Login
Login

Battle and theatre honours of the Australian Army#First World War (1914–1918)

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

File:Colours of the Australian 17th Battalion (AWM P01584 002).jpg in 1918, listing its battle honours from the First World War.]]

The Australian Army and its forerunners have been awarded 248 battle and theatre honours since its formation. The first honour given to an Australian unit came prior to Federation and was awarded to forces from the colony of New South Wales, which contributed a small contingent consisting of an infantry battalion, with artillery and support units to take part in the short-lived British campaign against the Dervish revolt in the eastern Sudan in 1885 following the death of General Charles Gordon at Khartoum.{{sfn|Grey|2008|pp=48–49}}{{sfn|Wilcox|2009|p=72}}

The next conflict that saw Australian units receive battle or theatre honours was the Second Boer War. Between 1899 and 1901, forces from the six Australian colonies fought alongside each other before being replaced in 1901 by forces of the newly established Australian Army following Federation.{{sfn|Dennis et al|1995|p=107}} A total of five theatre honours were awarded for service in South Africa, being bestowed upon successor units in the form of honorary banners and distinctions presented in 1904, 1908 and 1911.{{sfn|Festberg|1972|p=14}}{{sfn|Jobson|2009|pp=58–59}} Since then, the Australian Army has received honours for fighting during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, with the Royal Australian Regiment last being awarded a battle honour in 1994 for the First Battle of Maryang San in Korea.{{Cite web|last=|first=|author-link=|title=Kowang-San|publisher=The Australian War Memorial|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/event_367.asp|doi=|access-date=24 December 2009}} In 2013, units of Special Operations Command were awarded the battle honour Eastern Shah Wali Kot for their actions in Afghanistan in May and June 2010.{{cite web|title=Special Operations Units Awarded Battle Honour|publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|date=26 March 2013|url=http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/special-operations-units-awarded-battle-honour|archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20130329054102/http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/special-operations-units-awarded-battle-honour|access-date=26 March 2013|archive-date=29 March 2013|url-status=live}} A theatre honour for peacekeeping in East Timor in 1999–2003 was awarded to the Army on its 119th birthday in March 2020.

The most highly decorated unit in the Australian Army is the 12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment (12/40 RTR), with 47 battle and theatre honours. It is an active Australian Army Reserve Infantry unit. The 12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment, is part of 4 Brigade, with battalion headquarters at Anglesea Barracks, Hobart, with Alpha Company based in Launceston at Youngtown Barracks and Bravo Company being based in Hobart at Derwent Barracks.Royal Tasmania Regiment

Sudan (1885)

  • Suakin 1885{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%201st%20Sudan%20War.pdf |title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: First Sudan War, Second Boer War |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330035305/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%201st%20Sudan%20War.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|p=62}}

South Africa (1899–1902)

First World War (1914–18)

=German New Guinea=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Herbertshöhe{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Dardanelles.pdf |title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: The Great War: Australasia |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330050439/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Dardanelles.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|p=91}}

{{div col end}}

=Gallipoli=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Helles
  • Krithia
  • Anzac
  • Landing at Anzac
  • Defence of Anzac
  • Suvla
  • Sari Bair – Lone Pine
  • Gallipoli 1915{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Dardanelles.pdf |title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: The Great War: The Dardanelles |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330050439/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Dardanelles.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=180–185}}

{{div col end}}

=Egypt=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Suez Canal
  • Rumani
  • Magdhaba – Rafah
  • Egypt 1915–17{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Egypt.pdf|title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: The Great War: Egypt|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330003603/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Egypt.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2013|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=185–186}}

{{div col end}}

=Palestine=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Gaza – Beersheba
  • El Mughar
  • Nebi Samwil
  • Jerusalem
  • Jaffa
  • Jericho
  • Jordan (Es Salt)
  • Jordan (Amman)
  • Megiddo
  • Sharon
  • Nablus
  • Damascus
  • Palestine 1917–18{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Palestine.pdf |title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: The Great War: Palestine |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=30 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330052826/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20The%20Great%20War%20Palestine.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=189–196}}

{{div col end}}

=Western Front=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

{{div col end}}

Second World War (1939–45)

=North Africa=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

{{div col end}}

=Greece=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Greece 1941
  • Mount Olympus
  • Servia Pass
  • Tempe Gorge
  • Veve
  • Soter
  • Brailos Pass{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Greece.pdf|title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: World War Two: Greece|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330012905/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Greece.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2013|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=334–335}}

{{div col end}}

=Middle East=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Middle East 1941
  • Crete
  • Canea
  • Heraklion
  • Retimo
  • 42nd Street
  • Withdrawal to Sphakia{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Middle%20East.pdf|title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: World War Two: Middle East|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330001940/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Middle%20East.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2013|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=337–338}}

{{div col end}}

=Syria=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Syria 1941
  • Syrian Frontier
  • The Litani
  • Merjayun
  • Adlun
  • Sidon
  • Jezzine
  • Damascus (1941)
  • Wadi Zeini
  • Dimas
  • Chehim and Rharife
  • Damour
  • Mazraat ech Chouf
  • Hill 1069
  • Badarene
  • Jebel Mazar{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Syria.pdf|title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: World War Two: Syria|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329234719/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Syria.pdf|archive-date=29 March 2013|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=271–273}}

{{div col end}}

=Malaya=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

  • Malaya 1941–42
  • Johore
  • Gemas
  • The Muar
  • Jemaluang
  • Singapore Island{{cite web|url=http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Malaya.pdf|title=Battle Honours of the Australian Army: World War Two: Malaya|publisher=Australian Army|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330020243/http://army.gov.au/Our-history/Further-Reference-Materials/~/media/Files/Our%20history/AAHU/History/Battle%20Honours%20by%20Conflict/Battle%20Honours%20of%20the%20Australian%20Army%20World%20War%20Two%20Malaya.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2013|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rodger|2003|pp=340–341}}

{{div col end}}

=South West Pacific=

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

{{div col end}}

Korea (1950–53)

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

{{div col end}}

Malaya (1955–63)

Malaysia (Confrontation) (1964–66)

  • Malaysia (Confrontation): Malaysia (Confrontation) 1964-1966{{cite web |title=Defence Image Gallery |url=https://images.defence.gov.au/assets/Home/Search?Query=20231123army8629169_0431.jpg&Type=Filename |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=7 December 2023}}

Vietnam (1962–72)

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

{{div col end}}

East Timor (1999–2003)

  • East Timor 1999–2003{{cite web |title=East Timor Theatre Honour for Army on its 119th birthday|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/east-timor-theatre-honour-army-its-119th-birthday |publisher=Minister of Defence |access-date=5 November 2020}}

Afghanistan (2001–21)

Iraq (2003–2011)

  • Iraq{{cite web |title=Army's Birthday and New Banner Presentation|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-news/media-releases/armys-birthday-and-new-banner-presentation |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=13 November 2020}}

See also

{{portal|Military history of Australia}}

Notes

Footnotes

{{Reflist|group=Note}}

Citations

{{Reflist|30em}}

References

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book|author=2/17 Battalion History Committee|title=What We Have We Hold: A History of the 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion, 1940–1945|year=1998|orig-date=1990|edition=Revised|publisher=Australian Military History Publications|location=Loftus, New South Wales |isbn=1-876439-36-X}}
  • {{cite book|last1=Dennis|first1=Peter|last2=Grey|first2=Jeffrey |author-link2=Jeffrey Grey |last3=Morris|first3=Ewan|last4=Prior|first4=Robin|last5=Connor|first5=John|title=The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Melbourne, Victoria|year=1995|edition=1st|isbn=0-19-553227-9 |ref=CITEREFDennis_et_al1995}}
  • {{cite book|last=Festberg |first=Alfred |title=The Lineage of the Australian Army |year=1972 |publisher=Allara Publishing |location= Melbourne, Victoria |isbn= 978-0-85887-024-6 }}
  • {{cite book |last=Grey |first=Jeffrey |author-link=Jeffrey Grey |title=A Military History of Australia |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, Victoria |year=2008 |edition=3rd |isbn=978-0-521-69791-0 }}
  • {{Cite book |last=Jobson |first=Christopher |title=Looking Forward, Looking Back: Customs and Traditions of the Australian Army |year=2009 |location=Wavell Heights, Queensland |publisher=Big Sky Publishing |isbn=978-0-9803251-6-4}}
  • {{cite book|last=Rodger|first=Alexander|year=2003|title=Battle Honours of the British Empire and Commonwealth Land Forces 1662–1991|publisher=The Crowood Press|location=Marlborough, United Kingdom|isbn=1861266375}}
  • {{cite book |last=Wilcox |first=Craig |title=Red Coat Dreaming: How Colonial Australia Embraced the British Army |year=2009 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=978-0-521-19360-3 }}

{{Refend}}

Further reading

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book|last=Baker|first=Allan|year=1986|title= Battle Honours of the British and Commonwealth Armies |publisher=Ian Allan|location=London|isbn=0711016003}}
  • {{cite book|last=Maitland|first=Gordon|year=1999|title=The Second World War and its Australian Army Battle Honours|publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=Roseville, New South Wales|isbn=0864179758}}
  • {{cite book|last=Pears|first=Maurie|title=Battlefield Korea: The Korean Battle Honours of the Royal Australian Regiment, 1950–1953|year=2007|location=Loftus, New South Wales|publisher=Australian Military History Publications|isbn=9780980379600}}

{{Refend}}

External links

  • [http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Battle-Honours/Pre-1980-Battle-Honours-by-conflict Australian Army Pre 1980 Battle Honours by conflict]

{{Australian Army|state=collapsed}}

Category:Battle honours of the Australian Army

Category:Australian military-related lists