25th/49th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment
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| 25th/49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Cap badge of the Royal Queensland Regiment |
|
| Active | 1930-1934 1997- |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Reserve Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Part of | Royal Australian Infantry Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Enoggera |
| Motto | Pro Aris Et Focis (For Altars and Hearths) |
| March | Southern Cross |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel in Chief | HM The Queen (Australian Infantry Corps) |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Colour Patch |  |
This article deals with the First AIF/CMF/Militia/Army Reserve units known as the 25th/49th Battalion. For information on the Second AIF unit during World War II, see 2/25th Australian Infantry Battalion.
The 25th/49th Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment (25/49 RQR) is a reserve light infantry battalion in the Australian Army, based in the state of Queensland. It is part of the Royal Queensland Regiment and together with the 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) and the 9th Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment (9 RQR) makes up the 7th Brigade, one of four high readiness brigades. It consists of the following companies:
- Alpha Company - Based in Toowoomba
- Bravo Company - Based in Gatton, Stanthorpe and Warwick
- Charlie Company - Based in Brisbane
- Support Company - Based in Brisbane and Toowoomba
- Administration Company - Based in Brisbane
The Battalion contains a mix of reserve and regular army soldiers.
Contents |
[edit] History
The 25th/49th Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment was formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the 25th Battalion and the 49th Battalion. Both battalions have extensive histories from as far back as World War I.
[edit] World War I
The 25th Battalion was formed in early 1915 following the outbreak of the World War I as part of the 7th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division and saw action at Gallipoli, France, the Western Front and the Hindenburg Line. Following World War I the unit was disbanded but later reformed as a Citizens Military Force or CMF (reserve) unit.
The 49th Battalion was formed in 1916 at part of the 13th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Australian Division and subsequently distinguished itself in France. At the conclusion of the war the 49th Battalion was designated a CMF unit.
[edit] World War II
In 1930 the 25th Battalion was briefly amalgamated with the 49th Battalion to become the 25th/49th but was then delinked in 1934. Prior to World War II the 49th Battalion was amalgamated with the 9th Battalion to form the 9th/49th Battalion and tasked with defending South East Queensland. With the outbreak of World War II the battalion was again deamalgamated.
During World War II the 25th Battalion was deployed to New Guinea (then an Australian territory) where they took part in the Battle of Milne Bay and inflicted the first outright defeat on the Japanese Land Forces. The 25th Battalion also performed exceptionally well in the attack on Pearl Ridge and the defence of Slater's Knoll. At the conclusion of the war the 25th Battalion was disbanded.
The 49th Battalion was also deployed to New Guinea and was initially tasked to defend Port Moresby. During the Battle of Sanananda the battalion suffered heavy casualties and was subsequently disbanded with its surviving soldiers dispersed among other units.
[edit] Post World War II
Following World War II the 49th Battalion was reformed as a CMF unit and in 1948 the 25th Battalion was also reformed as a CMF unit.
In 1960 the CMF was reorganised into State based Regiments and the 25th Battalion was absorbed into the 1st Battalion of the newly formed Royal Queensland Regiment. In 1965 the 25th Battalion was reformed as a part of The Royal Queensland Regiment.
In 1991 the 49th Battalion became a Ready Reserve Battalion and following the ceccation of the Ready Reserve scheme in 1997 it was once again amalgamated with the 25th Battalion to become the 25th/49th Battalion.
[edit] Recent History
Since 1997 members of the Battalion have deployed to Malaysia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, The Solomon Islands, Egypt, Bougainville, and Iraq. Members are currently preparing for further deployments to The Solomon Islands and Malaysia.
[edit] Battle Honours
[edit] World War I
[edit] 25th Battalion
Gallipoli Somme Pozieres Bullecourt Ypres Menin Road Polygon Wood Poocapello Passchendaele Amiens Egypt Albert Mont St Quentin Hindenburg Line Prodseinde Beaurevoir France and Flanders
[edit] 49th Battalion
Somme Poziers Bullecourt Messines Ypres Polygon Wood Passchendaele Ancre Hamel Amiens Albert Hindenburg Line Epehy France and Flanders Egypt Villers Bretonneux
[edit] World War II
[edit] 25th Battalion
Milne Bay Pearl Ridge Mawaraka Mosigella Darara Slaters Knoll Milford Highway South West Pacific Puriata River Liberation of Australian New Guinea
[edit] 49th Battalion
South West pacific 1942 - 1945 Buna Gona Sanananda Road
[edit] Books
Black over blue : the 25th Battalion, AIF at war, 1915-1918
Doneley, Robert James Tyson
USQ Press, 1997.
