42nd Australian Infantry Battalion Memorial

About

Large ornate timber Honour Board, dedicated to the men of the 42nd Battalion who served during the First World War. The board displays two enamelled Unit badges and the Rising Sun badge of the Australian Forces. Beneath exists three panels containing names of the 42nd Bn. men and these are divided by eight column facades. Additional Information The 42nd Battalion was raised at Enoggera, on the outskirts of Brisbane, in December 1915 and became part of the 11th Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division. Due to sharing its numeric title with the famous Scottish regiment the Black Watch, the battalion became known as the "Australian Black Watch". This association was recognised with a bagpipe band. After training in Australia and Britain, the 42nd deployed to France on 26 November 1916 and entered the frontline for the first time on 23 December. The winter of 1916-17 was horrendous, and the 42nd spent much of it in the front line, the remainder being spent alternating between training and labouring in the rear areas. It took part in many of the major battles of the war and gained the following Honours: Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Somme 1918, Hamel Amiens, Albert 1918, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg Line, St Quentin Canal France and Flanders 1916-1918. On 4 July 1918, the 42nd took part in the battle of Hamel and captured all of its objectives with only three fatal casualties - demonstrating what a well-planned and supported attack could achieve. The Allies launched their own offensive on 8 August 1918, and the 42nd played an active role both in the initial attack and the long advance that followed. This advance, though, sapped the strength of the AIF. On 20 September 1918 the 42nd was ordered to disband to provide reinforcements for other battalions. Its men mutinied winning the Battalion a temporary reprieve. It fought its last battle - St Quentin Canal - between 29 September and 2 October. On 2 October the order to disband was once again issued. The men still disobeyed, but pressure from the AIF hierarchy eventually forced compliance. The 42nd Battalion was disbanded on 22 October 1918. (Source: Australian War Memorial www.awm.gov.au)