36th Battalion (Australia)

36th Battalion
Members of the 36th Battalion are addressed by their commanding officer on a troopship en route to New Ireland in 1944
Active1916–1918
1921–1945
Country Australia
BranchAustralian Army
TypeInfantry
Size800–1,000 men[Note 1]
ColoursWhite over green
EngagementsWorld War I

World War II

Commanders
Notable
commanders
Leslie Morshead
Arthur Samuel Allen
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 36th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1916 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force during World War I. Throughout World War I the battalion served on the Western Front as part of the 9th Brigade, attached to the 3rd Division. Due to heavy casualties amongst the AIF and a decrease in the number of replacements arriving from Australia in 1918, the battalion was disbanded before the war ended in order to reinforce other units in France. The 36th Battalion was re-raised in 1921 as part of the Militia based in Sydney. During World War II the battalion was attached to the 14th Brigade and was initially used in a defensive role as a garrison unit in Australia before being sent to New Guinea in 1942. The 36th Battalion spent most of the 1942–45 period overseas in New Guinea and New Britain where they undertook operations against the Japanese. In June 1945 they were returned to Australia and shortly afterwards the battalion was disbanded.


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