5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

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5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
RNZIRCapBadge.jpg
Cap badge of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
ActiveDecember 2012 – Present
CountryFlag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Allegiance HM The King
BranchArmy
TypeReserve (Territorial Force)
Role Light Role Infantry
SizeThree companies
Garrison/HQHQ - Trentham
Wellington Company - Trentham
West Coast Company - Wanganui
East Coast Company - Napier
Motto(s)Onward
March5th Battalion -
7th Battalion -
Wellington and
The Dashing White Sergeant
Commanders
Commanding officerLieutenant Colonel Andrew Fortune
Regimental Sergeant-MajorWarrant Officer Class One Paul Mumm
Insignia
Distinguishing Patch 57RNZIR.png

The 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment is an Army Reserve infantry battalion of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment with its headquarters in Trentham, New Zealand.

Contents

History

The 7th Battalion, RNZIR was formed in 1964 during the reorganisation of the army by the amalgamation of two separate regiments:

In 1948 the Wellington West Coast Regiment amalgamated with the Taranaki Regiment to form The Wellington West Coast & Taranaki Regiment.

In 1964 The Wellington West Coast & Taranaki Regiment became the 5th Battalion, RNZIR.

In 1974 further name changes occurred to reflect each units historical links -

The respective amalgamations saw the new regiments become Territorial Force battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. This lasted until another reorganisation in 1999, which saw the TF battalions split from the RNZIR to become multi-function battalion groups.

Then again in 2012 the territorial force reorganised with the battalion groups splitting and the former units rejoining their parent corps and regiments. The infantry battalions were amalgamated from six to three, this included the 5th and 7th Battalions which amalgamated to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment . [1]

Current structure and role

The Battalion has three regionally based Rifle Companies:

The Battalion Headquarters is located at Trentham Camp in Upper Hutt, along with Wellington Company, with other locations at Linton Camp, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne.

The Battalion in paired with the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

The Battalion trains individuals and force elements to round out and backfill regular force units both on international deployments and at home. The Battalion also has an important role in supporting civilian agencies during times of emergency. The Battalion maintains regular liaison with Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and provides local support in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies. This was demonstrated by the Battalion's significant involvement in the response to Cyclone Gabrielle in the Gisborne, Hawke's Bay and Wellington Regions in February 2023. [2]

Regimental bands

Until 30 June 2012, both battalions each had a regimental band or regimental pipes and drums. But funding to the territorial force bands was cut in favour of keeping the full-time New Zealand Army Band. [3] Both the former Regimental Pipes and Drums of the 5th (Wellington West Coast and Taranaki) Battalion, RNZIR and the Regimental Band of the 7th (Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay) Battalion, RNZIR continue as incorporated societies while retaining their respective uniforms, rank, instruments and band rooms. Notably, the 7th Battalion Band performed at Government House, Wellington for the territorial force amalgamation parade in March 2013. [4]

Battle honours

The 5th (Wellington West Coast & Taranaki) Battalion is one of two unique units of the Commonwealth, in that it is one of two units to have its own country's name as a battle honour. This dates from the service of the Taranaki Volunteer Rifle Corps, from which the Taranaki Regiment is descended, during the New Zealand Wars, specifically in the Battle of Waireka.

The other unit to share this honour is the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment a reserve mechanised unit of South African Army.

Alliances

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington Regiment (City of Wellington's Own)</span> Military unit

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The Wellington West Coast Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces. The regiment traced its origins to the Wanganui Rifle Volunteers, a volunteer corps formed in 1860. The volunteer corps provided men to the New Zealand contingents sent to South Africa during the Second Boer War and in 1911 became the 7th Regiment. During the First World War, the regiment provided a company to each of the battalions of the Wellington Infantry Regiment, which saw combat at Galipolli and on the Western Front. After the war the regiment was renamed the Wellington West Coast Regiment and remained in New Zealand for home defence during the Second World War. Men from the regiment, however, served with the 19th, 22nd, 25th and 36th Battalions of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. In 1948, the Wellington West Coast Regiment was amalgamated with the Taranaki Regiment and became the Wellington West Coast and Taranaki Regiment.

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References

  1. Broadley, Jon (December 2012). "Territorials Become More Joined Up" (PDF). NZ Army News. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  2. New Zealand Defence Force. "Response to Cyclone Gabrielle".
  3. Ray, Adam (25 April 2012). "Military bands break up thanks to spending cuts". 3 News NZ. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
  4. "Disestablished Army Band Plays On For The Army This Sunday". Scoop (Press release). The 7th Battalion Band Inc. 15 March 2013.