Royal Australian Infantry Corps

Last updated

Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Rainf.gif
Cap badge of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Active23 November 1948 – present
Country Australia
BranchArmy
TypeCorps
Role Infantry
Size1 Regular Regiment (7 battalions)
6 State Regiments (13 battalions)
3 Special Forces Regiments
3 Regional Force Surveillance Regiments
Motto(s)Duty and Honour
ColoursInfantry Red
MarchQuick: "El Alamein"; Slow: "Infantry Song"
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment
Brigadier M. J. Moon, DSC, AM

The Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RA Inf) is the parent corps for all infantry regiments of the Australian Army. It was established on 14 December 1948, with its Royal Corps status being conferred by His Majesty King George VI. At her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became Colonel-in-Chief of the corps. [1] Major components of the RA Inf include the various battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment and the six state-based Australian infantry regiments, such as the Royal New South Wales Regiment. The various Regional Force Surveillance and Special Forces units of the Army are also part of the corps. [2] The School of Infantry (SOI) is located at Singleton, New South Wales, and forms part of the Combined Arms Training Centre.

Contents

The "Head of Corps – Infantry" is usually a Brigadier and is the Honorary Colonel of the Royal Australian Regiment.

Role

The role of the Royal Australian Infantry is to seek out and close with the enemy, to kill or capture them, to seize and hold ground, to repel attack, by day or night, regardless of season, weather or terrain. [3]

History

The Australian Infantry Corps was formed on 14 December 1948.

Organisation

Regiments

Regular Army Regiments

State Regiments

Training Regiments

Regional Force Surveillance

Special Forces

School of Infantry

Commanders of the School of Infantry

Rank
Name
Post-Nominals
Years Served
School of Musketry, Randwick 1911–1921
Major F.B. Heritage1911–1915
Captain G.F.C. Shipley1915–1917
CaptainW. MacLennan1917
CaptainR.G.C. Prisk1918–1919
CaptainC.F.C. Shipley1919–1920
Lieutenant Colonel F.B. Heritage MVO 1920–1921
Small Arms School, Randwick 1921–1940
MajorH. Ordish DSO OBE 1922–1926
MajorH.C.H. RobertsonDSO1926–1930
Lieutenant ColonelJ.J. McCallDSO1930–1934
Lieutenant ColonelJ.A. ChapmanDSO1934–1938
MajorT.N. Gooch1938–1940
Medium Machine Gun School, Randwick 1940–1942
Lieutenant ColonelR.G. LeggeDSO MC 1940
Lieutenant ColonelE.W. Latchford MBE MC1940–1941
Small Arms School, Bonegilla 1942–1945
Lieutenant ColonelE.W. LatchfordMBE MC1942–1945
School of Infantry, Puckapunyal 1944–1945
Lieutenant ColonelR.A. Wolfe-MurrayDSO MC1944–1945
Lieutenant ColonelH.W. Hilless1945
School of Infantry, Bonegilla 1945–1946
Lieutenant ColonelE.W. LatchfordMBE MC1945–1946
School of Infantry, Seymour 1947–1960
Lieutenant ColonelE.W. LatchfordMBE MC1947–1948
Lieutenant ColonelD.R. JacksonDSO1949
Lieutenant ColonelK.M. McKenzieOBE1949–1952
Lieutenant Colonel F.G. Hassett DSO OBE1952–1953
Lieutenant ColonelJ.L.A. KellyDSO1953–1954
Lieutenant ColonelN.P. MaddernMBE1954–1956
MajorW.F. RobersonMBE1956–1957
Lieutenant ColonelG.H. FawcettOBE1957–1959
Lieutenant ColonelN.R. McLeodOBE1959–1960
Infantry Centre, Ingleburn 1960–1969
Lieutenant ColonelG.O. O'DayOBE1960–1963
Lieutenant ColonelD.G. SharpOBE1963–1964
Lieutenant ColonelR.S. GarlandMC1965–1967
Lieutenant ColonelA.J. MilnerOBE1967–1969
Infantry Centre, Ingleburn 1969–1973
Commandant
Colonel A.J. MilnerOBE1969–1971
ColonelE.H. SmithDSO1971–1973
Infantry Centre, Ingleburn 1969–1973
CO/Chief Instructor
Lieutenant ColonelR.R. Hannigan1969–1970
Lieutenant ColonelR.L. Burnard1971–1972
Lieutenant ColonelE.R. Philip1972
Infantry Centre, Singleton 1973–1994
Commandant
ColonelE.H. SmithDSO1973
ColonelC.M. TownsendDSO1974–1976
ColonelJ. Essex-Clark1976–1979
ColonelJ.P.A. DeightonMC1979–1981
ColonelA.W. Hammett AM 1981–1984
ColonelP.M. McDougall1984–1987
ColonelP.A. Sibree1987–1989
Colonel P.J. Cosgrove AM MC1989–1991
ColonelD.J. Mead1991–1994
Infantry Centre, Singleton 1973–1994
CO/Chief Instructor
Lieutenant ColonelC.F. Thompson1973–1974
Lieutenant ColonelM.P. BlakeMC1975–1976
Lieutenant ColonelR.F. SuttonMC1977–1978
Lieutenant ColonelJ.H. TaylorMC1979–1980
Lieutenant ColonelR.E. Boxall1981–1982
Lieutenant ColonelJ.D. McAloneyMC1982–1984
Lieutenant ColonelD.A. Webster1984–1986
Lieutenant ColonelA.J. Ralph1987–1988
Lieutenant ColonelJ.S. Murray1988–1989
Lieutenant ColonelR.H. Greville1990–1991
Lieutenant ColonelR.C. Brown1992–1994
Infantry Centre, Singleton 1994–1999
Commandant
ColonelR.J. Margetts1994–1996
ColonelD.S.M. Roche CSC 1992–1994
Infantry Centre, Singleton 1994–1999
CO/Chief Instructor
Lieutenant ColonelJ.C. Dittmar1994–1996
Lieutenant ColonelG.R.C. Pike1997–1999
Dismounted Combat Division, Singleton 2000–2001
Lieutenant ColonelD.J. Butler2000–2001
School of Infantry, Singleton 2001–present
Lieutenant ColonelD.J. Butler2001
Lieutenant ColonelP.T. Roney2002–2003
Lieutenant ColonelW. Austin2004–2005
Lieutenant ColonelD. Franklin2005–2007
Lieutenant ColonelA. Egan2008–2009
Lieutenant ColonelA. Lowe2010–2012
Lieutenant ColonelM. Constable CSC 2013–2014
Lieutenant ColonelS. MorrisCSC2015–2017
Lieutenant ColonelM. Flanagan2018–2019

Notes

  1. Kuring 2004, pp. 221–222.
  2. "RAInf Units". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  3. "The Royal Australian Infantry Corps". Who We Are: Corps. Australian Army. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VII Corps (United States)</span> Military unit

The VII Army Corps of the United States Army was one of the two principal corps of the United States Army Europe during the Cold War. Activated in 1918 for World War I, it was reactivated for World War II and again during the Cold War. During both World War II and the Cold War it was subordinate to the Seventh Army, or USAREUR and was headquartered at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, West Germany, from 1951 until it was redeployed to the US after significant success in the Gulf War in 1991, then inactivated in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Light Horse</span> Australian mounted troops

Australian Light Horse were mounted troops with characteristics of both cavalry and mounted infantry, who served in the Second Boer War and World War I. During the inter-war years, a number of regiments were raised as part of Australia's part-time military force. These units were gradually mechanised either before or during World War II, although only a small number undertook operational service during the war. A number of Australian light horse units are still in existence today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Division (Australia)</span> WW2 Australian Army formation

The 7th Division was an infantry division of the Australian Army. It was formed in February 1940 to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force. The division was raised on the British establishment of nine infantry battalions per division and consisted of two new brigades and three of the original 12 battalions of the 6th Division forming the third brigade. The division is sometimes known by the nickname "The Silent Seventh", due to a perception that its achievements were unrecognised, in comparison to the other Australian divisions. The origin of this belief appears to be censorship of the part played by the 7th Division in the fierce fighting in the 1941 Syria-Lebanon campaign. The 7th Division along with the 6th and 9th Australian Divisions were the only divisions to serve in both the Middle East and the South West Pacific Area. It was disbanded in 1946, following the end of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Regiment</span> Administrative regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army

The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) is the parent administrative regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army and is the senior infantry regiment of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. It was originally formed in 1948 as a three battalion regiment; however, since then its size has fluctuated as battalions have been raised, amalgamated or disbanded in accordance with the Australian government's strategic requirements. Currently, the regiment consists of seven battalions and has fulfilled various roles including those of light, parachute, motorised and mechanised infantry. Throughout its existence, units of the Royal Australian Regiment have deployed on operations in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Somalia, Rwanda, Cambodia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Australian Army</span>

This article describes the current structure of the Australian Army. It includes the army's order of battle and the headquarters locations of major units. Members of the Australian Army also serve within joint units of the Australian Defence Force which fall outside the direct command of the Australian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment is a Reserve light infantry battalion of the Australian Army, raised and based in the state of Queensland. It is part of the Royal Queensland Regiment and is currently attached to the 11th Brigade of the 2nd Division. 9 RQR can trace its history as far back as 1867 with the establishment Queensland Volunteer Rifle Corps, although it was not until 1911 that it was designated as the "9th Battalion". Over the course of its history, the battalion has served Australia in a number of conflicts including The Boer War, World War I and World War II, while more recently, members of the battalion have been involved in various peacekeeping operations and exercises around the Pacific region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

1st Brigade is a combined arms formation of the Australian Army. Formed in 1903 as a militia formation based in New South Wales, it was reconstituted as part of the Australian Imperial Force in 1914 for service during World War I, the brigade fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front before being disbanded in mid-1919. In 1921, the 1st Brigade was re-raised as a unit of Australia's part-time military forces, based in New South Wales. During World War II the brigade undertook defensive duties before being disbanded. In 1948, it was re-raised as an integral part of the Australian Regular Army. Currently the brigade is based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin and at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide, South Australia. It is the first of the Australian Army brigades to be re-organised as a combat brigade under Plan Beersheba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

The 3rd Brigade is a combined arms brigade of the Australian Army, principally made up of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Initially raised in 1903 as part of the post-Federation Australian Army, it was removed from the order of battle in 1906 following the restructure of the field force. It was re-formed in 1914 for service during World War I, taking part in the fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe. During World War II the brigade was used in a defensive role before it was disbanded in 1944. It was re-raised in 1967 for service during the Vietnam War and later went on to provide the nucleus of the deployment to East Timor during the Australian-led intervention in 1999. The brigade is currently based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

The 9th Brigade is a Reserve formation of the Australian Army headquartered at Keswick Barracks in Keswick, South Australia, with elements located in New South Wales and South Australia. The brigade was first raised in 1912 in New South Wales following the introduction of the compulsory training scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pioneer (military)</span> Soldier tasked with engineering and construction

A pioneer is a soldier employed to perform engineering and construction tasks. The term is in principle similar to sapper or combat engineer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Brigade (Australia)</span> Australian Army reserve brigade

The 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 1912 following the introduction of the compulsory training scheme. Later, as part of the 3rd Division and saw action during World War I on the Western Front as part of the First Australian Imperial Force. In the interwar years, the brigade was re-raised with its headquarters in Brisbane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

8th Brigade is an Australian Army Reserve training formation. It is headquartered in Sydney, and has subordinate units in various locations around New South Wales and the rest of Australia. These units are tasked with delivering basic and initial employment training to Reserve soldiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Battalion (Australia)</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 18th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. During World War I, the battalion was raised in 1915 as part of the Australian Imperial Force, attached to the 5th Brigade, of the 2nd Division. It was sent initially to Gallipoli, where it suffered many casualties before it was withdrawn from the line and sent to France and Belgium, where it served at the Western Front as part of the Australian Corps and took part in most of the major battles between 1916 and 1918. The battalion's last engagement of the war was at Montbrehain in October 1918 and it was disbanded in April 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Brigade (Australia)</span> Formation of the Australian Army

The 6th Combat Support Brigade is an Australian Army brigade. First formed in 1912 as a Militia formation to provide training under the compulsory training scheme, the brigade was re-raised during the First World War as an infantry unit of the all volunteer Australian Imperial Force. It subsequently served at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front. In the 1920s, as part of a reorganisation of the Australian Army, it became part of the 3rd Military District of the Citizens Military Force, encompassing units from Victoria and South Australia. In 1991, it became part of the Ready Reserve Scheme, based at Enoggera Barracks, in Brisbane, Queensland, before being disbanded in 1996 when the scheme was discontinued. The brigade was re-raised on 1 March 2010 to oversee the Army's command support and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Brigade (Australia)</span> Brigade of the Australian Army

The 2nd Health Brigade (2HB) is an Australian Army brigade. The 2nd Brigade was formed in 1903 as a militia infantry formation based in Victoria, the brigade later served during the First World War as part of the Australian Imperial Force, allocated to the 1st Division. During the war, the 2nd Brigade took part in the fighting at Gallipoli, including the Battle of Krithia where it lost almost a third of its strength. Later they took part in the Battle of Lone Pine before being withdrawn back to Egypt in December 1915. Following this the brigade was transferred to the Western Front in France and Belgium where, between March 1916 and the armistice in November 1918, they took part in most of the major Allied operations.

In September 1939, the British Army was in process of expanding their anti-aircraft and mobile assets. Among these new changes was the formation of Anti-Aircraft Command which was formed on 1 April 1939, and the 1st Armoured Division formed in 1937. The list below will include the British Army units, colonial units, and those units which were in the process of formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Australian Army during World War II</span>

The structure of the Australian Army changed considerably during World War II. At the outbreak of war the Army comprised a small regular component and a large, but ill-trained and equipped, militia force. In September 1939 the government authorised the establishment of the Second Australian Imperial Force for overseas service; this force eventually reached a strength of four infantry divisions, an armoured division and various headquarters and support units. The militia force, which remained in Australia, was neglected until the outbreak of the Pacific War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of battle for the Gallipoli campaign</span>

This is an order of battle listing the Allied and Ottoman forces involved in the Gallipoli campaign during 1915.

References

Preceded by Australian Army Order of Precedence Succeeded by