5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment
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| 5th/6th Battalion The Royal Victoria Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1854 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Army Reserve |
| Type | Reserve Infantry |
| Role | Light Infantry |
| Part of | 4th Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Melbourne |
| Motto | 5th Battalion - Nemo me impune lacessit (No one shall provoke me with impunity) 6th Battalion - Semper Paratus (Always ready) |
| March | Our Director |
The 5th/6th Battalion is one of two battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment, an Australian Army Reserve unit, and sister unit to 8th/7th Battalion. The battalion, abbreviated as 5/6 RVR, is organised as a standard infantry battalion, with its respective sub-units situated throughout metropolitan Melbourne. Each company is located at:
- Battalion Headquarters (BHQ) - 202 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
- Support Company (Spt Coy) - 127 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds
- Alpha Company (A Coy) - 101 Duke Street, Sunshine
- Bravo Company (B Coy) - 2 Robinson Road, Surrey Hills
- Charlie Company (C Coy) - 67 Royal Avenue, Sandringham
During the Army Reserve training year (typically from mid February to mid December), members of 5/6 RVR attend their respective depots every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 10:30. Battalion Headquarters is also open 8:00am to 4:00pm, weekdays. The battalion conducts a training weekend once a month, at a variety of locations, such as Simpson Barracks, Puckapunyal and RAAF Williams.
[edit] Pipes and Drums
Formed in 1899 as part of The Victorian Scottish Regiment, the 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums is now the band for all battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment. It is supported by the RVR Pipes and Drums Association, an incorporated body that offers tax deductible status for donations over $2.
[edit] Unit History
5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment is derived from a number of famous Australian battalions which had drawn members from the Melbourne metropolitan area. The history of this Battalion and the events leading up to their linking and the formation of the subsequent 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment is as detailed below.
[edit] The Regiment
In the late 1950s, it was determined to consolidate all Army Reserve infantry regiments into one regiment per state. With this move, several proud regimental histories were ended and a new chapter in the history of Victorian volunteer military forces had begun. The Royal Victoria Regiment was formed on the 1st July, 1960, as a non-tactical grouping of all Army Reserve infantry battalions in the state of Victoria. It inherits and embodies the traditions of the infantry in the state of Victoria from the earliest units formed since 1854. To fully understand the heritage of the regiment it is necessary to go back to the very founding of the Colony. This summary will concentrate on the history of the Melbourne battalions since the conclusion of World War Two.
Melbourne metropolitan units and Victorian regional units comprise 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment. The regional unit’s proud traditions and histories are entrusted to 8th/7th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment sister unit of 5th/6th Battalion.
It should be understood that many of the 1st Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and the 2nd AIF units were raised directly from the skeleton of militia units on the declaration of war. For this reason, The Royal Victoria Regiment can claim more battle honours than any other Regiment or Unit in the Australian Defence Forces. A list of the approved battle honours is contained in this information pack and the colour patches of these units is also attached. This summary follows three Victorian battalions (5th, 6th and 58th/32nd) that have been merged, split and re-named several times from 1948 through to 2003. A fourth battalion was briefly formed in the early 1970s and some of its activities will be briefly mentioned. This constant flux and turmoil has disrupted the clarity of our heritage. The various regimental families however, sustain our past and a benefit of this consolidation is the breadth of our affiliations.
[edit] 1948-1960 – Post World War II Expansion
With World War Two over the 2nd AIF was de-mobilised more rapidly than the similar forces of any other participating nation. It was not long however, before the fear of communism prompted the expansion of Australian Forces. In 1960, the National Service scheme ceased, resulting in an immediate reduction in strength. A substantial structural change was also about to occur, for on the 30th June, 1960, all battalions and their members were absorbed into the new-style pentropic 1st Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR).
The conflict in Korea, coupled with a perceived threat of communism to the security of the country and surrounding regions, led to the adoption of National Service. This scheme required participants to complete three months of full time service, followed by three more years as members of Citizens Military Force (CMF) units.
[edit] 5th Battalion – The Victorian Scottish Regiment
The 5th Battalion, The Victorian Scottish Regiment (VSR) had existed prior to World War Two and was re-established on 1st April 1948, as part of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF). Just as many of the members of the pre-war VSR had helped to raise the AIF, many ex-members of the 2nd AIF returned to the colours to again raise the 5th Battalion. Battalion Headquarters was established at Hawthorn and the Companies were located at Kew, Surrey Hills, Armadale and Dandenong.
The first Commanding Officer of the new Battalion was Lieutenant Colonel G.R Warfe, DSO, MC, ED. The Battalion quickly undertook a variety of training and duties, providing a guard of honour on the occasion of the presentation of the Field Marshall’s Baton to Sir Thomas Blamey Australia’s first and as at the time of writing only active Field Marshall (HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is also listed as a Field Marshall in the Australian Army).
The battalion colours were also recovered with great pomp and ceremony, from the Scots’ Church in Melbourne. In addition, Scottish Dress was quickly approved and the VSR was soon dressed distinctively. In 1898, the VSR had originally worn a modified Gordon tartan, with the gold lines replaced by red. In 1899 this was replaced by the Gordon tartan. The battalion motto was the same as that prior to World War One: “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”. These same words are engraved at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle. Loosely translated this means “no one hurts me and gets away it with it”. The battalion march was “Cock of the North”, and the unit colour was gold.
National Service led to 5th Battalion VSR growing to be over full-strength, allowing the unit to conduct ambitious peacetime training successfully. The battalion was represented in the Coronation Contingent sent to London in 1953. In 1954 the battalion provided the Government House Ceremonial Guards during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. In the same year the battalion also provided troops to line the streets, with their colours, for the opening of Parliament in Canberra. The battalion was presented with new Queen’s and Regimental Colours on the 12 May 1957. 5 Battalion’s Colours are laid up in The Scots’ Church, Melbourne.
[edit] 6th Battalion – The Royal Melbourne Regiment
In May, 1948, the 6th Battalion was re-formed. 6th Battalion The Royal Melbourne Regiment (RMR) had existed prior to the Second World War and again ex-soldiers of the 2nd AIF returned to the colours, members now of the CMF. The Battalion recovered its colours, adopting the motto of “Semper Paratus” or “Always Ready”. The Battalion March was “Waltzing Matilda” and the unit colour was Khaki.
The Battalion was established in the same Victoria Street Training Depot that they had occupied prior to the war. At the time of writing, this depot still stands opposite the Queen Victoria Market on the corner of Therry & Franklin Streets in Melbourne. Companies were also established at Preston and Carlton.
The 6th Battalion gained an influx of members due to the effects of National Service, and participated in many of the major ceremonial events that the 5th Battalion VSR was involved in. The size of the unit allowed large scale and advanced training, although when the scheme ceased, the unit suffered a reduction in size. The battalion also gained a significant honour, being granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Melbourne, on 10th March 1960. 6 Battalion’s Colours are laid up in St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne.
[edit] 58th/32nd Battalion – The City of Essendon Regiment
A third CMF Battalion was raised in the Melbourne area in 1948, being based predominantly in the Western and North-Western suburbs. Initially encompassing Footscray, and known as The West Melbourne Regiment, then sometime later as The Melbourne Rifles the battalion eventually expanded to be 58th Battalion, The City of Essendon Regiment.
The battalion established its Headquarters at Pascoe Vale Road Moonee Ponds and had companies at Footscray and Brunswick. It gained many new members through National Service, but lost many when the scheme ceased. This battalion was also absorbed into 1 RVR, when the pentropic organisation was adopted in 1960. Unlike the 5th and the 6th battalions the 58th Battalion has not since reappeared in the Australian Army’s Order of Battle, yet strong links are still maintained by the 58th/32nd Battalion Association. The current Moonee Ponds Depot is still the location for their annual ANZAC day service. The 58th Battalion Colours were laid up on the 10 May 1970 located at the Essendon Town Hall. The 32nd Battalion Colours were laid up in August, 1970, and are at St John’s Anglican Church in Footscray.
[edit] 1960-1965 – the Pentropic Experiment
A re-assessment of optimal fighting strengths and structure resulted in the Australian Army adopting a Pentropic arrangement for its battalions in 1960. All of the Victorian CMF Infantry units were affected by this and two units were created to replace the five older ones. 1 RVR comprised most metropolitan sub-units whilst 2 RVR was built from a mixture of city and metropolitan units.
The pentropic arrangement comprised five rifle companies, a support company, an administration company and a command element. For 1 RVR the break up of the Sub-units was as follows:
a. A Company (The Merri Coy);
b. B Company (The Scottish Coy);
c. C Company (The Melbourne Coy) from the 6th Battalion;
d. D Company (The Essendon Coy);
e. E Company (The Footscray Coy) from the 58th/32nd Battalion; and
f. Support Company was established from the 5th Battalion.
The term Royal Victoria Regiment had been adopted at the outset of the formation of the new unit, to reflect the connection of the unit with the State from which it was raised. This was an effort to uphold the traditions and maintain the ties to the local communities. At the same time, a new badge was adopted, which is still retained by current units. The Regiment celebrated its birthday on 1st July 1960 as a result of this union.
[edit] 1965-1982 – Expansion Era
The pentropic arrangement was found to be generally unsuitable for use within the Australian Army and by 1965, alternatives had been studied and selected. On the 3 May 1965 both 1 RVR and 2 RVR were again split to form the following five units:
a. 1st Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area),
b. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Country Areas),
c. 5th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area),
d. 6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area), and
e. 1st Independent Rifle Company (Mildura).
When National service ended CMF units were again eroded, as they became completely voluntary units. In 1973, the Government commissioned a review into the training and organisation of the CMF. One result from this was that the CMF became known as the Australian Army Reserve or as it is more widely known: The Army Reserve. National Service was again introduced, offering five years voluntary service in the CMF or two years full-time service, subject to being balloted by birth date, enabling all of the metropolitan units to remain at good manning levels.
[edit] 1 RVR
The creation of 1 RVR essentially replaced 58th Battalion as the third metropolitan battalion. As with its predecessor, it was concentrated in the western and north-western parts of Melbourne and maintained a beneficial rivalry with the other Melbourne battalions.
In 1975, 1 RVR absorbed both the 5 & 6 RVR due to all units being well below strength. This caused disruption to many members and was due at least in part to the fallout from the Australian involvement in Vietnam and the generally disinterested public view of the military following that unpopular conflict. With changes to its conditions of service, the number of people in the Army Reserve began to drop significantly. On the 14 November 1987, 1 RVR was absorbed into 5/6 RVR. The colours of 1 RVR were laid up on 25 April, 1988 and remain at the Essendon Town Hall.
[edit] 5 RVR
5th Battalion was again manned effectively and in its distinctive dress. However, in 1966, a directive was issued that only one company in a Battalion was allowed to wear the traditional Scottish dress, a move that was not popular. The battalion received its new colours on 19th October 1969 at Royal Melbourne Showgrounds by His Excellency the Governor General of Victoria, Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe, KCMG, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ.
The Vietnam War saw the general community lose enthusiasm for the military, and the strength of all of the Battalions fell accordingly. The end of the involvement in Vietnam, and the end of National Service, severely affected the 5th Battalion. By 1975 the situation precipitated the amalgamation of all of the Victorian Battalions. 5 RVR’s Colours were laid up once more although it would not be long before they would represent another unit.
[edit] 6 RVR
The 6th Battalion once again took over its old stamping grounds with the end of the pentropic arrangements. As with 2 RVR and 5 RVR, 6 RVR was presented with new colours on 19 October 1969 at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Suffering the same fate due to community disinterest of Defence issues and the abolition of National Service, 6 RVR was amalgamated with the 5 RVR into 1 RVR in 1975. 6 RVR’s Colours were laid up, waiting for an opportunity to be shown to new soldiers.
[edit] 3 RVR
Brief mention is made of this Battalion, because Routine Orders were raised for this Unit. During 1973, in an era of declined interest in the Army Reserve, the four Victoria State infantry battalions and the independent rifle company were formed into one battalion for a major exercise and named 3 RVR. LTCOL Barry Ingram AM RFD ED was Commanding Officer. An unprecedented amount of resources were deployed to support 3RVR during its brief existence. This even included support from the RAAF.
[edit] The 1980's
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the government of the day reacted by immediately increasing defence spending. The Army Reserve expanded and improved as a result.
[edit] 5/6 RVR
On the 17 August 1982, a new Melbourne battalion was created: 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment. 5/6 RVR adopted the traditions of both the The Victorian Scottish Regiment and the Royal Melbourne Regiment and recovered both sets of Colours to reflect this. The Battalion also maintained its previous allegiances with The Gordon Highlanders and their extended affiliates, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 6th Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
The amalgamation also involved combining some aspects of both units. The unit lanyard went from being just one colour to being a twisted braid of gold and khaki. The unit adopted “Our Director” as the battalion march, rather than choose one of the original marches. A Pipes and Drums was raised, and this is now the Regimental Band. The battle honours remained the same and the following honours are emblazoned on the colours:
| Regimental Colour | Queens Colour |
|---|---|
| South Africa (1899-1902) | Bardia 1941 |
| Pozieres | Capture of Tobruk |
| Ypres 1917 | El Alamein |
| Amiens | Greece 1941 |
| Mont St Quentin | South West Pacific 1942-45 |
| Somme 1916,1918 | Bobdubi II |
| Bullecourt | Lae-Nadzab |
| Polygon Wood | Finisterres |
| Albert 1918 | Hari River |
| Hindenberg Line | Borneo |
| Landing at ANZAC |
On 14 November 1987 1 RVR was absorbed into 5/6 RVR thus ending any connection with the pentropic organisation of the 1960’s era. The Dibb Report of the mid 1980s saw the 5th/6th Battalion and the 4th Brigade given the task of Vital Asset Protection of the Tindal Air Force Base in the Northern Territory as its primary role. 5/6 RVR participated in two large multinational Kangaroo exercises in 1989 in support of this objective and also sent smaller elements to the region on other exercises.
[edit] Colour Patches Re-introduced
In 1988, a decision was made to reintroduce Colour Patches for the first time since the end of the Second World War. The original 5th Battalion patch (as worn the day the 5th Battalion, 1st AIF, raised in Melbourne later to land at ANZAC Cove on the 25 April 1915) was adopted for the 5/6 RVR. This patch of a black rectangle on top of a red rectangle, is worn on the puggaree of the slouch hat.
[edit] The 1990's
A change of Federal Government in 1995 led to a review of the Army Reserve which impacted directly on the 4th Brigade in general and 5/6 RVR in particular. The Brigade was to be “revitalized” and recruitment was stepped up to try (unsuccessfully) to increase the size of the Battalion. At the same time more Regular Army Staff (including temporarily, a full-time Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mick Godfrey) were posted to try to increase the readiness and training tempo of the unit. Preferential treatment of the Ready Reserve component and poor leadership led to poor morale and a lack of cohesion within the Battalion. During this period the front area of the HQ Depot was landscaped with tanbark and native shrubs.
Training was well resourced and tested by independent observers in a readiness test at the Cultana training area in 1999, in which 5/6 RVR performed extremely well.
The Battalion also supplied a company group to rotate through the Butterworth Airbase, Malaysia, in Nov 1999—Jan 2000 becoming one of the first Army Reserve units to do so. The company group was drawn primarily from 5/6 RVR with additional attachments coming from other units of 4th Brigade of the 2nd Division.
[edit] INTERFET / East Timor
In 1999/2000 the escalating crisis in East Timor saw Australian troops leading a multinational ‘intervention’ force (INTERFET). Many Reservists initially served to ‘backfill” Australian Regular Army (ARA) positions when they were deployed to Timor. As Australia’s commitment to maintain a battalion was ongoing, a Rifle Company was raised from Reservists throughout Australia to serve with 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). This first tour of duty was from November 2002 until May 2003. Soldiers from both RVR battalions along with their NSW counterparts provided the majority of Reservists on Full Time Service.
Timor was the first time since the mobilization of the Militia (AMF) in the Papua New Guinea campaign of World War II that ‘Citizen Soldiers’ saw active service. At the conclusion of this deployment, many were to elect to remain in the Australian Regular Army whilst most returned home to Reserve Service.
[edit] SOCOG / Sydney Olympic Games
In the year 2000 up to 200 5/6 RVR soldiers served with the ADF contingent in support of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) under “Operation Gold”. Known as the Operational Search Company their duties included conducting area searches, building searches and manning vehicle checkpoints.
[edit] 2001 - 2003
Whilst full time leadership and increased readiness had their benefits, increased time requirements for individual training for recruit and promotion courses contributed to a decline in Unit strength over the 2001/2002 period. The role of the Army Reserve was changing and so was 5/6 RVR in response to those changes. A dedicated staff of Reservists and ARA members continued to work to provide the expertise and staffing required to train and develop young and upcoming 5/6 RVR soldiers.
In early 2003, the Ready Response Force (RRF) concept was being rolled out to 4th Brigade. 5/6 RVR was chosen to lead the first Reserve based 4th Brigade RRF. The RRF role was then devolved to unit level and 5/6 RVR continued to strengthen its role through B Company which was chosen to lead the battalion’s RRF elements.
[edit] The Sesquicentenary - 150th Anniversary
2004 saw 5/6 RVR celebrate its Sesquicentenary – or 150th anniversary. A “Sesquicentenary Committee” was formed chaired by LT COL Mark Richards Battalion CO and headed by MAJ Terry Kanellos Battalion 2IC. The committee included current and past members of the battalion and networked extensively with the help of MAJ GEN James Barry, MAJ GEN Greg Garde and the then Regimental Colonel COL Paul Riley. A number of activities and functions were planned throughout the year involving all ranks.
The year began with a series of Unit History presentations given throughout the Battalion by Company personnel.
Working with the support of Battalion Associations, the committee planned and conducted the following activities: - All ranks reception Government House hosted by his Excellency, Mr John Landy AO, Governor of Victoria 17 Sep 2004 - Freedom of City of Melbourne 16 Oct 2004 - Gala Ball – The Atrium Room Flemington Racecourse 16 Oct 2004 - Employer Function – Hosted & sponsored by Mr & Mrs Dick & Jeanne Pratt at their Raheen Residence in Kew, Victoria 25 Nov 2004 - End of Year Battalion Christmas Party Telstra Dome 11 Dec 2004
The year also saw an increasing focus on the Battalion’s role in 4 Brigade’s Reserve Response Force (RRF), with an emphasis on training and individual preparedness. Urban tactical training and joint exercises held with The Victoria Police saw the battalion’s ability to work with civil emergency services strengthened and gave commanders valuable experiences.The success of the year being measured by attendances of over 300 guests at the Gala Ball in October and similar numbers at the end of year function at Telstra Dome.
[edit] Bulk Unit Canteen Operations
A renewal in canteen activities commenced in 2003 through MAJ Greg Ward then XO, with a combined Bulk Unit Canteen structure joining members throughout the battalion to contribute towards a joint activities regime during the year. In 2004, the BUC committee was headed by MAJ Terry Kanellos (Unit XO) as President with PMC’s and committee personnel from all companies. The benefit this grouping brought to the Battalion was evidenced through the success of the functions conducted. It was also clear that the BUC had helped to develop inter-company relationships - improving the efficiency of canteen operations and ensuring greater value through grouped purchasing power.
[edit] 2005 - New CO takes 5/6 RVR to Canungra
2005 built on the gains of the previous year and a new Commanding Officer LT COL Neil Grimes marched in. The importance of individual preparedness was re-emphasised as Army Individual Readiness Notice (AIRN) criteria was applied to each member and it prepared for its annual field exercise (AFX) at Canungra in Queensland. A year for record Recruiting numbers, the benefits of one of the largest intakes of recruits in recent years also came to realisation, with all companies seeing new members join their ranks. 2005 also saw 5/6 RVR exercise its freedom of entry to the City of Boroondara on Sunday 17th October 2005.
[edit] 2006 - Operation Acolyte
In 2006, the Battalion made a significant contribution to the conduct of the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne during February and March on Operation Acolyte. Over 100 personnel drawn from throughout the battalion participated in the 10 week operation which saw searches of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Commonwealth Games Village in Parkville and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre conducted. Members acted in both a military and civilian capacity with selected members being directly employed by the Melbourne 2006 organisation. Military members manned checkpoints and staffed a vehicle screening facility known as the Logistics Screening Zone where deliveries to locked down venues were electronically screened prior to entry.
[edit] Hardened & Networked Army
The Hardened & Networked Army (HNA) proposal is Army's response to the need to fight on a more complex and lethal battlefield. It will provide increased combat weight and generate greater organisational depth in Army and a greater focus on combined arms battlegroups rather than infantry battalion groups. The result of HNA would be increased options for Government in terms of both the combat weight of the force that can be deployed and the duration that forces can be sustained on operations. Implementation of HNA will start in 2006 and the force structure changes will be complete by the end of 2015.
A new role for the Army Reserve emeged in late 2006 with Army raising 2 new ARA infantry battalions. The structure of infantry battalions also changed and 5/6 RVR merged Delta Company at Simpson Barracks with Bravo Company Surrey Hills. Delta Company became known as 6 Platoon B Company, proud company members celebrated their last function together as Delta Company in December 2006. In August 2007, the battalion lost the old Delta Company depot at Simpson Barracks, and now all Bravo Company members parade at Surrey Hills.
Today 5/6 RVR truly remains Melbourne’s own Infantry battalion with depots located at - Sunshine (A COY), - Surrey Hills (B COY - the Scottish Company), - Sandringham (C COY), - Moonee Ponds (Support COY, The Royal Melbourne Regiment Company) and - Hawthorn (BHQ & Administration COY).
The traditions, customs and experiences of infantry soldiers based in Melbourne are enshrined within the Battalion and the various Associations. It remains very much an important part of the City of Melbourne’s proud history.
[edit] Solomon Islands
From August - December 2007, 5/6RVR provided troops for Operation Anode Rotation 13 to the Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The battalion has also provided troops to the current Rotation 15, from April - August 2008, and is planning to continue it's contribution to Op Anode with Rotation 18 in 2009.
[edit] Reading List
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Official history of Australia in the War of 1914-18. Vols I-VI | Australian War Memorial |
| Australia in the War of 1939-45 Vols.I-VII. | Australian War Memorial |
| The Colonial Volunteers 1836-1901 | Bob Nicholls |
| The Lineage of the Australian Army | A.N. Festberg |
| Australian Army Guidons and Colours | A.N. Festberg |
| Forward with the Fifth (5th Bn, 1st AIF) | A.W. Keown |
| All the Kings Enemies – A history of the 2nd/5th Australian Infantry Battalion | Syd Tregellis-Smith |
| Espirit de Corps – A history of the 5th Battalion and the The Victorian Scottish Regiment | Brigadier F. W. Speed |
| As Rough as Bags (6th Bn, 1st AIF) | R.J. (Ron) Austin |
| Nothing Over Us (2nd/6th Bn) | Sir David Hay |
| Bold, Steady, Faithful - A history of the 6th Bn and the Royal Melbourne Regiment | R.J. (Ron) Austin |
| The 2nd/14th Battalion | W.B. Russell |
| Mud and Blood (22nd Bn) | P. Share |
| To Kokoda and Beyond (39th Bn) | Victor Austin |
| Militia Battalion at War (58th/59th Bn) | Russell Mathews |
| Those Ragged Bloody Heroes (39th Bn) | Peter Bruhne |
| The ANZACS | Patsy Adam Smith |
| Anzac to Amiens | C.E.W. Bean |
| They Dared Mightily – Australians awarded the VC | Lionel Wigmore |
| The White Ghurkas | R.J. (Ron) Austin |
| Saving the Channel Ports | Col. W.D. Joyce VC |
| Breaking the Road for the Rest | Col. W.D. Joyce VC |
| Rabual 1942 | Douglas Splin |
| Not as Duty Only | Maj. H Gullet MC |
| The War Diaries of Captain Percy Lay MC, DCM, MM, C de G. | J.L Turner |
| Recollections of a Regimental Medical Officer | M.D. Steward |
| Citizen and Soldier – Lieutenant General Sir Ivan Mackay KBE, CMG, DSO and Bar, VD, C de G | Ivan Chapman |
| There goes a man – Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savage KBE, CB, DSO, MC ED | W.B. Russell |
| The Australian Victories in France 1918 | Gen. Sir John Monash |
| The Battle of Hamel | John Laffin |
| Australians at War | Time Life Books |
| Diggers: the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force in eleven wars | George Odgers |
| War Letters of General Monash | F.M. Cutlack |
| John Monash | Geoffrey Serle |
| Monash as Military Commander | P.A. Pedersen |
| Army Australia | George Odgers |
[edit] Battalions Raised in Victoria
| Melbourne & Metropolitan Battalions | Regional Battalions |
|---|---|
| Melbourne Volunteer Rifle Regiment, 1854 | Ballarat Volunteer Rifle Regiment, 1858 |
| 1st Milita Bn, 1885 | 3rd Bn, Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1885 |
| 2nd Militia Bn, 1885 | 4th Bn, Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1885 |
| The Victorian Scottish Regiment, 1898 | Victorian Rangers, 1888 |
| 5th Australian Infantry Regiment, 1903 | 7th Australian Infantry Regiment, 1903 |
| 6th Australian Infantry Regiment, 1903 | 8th Australian Infantry Regiment, 1903 |
| 5th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 7th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 6th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 8th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 14th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 21st Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 22nd Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 23rd Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 24th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 31st Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 29th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 37th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 39th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 38th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 46th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 57th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 58th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | 59th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 |
| 60th Bn, 1st AIF, 1914 | |
| 5th Bn The Victorian Scottish Regiment, 1919 | 7th Bn, NW Murray Regt, 1919 |
| 6th Bn Royal Melbourne Regiment, 1919 | 8th Bn, City of Ballarat Regt, 1919 |
| 14th Bn, Prahran Regiment, 1919 | 21st Bn, Victorian Rangers, 1919 |
| 22nd Bn Richmond Regiment, 1919 | 23rd Bn, City of Geelong Regt, 1919 |
| 24th Kooyong Regiment, 1919 | 37th Bn, Henty Regt, 1919 |
| 29th Bn East Melbourne Regiment, 1919 | 38th Bn, Northern Victoria Regt, 1919 |
| 39th Bn Hawthorn/Kew Regiment, 1919 | 57th Bn, Merri Regt, 1919 |
| 46th Bn Brighton Regiment, 1919 | 59th Bn, Hume Regt, 1919 |
| 58th Bn Essendon/Coburg/Brunswick Regiment, 1919 | |
| 60th Bn Heidelberg Regiment, 1919 | |
| 2nd/5th Bn, 1939 | 2nd/7th Bn, 1939 |
| 2nd/6th Bn, 1939 | 2nd/8th Bn,1939 |
| 2nd/14th Bn, 1939 | 2nd/21st Bn, 1939 |
| 2nd/22nd Bn, 1939 | 2nd/23rd BN,1939 |
| 2nd/24th Bn, 1939 | 37th Bn, 1939 |
| 2/29th Bn, 1939 | 52nd Bn,1939 |
| 2nd/32nd Bn, 1939 | 37th/52nd Bn, 1939 |
| 14th/32nd Bn, 1939 | 60th Bn, 1939 |
| 39th Bn, 1939 | 58th/59th Bn, 1939 |
| 29th/46th Bn, 1939 | |
| 57th/60th Bn, 1939 | |
| 22nd Bn, 1939 | |
| 24th Bn, 1939 | |
| 39th/46th Bn, 1939 | |
| 5th Bn, The Victorian Scottish Regiment, 1948 | 8th/7th Bn, The North West Victoria Regt, 1948 |
| 6th Bn, The Royal Melbourne Regiment, 1948 | 38th Bn, The Bendigo Regt, 1948 |
| 58th/32nd Bn, The City of Essendon Regiment, 1948 | 59th Bn, The Hume Regt, 1948 |
| 1 Royal Victoria Regiment, 1960 | 2 Royal Victoria Regiment, 1960 |
| 1st Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1965 | 2nd Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1965 |
| 5th Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1965 | 1st Independent Rifle Company, 1965 |
| 6th Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1965 | |
| 3rd Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1973 | |
| 5/6th Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1982 | 8/7th Bn, The Royal Victoria Regiment, 1987 |
[edit] Alliances
United Kingdom - once The Gordon Highlanders - then Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) - now Royal Regiment of Scotland
Canada - The Toronto Scottish Regiment - via Gordon Alliance- Canada - 48th Highlanders of Canada - via Gordon Alliance
South Africa - Cape Town Highlanders Regiment - via Gordon Alliance- Canada - Lake Superior Scottish Regiment
- United Kingdom - The Royal Fusiliers
[edit] See also
- 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums
- Australian Army
- Australian Army Reserve
- List of Australian Army Regiments
- Royal Victoria Regiment
- United Kingdom - London Scottish Regiment
