- 1041. 101st Aust. Heavy
Mortar Company, 1945: Auth. GRO 104/1945, 6.4.1945. Originally
raised as the 1st Aust. Chemical Warfare Company RAE, and was then
transferred to the Aust. Infantry in mid 1943 as 101st Aust. Brigade
Support Company.
- 1042. 3rd Aust. Division
Carrier Company, 1943-1944: Auth. LHQ Memo No. 189005,
29.10.1943, and GRO 24/1944, 21.1.1944.
- 1043. 5th Aust. Division
Carrier Company, 1943-1944: Auth. LHQ Memo No. 189005,
29.10.1943, and GRO 24/1944, 21.1.1944.
- 1044. 6th Aust. Division
Carrier Company, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 672/1943,
17.9.1943.
- 1045. 7th Aust. Division
Carrier Company, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 672/1943,
17.9.1943.
- 1046. 9th Aust Division
Carrier Company, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 672/1943,
17.9.1943.
- 1047. 11th Aust. Division
Carrier Company: A request was made
to LHQ in February 1944 for approval for this unit to wear a colour
patch, without apparent result. All examples noted of this patch are
of Western Australian manufacture, and there is no evidence that
they were worn.
Note: In passing, two further carrier units were
raised. These comprised the 4th Aust. Division Carrier Company, for
which no colour patch was approved, although a fake circular patch in
the approved design has been noted, and the 1st Aust. Independent
Carrier Platoon, raised at Merauke from personnel of units stationed
there. Again no colour patch was approved for this unit. All carrier
companies were disbanded by July 1944.
- 1048. North Australia
Observer Unit, 1942-1945: Ref. LHQ (DOS) Memo No. 76732,
dated 14.1.1942. This memo advised that an
order (MGO Order No. 2747) had been placed with the CCF for the
initial supply of this patch. It would appear however that No. 1049
was actually supplied in error, and the approved patch was not
issued to the unit until 1943. This unit was raised in May 1942 for
long-range patrolling and surveillance tasks in northern Australia.
- 1049. North Australia
Observer Unit, 1942-1943: Ref. Curtin's Cowboys, pp 17,
19. All
examples of this colour patch noted are of compressed felt, and
according to the unit
were issued by August 1942 and were not replaced by No. 1048 until
late 1943.
- - Norfolk Island Infantry
Detachment, 1942-1943: Raised in
March 1942 for the
defence of Norfolk Island and was relieved by a New Zealand infantry
battalion in
April 1943. The unit was originally attached to the 1st Aust.
Infantry Battalion prior to
deployment to Norfolk Island and continued to wear the colour patch
of that battalion
(No. 837) until disbandment. (Memo, NI 21/42, undated but
circa 18.9.1942, from the O.C., Norfolk Island Infantry Detachment,
to HQ NSW L of C Area. AA(NSW): SP 1008/1, item 415/1/83 1.)
- Aust. Anti-Tank Companies,
1940-1941: Raised for AIF infantry
brigades only, and were allotted the colour patch of their
respective infantry brigade headquarters. Disbanded between August
and December 1941, most being absorbed by the divisional anti-tank
regiments RAA. (The 26th Aust. Anti-Tank Company was absorbed
by the 2/4th Aust. LAA Regiment, the 22nd, 23rd and 27th Aust.
Anti-Tank Companies formed the 17th and 18th Aust. Anti-Tank
Batteries RAA.)
- Brigade Headquarters
Defence Platoons, 1941-1943: Allotted
the colour patch of their respective motor, armoured or infantry
brigade headquarters.
- - Defence and Employment
Platoons, 1940-1945: Allotted the
colour patch of the brigade, divisional or higher formation
headquarters to which they were attached. Their role was
gradually taken over by sub-units of the 2/1st and 2/2nd Aust. HQ
Guard Battalions.
- 1st Aust. LHQ Defence
Company, 1942-1945: Personnel of this unit wore No. 401.
- 1st Aust. Commando
Platoon, 1942: Raised in the Middle East in March 1942
and was disbanded in November 1942. This unit wore No. 404.
- 1050. 1st Aust. Corps
Guard Battalion, 1940-1941;
- Aust. HQ Guard Battalion,
1941-1942;
- 2/1st Aust. HQ Guard
Battalion, 1942-1943;
- 2/1st Aust. Guard
Regiment, 1943-1948: Auth. GRO 375/1943, 7.5.1943, but
was in use at least by early 1941. It was retained in the postwar
period by 33 Platoon, 'J' Company, 2/1st Aust. Guard Regiment, which
served in Japan as part of the Aust. Component, B.C.O.F.
- 1051. 2/2nd Aust. Headquarters Guard Battalion,
1943; 2/2nd Aust. Guard Battalion,
1943-1945: Auth. GRO 375/1943, 7.5.1943. Disbanded in March 1945.
Commenced forming in July 1941,
eight companies eventually being raised although more were planned. In
May 1943 the remaining seven companies were transferred to the 2/7th
Aust. Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, the RHQ of which acted as an
administrative headquarters. Independent Companies were redesignated
Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons in September 1943, becoming simply Commando
Squadrons progressively from January 1944. At this point several
companies lost their individual colour patches. A further four squadrons
were formed at the end of 1943 and wore the patch of the former Cavalry
regiment from which they had been raised.
The double diamond colour patch was designed by Major J.W. Jordan who
was on the staff of Army Headquarters at the time. In addition to the
authorities for supply which are quoted below, No's 1052 to 1060 appear
in MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.14, while No. 1061 is referred to in the
AWM colour patch file card register. See also plate 24.
- 1052. 2/1st Aust.
Independent Company, 1941-1943: Ref Branch Registration
No. MGO 7/386, Order No. 2064, 2.2.1942. The
majority of this company was captured on the islands north and east
of New Guinea during January/February 1942. Remaining subunits were
absorbed by other units in late 1942, although a section remained
active on Bougainville until early 1943.
- 1053. 2/2nd Aust.
Independent Company, 1941-1943;
- 2/2nd Aust. Commando
Squadron, 1943-1945: Ref. Branch Rep No. MGO 7/3 86,
Order No. 2064, 2.2.1942.
- 1054. 2/3rd Aust.
Independent Company, 1941-1943: Ref, Branch Rep No. MGO
7/386,
Order No. 2064, 2.2.1942. Superseded by No.
503.
- 1055. 2/4th Aust.
Independent Company, 1941-1944;
- 2/4th Aust. Commando
Squadron, 1944-1946: Ref. Branch Rep No. MGO 7/386,
Order No. 2064, 2.2.1942. This patch was
initially issued to members of No. 4 Cadre Course of 7th
Infantry Training Centre following disbandment in October 1941,
4th Aust. Independent Company not actually being raised until
December 1941. An unsuccessful attempt was made in mid 1944 by
9th Aust. Division to have this unit wear No. 506.
- 1056. 2/5th Aust.
Independent Company, 1942-1943: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No.
19793,
24.2.1942. Superseded by No. 503.
- 1057. 2/6th Aust.
Independent Company, 1942-1943: Ref, MGO Order No. 2222,
17.3.1942. Superseded by No. 503.
- 1058. 2/7th Aust.
Independent Company, 1942-1944;
- 2/7th Aust. Commando
Squadron, 1944-1945: Ref MGO Order No. 2222,
17.3.1942.
- 1059. 2/8th Aust.
Independent Company, 1942-1943;
- 2/8th Aust. Commando
Squadron, 1943-1945: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No.
44262,1.5.1942, MGO Order No. 2268. The unit
history states that initially a yellow colour patch (No. 1060) was
allotted, but an appeal by all ranks resulted in the reallocation of
No. 1059. (Commando White Diamond, Astill, p.5.)
- 1060. 9th Aust.
Independent Company: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 44262,
1.5.1942,
MGO Order No. 2268. This unit was not
subsequently raised, although the full quota
of 2,000 patches was supplied by the CCF, 1,996 of them still held
in 2 BOD in January 1947. These were almost certainly destroyed
after handover to the Disposals Commission, however this design of
patch is very common in collections, all examples being of WA or NSW
manufacture. It is possible therefore that these were manufactured
in error for 2/8th Independent Company in 1942 (see No. 1059), or
following the formation of the 2/9th Aust. Commando Squadron in late
1943.
- 1061. 10th Aust.
Independent Company: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 44262,
1.5.1942,
MGO Order No. 2268. This unit was not
subsequently raised, although the full quota
of 2,000 patches was supplied, and was still held in 2 BOD in
January 1947. They are
believed to have been destroyed after hand over to the Disposals
Commission.
- Special Independent
Company, 1942;
- 3rd Aust. Corps
Guerilla Warfare Group, 1942-1943: Raised
in 1942 to undertake long-range patrolling and surveillance
tasks in the north-west of Western Australia. Reorganized as the
nucleus of 43rd Aust. Water Transport Operating Company (Landing
Craft) RAE in November 1943. Former members contacted by the
writer have advised that no colour patch was allotted to this
unit.
The initial garrison battalions were
raised on full time duty in October 1939 for the defence of fixed
defences installations and vulnerable points. Their personnel were drawn
from the Class 'B' of the Australian Army Reserve, that is personnel
between the ages of 48 and 55 who had seen war service prior to 1st
September 1939. Cadres for reserve garrison battalions which were to be
raised on mobilization were created in 1940, and Commands where two or
more full time duty battalions were raised were directed to form an
administrative brigade headquarters with an establishment of, in 1940,
two officers and two other ranks. Units were also raised on special
establishments to staff prisoner-of-war and internment camps established
throughout Australia, the restrictions to prior war service being
waived, and some internment camp units included females on their
establishment.
- 1062. Garrison Battalions,
1939-1942: Auth. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 31881, 3.10.1939. This
colour patch was approved for and worn by all types of garrison
units, including close protection, beach defence, prisoner-of-war
and internment camp, and internal security. In September 1940 the
17th Garrison Battalion sought permission to place the numerals '17'
in the centre of their patch. The Adjutant-General was personally in
favour of this method of distinguishing between the various units
then in existence, however no official action was taken in this
direction. Although units in Western Command adopted lettered insets
on their patches soon afterwards, other requests were unsuccessful,
for instance an application by X Garrison Company in February 1942
to wear their patch as a diamond, and a number of applications made
by units in NSW in both 1941 and 1942. As a result of these however,
LHQ advised on 20.7.1942 that the question of distinctive markings
for the various battalions was then under consideration. Ref.
LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 79328, 20.7.1942, AA(NSW): SP 1008/1, item
415/1/831, AA(Tas.): CRS P618, item 415/1, and AA(Vic.): MP 508/1,
item 36/756/63.
- Note: The four colour patches following were
supplied by the Commonwealth Clothing Factory as a result of a
requisition placed with AHQ by HQ Western Command on 2.12.1940.
Central lettering is of white braid. No distinctive colour patch was
sought for 'M' Garrison Company which was also in existence in
Western Command at this stage. Ref. AA(Vic): CRS B1540, item 36/702.
- 1063. 5th Garrison Battalion, 1941-1942:
Depicted on battalion Christmas cards produced for Christmas
1941.
- 1064. 10th Garrison Battalion, 1941-1942:
- 1065. 19th Garrison Battalion, 1941-1942: This
patch is known to have been in use post
June 1942.136
- 1066. 'Y' Garrison Company, 1941-1942:
The following garrison units were
disbanded or reorganized prior to the issue of individual unit colour
patches in late 1942 and therefore only wore No. 1062 during their
existence;
- HQ 4th Garrison Brigade:
Located in South Australia, 1941-1942.
- 3rd Garrison Battalion
(C.D.): Raised in Southern Command
(3 MD), 1940-1942.
- 8th Garrison Battalion
(C.D.): Raised in Eastern Command
1940, served with 32nd Aust. Infantry Brigade during 1942.
- 18th Garrison Battalion
(C.D.): Raised in 4th MD,
1941-1942.
- 24th Garrison Battalion
(P.W. Camp): Disbanded and
reorganized as the 50th and 51st Garrison Companies in
November/December 1942.
- "M" Garrison
Company (I.C.): Located at No. 11
Internment Camp, Harvey, WA, 1940-1943.
- 'X' Garrison Company
(I.S.): Located 6th MD, 1940-1942,
reorganized as 30th Garrison Battalion in September 1942.
- 'Y' Garrison Company:
See No. 1066. Disbanded in March 1942.
- 'Z' Garrison Company:
Appears in both Routine Orders Part Il and the C of A Gazette, but
not on the Order of Battle. Located Darwin,
circa May-July 1940.
Note: Approval for the following colour patches, No's
1068 to 1101 inclusive, was GRO 663/1942, 11.12.1942, unless otherwise
stated.
- 1067. Unidentified: Possibly
only a variation of No. 1072.
- 1068. 1st Aust. Garrison
Brigade Administrative Headquarters, 1942-1944:
- 1069. 2nd Aust. Garrison
Brigade Administrative Headquarters, 1942-1944:
- 1070. 3rd Aust. Garrison
Brigade Administrative Headquarters, 1942-1943:
- 1071. 5th Aust. Garrison
Brigade Administrative Headquarters, 1942-1944:
- 1072. 1st Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1947:
- 1073. 2nd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1945:
- 1074. 2nd Aust. Garrison
Battalion: NSW manufacture,
possibly in error.
- 1075. 4th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp and Internal Security), 1942-1945:
- 1076. 5th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1944:
- 1077. 6th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1944;
- 6th/30th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1944-1945;
- 6th/30th Aust. Garrison
Company (I.S.), 1945-1946;
- 6th Military District
Defence and Employment Platoon, 1946-1947:
- 1078. 7th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1943: Two
companies from
this battalion also operated in a coast defence role.
- 1079. 9th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1943;
- 9th Aust. Garrison Company
(C.D.), 1943-1944:
- 1080. 10th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1946:
- 1081. 11th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1944:
- 1082. 12th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1944;
- 12th Aust. Garrison Company
(I.S.), 1944-1947:
- 1083. 13th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1943:
- 1084. 14th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942;
- 62nd Aust. Infantry
Battalion, 1942-1943: Redesignated
on 29.12.1942. This patch was superseded by No. 898 in September
1943.
- 1085. 15th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1944:
- 1086. 16th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1942-1945;
- Hay Prisoner-of-War
Group, 1945-1946: Staffed No's
6, 7, and 8 Camps, Hay, NSW.
- 1087. 16th Aust. Garrison
Battalion: NSW manufacture,
possibly a manufacturer's error.
- 1088. 17th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1942-1944;
- Tatura Internment
Group, 1944-1947: No's 1, 2, 3
and 4 Camps, Tatura, Victoria.
- 1089. 19th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1944:
- 1090. 20th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Coast Defence), 1942-1943:
- 1091. 21st Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1942-1943;
- 21st Aust. Garrison Company
(I.C.), 1943-1945;
- Liverpool P.W. and
Internment Camp, 1945-1947:
- 1092. 22nd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Prisoner-of-War Camp), 1942-1945;
- Cowra Prisoner-of-War Group,
1945-1947:
- No. 12 PW Camp, Cowra, NSW.
- 1093. 23rd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Prisoner-of-War Camp), 1942-1944;
- Murchison Prisoner-of-War
Group, 1944-1947:
- No. 13 PW Group, Murchison,
Victoria.
- 1094. 25th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1942-1943;
- 25th/33rd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (I.C.), 1943-1944;
- Loveday Internment
Group, 1944-1947: No's 9, 10,
and 14 Camps. Authority for the 25th/33rd Garrison Battalion to
wear this patch was LHQ Memo No. 191827, 3.11.1943.
- 1095. 29th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1942-1944;
- 29th Aust. Garrison Company
(I.C.), 1944:
- 1096. 30th Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1944;
- 30th Aust. Garrison
Company (I.S.), 1944: Raised in
September 1942 by expansion of 'X' Garrison Company and linked
with the 6th Aust. Garrison Battalion in June 1944.
- 1097. 31st Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1946:
- 1098. 32nd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internal Security), 1942-1943:
- 1099. 33rd Aust. Garrison
Battalion (Internment Camp), 1943:
Linked with the 25th Garrison Battalion on 16.9.1943, note that this
is the day prior to the promulgation of an authority for this colour
patch. Auth. GRO 672/1943,17.9.1943.
- 1100. 50th Aust. Garrison
Company (P.W. Officers Camp), 1942-1945: Raised
on 12.12.1942 at Dhurringile, Victoria, from personnel of the 24th
Garrison Battalion. Absorbed by Tatura Internment Group, which
became Rushworth Prisoner-of-War & Internment Camp in February
1947.
- 1101. 51st Aust. Garrison
Company (P.W. Officers Camp), 1942-1945;
- Myrtleford
Prisoner-of-War (Officers) Camp, 1945-1947: Located
at No. 5 P.W. (Officers) Camp, Myrtleford, Victoria, and was
raised from personnel of the 24th Garrison Battalion on
20.11.1942. Part of the unit formed Murchison POW Camp in June
1945.
- 1102. Unidentified: CCF
manufacture.
- - Lae Prisoner-of-War
Camp, 1945-1946: Raised as Lae PW
Garrison Company in February 1945 from personnel of the 22nd Aust.
Garrison Battalion and is believed to have retained No. 1092 until
disbandment in April 1946.
Note: I have not yet been able to ascertain which
colour patches were worn by PW Labour Detachments, PW Guard Companies,
PW Control Centres, PW Hostels, and PW Voyage Guards, nor the staffs of
Gaythorne, Sandy Creek, Marrinup, and Brighton Prisoner of War Camps,
however it seems likely that personnel of these units wore either the
patch of their HQ L of C Area, that of the garrison unit from which
their new unit had been raised, or in a number of cases the colour patch
of their former unit.
The Volunteer Defence Corps was formed
in July 1940, sponsored by the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's
Imperial League of Australia, and became a component of the Australian
Military Forces in May 1941. Originally it was assigned the role of
static defence of vital installations, coast watching, and other
activities in close proximity to the home and work areas of its members.
In 1943, due to the acute manpower shortage facing the three Services
and the munitions industry, the primary role of the Corps was changed to
provide for the manning, on a part-time basis, of coast and
anti-aircraft installations of the fixed defences to release fit members
of the AMF for service in operational areas.
Some idea of the contribution of
the Corps might be gauged by the fact that by late 1943 almost the whole
of the manning of the fixed coast and anti-aircraft defences in
Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania was undertaken by personnel of
the VDC, while no less than eleven AA searchlight batteries of the RAA
were formed entirely from VDC members.
Initially the means of identification of members of the Corps was a
khaki armband worn on the right arm, bearing the initials R.S.L. in red,
above an intertwined VDC monogram, also in red. A miniature colour patch
of the wearer's original AIF unit was to be inserted in the space
between the two sets of lettering. Prior to the granting of rank to
members of the Corps in February 1942, the individual's appointment,
i.e.. Section Leader, Battalion Commander, etc, was shown by a 3/4 inch
wide strip of colour, varying according to the appointment, sewn around
the top of the armband.
The colour patch subsequently approved for the VDC
was selected at a Corps Commanders conference in May 1942. In mid
September 1942, both J and J Cash Australian Weaving Company Ltd, and
Braeside Pty Ltd, were awarded large contracts through the Department of
Supply and Shipping for the supply of the badges, and the first issues
to ordnance depots commenced in late September.
Instructions relating to issue
were promulgated by LHQ (AG) Memo No. 116356, 3.10.1942, and the initial
issues to units commenced from 12.10.1942. By the end of 1942 some
284,000 colour patches had been supplied, sufficient for the issue of
three per man. Early in the new year, LHQ began expressing concern as to
the reasons why so few members of the VDC were wearing colour patches,
reminding formation headquarters that failure to wear an authorised item
of dress was to be dealt with by disciplinary action where necessary.
The truth of the matter was that the colour patch
was almost universally despised by the members of the Corps. A number of
reasons were given, foremost amongst these being that the issue of the
patch coincided with a media campaign on the incidence of venereal
disease amongst members of the Forces, leading to unkind comparisons
with the Corps' initials by members of the public. Other reasons
included the reluctance of full time duty members of the Corps to be
identified with what was in effect a part-time voluntary organization,
while it was felt by all personnel that the patch failed, in the eyes of
the public, to indicate the important role of the Corps, particularly
that of manning the fixed defences.
Numerous proposals were
submitted for either a redesign of the patch, its total abolition, or
the addition of miniature colour patches to the design to at least
indicate personnel allotted to the War Establishment of coast and
anti-aircraft units of the RAA. The C-in-C was adamant however that no
change to the existing design would be considered, his only concession
being to direct in February 1944 that AIF personnel posted to full time
duty with the VDC would retain their AIF status, and were to wear a grey
background to the VDC colour patch. (LHQ(CGS) Memo No.
46940,5.4.1944. AA(Vic): MP 742/1, item 36/2/70.)
- 1103. Volunteer Defence
Corps, 1942-1946: Woven on cloth
for wear on the khaki Jacket, S.D.
- 1104.Volunteer Defence
Corps, 1942-1946: Woven on cloth or
embroidered on felt for wear on the Jacket, VDC, a green version of
the Jacket, SD, which was initially issued to the VDC and which was
replaced by the khaki jacket as stocks of the latter became
available.
- 1105. Volunteer Defence
Corps, 1942-1946: Examples have
been seen with the monogram embroidered on felt, for wear on the hat
band, however they were generally modified from No's 1103 and 1104.
- Note: It is understood that other manufacturers
were involved from 1943 in the production of this colour patch,
including the National Clothing Company, WA, and the Melbourne
Embroidery Company, Vienna Fashions, H. Schiess and Sons, Philip
Joseph, and French Embroidery Pty Ltd, all of Victoria.
- 1106-1110. Reserved.
Formed in October 1939 as a
Corps of the Citizen Forces. (Amendment to Australian Military
Regulations and Orders, 1927, Para 1055 (R.601), notified in AAO
299/1939, dated 31.10.1939.) No colour patch was
approved for this Corps, the members of which wore the patch of the
formation headquarters to which personnel or units were allotted for
duty.
- These units included:
- Sections, Aust. Intelligence
Corps;
- Sections, Field Security
Service (or Wing);
- Field Security Sections;
- Field Security Sections (Enemy
Equipment);
- Field Censorship Sections.
- In addition the following units of
the Corps wore the LHQ colour patch (No. 401):
- Security Service;
- GHQ Detachment 22;
- Allied Translator and
Interpreter Section;
- Army Air Photograph
Interpretation Group;
- Army Air Photograph
Interpretation Units;
- Combined Operational
Intelligence Centre (GHQ) (Aust. Component);
- Central Bureau;
- Combined Services Detailed
Interrogation Centre;
- 1st Aust. Field Censorship
Company.
Authorities for the above include: AHQ(DOS) Memo No.
70030, 21.10.1940 (Int. Corps units, 2nd AIF); AIF Order(ME) No. 179,
17.1.1941 (Intelligence sections and FSS sections, Aust. Base and L of C
Area); LHQ(AG) Memo No. 108034, 17.9.1942 (4th and 5th Aust. Field
Censorship Sections, 'L' Field Security Section, 8th Aust. Air Liaison
Section); LHQ(AG) Memo No. 60104, 13.4.1943 (AnS and COIC); LHQ(MGO)
Memo No. 189005, 29.10.1943 (1st Aust. Army Air Photograph
Interpretation Unit).
- Special Intelligence
Personnel Sections, 1942-1946: These
units were attached to Wireless Sections (Type B) of the Aust.
Special Wireless Group, and wore the colour patch of that unit (No.
693 then No. 1642). They formed part of Central Bureau, and in
September 1944 1st Aust. Special Intelligence Personnel Group was
raised as a parent unit for these sections.
- 1111. Allied Geographical
Section (AMF Component), 1943-1946: Auth. GRO 125/1943,
5.2.1943. Served directly under the control of
GHQ SWPA, and was responsible for the preparation of maps, guide
books and terrain profiles. Embroidered examples were
initially supplied, genuine hand sewn examples also exist.
- 1112. Air Liaison Units,
1945-1949: Auth. GRO 124/1945, 27.4.1945. The
first unit of this
type, 2/1st Aust. Air Intelligence Liaison Section, was raised in
the Middle East in April 1940 and wore No. 404. Further units were
raised in Australia from December 1941, and from early 1942 were
redesignated simply as Air Liaison Sections. Air Liaison officers
were initially seconded to the Intelligence Corps from their own
units for duty with an AL Section, and the colour patch worn by all
personnel was that of the headquarters of the formation to which the
unit was allotted. Between January and August 1943 a major
reorganization of these units was undertaken to form HQ Air Liaison
Groups, Command Air Liaison Sections, Squadron Air Liaison Sections,
and Air Liaison Sections (Army Air Co-operation). In August 1943
they ceased to belong to the Aust. Intelligence Corps. The
formation HQ colour patch continued to be worn from this point until
No. 1112 was introduced.
Created on 13th December 1927, (Commonwealth
of Australia Gazette, No. 131/1927,15.12.1927.)
however the first unit, 1st Tank Section (Medium), of the Citizen
Forces, was not raised until March 1930. In November 1937 it was
expanded to form the 1st Light Tank Company, the 2nd Light Tank Company
being raised in Victoria in March 1.939. The Corps ceased to exist upon
the formation of the Australian Armoured Corps in July 1941, the 2nd
Light Tank Company having been disbanded, while the 1st was reorganized
as the 3rd Armoured Regiment in March 1941. The colours adopted were
those of the Royal Tank Corps, which was affiliated with the Aust. Tank
Corps in 1933. See also comment regarding wearing of these colours in
the note with No. 475.
- 1113. Australian Tank
Corps, 1928-1941: Auth. MBI Q.26, 18.2.1928. Did
not appear in SO Dress until 1935. Permanent Forces personnel
attached to the Tank Corps belonged initially to the RAA, RAE and
AASC(P) until 1932, then to the Tank Cadre AASC(P)(MT). They wore
No. 385 until 1934, then No. 387 thereafter.
Between 1939 and late 1945,
chaplains wore the colour patch of the unit or formation headquarters to
which they were attached, with the exception that chaplains attached to
infantry battalions wore the colour patch of the infantry brigade
headquarters to which the battalion belonged. Although unrecorded it
would appear that these principles were also followed during the prewar
period. Auth. AG Minute dated 24.11.1939, and Standing Orders
AIF, 1940, Chapter IX, para. 209(h). Granted the
title 'Royal' in 1948.
1114-1115. Reserved.
Granted the title 'Royal' on 1.1.1949. Disbanded
on 1.6.1973, its personnel and units transferred to the RAAOC and the
newly formed Royal Australian Corps of Transport.
Divisional Troops
From 1921 until 1928, the AASC units allotted to
CMF divisions retained their war time designation as Divisional Trains,
AASC, organized with four companies. From 1939 the divisional AASC was
standardised as an ammunition company, petrol company and supply column.
This changed amongst the AIF divisions in the Middle East in late 1941,
and progressively throughout 1942 for the CMF divisions, to three
Companies, AASC. Armoured or motor divisions had a divisional troops
company, armoured and motor brigade companies, and support group company
as appropriate. Workshop platoons or sections were an integral part of
the establishment of various types of AASC units and did not become part
of the RAEME until the post-war period.
- 1116. AASC 1st Division,
1921-1942;
- AASC 1st Aust.
Division, 1942-1945: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
- 1117. AASC 2nd Division,
1921-1942;
- AASC 2nd Aust.
Division, 1942-1944: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
- 1118. AASC 3rd Division,
1921-1942;
- AASC 3rd Aust.
Division, 1942-1945: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
- 1119. (a) AASC 4th
Division, 1921-1942;
- AASC 4th Aust.
Division, 1942-1944: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
- (b) AASC 3rd Mixed
Brigade, 1938-1942: This colour
patch was retained by most L of C AASC units in South Australia
until late 1942. (HQ SA L of C Area letter to S & T
Directorate, LHQ, dated 13.8.1942. AA(Vic): MP 508, item
36/702/260.) The unit comprised a
headquarters, a supply column and 'B' Section, 4th Division
Ammunition Company, with the sections of AASC 1st Cavalry
Division raised in 4th MD attached for peacetime training
purposes. It had formerly been known as Field Troops 4th MD,
Supply and Transport Company.
- 1120. (a) HQ AASC 5th
Division, and
- AASC 11th Mixed Brigade,
1921-1940;
- AASC Northern Command,
1940-1942;
- AASC 5th Aust.
Division, 1942-1945: Note:
Sub-units of AASC 1st, later 2nd, Cavalry Division, and AASC 1st
Division, raised in 1st M.D., formed for training purposes part
of AASC 11th Mixed Brigade.
- (b) 13th Mixed Brigade
Supply and Transport Company AASC, 1921-1930;
- AASC 13th Mixed Brigade,
1930-1940;
- AASC Western Command
Field Troops, 1940-1942:
- (c) 12th Mixed Brigade
Supply and Transport Company AASC, 1925-1930;
- AASC 12th Mixed Brigade,
1930-1942;
- 31st Aust. Company
AASC, 1942-1945: HQ 6th
District Base was advised on 29.1.1925 that colour patches
had not yet been issued to this unit. In July 1930 this unit
also unsuccessfully requested permission to wear its colour
patch behind the Corps badge on the slouch hat. Auth. SO
Clothing Pt III, 1922.
- 1121. AASC 6th Aust.
Division, 1939-1945: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.
16.
- 1122. AASC 7th Aust.
Division, 1940-1945: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.
16.
- 1123.AASC 8th Aust.
Division, 1940-1945: Ref MGO Branch Line Drawings, p. 16.
The majority of this unit was captured on
Singapore, Ambon, New Britain and Timor between January and March
1942. Only 23rd Brigade Company AASC and a section of 8th Aust.
Division Ammunition Company remained in Australia.
- 1124. AASC 8th Aust.
Division: An unofficial colour
patch signifying that the wearer belonged to a unit of AASC 8th
Aust. Division which had not been captured with the remainder of the
division in early 1942. Only one example has been noted to date and
although apparently worn, its status as to whether it is genuine or
not has not yet been determined. A 1st Aust. Corps Minute G/3360/SD
dated 21.5.1944 records that the 2/166th Aust. General Transport
Company and the 235th and 2/240th Aust. Supply Depot Platoons were
wearing the 'AASC 8th Aust. Division' colour patch (probably
No. 1123) at that point as units of 1st and
2nd Aust. Beach Groups.
- 1125. AASC 9th Aust.
Division, 1940-1942: Ref. To Benghazi, Long, Appendix 4. Superseded
by No. 1126 in December 1942. Formerly AASC Australforce.
- 1126. AASC 9th Aust.
Division, 1942-1945: Auth.GR0225/1943,12.3.1943.
- AASC 10th Aust. Division,
1942: No colour patch is known to
have been approved for these units, which were comprised of the
28th, 29th and 30th Companies AASC.
- 1127. AASC 11th Aust.
Division, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 468/1943,18.6.1943.
- - AASC 12th Aust.
Division, 1943-1944: See AASC Northern Territory Force.
- 1128. AASC 1st Cavalry
Division, 1921-1942;
- AASC 1st Aust. Motor
Division, 1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922.
- 1129. AASC 2nd Cavalry
Division, 1921-1942;
- AASC 2nd Aust. Motor
Division, 1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Superseded
by No. 1132 in August 1942.
Note: In 1938, the elements of AASC 1st Cavalry
Division raised in 1st MD were redesignated 'B' and 'E' Sections, 2nd
Cavalry Division Supply Column. At the same time elements of AASC 2nd
Cavalry Division formed in 4th MD were reorganized as 'C' and 'F'
Sections, I st Cavalry Division Supply Column. These units remained
attached to AASC I I th and 3rd Mixed Brigades respectively for
peacetime training and there is no evidence that they changed their
colour patches to reflect the new divisional groupings.
- 1130. (a) AASC 1st Aust.
Armoured Division, 1941-1943: Ref, AHQ(DOS) Memo No.
14520, 7.3.1941. Units were dispersed to
various formations in September 1943.
(b) 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade Company
AASC, 1943-1945: Formed part of 1st
Aust. Armoured Brigade Group from September 1943 and was disbanded
on 5.1.1945.
(c) 2/1st Aust. Tank Transporter Company
AASC, 1943-1945: Formed part of 1st
Aust. Armoured Brigade Group from September 1943 and was disbanded
on 16.1.1945, personnel from the unit forming 2/2nd Aust. Workshop
Platoon AASC.
- 1131. AASC 1st Aust.
Armoured Division: Of NSW
manufacture, however there is no evidence that it was worn by any of
the units allotted to this formation.
- 1132. AASC 2nd Aust. Motor
Division, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942.
Disbanded in April 1943.
- 1133. AASC 3rd Aust.
Armoured Division, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO
165/1943,19.2.1943.
- 1134A. 151st Aust. General
Transport Company AASC, 1943: Ref. Unit Association
(Victorian Branch). There is some recollection
by members that this colour patch was worn by the unit during a
brief period of attachment to 3rd Aust. Armoured Division. Several
examples have been sighted, supplied by at least two different
manufacturers.
- 1134B. AASC 3rd Aust.
Armoured Division: Of NSW
manufacture and appears in full size and miniature variations,
however there is no evidence that it was worn by units of this
formation.
- 1135. AASC 3rd Aust. Army
Tank Brigade, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 375/1943, 7.5.1943. The
initial order for the supply of this patch was submitted on
11.2.1943 to Braeside Pty Ltd. A CCF manufactured example also
exists and a NSW manufactured variation in the J.A. Ryan Collection
(AWM) measures 2 and 1/2 inches by I and 1/2 inches. Comprised of
the 3rd Aust. Army Tank Brigade Company AASC and 4th Aust. Tank
Transporter Company AASC.
- 1136. AASC 3rd Aust. Army
Tank Brigade: A NSW manufactured
variation in compressed felt which was issued to and worn by members
of this unit.
- 1137. AASC 4th Aust.
Armoured Brigade, 1943-1946: Auth. GRO 310/1943,
16.4.1943. Raised initially as 4th Aust.
Armoured Brigade Company AASC in April 1943 by conversion of 2/103rd
Aust. General Transport Company AASC. By March 1945 it included the
89th, 90th, 91st, and 92nd Aust. Transport Platoons, 31st, 32nd,
33rd, and 2/34th Aust. Tank Transporter Platoons, 103rd Aust.
Composite Platoon, and 2/2nd Aust. Workshop Platoon.
- 1138. AASC 4th Aust.
Armoured Brigade: Ref Appendix 'B', 4th Aust. Armoured
Brigade War History. (AWM 54, items 89/3/5 and 89/3/6.) This
reference states that No. 1138 was being worn in lieu of No. 1137 by
all AASC units of 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade except the four tank
transporter platoons. Despite this reference, and the existence of
NSW manufactured examples in the J.A. Ryan (AWM) and Victoria
Barracks collections, there is no evidence to confirm that this
colour patch was actually worn in lieu of No. 1137.
- 1139. Unidentified:
J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM. This is possibly a
badly cut version of No. 1137, however see No's 784 and 1428.
Comprised of: HQ Comd. Army Troops
AASC; HQ Comd. Corps Troops AASC; HQ Comd. Corps Transport Columns;
General Transport Companies; HQ General Transport Companies (Tropical
Scale); Transport Platoons; Workshop Platoons; HQ Supply Depot
Companies; Supply Depot Platoons; DID's; Motor Ambulance Convoys; HQ
MAC; MAC Platoons; MAC Workshop Platoon; Water Carrying Companies; Corps
Troops Supply Columns; Corps Troops Petrol Companies; Corps Troops
Ammunition Companies; Companies AASC.
- 1140. First Aust. Army
Troops AASC, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 165/1943,19.2.1943.
- 1141.Second Aust. Army
Troops AASC, 1943-1945: Auth. GRO 375/1943, 7.5.1943. Anticipation
of approval was granted by an MGO signal to the DDOS Second Aust.
Army circa 2.3.1943. The design first appeared in draft GRO's in
early March 1943, but was withheld while a more complex scheme for
Army Troops AASC was considered (AA(Vic): MP 742/1, item 61/13/15).
The first authority was for 7th Aust. Motor Ambulance Convoy AASC
vide LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 72878,6.5.1943.
- 1142. Aust. Corps Troops
AASC, 1939-1940;
- AASC 1st Aust. Corps
Troops, 1940-1945: Auth. Colour patch chart
promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. See
also No's 1145 to 1155.
- 1143. AASC 2nd Aust. Corps
Troops, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 207/1942, 17.7.1942.
- 1144. AASC 3rd Aust. Corps
Troops, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 207/1942,17.7.1942.
Auth. AIF Order(ME) No. 143, 20.12.1940. Approved
by the GOC 2nd AIF for units in the Middle East without consultation
with the Military Board. Units of 1st Aust. Corps AASC serving in
Australia and Malaya retained No. 1142, including 8th Aust. Division
Ammunition Sub-Park, 2/2nd and 2/3rd Aust. Reserve Motor Transport
Companies, and the transport wings of the 2/2nd and 2/3rd Aust. Motor
Ambulance Convoys AAMC.
- 1145. 1st Aust. Corps
Ammunition Park, 1940-1942:
- 1146.1st Aust. Corps
Troops Ammunition Company, 1940-1942: Superseded
by No. 1155 in early 1942.
- 1147. 1st Aust. Corps
Troops Supply Column, 1940-1942:
- 1148. 1st Aust. Corps
Petrol Park, 1940-1942:
- 1149.(a) AASC Personnel
(attached), 1st Aust. Corps Troops, 1940-1942: Originally
allotted to AASC personnel attached to the 2/13th Aust. Field
Ambulance and the 2/3rd Aust. Field Hygiene Section. Its use was
extended to AASC personnel attached to all units of 1st Aust. Corps
Troops as Drivers, M.T., etc., vide AHQ Cipher No. 2/22 dated
28.7.1941.
- (b) 1st Aust. Reserve
Motor Transport Company AASC, 1941-1942: Auth. AHQ
Cipher No. 2/22, 28.7.194 1.
- 1150.1st Aust.
Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company AASC, 1940-1942: Reorganized
as the 2/142nd Aust. General Transport Company AASC upon its return
to Australia in early 1942, and reverted to wearing No. 1142.
- 1151.2/1st Aust. Motor
Ambulance Convoy (Transport Wing), 1940-1943: In
December 1941 a major reorganization of non-divisional AASC units in
the Middle East was undertaken. As a consequence of this, No's 1145
to 1149 ceased to be used by these units and personnel, four of the
designs then being allotted to the units raised under the new
organization. It would appear that usage of these designs continued
in some cases until at least early 1943, but all were eventually
replaced by No. 1142.
- 1152. 'A' Section, 2/4th
Aust. Motor Ambulance Convoy (Transport Wing), 1942-1943:
Auth. HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 3217, 22.2.1942.
- 1153.1st Aust. Corps
Transport Column, 1942: Auth. HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 3844,
11.3.1942. Comprised by the 2/101st, 2/102nd,
2/103rd, and 2/104th Aust. General Transport Companies.
- 1154.1st Aust. Corps Troop
Carrying Column, 1942: Auth. HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 3844,
11.3.1942. Comprised of the 2/105th, 2/106th,
and 2/107th Aust. General Transport
Companies.
- 1155.1st Aust. Corps
Troops AASC, 1942-1943: Auth. HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 3844,
11.3.1942. Comprised of 1st Aust. Corps Troops
Petrol Company, Ammunition Company, and Supply Column.
In August 1942 MGO Branch prepared a
draft GRO incorporating colour patches for AASC units of New Guinea,
Northern Territory and Tasmania Forces, of which only that for New
Guinea Force was subsequently approved. It is believed that No's 115 8
to 1163 exist as a result of confusion between the operational and line
of communication roles undertaken by the Force structure, and while
genuine examples of each appear in collections, there is no evidence at
this point that they were actually worn. Reproductions of No's 1158 to
1162 also exist, as do fake examples purporting to represent Motor
Transport, Horse Transport and BIPODs allotted to Northern Territory
Force. No adequate explanation has been found for No's 1164 and 1165
although they were probably supplied in error for Queensland L of C Area
on the basis that red was the colour allotted to the former Northern
Command.
- 1156. Reserved.
- - AASC
Northern Territory Force:
Units allotted to this formation, and later 12th Aust. Division,
continued to wear the colour patch of the previous formation to
which they belonged.
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