© By Brian
London OAM., DCM. |
 |
The basis of the
post-war regular army in 1947 was the
infantry brigade then located in Japan. When
the decision was taken to withdraw two of
the battalions in 1948, attention turned to
status and designation of the Australian
Regular Army (ARA) battalions. Brigadier
Hopkins was concerned, that despite the unit
prestige and regimental spirit developed
since October 1945, it would be undesirable
to have ARA units the highest numbered,
without battle honours or colours, and with
precedence after militia units. It was
therefore proposed that the 65th, 66th and
67th Battalions of the 34th Australian
Infantry Brigade be designated; 1st Infantry
Battalion, City of Sydney's Own Regiment;
1st Infantry Battalion, Royal Melbourne
Regiment and the 1st Infantry Battalion, The
Oxley Regiment respectively.
An alternate proposal was submitted by the
Infantry Cell within the Directorate of
Staff Duties ( the predecessor of the
Directorate of Infantry) Suggesting that the
65th, 66th and 67th Battalions become the
1st Battalion, King GeorgeV1's Australian
Rifle Regiment, Queen Elizabeth's Australian
Footguards and Princess Margaret's
Australian Infantry Regiment.
Ultimately it was decided to adopt a
regimental system, along the lines of the
British Army, and existing units were to be
numbered sequentially as part of one
regiment. The three battalions in Japan were
designated 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of
the Australian Regiment (AR) with
application made for a royal title. This was
approved by His Majesty King George V1 and
was announced on 10 March 1949.
The Royal Australian Regiment thus came into
being as Australia's first regular regiment
of infantry. Regimental Colours were
presented in accordance with the new status.
The Regiment did not adopt any existing
battle honours. The Regiment now had the
task of establishing its own traditions and
was very soon to win its own Honours.
Badge of the Royal Australian
Regiment |
 |
The
design of the Regimental Badge
was selected from a drawing
submitted by Sergeant E. J.
O'Sullivan (1RAR) and the motto
"Duty First" was suggested by
Major. K. B. Thomas MC (1RAR).
Although the badge was produced
on Christmas cards in 1949, it
was not until 1954 that the
badge was issued to replace the
rising sun badge. |
Battalions of the
Regiment |
1RAR |
2RAR |
3RAR |
4RAR |
5RAR |
6RAR |
7RAR |
8RAR |
9RAR |
2/4RAR |
5/7RAR |
8/9RAR |
2nd and 4th Battalions
were linked 15 Aug 1973,
and were un-linked on
the 1 Feb 1995.
1 Feb
1997 4RAR renamed:4RAR
(Commando)
19 Jun
2009 renamed: 2nd
Commando Regiment.
5th and 7th Battalions
were linked on 3 Dec
1973 and were un-linked
3 Dec 2006
8th and 9th Battalions
were linked 31 Oct 1973.
8/9RAR was disbanded 13
Jun 1997 |
|
Battle Honours of the
Regiment |
Korea
1950 - 53 |
South Vietnam
1965 - 72 |
Sariwon |
Long Tan
|
Yonju |
Bien Hoa
|
Chongju |
Coral
|
Packchon |
Balmoral |
Uijongbu |
Hat Dich
|
Chuam-ni |
Binh Ba
|
Maewha-san |
|
Kapyong
|
|
Kowang-san
|
|
Maryang-san
|
|
The Samichon
|
|
|
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