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

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]

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. [2] 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. [3]

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">Waikato Regiment</span> Military unit

The Waikato Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces. The Regiment was formed in 1911 as the 16th (Waikato) Regiment and provided service companies to the Auckland Infantry Regiment during the First World War. Men from the Regiment also served with the 18th, 21st, 24th and 29th battalions of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War. The regiment was absorbed by the 1st Armoured Regiment (Waikato) of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps in 1950

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northland Regiment</span> Former territorial infantry regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces

The Northland Regiment was a territorial infantry regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces. The Regiment was formed in 1911 and provided service companies to the Auckland Infantry Regiment during the First World War. Men from the Regiment also served with the 18th, 21st, 24th and 29th battalions of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the Second World War. The regiment was amalgamated with the Auckland Regiment in 1964, becoming 3rd Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

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. Ray, Adam (25 April 2012). "Military bands break up thanks to spending cuts". 3 News NZ. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
  3. "Disestablished Army Band Plays On For The Army This Sunday". Scoop (Press release). The 7th Battalion Band Inc. 15 March 2013.