22nd Battalion (New Zealand)

The 22nd Battalion, also known as the "Wellington Battalion", was an infantry battalion of the New Zealand Military Forces, which served during the Second World War. Formed in November 1939, it was part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. After undertaking training at Trentham Camp the battalion sailed from New Zealand on the 1 May 1940. The battalion saw action in Greece, Crete, North Africa, and Italy. Upon formation, the battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Andrew, a Victoria Cross recipient from the First World War. Sergeant Keith Elliott was the 22nd Battalion's sole Victoria Cross recipient during the Second World War, receiving the award for actions around Ruweisat, Egypt, on 15 July 1942. Other decorations bestowed upon members of the 22nd Battalion included two Distinguished Service Orders, seven Distinguished Conduct Medals, one Member of the Order of the British Empire, 12 Military Crosses and one bar, 14 Military Medals and one Greek Military Cross. The battalion's casualties amounted to 282 men killed in action or died of wounds, 799 wounded and 511 captured as prisoners of war.

The battalion was redesignated the 2nd Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment on 7 August 1947, while it was undertaking occupation duties in Japan. The battalion was disbanded in 1948.