The Wide Bay Regiment
Backmark: Stokes & Sons Melb. Date 1960-62.
There was a volunteer group in Queensland called the Wide Bay Rifle Rangers as early as 1861.
Australian War Memorial:” The Wide Bay Regiment had its origins in the 1860s when they were known as the Wide Bay Rifle Rangers. In 1884, the unit received royal assent and became known as The 2nd Queenslanders, The Wide Bay and Burnett Regiment. After Federation, the name was shortened to The Wide Bay Regiment and in 1911 became The 4th Infantry Regiment, with a number of men volunteering for service during the First World War, with most of these men becoming part of the 47th Battalion when it was formed in Egypt in 1916.”
The Telegraph (Brisbane), 11th November 1939, page 8.
An infantry battalion was raised in 1916. Like so many battalions, it was disbanded post war then re-raised in 1921 as a part time militia group. In 1927 it was named the “Wide Bay Regiment”. They saw action in New Guinea and Bougainville during WW2 before being again disbanded.
It was re-re-raised in 1948 then merged into the Royal Queensland regiment in 1960. It is now known as the ‘D’ Company, 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.
Australian Army newspaper, 5th December 1968 page 3.
For any comment or query, please use the Contact page.