26th Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 26th Battalion was an infantry
battalion
of the Australian Army
. Originally raised in April 1915 for service in World War I
as part of the 1st Australian Imperial Force
(1st AIF), it was attached to the 7th Brigade. The battalion fought at Gallipoli before being sent to France
where it served in the trenches of the Western Front
. At the end of the war it was disbanded in May 1919. After the war the responsibility of the defence of Australia was given to the Militia
, which was organised along the same lines as the 1st AIF, with units keeping the same numerical designations. Consequently the 26th Battalion became a Militia battalion, known as the 26th Battalion (Logan and Albert Regiment). In 1934 the 26th was merged with the 15th to become the 15/26th Battalion, although it was subsequently delinked in 1939 when the new 26th Australian Infantry Battalion was raised in Queensland. After that the battalion was attached to the 11th Brigade
and used in various garrison roles in the early part of World War II
. In 1943 a detachment from the battalion was sent to the Dutch East Indies
as part of Merauke Force
. Later in the war the entire 26th Battalion, along with the rest of the 11th Brigade were sent to Bougainville
where they saw action against the Japanese. After the war, the 26th Battalion was used to guard Japanese prisoners on Rabaul
, remaining there until March 1946, before being returned to Australia and subsequently being disbanded on 26 August 1946.
, Queensland, forming part of the 7th Brigade, attached to 2nd Division. After training in Egypt
, the battalion landed at Gallipoli on 12 September, where they would take part in only a defensive role before being withdrawn from the peninsula on 12 December.
From there the 26th Battalion was sent to France
in March 1916, taking its place in the trenches along the Western Front
and in June, alongside the 28th Battalion, they took part in the first raid undertaken by Australians in France. The first major battle came around Pozieres
between July and August, after which the battalion was sent along with the entire 2nd Division to a more quiet sector in Belgium
. After this, they were moved south again and the 26th participated in two attacks to the east of Flers
, although both of these attacks ultimately proved fruitless, grinding to a halt in the muddy conditions.
Early in 1917 the 26th Battalion was involved in a number of major battles as the German Army was forced back towards the Hindenburg Line
, seeing action at Warlencourt and Lagincourt in March. It was during this time, at Lagnicourt, that Captain Percy Cherry was awarded the Victoria Cross
posthumously. Later, in May they took part in the second attempt to breach the Hindenburg Line defences around Bullecourt, before they were moved to Belgium again, where they fought in the battles at Menin Road in September and the capture of the Brooseinde Ridge in October.
In April 1918, the battalion was involved in repelling the German Spring Offensive
, before mounting a number of so-called "peaceful penetration
" operations to take small amounts of the German front line during the lull that followed prior to the final Allied offensive of the war. It was during one of these operations, on 17 July 1918, that Lieutenant Albert Borella
earned the battalion's second Victoria Cross of the war. The battalion was also credited with capturing the first German tank on a similar operation a few days earlier. A few months later, in August, they were involved in the Allied Hundred Days Offensive
that ultimately brought an end to the war. During this time they took part in the attack on Mont St Quetin
in September and then the capture of Lormisset on 3 October 1918, part of the "Beaurevoir Line", which was the third and final line of the Hindenburg Line defences. This was to be the 26th Battalion's last contribution to the war and they were subsequently disbanded in May 1919.
During the course of the 26th Battalion's involvement in the war it suffered 877 men killed and 2,745 men wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two VCs
, one MBE, four DSOs
,Figure for DSO includes one Bar
. 25 DCMs
, 26 MCs
,Figures for the MC includes three Bars. 96 MMs
,Figures for the MM includes four Bars. four MSMs
, and 37 MIDs.
s and traditions of the AIF by re-organising the units of the Citizens Force to adopt the numerical designations of their related AIF units.Upon formation, the units of the 1st AIF were raised from men drawn from the recruitment territory of already established Citizens Force units and as a consequence many 1st AIF units retained links to Citizens Force units from where they drew the majority of the initial intake of personnel. As a result of this decision, the 26th Battalion was re-raised as a part-time unit of the Citizens Force. In 1927 territorial titles were adopted by the units of the Citizens Force, and the battalion adopted the title of the "Logan and Albert Regiment".
In 1929, following the election of the Scullin
Labor
government, the compulsory training scheme
was abolished and in its place a new system was introduced whereby the Citizens Forces would be maintained on a part-time, voluntary basis only. It was also renamed the "Militia" at this time. The decision to suspend compulsory training, coupled with the economic downturn of the Great Depression
meant that the manpower of many Militia units dropped considerably and as a result the decision was made to amalgamate a number of units. The 26th Battalion was not initially affected by this, however, in 1934 the battalion was merged with the 15th Battalion
to form the 15th/26th Battalion. These two battalions would remain linked until just prior to World War II, when on 16 June 1939, they were delinked and a new 26th Battalion was raised in Queensland
, near Hughenden
, under the command of one of the Australian Army's most decorated soldiers, Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Murray.
in September 1939, the 26th Battalion undertook a series of training camps around northern Queensland as it began to re-establish its numbers. In this time it was placed under the command of the 11th Brigade
, along with the 31st and 51st Battalions, both of which were Queensland militia battalions. Many of the initial recruits came from Italian-Australian families from north Queensland, however, as the battalion grew, reinforcements from other Australian states arrived during 1942 and early 1943.
The 26th Battalion first saw active service when 'A' Company became part of the Merauke Force
in May 1943, becoming the first Militia unit to serve outside of Australian territory. Later the battalion was converted to being an AIF unit, and during December 1944 the battalion relieved the American forces in Torokina, Bougainville Island
, New Guinea
. Over the next eight months the 26th Battalion took part in the campaign to tie down the much larger Japanese forces on the island, carrying out numerous patrols to keep the Japanese off balance throughout the early stages of the campaign, before taking part in a number of amphibious operations to clear the area surrounding the Soraken Plantation. When hostilities ceased the 26th Battalion was sent to Rabaul
for garrison duty in September 1945, where it remained until March 1946 when it was returned to Australia. The battalion was finally disbanded on 28 August 1946.
During the course of the battalion's involvement in the war, it lost 40 men killed in action or died on active service and 110 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one DSO, two MBEs, one GM
, one British Empire Medal
, five MCs, eight MMs, and 14 MIDs.
World War II:
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
. Originally raised in April 1915 for service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as part of the 1st Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
(1st AIF), it was attached to the 7th Brigade. The battalion fought at Gallipoli before being sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where it served in the trenches of the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. At the end of the war it was disbanded in May 1919. After the war the responsibility of the defence of Australia was given to the Militia
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
, which was organised along the same lines as the 1st AIF, with units keeping the same numerical designations. Consequently the 26th Battalion became a Militia battalion, known as the 26th Battalion (Logan and Albert Regiment). In 1934 the 26th was merged with the 15th to become the 15/26th Battalion, although it was subsequently delinked in 1939 when the new 26th Australian Infantry Battalion was raised in Queensland. After that the battalion was attached to the 11th Brigade
11th Brigade (Australia)
The Australian 11th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade which currently comprises most Australian Army Reserve units located in Queensland. The Brigade was first formed in early 1916 as part of the 3rd Division and saw action during World War I and World War II.-Brigade Structure:*Headquarters...
and used in various garrison roles in the early part of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1943 a detachment from the battalion was sent to the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
as part of Merauke Force
Merauke Force
Merauke Force was an Australian-led military force of World War II which was responsible for defending Merauke in the Netherlands East Indies . The force was established in late 1942 and was disbanded at the end of the war.-History:...
. Later in the war the entire 26th Battalion, along with the rest of the 11th Brigade were sent to Bougainville
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
where they saw action against the Japanese. After the war, the 26th Battalion was used to guard Japanese prisoners on Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
, remaining there until March 1946, before being returned to Australia and subsequently being disbanded on 26 August 1946.
World War I
The 26th Battalion was raised in April 1915 from Tasmanians and Queenlanders at EnoggeraEnoggera
Enoggera may refer to:*Enoggera, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia*Enoggera Barracks an Australian Army base in the suburb...
, Queensland, forming part of the 7th Brigade, attached to 2nd Division. After training in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, the battalion landed at Gallipoli on 12 September, where they would take part in only a defensive role before being withdrawn from the peninsula on 12 December.
From there the 26th Battalion was sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in March 1916, taking its place in the trenches along the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
and in June, alongside the 28th Battalion, they took part in the first raid undertaken by Australians in France. The first major battle came around Pozieres
Pozières
Pozières is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:The commune is situated on the D929 road, some northeast of Amiens between Albert and Bapaume, on the Pozières ridge.-Population:-History:...
between July and August, after which the battalion was sent along with the entire 2nd Division to a more quiet sector in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. After this, they were moved south again and the 26th participated in two attacks to the east of Flers
Flers
Flers is the name or part of the name of several communes in France:* Flers, Orne, in the Orne département* Flers, Nord, a former commune of the Nord département, now part of Villeneuve d'Ascq...
, although both of these attacks ultimately proved fruitless, grinding to a halt in the muddy conditions.
Early in 1917 the 26th Battalion was involved in a number of major battles as the German Army was forced back towards the Hindenburg Line
Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
, seeing action at Warlencourt and Lagincourt in March. It was during this time, at Lagnicourt, that Captain Percy Cherry was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
posthumously. Later, in May they took part in the second attempt to breach the Hindenburg Line defences around Bullecourt, before they were moved to Belgium again, where they fought in the battles at Menin Road in September and the capture of the Brooseinde Ridge in October.
In April 1918, the battalion was involved in repelling the German Spring Offensive
Spring Offensive
The 1918 Spring Offensive or Kaiserschlacht , also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, was a series of German attacks along the Western Front during World War I, beginning on 21 March 1918, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914...
, before mounting a number of so-called "peaceful penetration
Peaceful Penetration
Peaceful Penetration was an Australian infantry tactic used during the First World War , which was a cross between trench raiding and patrolling...
" operations to take small amounts of the German front line during the lull that followed prior to the final Allied offensive of the war. It was during one of these operations, on 17 July 1918, that Lieutenant Albert Borella
Albert Chalmers Borella
Albert Chalmers Borella VC, MM was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
earned the battalion's second Victoria Cross of the war. The battalion was also credited with capturing the first German tank on a similar operation a few days earlier. A few months later, in August, they were involved in the Allied Hundred Days Offensive
Hundred Days Offensive
The Hundred Days Offensive was the final period of the First World War, during which the Allies launched a series of offensives against the Central Powers on the Western Front from 8 August to 11 November 1918, beginning with the Battle of Amiens. The offensive forced the German armies to retreat...
that ultimately brought an end to the war. During this time they took part in the attack on Mont St Quetin
Battle of Mont St. Quentin
The Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin was a battle on the Western Front during World War I. As part of the Allied counteroffensives on the Western Front in the late summer of 1918, the Australian Corps crossed the Somme River on the night of August 31, and broke the German lines at Mont Saint-Quentin...
in September and then the capture of Lormisset on 3 October 1918, part of the "Beaurevoir Line", which was the third and final line of the Hindenburg Line defences. This was to be the 26th Battalion's last contribution to the war and they were subsequently disbanded in May 1919.
During the course of the 26th Battalion's involvement in the war it suffered 877 men killed and 2,745 men wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: two VCs
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, one MBE, four DSOs
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
,Figure for DSO includes one Bar
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
. 25 DCMs
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
, 26 MCs
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
,Figures for the MC includes three Bars. 96 MMs
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
,Figures for the MM includes four Bars. four MSMs
Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a silver medal for distinguished service, or for gallantry, principally by non-commissioned officers of all of the British armed forces and of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.-Summary:...
, and 37 MIDs.
Inter war years
In 1921, the decision was made to perpetuate the battle honourBattle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s and traditions of the AIF by re-organising the units of the Citizens Force to adopt the numerical designations of their related AIF units.Upon formation, the units of the 1st AIF were raised from men drawn from the recruitment territory of already established Citizens Force units and as a consequence many 1st AIF units retained links to Citizens Force units from where they drew the majority of the initial intake of personnel. As a result of this decision, the 26th Battalion was re-raised as a part-time unit of the Citizens Force. In 1927 territorial titles were adopted by the units of the Citizens Force, and the battalion adopted the title of the "Logan and Albert Regiment".
In 1929, following the election of the Scullin
James Scullin
James Henry Scullin , Australian Labor politician and the ninth Prime Minister of Australia. Two days after he was sworn in as Prime Minister, the Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred, marking the beginning of the Great Depression and subsequent Great Depression in Australia.-Early life:Scullin was...
Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
government, the compulsory training scheme
Conscription in Australia
Conscription in Australia, or mandatory military service also known as National Service, has a controversial history dating back to the first years of nationhood...
was abolished and in its place a new system was introduced whereby the Citizens Forces would be maintained on a part-time, voluntary basis only. It was also renamed the "Militia" at this time. The decision to suspend compulsory training, coupled with the economic downturn of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
meant that the manpower of many Militia units dropped considerably and as a result the decision was made to amalgamate a number of units. The 26th Battalion was not initially affected by this, however, in 1934 the battalion was merged with the 15th Battalion
15th Battalion (Australia)
The 15th Battalion was raised from volunteers from Queensland and Tasmania in September 1914 during the First World War. It formed part of the 4th Brigade together with the 13th, 14th and 16th Battalions. The battalion served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front.-References:*...
to form the 15th/26th Battalion. These two battalions would remain linked until just prior to World War II, when on 16 June 1939, they were delinked and a new 26th Battalion was raised in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, near Hughenden
Hughenden, Queensland
Hughenden is a town in Queensland, Australia situated on the banks of the Flinders River. It was named after Hughenden Manor, the home of former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. At the 2006 census, Hughenden had a population of 1,154.-History:...
, under the command of one of the Australian Army's most decorated soldiers, Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Murray.
World War II
With the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in September 1939, the 26th Battalion undertook a series of training camps around northern Queensland as it began to re-establish its numbers. In this time it was placed under the command of the 11th Brigade
11th Brigade (Australia)
The Australian 11th Brigade is an Australian Army brigade which currently comprises most Australian Army Reserve units located in Queensland. The Brigade was first formed in early 1916 as part of the 3rd Division and saw action during World War I and World War II.-Brigade Structure:*Headquarters...
, along with the 31st and 51st Battalions, both of which were Queensland militia battalions. Many of the initial recruits came from Italian-Australian families from north Queensland, however, as the battalion grew, reinforcements from other Australian states arrived during 1942 and early 1943.
The 26th Battalion first saw active service when 'A' Company became part of the Merauke Force
Merauke Force
Merauke Force was an Australian-led military force of World War II which was responsible for defending Merauke in the Netherlands East Indies . The force was established in late 1942 and was disbanded at the end of the war.-History:...
in May 1943, becoming the first Militia unit to serve outside of Australian territory. Later the battalion was converted to being an AIF unit, and during December 1944 the battalion relieved the American forces in Torokina, Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island
Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...
, New Guinea
New Guinea
New Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
. Over the next eight months the 26th Battalion took part in the campaign to tie down the much larger Japanese forces on the island, carrying out numerous patrols to keep the Japanese off balance throughout the early stages of the campaign, before taking part in a number of amphibious operations to clear the area surrounding the Soraken Plantation. When hostilities ceased the 26th Battalion was sent to Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
for garrison duty in September 1945, where it remained until March 1946 when it was returned to Australia. The battalion was finally disbanded on 28 August 1946.
During the course of the battalion's involvement in the war, it lost 40 men killed in action or died on active service and 110 wounded. Members of the battalion received the following decorations: one DSO, two MBEs, one GM
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
, one British Empire Medal
British Empire Medal
The Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually known as the British Empire Medal , is a British medal awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown...
, five MCs, eight MMs, and 14 MIDs.
Summary of events
Source:The information in this table has been used with permission of the author of this source. For enquiries please contact the Webmaster of the 26th Battalion Association website, who has provided permission to reproduce this table. Further information about this is included on the talk page.| 16 June 1939 | Lt Col H.W. Murray VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... , CMG Order of St Michael and St George The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III.... , DSO Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... & Bar Medal bar A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... , DCM Distinguished Conduct Medal The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean... was asked if he would accept command of the infantry battalion that was to be formed in the north-east and the central-west of Queensland, Australia. |
| 28 June 1939 | Approval was given for a new battalion to be formed in the 1st Military District. |
| 21 July to 4 September 1939 |
Lt-Col Murray was appointed to command the 26th Battalion, with Major Edgar Towner VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... , MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... as second-in-command. |
| 4 September to 11 November 1939 |
The battalion began its first camp of continuous training at Kissing Point near Townsville, Queensland (Qld). |
| 11 November 1939 to 15 February 1940 |
The battalion moved to the Showgrounds in Townsville, Qld. |
| 23 March to 7 June 1940 |
The battalion moved to a new camp at Miowera, south of Bowen Bowen, Queensland Bowen is a town on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Bowen had a population of 7,484.-Geography:Bowen is located on the north-east coast of Australia, at exactly twenty degrees south of the equator. In fact, the twentieth parallel crosses the main street... , Qld. Lt-Col Murray marched in and assumed command of the battalion. |
| 7 June 1940 to 30 May 1941 |
The battalion moved back to Townsville. National Service Trainees had joined the unit. Men were released for enlistment in the AIF Australian Imperial Force The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force... , RAAF and the RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... . Many senior officers and NCOs Non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission... were retired. |
| 1 June 1941 to 1 May 1942 |
The battalion moved to a new camp at Sellheim, located near Charters Towers. The Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson visited the unit. |
| 1 May to 29 May 1942 |
The battalion was now based at Stuart Stuart, Queensland -History during WW2:In December 1942, two classrooms of the Stuart State School on the outskirts of Townsville were used by the Army as the main Army Signals Communication Centre in North Queensland.The unit then moved to a concrete bunker at Roseneath.... near Townsville. |
| 29 May to 1 July 1942 |
The battalion moved to Bohle River and received a visit from, His Excellency Excellency Excellency is an honorific style given to certain members of an organization or state.Usually, people styled "Excellency" are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, certain ecclesiastics, royalty, aristocracy, and military, and others holding equivalent rank .It is... Lord Gowrie Lord Gowrie Lord Gowrie may refer* Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie* William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie... Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. |
| 1 July to 28 August 1942 |
A further move was made to Alligator Creek. Maj-Gen J.J. Murray GOC General Officer Commanding General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division... 4th Division and Mr Frank Forde visited the unit. On 17 August, Lt-Col Murray relinquished command of the battalion. Lt-Col J. N. Abbott DSO arrived and assumed command of the unit. |
| 28 August to 1 October 1942 |
The battalion entrained at Nome and bivouacked at Redlynch then moved to Kuranda near the Barron Falls Barron Falls Barron Falls is where the Barron River makes its descent from the Atherton Tablelands to the Cairns coastal plain, in Queensland, Australia. Protected within the Barron Gorge National Park, the volume of water seen in the upper photo only occurs after substantial rainfall during the wet season... , Far North Queensland Far North Queensland Far North Queensland, or FNQ, is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland. The region, which contains a large section of the Tropical North Queensland area, stretches from the city of Cairns north to the Torres Strait... . |
| 1 October 1942 to 24 May 1943 |
The battalion built a new camp and commenced extensive training. Reinforcements from other states arrived; a number of men were released to the 15th Battalion. Further reinforcements arrived from training battalions. Men were issued with live ammunition. |
| 25 May to 8 August 1943 |
The battalion marched to Redlynch station and entrained for Cairns wharf. On 25 May the battalion less A Company departed from Cairns aboard Katoomba for Torres Strait Torres Strait The Torres Strait is a body of water which lies between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is approximately wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost continental extremity of the Australian state of Queensland... and disembarked for Horn Island. A Company were detached to Dutch New Guinea (Western New Guinea) to become part of Merauke Force. The rest of the unit took up garrison duty on Horn Island. Platoons are detached to several of the smaller islands in the Torres Strait. |
| 8 August to 7 November 1943 |
The battalion moved back to the mainland and was based at Higginsfield Airfield which is located about 30 km south of Cape York Cape York Peninsula Cape York Peninsula is a large remote peninsula located in Far North Queensland at the tip of the state of Queensland, Australia, the largest unspoilt wilderness in northern Australia and one of the last remaining wilderness areas on Earth... , Qld. The men worked with engineer units to build a jetty at Red Island Point. Patrols were active along the coast line. |
| 7 November 1943 to 30 May 1944 |
A Company commenced their return to the unit at Jacky Jacky. The battalion was still engaged in working parties at Red Island Point. |
| 30 May to 25 June 1944 |
The battalion commenced the move back to Horn Island and completed this by 2 July 1944. |
| 27 July to 1 August 1944 |
The battalion departed Horn Island aboard Taroona and arrived Townsville. |
| 1 August to 4 September 1944 |
The battalion is based at Strathpine camp near Brisbane. |
| 4 September to 4 December 1944 |
During September the men went on home leave, selected personnel were sent to various schools. Training commenced and reinforcements arrived. The unit prepared for its role in the Solomon Islands. |
| 4 December to 12 December 1944 |
The battalion left Brisbane and arrived at Bougainville to relieve the American forces at Torokina, New Guinea. |
| 12 December to 29 December 1944 |
The battalion commenced its first operation in the Doiabi River and Sisivie area, Bougainville. |
| 29 December to 31 December 1944 |
The battalion prepares for the first campaign in the Numa Numa area. |
| 31 December 1944 to 4 January 1945 |
The 26th Battalion relieved the 25th Battalion in the Piaterapaia area. |
| 5 January to 2 February 1945 |
The first patrols moved out into hostile territory making enemy contact on 6 January. The unit was operating in the Numa Numa area. The unit's operations covered Pearl Ridge, Vivie, Keenans Ridge, Smith's Hill and Chamber's Hill areas. On 31 January the battalion was relieved by the 55th/53rd Battalion 55th/53rd Battalion (Australia) The 55th/53rd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army which saw active service during World War II. First formed in 1919 during the demobilisation of the Australian Imperial Force, the battalion was an amalgamation of two other units, the 55th and 53rd Battalions... and moved back to Torokina. |
| 2 February to 21 February 1945 |
Resting at Torokina. On February, 7, Col Abbott relinquished command of the battalion and Lt-Col B.J. Callinan MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... , MID assumed command of the unit. |
| 21 February to 4 April 1945 |
The battalion carried out its second campaign in the Soraken Plantation area. On 28 March, Col Callinan advised the 11th Brigade that all organised resistance had ceased in the Soraken. The unit moved to 'I' Beach having been relieved by the 55th/53rd Battalion. |
| 4 April to 19 May 1945 |
The battalion commenced its third campaign in the Ratsua-Ruri Bay area after relieving the 55th/53rd Battalion. |
| 19 May to 28 June 1945 |
The unit worked in close conjunction with the 31st/51st Battalion during this campaign. From time to time companies were detached to each other's unit to strengthen the forces required to dislodge the enemy. The 26th Battalion was relieved by the 27th Battalion and moved back to Torokina. |
| 28 June to 25 September 1945 |
The unit was based at Torokina for resting and refurbishment of men and equipment. On 25 September the 26th Battalion departed Torokina and arrived at Rabaul for garrison duty. The unit was completely reorganised, many men were discharged and then reinforced by men from units which had been made redundant. |
| 25 September to 3 December 1945 |
The battalion settled in for garrison duty at Rabaul. Extensive sports were organised to keep up the level of fitness. New reinforcements were assimilated into the unit with many of the men coming from mainland training units and were new to battalion life. Men with 190 points and over were warned for draft and their discharge. |
| 3 December 1945 to 7 March 1946 |
On 28 December, the unit was honoured by a visit from the Prime Minister of Australia Prime Minister of Australia The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful... , Mr J.B. Chifley Ben Chifley Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949... . The flow of men for discharge continued and new appointments took place. On 14 December 1945 Col Callinan DSO, MC, MID relinquished command and departed for discharge. Lt-Col A.G. Cameron DSO assumed command of the battalion. |
| 7 March to 22 May 1946 |
Almost 1,000 men marched in from units made redundant. On 22 March, Lt-Col Cameron DSO relinquished command and Lt-Col P.G. Webster DSO assumed command of the 26th Battalion. On 22 May, the 11th Brigade Farewell Parade was held and was reviewed by Maj-Gen B.M. Morris DSO, GOC, 8 MID accompanied by the Commander 11th Brigade Brig R.F. Monaghan. The battalions present were; 22nd Bn, 26th Bn, 29th/46th Bn and the 31st/51st Bn. |
| 22 May to 28 August 1946 |
The 26th Battalion was literally 'brand new' as far as men were concerned. Very few of the originals were left. Between May and August, 1,432 men left for discharge; 1,040 men were transferred to other units. In four months 2,500 men departed the battalion. |
| 28 August to 25 September 1946 |
Lt-Col P.G. Webster relinquished command and Lt-Col E. Barnes assumed command of the 26th Battalion until the unit was disbanded on 28 August 1946. A Company remained as the holding unit until 25 September 1946. Capt Austin (Austy) Foers who was the QM Quartermaster Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior... arranged for the unit's stores to be packed and shipped home. Thus ended the life span of the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF). |
Commanding Officers
World War I- LTCOL George Andrew Ferguson.
- LTCOL Reginald John Albert Travers.
- LTCOL William MacIntyre Davis.
World War II:
- LTCOL Henry William (Harry) Murray.
- LTCOL John Noel Abbott.
- LTCOL Benard James Callinan.
- LTCOL Allan Gordon Cameron.
- LTCOL Peter Glyn Clifton Webster.
- LTCOL Eric Barnes.
Battle honours
- World War I: Suvla, Gallipoli 1915–1916Battle of GallipoliThe Gallipoli Campaign, also known as the Dardanelles Campaign or the Battle of Gallipoli, took place at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire between 25 April 1915 and 9 January 1916, during the First World War...
, Egypt 1915–1917First Suez OffensiveThe First Suez Offensive took place between the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I...
, Somme 1916Battle of the Somme (1916)The Battle of the Somme , also known as the Somme Offensive, took place during the First World War between 1 July and 14 November 1916 in the Somme department of France, on both banks of the river of the same name...
, PozieresBattle of PozièresThe Battle of Pozières was a two week struggle for the French village of Pozières and the ridge on which it stands, during the middle stages of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Though British divisions were involved in most phases of the fighting, Pozières is primarily remembered as an Australian battle...
, Bapaume 1917, Bullecourt, YpresYpresYpres is a Belgian municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus, Elverdinge, Hollebeke, Sint-Jan, Vlamertinge, Voormezele, Zillebeke, and Zuidschote...
1917, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, HamelBattle of HamelThe Battle of Hamel was a successful attack launched by the Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Force and several American units against German positions in and around the town of Hamel in northern France during World War I....
, Amiens, Albert 1918, Mont St QuentinBattle of Mont St. QuentinThe Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin was a battle on the Western Front during World War I. As part of the Allied counteroffensives on the Western Front in the late summer of 1918, the Australian Corps crossed the Somme River on the night of August 31, and broke the German lines at Mont Saint-Quentin...
, Hindenburg LineHindenburg LineThe Hindenburg Line was a vast system of defences in northeastern France during World War I. It was constructed by the Germans during the winter of 1916–17. The line stretched from Lens to beyond Verdun...
, Beaurevoir, France and Flanders 1916–1918Western Front (World War I)Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. - World War II: Bonis–PortonBattle of Porton PlantationThe Battle of Porton Plantation took place at Porton Plantation, near the village of Soraken on Bougainville Island, in the Solomon Islands archipelago during World War II...
, South-West Pacific 1943–45Pacific WarThe Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, Liberation of Australian New GuineaNew Guinea campaignThe New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
.