22nd Battalion (Australia)

The 22nd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was raised in 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force for service during World War I and formed part of the 6th Brigade, attached to the 2nd Division. It fought during the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front before being disbanded in 1919. Reraised in 1921 and merged with the 29th Battalion in 1930 to form the 29th/22nd Infantry Battalion. Split in August 1939 and known as the 22nd Battalion (South Gippsland Regiment), the battalion saw action during World War II in the Huon Peninsula and New Britain campaigns. The battalion was disbanded in June 1946.

World War I
The 22nd Battalion AIF was first formed at Broadmedows Camp in Victoria, on the 26th of March 1915. The battalion was aligned with 6th Brigade 2nd Division. Most of 22nd Battalion AIF left Australia heading to Egypt on the 8th of May 1915. The battalion saw their first action in September 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula, taking up the position from elements of 2nd Division allowing them to recover. They would remain in Gallipoli until the final evacuation that took place in December 1915.

During their involvement, the transport drivers from the battalion as well as 6th Brigade, were reposted to Solnonika to provide support for the Serbian contigent. They would remain there until the final evacuation.

After being evacuated back to Egypt, the battalion was strengthen by reinforcements before being sent to France. On March 16, the left Egypt for France.

Commanding officers

 * First World War
 * Richard Armstrong Crouch
 * Ignatius Bertram Norris
 * Robert Smith
 * David Manton Davis
 * Aubrey Roy Liddon Wiltshire


 * Second World War
 * Eric Barnes
 * Herbert Ralph Birch
 * James de Mole Carstairs
 * Eric Clive Tait Matthewson
 * John Christian Watson O'Connor