Australian 19th Battalion

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Australian 19th Battalion
Active	1915-1918
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Line Infantry
Part of	Australian 5st Brigade
Colors	Brown over Green
Battles/wars	World War I

The 19th Battalion was raised in March 1915 in Liverpool, New South Wales as part of the new 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. The majority of the 19th original recruits had already served with the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. The battalion left Australia in May and trained in Egypt from June until August. The 19th landed at Anzac Cove on 21 August 1916.

The Battalion took part in the attack on Battle of Hill 60. For the majority of time the battalion was stationed at Gallipoli it was deployed to the defence of Popes Hill. The Battalion remained at gallipoli until the evacuation on 19 December 1915.

The battalion returned to Egypt for further training, the 19th Battalion then proceeded to France. It arrived there on 22 March 1916 and proceeded to a position near Pozieres. The battalion took part in the first major battle at Pozières. The Battalion served in the line twice during the battle. After a rest in a quieter sector in Belgium, the entire 2nd Division returned to the south again in October.

In 1917 the 19th was involved in the attack on German forces after their retreat to the Hindenburg Line. The battalion also took part in three other major battles in 1917, Second Bullecourt, Menin Road and Poelcappelle in Belgium.

In 1918 the 19th helped to repel the German Spring Offensive. For his actions during the fighting around Hangard Wood on 7 April, Lieutenant Percy Storkey was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 10 October 1918 the 19th Battalion was disbanded to reinforce other battalions in the brigade.