Unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Services 

 Search & Help Recruits Military History Hall of Heroes Indigenous Slouch hat + ARMY Today Uniforms Badges

 Colours & Flags Weapons Food Equipment Assorted Medals Armour Navy Air Power 

Nurses - Medical Tributes Poetry - Music Posters & Signs Leaders The Enemy Humour Links Killing Anzac

Click to escape. Subject to Crown Copyright.
Category: Colour patches

Click to go up one level

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES 1921 - 1949

Index of Units on THIS page. Click the links.
Formation Headquarters Australian Armoured Corps
Australian Light Horse 2nd Australian Armoured Brigade
For details of these patches

For details of these patches

For details of these patches

For details of these patches

For details of these patches

FORMATION HEADQUARTERS

Until October 1939 divisional headquarters and district base headquarters came directly under the control of the Military Board. In October 1939 the Command organization was introduced into the AMF to reduce the number of lower formations directly under the control of Army Headquarters and to bring the peace organization into line with the war organization. Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Commands were created, each roughly conforming with the state boundaries of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia respectively. The 4th and 6th Military Districts (South Australia and Tasmania) came under control of Southern Command, while 7th Military District and later 8th Military District (Northern Territory, and the Territories of Papua and New Guinea) were the responsibility of AHQ. In January 1942 base headquarters were formed in Northern, Eastern, and Southern Commands to separate the administrative role from the Command headquarters which retained the operational role.

The higher command organization underwent a complete reorganization in April 1942, Command Headquarters forming corps or divisional headquarters, while base and military district headquarters were organized into line of communication area headquarters. In certain areas, notably New Guinea, Northern Territory, and Tasmania, force headquarters were raised, these having both an operational and line of communication role.

Prior to the reorganization of the Australian Military Forces in April 1942 little interest was shown in providing colour patches for formation headquarters above divisional level, although Corps and Overseas Base Sub-Area headquarters patches had been approved for the Second AIF during 1939/1940. Coloured armlets were deemed sufficient to distinguish officers allotted for duty in certain appointments with higher formation or base headquarters of the Home Forces. In June 1941 the MGO submitted proposals for the allocation of colour patches to higher formation headquarters, and that some efforts were taken in this direction is evidenced by No. 400. A scheme of colour patches was submitted almost immediately upon the reorganization of the command structure in April 1942,(see note 85) and thereafter colour patches were worn by all levels of headquarters until the abolition of the system.

Note 85. Initial proposal was submitted by '0' Branch on 20.4.1942 and was concurred in, with one modification, by 'A' Branch on 21.4.1942. An AG Minute dated 13.5.1942 (AA[Vic.]: MP 508/1, item 107/701/56) makes reference to colour patches recently approved for respective L of C headquarters, and initial order for manufacture was MGO Order No. 2417, placed by LHQ(MGO) Memo No. 62365, 17.6.1942.

It will be noted that many units, and individual personnel, of certain corps and services were not allotted a distinctive colour patch but wore the colour patch of the headquarters of the formation to which they were attached or allotted for duty. Information relating to these units is contained in the sections pertaining to each arm or service.

  • 400. Headquarters Southern Command, 1942: Ref. Extract of HQ Southern Command 
    memo dated 11.4.1942 located in AA(Vic): CRS B1540, item 36/702. This memo
    advised AHQ that this colour patch was currently on issue to the unit, and requested
    permission to retain it following redesignation as HQ 1st Aust. Corps on 15.4.1942.
    This patch would appear to have been unofficial, or at least adopted in anticipation of
    approval being given, as on 9.4.1942 the authorisation of distinctive colour patches AHQ, Command, Base and District headquarters was still under consideration by the Adjutant-General.     Ref. AA(Vic): MP 508/1, item 107/701/56.
  • 401A. Headquarters Allied Land Forces, South-West Pacific Area (L.H.Q.), 1942-1945;
    • Headquarters Australian Military Forces, 1945-1946; 
    • Army Headquarters, 19461949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6,1946. Formed by redesignation of GHQ(Aust.) on 29.5.1942, formerly Army Headquarters. GRO 60/1945 states that all personnel, regardless of whether they belonged to a particular service or not, posted within the war establishment of LHQ or one of its echelons, were to wear the LHQ colour patch. 
    • Associated headquarters and staffs wearing this patch between 1942 and 1946 included: 
      • LHQ Local Administrative Staff; 
      • Aust. Army Staff (United Kingdom); 
      • Aust. Military Mission (Washington); 
      • Aust. Military Liaison Staff (Middle East); 
      • Advanced LHQ / Advanced HQ AMF / HQ Morotai Force; 
      • Branch of the Chief Military Advisor; 
      • Headquarters of Services, LHQ; 
      • Directorate of Public Relations; 
      • Prisoner-of-War Information Bureau; 
      • GHQ Regulating System (AMF Component); 
      • Far Eastern Liaison Office (Aust. Army Section); 
      • Experimental Research Unit (MGO Branch); 
      • Aust. Provision Office (Eastern Group); 
      • Army Inspection Staffs; 
      • 1st Aust. HQ Military Landing Group; 
      • Combined Operations Section.
  • 401B. General Headquarters (Australia), 1942: Believed to be a variation of No. 40 1 A, in
    compressed felt, and possibly supplied prior to becoming LHQ on 29.5.1942.
  • 402A. Headquarters First Aust. Army, 1942-1946: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942.
    Formed by redesignation and reorganization of HQ 1st Aust. Corps on 11.4.1942 and
    was redesignated HQ 8th Military District in February 1946.
  • 402B. Headquarters First Aust. Army, 1942: A size variation, 2 inches square, of No.
    402A. This error comprised almost half of the first batch of 2,000 pairs produced by
    the CCF and issued to 3rd Aust. Adv. Ord. Depot at Toowoomba. It might be of
    interest to note that the remainder of this 'initial batch measured I and 3/4 inches
    square. As far as is known these size variations were issued and worn.
  • 403. Headquarters Second Aust. Army, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942.
    Raised in February 1942 as HQ Home Forces and was redesignated in April 1942.
  • 404. Headquarters 1st Aust. Corps, 1940-1942: Auth. Colour chart/Promulgated with
    AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. Raised in May 1940 as part of the 2nd
    AlF and was reorganized as Headquarters First Aust. Army in April 1942.
  • 405. Headquarters 1st Aust. Corps, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942. Raised
    by redesignation of HQ Southern Command on 15.4.1942. In August 1942 it was redesignated 1st Aust. Corps and New Guinea Force Headquarters, reverted to its original title in August 1943, and was redesignated HQ 2nd Aust. Corps on 12.4.1944. On 20.4.1944 it absorbed HQ New Guinea Force and was re-titled HQ NG Force on 6.5.1944. Reformed as HQ 2nd Aust. Corps on 2.10.1944.
  • 406. Headquarters 2nd Aust. Corps, 1942-1945: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942. Raised by redesignation of HQ Eastern Command in April 1942 and was redesignated HQ 1st Aust. Corps on 12.4.1944.
  • 407. Headquarters 3rd Aust. Corps, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942. Raised by redesignation of HQ Western Command *in April 1942. Absorbed HQ WA L of C Area on 1.6.1944 and was redesignated HQ Western Command on 10.6.1944.
  • 408. Headquarters Northern Territory Force, 1942-1946: Auth. GRO 149/1942,
    3.7.1942. Raised by redesignation of HQ 7th Military District in April 1942 and reverted to that title in April 1946. On 7.12.1942 it was briefly designated HQ 12th Aust. Division, reverting again to HQ NT Force in January 1943. In addition to its operational role it also carried out the duties of HQ NT L of C Area.
  • 409. Headquarters Torres Strait Force, 1943-1944; and
    • Headquarters Torres Strait Area, 1944-1946: Auth. GRO 92/1943, 22.1.1943. Raised on 1.9.1942 by redesignation of Thursday Island Fixed Defences Fortress Command.
  • 410. Headquarters Tasmania Force, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942.
    Formed by redesignation of HQ Tasmania L of C Area in June 1942 and reverted back to this title on 29.4.1943. Performed both an operational and L of C headquarters role during its existence.
  • 411. Headquarters New Guinea Force, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942.
    Formed by redesignation of HQ 8th Military District in April 1942. Absorbed as 1st Aust. Corps and NG Force Headquarters between August 1942 and August 1943, and was again absorbed by HQ 2nd Aust. Corps on 20.4.1944, although the new unit retained the title of HQ NG Force. Disbanded on 2.10.1944, reforming HQ 2nd Aust. Corps, the functions of the former HQ NG Force being taken over by HQ First Aust. Army.
  • 412. Headquarters 1st Cavalry Division, 1921-1942; and 
    • Headquarters 1st Aust. Motor Division, 1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Raised in NSW and Queensland in 1921 as a CMF formation comprising the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Cavalry Brigades, and was reorganized with the 1st and 2nd Motor-Brigades in April 1942. Redesignated HQ 3rd Aust. Armoured Division in October 1942.
  • 413. Headquarters 2nd Cavalry Division, 1921-1942; and 
    • Headquarters 2nd Aust. Motor Division, 1942: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Superseded by No. 416 in August 1942. Raised in Victoria and South Australia in 1921 as a CMF formation comprising the 3rd, 5th, and 6th Cavalry Brigades. Reorganized with the 3rd Motor and 6th Armoured Brigades in 1942.
  • 414. Headquarters 1st Aust. Armoured Division, 1941-1943: Ref. Ref AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Raised initially in July 1941 as an AIF formation, comprising the 1st and 2nd Armoured Brigades and Support Group. Reorganized with the 1st Armoured and 3rd Motor Brigades from October 1942 and disbanded in September 1943. A scheme of colour patches for all units of this division had been tentatively approved in January 1941, the shape being an inverted triangle. This was modified to the pentagon shape when it was found that inverted triangles were already in use by some AASC units in the Middle East. On 7.3.1941 the various Commands were advised by AHQ that a requisition had been placed with the CCF for the supply
    of colour patches for units of this division.
  • 415. Headquarters 1st Aust. Armoured Division: A right arm, pre-1942 CCF manufactured version of No. 414, comprising a lozenge shape cut out of the facing colour to expose the grey background beneath. See also No's 513, 518 and 522.
  • 416. Headquarters 2nd Aust. Motor Division, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Although this formation is referred to in GRO 301/1942 and the Order of Battle, October 1942, as 2nd Aust. Armoured Division, all contemporary records, including Unit Routine Orders Part 11 and LHQ Postings and Appointment Orders, refer to this formation as 2nd Aust. Motor Division throughout its existence. It will be referred to as such in this book, although it was partially reorganized as an armoured division, with one armoured and one motor brigade.
  • 417. Headquarters 3rd Aust. Armoured Division, 1943: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Raised by redesignation of HQ 1st Aust. Motor Division, and comprised the 2nd Armoured and 1st Motor Brigades. Note: A complete scheme of colour patches, less those for the provost company and salvage unit, was submitted for this division during September and October 1942. It is believed that they were actually approved and supplied well prior to the promulgation of GRO 165/1943.
  • 418. Headquarters 1st Division, 1921-1942; 
    • Headquarters 1st Aust. Division, 1942-1945: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Functioned as HQ Sydney-Kembla Covering Force during 1941-1942. Raised in NSW and Queensland as a formation of the CMF in 192 1, initially comprising the 1st, 7th and 8th Brigades.
  • 419. Headquarters 2nd Division, 1921-1942; and 
    • Headquarters 2nd Aust. Division, 1942-1944: Auth. SO Clothing Pt III 1922. Raised in NSW in 1921 as a CMF formation comprising the 5th, 9th, and l4th Brigades. Disbanded 'in May 1944.
  • 420. Headquarters 3rd Division, 1921-1942; and 
    • Headquarters 3rd Aust. Division, 1942-1946: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 1111922. Raised in Victoria in 1921 as a CMF formation comprising the 4th, 10th, and 15th Brigades.
  • 421. Headquarters 4th Division, 1921-1942; and 
    • Headquarters 4th Aust. Division, 1942-1944: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Raised in Victoria and South Australia in 1921 as a CMF formation, comprising the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Brigades. Disbanded in September 1944.
  • 422. Headquarters 5th Division, 1921-1927; and 
    • Headquarters 5th Aust. Division, 1942-1945: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922. Raised in 1921, functioning as HQ 13th Mixed Brigade. It ceased to exist *in August 1927 when HQ 13th Mixed Brigade was redesignated Headquarters, Field Troops, 5th Military District, and was not re-raised until April 1942 when HQ Northern Command was redesignated HQ 5th Division. Note: The 5th Division, as a formation, did not exist prior to 1942 but was intended to be raised on mobilization from 11th Mixed Brigade, and Field Troops, 5th and 6th Military Districts. When it was eventually formed however it comprised the 7th, 11th, and 29th Brigades, all raised in Queensland.
  • 423. Headquarters 6th Aust. Division, 1939-1946: Ref MGO Branch Line Drawings,p.2. Raised in September 1939 as a formation of the 2nd AIF, initially comprising the l6th, 17th, and 18th Brigades.
  • 424. Headquarters 7th Aust. Division, 1940-1946; and 
    • HQ AMF Rear Details, Balikpapan, 1946: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.2. Raised in May 1940 as a formation of the 2nd AIF, initially comprising the 19th, 20th, and 21st Brigades.
  • 425. Headquarters 8th Aust. Division, 1940-1945: Ref MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.2. Raised in July 1940 as a formation of the 2nd AIF, initially comprising the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th Brigades. Functioned in addition as HQ AIF Malaya during 1941 to 1942 and was captured in Singapore in February 1942.
  • 426. (a) Headquarters, AIF in UK, 1940-1941: Raised in June 1940, disbanded 'in
    March 1941.
    • (b) Headquarters 9th Aust. Division, 1940-1942: Ref. To Benghazi, Long, Appendix 4. Raised in October 1940 from personnel of HQ AIF in UK, and initially comprised the 18th and 25th Brigades. Superseded by No. 427 in December 1942.
  • 427. Headquarters 9th Aust. Division, 1942-1946; and
    • HQ AMF Details, Labuan, 1946: Auth. GRO 225/1943, 12.3.1943. The 'T' shaped colour patch designed for this division stood for Tobruk although this was not admitted by its instigator, Lt.-Gen. Sir L. J. Morsehead, until 1952. (Letter, L. J. Morsehead to A. W. Bazley, 25.2.1952.)  After the relief of the 9th Division from Tobruk he had decided that the units of the division should wear a common shape, but that as all other simple shapes had long since been allotted to other formations, he had settled on a combination of two oblongs, the larger one on top. Colour patches approved under this scheme were first issued on 17.12.1942,  (Tobruk and El Alamein, Barton Maughan, p.750-1.) and LHQ was informed of the change by HQ AIF(ME) Memo No. 14973, dated 22.1.1943.
  • 428. Headquarters 10th Aust. Division: There is no particular evidence that this patch was ever issued, although provisional approval would appear to have been granted by 13.5.1942 and it appears in colour plates undertaken after that date. (AA(Vic): MP 508/1, item 36/702/136.) It however had been deleted prior to the promulgation of the authorities for formation headquarters appearing in GRO 149/1942. This unit had been raised as HQ Newcastle Covering Force in September 1941 and was redesignated in April 1942, comprising at that stage the 1st and 32nd Brigades. It was disbanded over the period July/September 1942.
  • 429. Headquarters 11th Aust. Division, 1943-1946: Auth. GRO 468/1943, 18.6.1943. Raised in July 1942 as HQ 'C' Force, was redesignated HQ Milne Force in August, then HQ 11th Aust. Division on 7.12.1942. Disbanded in March 1946.
  • Headquarters 12th Aust. Division, 1942-1943: see HQ Northern Territory Force. 
    • Note: Although divisional headquarters was redesignated as HQ NT Force in January 1943, its constituent units and headquarters of arms, etc, continued to carry formation identity as belonging to 12th Aust. Division until, in most cases, 1944. Variously comprised the 2nd, 3rd, 12th, 13th, 19th, and 23rd Brigades.
  • 430. Headquarters Aust. Overseas Base Sub-Area, 1940-1941; and
    • HQ Aust. Base and L of C Units, 1941; 
    • HQ AIF (ME) Base Area, 1941-1943: Auth. Colour chart promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, dated 21.10.1940, and AIF(ME) Order No. 179, 17.1.1941. Became HQ AIF Base Area on return to Australia in early 1942, and was disbanded before the end of 1942. This patch continued to be worn by some units and personnel remaining in the Middle East until early 1943, and stocks were stated to be obsolete by LHQ Memo No. 148131 of 31.8.1943.
  • 431. HQ Queensland L of C Area, 1942-1946; 
    • HQ Northern Command, 1946-1949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6.1946. Formed from HQ Northern Command Base in April 1942 and was redesignated in March 1946.
  • 432. HQ New South Wales L of C Area, 1942-1946; 
    • HQ Eastern Command, 1946-1949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6.1946. Raised from HQ Eastern Command Base in April 1942 and was redesignated in March 1946.
  • 433. HQ Victoria L of C Area, 1942-1946; 
    • HQ Southern Command, 1946-1949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6.1946. Raised by redesignation of HQ Southern Command Base in April 1942 and was redesignated in March 1946.
  • 434. HQ South Australia L of C Area, 1942-1946; 
    • HQ 4th Military District, 1946-1949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.4.1946. Raised by redesignation of HQ 4th Military District in April 1942 and was redesignated in March 1946. Redesignated HQ Central Command in 1950.
  • 435. (a) HQ Western Australia L of C Area, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942.
    Formed from HQ Western Command in April 1942 and absorbed by HQ 3rd Aust. Corps on 1.6.1944.
    • (b) HQ Western Command, 1944-1949: Auth. Amdt to GRO 149/1942 promulgated
      in GRO's dated 17.11.1944, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6.1946. Formed by redesignation of
      HQ 3rd Aust. Corps on 10.6.1944.
  • 436. HQ Tasmania L of C Area, 1942-1946; 
    • HQ 6th Military District, 1946-1949: Auth. GRO 149/1942, 3.7.1942, and MBI 52/1946, 14.6.1946. Formed by redesignation of HQ 6th Military District in April 1942, redesignated HQ Tasmania Force between June 1942 and May 1943, and became HQ 6th M.D. in April 1946. The functions of the L of C area headquarters were carried out between 1942 and 1943 by HQ 9 Aust. L of C Sub-Area. Redesignated HQ Tasmania Command on 1. 1. 1950.
  • 437. (a) Headquarters, Northern Territory L of C Area, 1942-1946: Auth. GRO
    149/1942, 3.7.1942. No actual Headquarters NT L of C Area existed, its functions
    being carried out by HQ NT Force through HQ 11, 14, and 14A L of C Sub-Areas.
    • (b) Headquarters 7th Military District, 1946-1949: Auth. MBI 52/1946, 14.4.1946.
      Formed by the redesignation of HQ NT Force in March 1946 and was redesignated HQ
      Northern Territory Command on 15.5.1950.
  • 438. (a) Headquarters, New Guinea L of C Area, 1942-1946: Auth. GRO 149/1942,
    3.7.1942. No actual Headquarters NG L of C Area existed, its functions being carried
    out by HQ NG Force, initially through the Combined Operational Services Command,
    then by Moresby, Lae, Buna, Milne Bay, Finschhafen, and Madang Base Sub-Areas,
    and Wau, Bulldog, and Nadzab Area Commands.
    • (b) Headquarters 8th Military District, 1946-1947: Auth. MBI 52/1946, 14.4.1946.
      Raised in February 1946 by redesignation of HQ First Aust. Army. Disbanded in
      November 1947 but re-raised in December 1951 as HQ Area Command, Papua New
      Guinea.

Note: The following miscellaneous headquarters and staffs wore the colour patch of their respective L of C area headquarters between 1942 and 1946: HQ L of C Sub-Areas; Base Sub-Areas; Area Commands; Area Headquarters; Town Majors; Camp Administrative Headquarters; Administrative Headquarters; Area Camp Staffs; Camp HQ Staffs; Camp Staffs.

  • 439. Headquarters Aust. Base Sub-Areas, 1944-1946: Auth. GRO 394/1944, 27.10.1944. Initially allotted to HQ 1st Aust. Base Sub-Area, then to all such units vide an amendment to GRO 394/1944 published in GRO's dated 16.2.1945.
  • 440. (a) Administrative Headquarters, Australian Imperial Force, 1939-1942: Auth. Colour chart promulgated with AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 70030, 21.10.1940. The chart shows white to the front but it was worn by all personnel with black forward.
    • (b) Headquarters Australian Imperial Force (Middle East), 1941-1943:
      • Headquarters Aust. Beach Groups, 1944-1945: According to HQ 1st Aust. Corps, (see note 89) personnel serving with HQ 1st Aust. Beach Group were wearing no colour patches at all, and personnel of HQ 2nd Aust. Beach Group the patches of their previous units, as at 18.5.1944. By late 1944 or early 1945 these two headquarters had been allotted No. 404.
        • Note 89. AWM 54, item 89/3/4. HQ 1st Aust. Corps minute G/3360/SD dated 21.5.1944 listing the colour patches then being worn by all personnel and units of the 1 st and 2nd Aust. Beach Groups.
      • Fortress Headquarters, 1943-1945: See ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY, No. 616. In addition HQ Hobart Fortress wore No's 1103 and 1105, having been formed by redesignation of Corps HQ VDC.

AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE

This Arm ceased to exist in 1946 with the disbandment of its last units.

Note: The authority for No's 441 to 470 inclusive is SO Clothing Part HI, 1922, unless otherwise stated.

  • 441. HQ 1st Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1942; 
    • HQ 1st Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942-1943: Superseded by No. 477 in February 1943. Raised at Toowoomba, Queensland, in 1921, comprising the 2nd, 5th, 11th, and l4th Light Horse Regiments.
  • 442. HQ 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1942; 
    • HQ 2nd Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942-1943: Disbanded in April 1943. Raised at West Maitland, NSW, in 1921, comprising the 12th, 15th, and 16th Light Horse Regiments.
  • 443. HQ 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1942; 
    • HQ 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942: Superseded by No. 488 in August 1942. Raised at Melbourne, Victoria, in 1921, comprising the 8th, 13th, and 20th Light Horse Regiments.
  • 444. HQ 4th Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1942; 
    • HQ 4th Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942: Briefly redesignated in April 1942, then reorganized as HQ 3rd Aust. Army Tank Brigade in May 1942. Raised at Paddington, NSW, in 1921, comprising the 1st, 6th, 7th, and 21st Light Horse Regiments.
  • 445. HQ 5th Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1936:  Raised at Melbourne, Victoria, in 1921, comprising the 4th, 17th, and 19th Light Horse Regiments. Disbanded in October 1936.
  • 446. HQ 6th Cavalry Brigade, 1921-1942; and
    • HQ 6th Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942: Reorganized as HQ 6th Aust. Armoured Brigade in June 1942. Raised in Adelaide, SA, in 1921, comprising the 3rd, 9th, 18th, and 23rd Light Horse Regiments.
  • 447. 1st Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1929; 
    • 1st/21st Light Horse Regiment, 1929-1936; 
    • 1st Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1936-1941; 
    • 1st Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 1st Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 1st Aust. Army Tank Battalion, 1942: Transferred to the Aust. Armoured Corps in May 1942.
  • 448. 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1930, 1940-1941; 
    • 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, 1930-1940; 
    • Northern Command Reconnaissance Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 1942; 
    • 2nd Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1942; 
    • 2nd Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1943: Disbanded on 7.10.1943.
  • 449. 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1942; 
    • 3rd Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 3rd Aust. Reconnaissance Squadron, 1942: Superseded by No. 545 in August 1942. Although this unit remained part of the Aust. Light Horse it was allotted to the 6th Aust. Armoured Brigade and performed the role of an armoured brigade reconnaissance
      squadron. LHQ Appt Order No. 8/1942 re-designates this unit as 3rd Reconnaissance
      Company effective 31.12.1941, but it is not shown as such in RO's Pt II.
  • 450. 4th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1936,1940-1941; 
    • 4th/19th Light Horse Regiment, 1936-1940; 
    • 4th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1942: Superseded by No. 489 in August 1942.
  • 451. 5th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 5th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1943: Superseded by No. 478 in February 1943.
  • 452. 6th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 6th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1943: Allotted to the 2nd Aust. Motor Division in 1942 to undertake the role of divisional armoured car regiment, and was shown on the Order of Battle, October 1942, as 6th Aust. Armoured Car Regiment. In reality however this unit does not appear to have been reorganized or redesignated, and was disbanded in April 1943 as 6th Aust. Motor Regiment.
  • 453. 7th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1942; 
    • 7th/21st Light Horse Regiment, 1937; 
    • 7th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Disbanded in November 1942.
  • 454. 8th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 8th Reconnaissance Battalion, 1941-1942;
    • 8th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1942; 
    • 8th Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1944: Disbanded in March 1944.
  • 455. 9th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1936; 
    • 9th/23rd Light Horse Regiment, 1936-1942; 
    • 9th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Superseded by No. 496 in August 1942.
  • 456. 10th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • Western Command Reconnaissance Battalion, 1941-1942; 
    • 10th Reconnaissance Battalion, 1942; 
    • 10th Aust. Light Horse Regiment, 1942-1944: Commenced mechanization in late 1941 but reverted to a fully horsed unit in June 1942. Disbanded in April 1944.
  • 457. 11th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 11th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1943: Superseded by No. 480 in February 1943.
  • 458. 12th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1936, 1939-1941; 
    • 12th/24th Light Horse Regiment, 1936-1939; 
    • 12th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 12th Aust. Armoured Car Regiment, 1942-1943: Supplied by the CCF with a University Blue lower colour. Transferred to the Aust. Armoured Corps in October 1942.
  • 459. 13th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1940; 
    • 13th/19th Light Horse Regiment, 1940-1941; 
    • 13th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 13th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1942: Transferred to the Aust. Armoured Corps in June 1942.
  • 460. 14th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1930; 
    • 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, 1930-1940; 
    • 14th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1940-1941; 
    • 14th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 14th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Disbanded in May 1942.
  • 461. 15th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 15th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1942: Superseded by No. 497 in June 1942.
  • 462. 16th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1936; 
    • 16th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1936-1941; 
    • 16th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 16th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1943: Superseded by No. 482 in February 1943.
  • 463. 17th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1929, 1933-1934; 
    • 17th/19th Light Horse Regiment, 1929-1933, 1934-1936; 
    • 17th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1936-1941; 
    • 17th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 17th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Superseded by No. 499 in June 1942.
  • 464. 18th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1930; 
    • 18th/23rd Light Horse Regiment, 1930-1936; 
    • 18th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1936-1941; 
    • 18th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 18th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 12th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1942: Transferred to the Australian Armoured Corps in June 1942.
  • 465. (a) 19th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1929; 
    • 19th Aust. Machine Gun Regiment,1941-1942. Disbanded on 30.6.1929 and re-raised in September 1941. This colour patch was not issued during this period. Transferred to the Aust. Infantry on 27.8.1942 as the 19th Aust. Machine Gun Battalion, retaining this colour patch.
    • (b) 19th Light Horse Armoured Car Regiment, 1933-1934: Raised on 1.9.1933 and was redesignated 1st Armoured Car Regiment on 1.5.1934. It has not been possible to confirm that this colour patch was issued to this unit prior to its redesignation.
  • 466. 20th Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1941; 
    • 20th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1941-1942: Superseded by No. 500 in June 1942.
  • 467. 21st Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1929, 1937-1941; 
    • 21st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1941-1942; 
    • 21st Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1942; 
    • 21st Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1943; Disbanded on 30.6.1929, re-raised in July 1937. This colour patch was not issued during this period.
  • 468. 22nd Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1930, 1933-1942; 
    • 3rd (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry) Light Horse Regiment, 1930-1931; 
    • 22nd Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1943: Auth. SO Clothing Pt 111, 1922, and AHQ (DPS) Memo No. 9396, 11.9.1933. Disbanded in April 1943, never having been fully mechanized.
  • 469. 3rd (Tasmanian Mounted Infantry) Light Horse Regiment, 1931-1933; 
    • 22nd Light Horse Regiment, 1933: Auth. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 9566, 20.7.1931. Formed by redesignation of the 22nd Light Horse Regiment on 5.4.1930 to perpetuate the designation and battle honours of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment AIF, of which one squadron was wholly raised and reinforced from Tasmania. The 3rd (South Australian Mounted Rifles) Light Horse Regiment also existed at this time. The Tasmanian unit reverted to its original title in February 1933.
  • 470. 23rd Light Horse Regiment, 1921-1930; 
    • 18th/23rd Light Horse Regiment, 1930-1936; 
    • 23rd Reconnaissance Company, 1941-1942: Disbanded in May 1942. It appears that the issue of this colour patch ceased between 1936 and 1941.
  • 471. 24th Light Horse Regiment, 1939-1942; 
    • 24th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. AAO 141/1939, 31.5.1939. The initial authority was AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 9647, 28.3.1939, although the basis of allocation of this design was queried by the regiment and HQ 1st Cavalry Division. AHQ advised that the practice was being followed of allocating designs used by the original AIF, regardless of whether they conformed with the organization of the formation. Although the designation of this regiment had been carried in the title of the 12th/24th Light Horse Regiment since 1936, it was first raised as a separate unit on 1. 1. 1939. Disbanded in May 1942.
  • 472. 25th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1939-1941; 
    • 25th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 25th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 25th Aust. Reconnaissance Battalion, 1942; 
    • 25th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1942;
    • 25th Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1943: Auth. AAO 141/1939, 31.5.1939.
      Raised on 20.2.1939 and disbanded in October 1943.
  • 473. 26th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, 1939-1941; 
    • 26th Machine Gun Regiment, 1941-1942; 
    • 26th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. AAO 141/1939, 31.5.1939. These were supplied by the CCF with a sky blue lower colour. Superseded by No. 490 in August 1942. Raised on 1.5.1939.
  • 474. 1st Aust. Independent Light Horse Squadron, 1944: Auth. GRO 24/1944,
    21.1.1944. Raised in October 1943 from personnel of the 2nd Aust. Cavalry Regiment and was disbanded on l6th February 1944. This unit was actually shown on the Order of Battle, AMF, October 1942, as a unit of 5th Aust. Division but was not apparently raised until 1943.
  • 475. (a) 1st Armoured Car Regiment, 1934-1939; 
    • 1st Armoured Regiment, 1939-1942; 
    • 1st (Armoured) Motor Regiment, 1942; 
    • 101st Aust. Motor Regiment,1942: Auth. AAO 157/1934, 31.7.1934. Superseded by No. 491 in August 1942.Raised by redesignation of the l9th Light Horse Armoured Car Regiment on 1.5.1934.
    • (b) 2nd Armoured Car Regiment, 1939-1940; 
    • 2nd Armoured Regiment, 1940-1942; 
    • 2nd Aust. Army Tank Battalion, 1942: AAO 201/1939, 31.7.1939. Raised on 1.5.1939 and transferred to the Aust. Armoured Corps in May 1942. Note: LHQ Posting and Appointment Orders refer to both 102nd Armoured Regiment and 102nd Motor Regiment in relation to the 2nd Armoured Regiment, however there is no indication in unit Routine Orders Part Il that the unit adopted these designations at any stage.
    • (c) 3rd Armoured Regiment, 1941-1942; 
      • 3rd Aust. Army Tank Battalion, 1942: Ref. RAAC Museum, Puckapunyal. Raised in March 1941 by expansion of 1st Light Tank Company, Aust. Tank Corps, and was transferred to the Aust. Armoured Corps in May 1942.

Note: A series of paintings of Australian Armoured Corps unit colour patches held in the RAAC Tank Museum at Puckapunyal suggests that the 2nd Armoured Regiment wore brown to the front, and that 2nd Light Tank Company wore brown to the top (see No. 1113). It has not been possible to confirm either design. The colours brown, red and green, in that order, are those of the Royal Tank Corps, which when flown horizontally as a flag always have green to the top, and as currently worn by its successor, the Royal Tank Regiment, on shoulder slides, are arranged vertically with brown to the front.

  • 476. Headquarters 1st Aust. Armoured Division Support Group, 1942: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.29. Raised in February 1942, comprising the l7th Aust. Motor Regiment and the divisional artillery. Disbanded in October 1942.
  • 477. HQ 1st Aust. Motor Brigade, 1943: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Organized as a motor brigade group under command of 3rd Aust. Armoured Division in October 1942, and was disbanded in August 1943.
  • 478. 5th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1943: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Disbanded in July 1943, personnel being posted as reinforcements to the 2/9th and 2/12th Aust. Infantry Battalions.
  • 479. 5th Aust. Motor Regiment: This example is believed to have been supplied in early 1943, of Queensland manufacture, probably as part of a proposal for the restoration of the original regimental colours to the unit. Not approved or issued.
  • 480. 11th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1943: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Disbanded in July 1943, personnel being transferred as reinforcements to the 2/10th Aust. Infantry Battalion.
  • 481. 11th Aust. Motor Regiment: A variation,. possibly of Queensland manufacture, believed to have been supplied in late 1942 as part of a divisional colour patch scheme for the 3rd Aust. Armoured Division. Not approved or issued.
  • 482. 16th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1943: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Disbanded in August 1943, personnel to the 2/16th Aust. Infantry Battalion as reinforcements.
  • 483. HQ 2nd Aust. Motor Brigade: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.32. There is no evidence that this colour patch ever existed, or was even considered for approval.
    See No. 442 for the colour patch worn by this unit.
  • 484. 15th Aust. Motor Regiment: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.32. There is no evidence that this colour patch ever existed or was ever considered for approval. The unit adopted No. 485 unofficially on transfer to the 2nd Aust. Motor Brigade.
  • 485. 15th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1943: An unofficial patch issued to and worn by this unit following its transfer to the 2nd Aust. Motor Brigade in November 1942.
    All examples were manufactured in NSW. Superseded by No. 498.
  • 486. 17th Aust. Motor Regiment: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.32. There is no evidence that this colour patch existed or was ever considered for approval.
  • 487. 20th Aust. Motor Regiment: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.32. There is no evidence that this colour patch existed or was ever considered for approval. The unit retained No. 500 until February 1945.

Note: Fake examples of No's 483, 484, 486 and 487 exist, either specifically made, or more 
commonly by removing the tank inset from colour patches of units of the 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade, No's 517, 519, 520A and 521.

  • 488. HQ 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Superseded by No. 492 in November 1942. Transferred to 1st Aust. Armoured Division in October 1942 as a motor brigade group.
  • 489. 4th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Superseded by No. 493 in November 1942. This patch was originally approved with University Blue as the lower colour, however both CCF and WA manufactured examples in compressed felt and CCF examples in facing cloth are dark blue.
  • 490. 26th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Superseded by
    No. 494 in November 1942.
  • 491. 101st Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Superseded
    by No. 495 in November 1942.
  • 492. HQ 3rd Aust. Motor Brigade, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 468/1943, 18.6.1943. Transferred to the 2nd Aust. Division in September 1943 and was disbanded in September 1944. Note: The first authority for the change in the colour patches of this brigade was given by the GOC 1st Aust. Armoured Division in November 1942.(See Note 90) At that stage official policy was that colour patches allotted to specific units would not be changed on transfer to another formation, in this case from 2nd Aust. Motor Division to 1st Aust. Armoured Division. LHQ, when they were belatedly informed of the change in late May 1943, varied this policy for 3rd Aust. Motor
    Brigade because it involved only an alteration in the manner in which the existing colour patches were worn.
    • Note 90. Hooves, Wheels and Tracks: David Holloway, p. 316, quoting a 4th Aust. Motor Regiment RO Pt I dated 15.11.1942. War Diary 4th Aust. Motor Regt. See also AA(Vic.) MP 742/1, item 61/13/91.
  • 493. 4th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 468/1943, 18.6.1943. Disbanded on 7th June 1944.
  • 494. 26th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 468/1943, 18.6.1943. Disbanded on 10th August 1944.
  • 495. 101st Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1944: Auth. GRO 468/1943, 18.6.1943. Disbanded on 10th August 1944.
  • 496. 9th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1943: Auth. GRO 301/1942, 7.8.1942. Allotted to the 6th Aust. Armoured Brigade. Disbanded in April 1943. It is believed that these colours, traditionally those of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, were allotted because the 9th Motor Regiment was formed after unlinking from the former 9th/23rd Light Horse Regiment by the transfer to it on 6.1.1942 of the majority of personnel of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment.
  • 497. 15th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942: Auth. LHQ (MGO) Memo No. 59218, 9.6.1942. Allotted to 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade. Superseded unofficially by No. 485 in late 1942.
  • 498. 15th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1943-1944: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.26. No official authority has been located for this colour patch, which is believed to have been issued to the regiment soon after their transfer to 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade Group in February 1943. Examples exist of both NSW and WA manufacture. The unit was disbanded on 12th October 1944.
  • 499. 17th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1943: Auth. LHQ (MGO) Memo No. 59218, 9.6.1942. Allotted to Support Group, 1st Aust. Armoured Division, and retained this patch on transfer to 2nd Aust. Motor Brigade in Nov. 1942. Disbanded in April 1943.
  • 500. 20th Aust. Motor Regiment, 1942-1945: Auth. LHQ (MGO) Memo No. 59218, 9.6.1942. Allotted to 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade. Transferred to the Aust. Infantry in October 1943 in a dismounted role, retaining this colour patch, and was reorganized in February 1945 as 20th Aust. Pioneer Battalion.
  • 501. 6th Aust. Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment, 1939-1940; 
    • 6th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1940-1942; 
    • 2/6th Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1944; 
    • 2/6th Aust. Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, 1944-1946: Ref, MGO Branch Line
      Drawings, p.3. From January 1944 this regiment comprised the 2/9th and 2/10th
      Aust. Commando Squadrons, raised from its original personnel, and the 2/7th Aust.
      Commando Squadron. Note brown worn to the front.
  • 502. 7th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1940-1942; 
    • 2/7th Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1943: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.3. Underwent conversion to a cavalry (commando) regiment in April 1943. Fake examples of this colour patch exist with a grey tank shaped inset in the centre.
  • 503. 2/7th Aust. Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, 1943-1946: Auth. GRO 672/1943,
    17.9.1943. This unit was originally reorganized to provide an administrative headquarters for the seven existing independent companies, and as such had submitted a design of colour patch for approval which comprised a double diamond in cavalry colours. This was rejected by LHQ who directed that regimental headquarters would wear the LHQ colour patch. (LHQ (CGS) Memo No. 90863, 3.6.1943. AA(Vic.): MP 742/1, item 61/13/72.) After further consideration this colour patch was approved to replace all existing patches worn by RHQ and the independent companies. The regiment was reorganized from late 1943 to comprise the 2/3rd, 2/5th, and 2/6th Aust. Commando Squadrons, all of which wore No. 503.
  • 504. 8th Aust. Divisional Cavalry. Regiment, 1940-1941: Ref. MGO Branch Line Drawings, p.3. Raised in July 1940 from 'B' and 'C' Squadrons, 7th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment. Redesignated 9th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment in April 1941.
  • 505. 9th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment, 1941-1942: Ref. To Benghazi: Long, Appendix 4. Superseded by No. 506 in December 1942. Raised by redesignation of the 8th Aust. Divisional Cavalry Regiment.
  • 506. 2/9th Aust. Cavalry Regiment, 1942-1944; 
    • 2/9th Aust. Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, 1944-1946: Auth. GRO 225/1943, 12.3.1943. From January 1944 this regiment comprised the 2/11th and 2/12th Aust. Commando Squadrons, raised from its original personnel, and the 2/4th Aust. Commando Squadron.
  • - Cavalry (Commando) Squadrons, 1943-1944: See Independent Companies, in the AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY section.
  • 507. Reserved.

AUSTRALIAN ARMOURED CORPS

Formed on 9th July 1941, absorbing the Australian Tank Corps. The title 'Royal' was granted 
in 1948. Former light horse regiments of the Citizen Military Forces were re-raised as part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1948.

1st Australian Armoured Brigade

  • 508. HQ 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade, 1941-1944: Ref AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Raised in July 1941 as part of the 1st Aust. Armoured Division. Reorganized as an armoured brigade group in October 1942 and became independent in September 1943. Disbanded in November 1944.
  • 509. HQ 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade: Variation, NSW manufacture.
  • 510. 2/5th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1945: Auth. GRO 388/1944, 20.10.1944, first reference being AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Superseded by No. 545 in January 1945. Raised in July 1941 and transferred to 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade in May 1944. NSW manufactured examples also exist with a mid blue in lieu of light blue upper colour.
  • 511. 2/5th Aust. Armoured Regiment: Western Australian manufactured variation, presumably in error.
  • 512A. 2/6th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1943: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Raised in July 1941 and transferred to 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade in February 1943. This patch was superseded by No. 546 in March 1943.
  • 512B. 2/6th Aust. Armoured Regiment: Auth. GRO 424/1944, 17.11.1944. See the Note at the end of this section. There is no evidence of issue. Plate 66
  • 513. 2/6th Aust. Armoured Regiment: Supplied by the CCF circa 1941 as 'B' Armoured Regiment, details of the lozenge as for No. 415.
  • 514. 2/7th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1944: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Raised in October 1941 and disbanded on 7.6.1944.
  • 515 2/7th Aust. Armoured Regiment: Western Australian manufactured error.
  • 516. 2/1st Aust. Independent Light Tank Squadron, 1942; 
    • 2/1st Aust. Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron, 1942: Ref. MGO Order 1919, December 1941. First supplied on 2.1.1942. The unit was raised in December 1941 from volunteers from 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade for service in Malaya. Reorganized and redesignated in February 1942, and became 'C' Squadron, 2/4th Aust. Armoured Regiment in November 1942.

Note: An armoured brigade reconnaissance squadron, 1942, was identical in establishment to an armoured car squadron with the exception that squadron headquarters had four light tanks instead of four armoured cars. There were five troops, each of two armoured cars, two scout cars, two motorcycles and two motorcycle combinations.

2nd Australian Armoured Brigade

  • 517. HQ 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade, 1941-1943: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Superseded by No. 525 in February 1943. Raised in July 1941 as part of 1st Aust. Armoured Division. Reorganized in October 1942 as an armoured brigade group and transferred to 3rd Aust. Armoured Division.
  • 518. HQ 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade: CCF manufactured variation circa 1941, details of manufacture as for No. 415.
  • 519. 2/8th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1943: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Superseded in February 1943 by No. 526. Raised in July 1941 from personnel of 2nd Aust. Armoured Training Regiment.
  • 520A. 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1943: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Superseded by No. 547 in March 1943. Raised in July 1941 and was transferred to 4th Aust. Armoured Brigade in February 1943.
  • 520B. 2/9th Aust. Armoured Regiment: Auth. GRO 388/1944, 20.10.1944. See the Note at the end of this section. There is no evidence of issue. Plate 66
  • 521. 2/10th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1941-1944: Ref. AHQ(DOS) Memo No. 14520, 7.3.1941. Raised in July 1941 and transferred to 1st Aust. Armoured Brigade in October 1942. Disbanded on 13.10.1944.
  • 522. 2/10th Aust. Armoured Regiment: CCF manufactured variation circa 1941 as 'F'
    Armoured Regiment, details of the lozenge as for No. 415.
  • 523. 2/10th Aust. Armoured Regiment: NSW manufactured variation, J.A. Ryan Collection, AWM.
  • 524. 2/2nd Aust. Independent Light Tank Squadron, 1942; 
    • 2/2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron, 1942: Ref. MGO Order No. 1919, December 1941. First supplied on 8.1.1942. The unit was raised in December 1941 from volunteers from 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade for service in Malaya. It was reorganized and redesignated in February 1942 and became 'B' Squadron, 2/4th Aust. Armoured Regiment in November 1942.
  • 525. HQ 2nd Aust. Armoured Brigade, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943.
    Organized as an armoured brigade group under command of 3rd Aust. Armoured Division. Became independent in September 1943 and was disbanded in February 1944.
  • 526. 2/8th Aust. Armoured Regiment, 1943-1944: Auth. GRO 165/1943, 19.2.1943. Disbanded in January 1944, personnel being absorbed by squadrons into the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd Aust. Water Transport Operating Companies (Landing Craft) RAE.

The material on this section of the site is drawn from "Distinguishing Colour Patches of the Australian Military Forces 1915-1951" by Keith Glyde. ISBN 0-6460-36640-8  
 

Statistics : Over 35 million page visitors since  11 Nov 2002  

 

Email  

  Search   Help     Guestbook   Get Updates   Last Post    The Ode      FAQ     Digger Forum

Click for news

Digger History:  an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces