2nd Health Brigade | |
---|---|
Active | 1903–1945 2023–present |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Australian Army |
Type | Infantry (1903-1945) Health (2023-present) |
Size | 1,700 (2023)[1] |
Part of | 1st Division (1914–20) 4th Division (1920–43) 2nd Division (1943–45) Forces Command (2023–present) |
Engagements | First World War Second World War |
Insignia | |
Unit colour patch |
The 2nd Health Brigade (2HB) is an Australian Army brigade. The 2nd Brigade was formed in 1903 as a militia infantry formation based in Victoria, the brigade later served during the First World War as part of the Australian Imperial Force, allocated to the 1st Division. During the war, the 2nd Brigade took part in the fighting at Gallipoli, including the Battle of Krithia where it lost almost a third of its strength. Later they took part in the Battle of Lone Pine before being withdrawn back to Egypt in December 1915. Following this the brigade was transferred to the Western Front in France and Belgium where, between March 1916 and the armistice in November 1918, they took part in most of the major Allied operations.
In the 1920s the brigade reverted to a part-time militia formation, once again based in Victoria, forming part of the 4th Division. During the Second World War, the brigade remained a part of 4th Division until 1943, when it was reallocated to the 2nd Division based in Western Australia where they were tasked with carrying out garrison duties before being redeployed to Darwin at the end of the year as the threat of invasion by the Japanese decreased. It was eventually disbanded in early 1945.
The brigade was re-raised on 3 March 2023 to command the Army's four new health battalions.