26th Battalion (Australia)

Summary of events of the 26th Battalion (AIF) during WW2

June 16, 1939
Lt-Col H.W. Murray VC, CMG, DSO and Bar DCM CdeG, DSM(US), (13) MID 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.

June 28, 1939
Approval was given for a new battalion to be formed in the 1st Military District.

July 21, 1939
Lt Col Murray was appointed to command the 26th Battalion.

September 4 till November 11, 1939
The battalion began its first camp of continuous training at Kissing Point near Townsville, Queensland (Qld).

November 11, 1939 till February 15, 1940
The battalion moved to the Show-grounds in Townsville, Qld.

March 23 til June 7, 1940
The battalion moved to a new camp at Miowera, south of Bowen, Qld. Lt-Col Murray marched in and assumed command of the battalion.

June 7, 1940 till May 30, 1941
The battalion moved back to Townsville. National Service Trainees had joined the unit. Men were released for enlistment in the AIF, RAAF and the RAN. Many senior officers and NCOs were retired.

June 1, 1941 till May 1, 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.

May 1 till May 29, 1942
The battalion was now based at Stuart near Townsville.

May 29 till July 1, 1942
The battalion moved to Bohle River and received a visit from, His Excellency Lord Gowrie Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

July 1 till August 28, 1942
A further move was made to Alligator Creek. Maj-Gen J.J. Murray GOC 4th Div and Mr Frank Forde visited the unit. On August 17, Lt-Col Murray relinquished command of the battalion. Lt-Col J. N. Abbott DSO arrived and assumed command of the unit.

August 28 till October 1, 1942
The battalion entrained at Nome and bivouacked at Redlynch then moved to Kuranda near the Barron Falls, North Queensland.

October 1, 1942 till May 24, 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.

May 25 till August 8, 1943
The battalion marched to Redlynch station and entrained for Cairns wharf. On May 25 the battalion less A Company departed from Cairns aboard Katoomba for Torres Strait 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.

August 8 till November 7, 1943
The battalion moved back to the mainland and was based at Higginsfield Airfield which is located about 30 km south of Cape York, Qld. The men worked with engineer units to build a jetty at Red Island Point. Patrols were active along the coast line.

November 7, 1943 till May 30, 1944
A Company commenced their return to the unit at Jacky Jacky. The battalion was still engaged in working parties at Red Island Point.

May 30 till June 25, 1944
The battalion commenced the move back to Horn Island and completed this by July 2, 1944.

July 27 to August 1, 1944
The battalion departed Horn Island aboard Taroona and arrived Townsville.

August 1 till September 4, 1944
The battalion is based at Strathpine camp near Brisbane.

September 4 till December 4, 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.

December 4 till December 12, 1944
The battalion left Brisbane and arrived at Bougainville to relieve the American forces at Torokina, New Guinea.

December 12 till December 29, 1944
The battalion commenced its first operation in the Doiabi River and Sisivie area, Bougainville.

December 29 till December 31, 1944
The battalion prepares for the first campaign in the Numa Numa area.

December 31, 1944 till January 4, 1945
The 26th Battalion relieved the 25th Battalion in the Piaterapaia area.

January 5 till February 2, 1945
The first patrols moved out into hostile territory making enemy contact on January 6. 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 January 31 the battalion was relieved by the 55th/53rd Battalion and moved back to Torokina.

February 2 till February 21, 1945
Resting at Torokina. On February, 7, Col Abbott relinquished command of the battalion and Lt-Col B.J. Callinan MC MID assumed command of the unit.

February 21 till April 4, 1945
The battalion carried out its second campaign in the Soraken Plantation area. On March 28, Col Callinan advised the 11th Bde that all organised resistance had ceased in the Soraken. The unit moved to 'I' Beach having been relieved by the 55th/53rd Battalion.

April 4 till May 19, 1945
The battalion commenced its third campaign in the Ratsua-Ruri Bay area after relieving the 55th/53rd Battalion.

May 19 till June 28, 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.

June 28 till September 25, 1945
The unit was based at Torokina for resting and refurbishment of men and equipment. On September 25 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.

September 25 till December 3, 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.

December 3, 1945 till March 7, 1946
On December 28, the unit was honoured by a visit from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr J.B. Chifley. The flow of men for discharge continued and new appointments took place. On December 14, 1945 Col Callinan DSO, MC, MID relinquished command and departed for discharge. Lt-Col A.G. Cameron DSO assumed command of the battalion.

March 7 till May 22, 1946
Almost 1,000 men marched in from units made redundant. On March 22, Lt Col Cameron DSO relinquished command and Lt Col P.G. Webster DSO assumed command of the 26th Battalion. On May 22, the 11th Brigade Farewell Parade was held and was reviewed by Maj-Gen B.M. Morris DSO, GOC, 8 MID accompanied by the Comd 11 Bde Brig R.F. Monaghan. The battalions present were; 22nd Bn, 26th Bn, 29th/46th Bn and the 31st/51st Bn.

May 22 till August 28, 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.

August 28 till September 25, 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 August 28, 1946. A Company remained as the holding unit until September 25, 1946. Capt Austin (Austy) Foers who was the QM arranged for the unit's stores to be packed and shipped home. Thus ended the life span of the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF).

Source and Reference

• A N Turrell, Never unprepared : a history of the 26th Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF), 1939-1946, Published Wynnum, Qld. : 26th Battalion Reunion Association, 1992

ISBN 0646084976

External links

• 26bn.ourprofile.org