-war period, first from 1948 to 1960 and again from 1965 to 1973, before being amalgamated into the Royal New South Wales Regiment.

Battle honours

The battalion was awarded the following battle honours for its service: ANZAC, Lone Pine, Pozières, Bullecourt, Ypres 1917, Menin Road, Passchendaele, Amiens, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg Line, and Malaya 1941–42. These honours recognise its involvement in key campaigns during both World War I and the Pacific War.

Commanding officers

Commanding officers of the battalion included Lieutenant Colonel George Braund during its initial training and early Gallipoli period. During the Gallipoli campaign and the early Western Front battles, command was held by Lieutenant Colonel Bennett S. C. Bruche. Later in World War I, Lieutenant Colonel James Heane commanded the battalion through several major engagements on the Western Front. During the Malayan Campaign in World War II, the battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick G. Galleghan.

Decorations

Personnel of the battalion received numerous awards for gallantry and distinguished service. These included the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the Military Cross (MC), and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). Members also received foreign decorations such as the French Croix de Guerre. The battalion itself was not awarded any unit citations, but the individual honours reflect the bravery of its soldiers in combat from the trenches of France to the jungles of Malaya.

Notes

The battalion's colours and memorials are held by the Royal New South Wales Regiment. Its history is commemorated at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Category:Infantry battalions of the Australian Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1914