Australian Army unit colour patches

The First Australian Imperial Force was involved in three major campaigns in distant lands, and a smaller campaign closer to home. The First AIF's first major battles were in the Gallipoli Campaign, followed by simultaneous involvement on the Western Front in France and Belgium and in the Middle East, particularly in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. Meanwhile, Australian forces occupied German political possessions in New Guinea and on other islands of the Southern Pacific. All of these campaigns were distinct in character and made new demands upon the Australian military. The many challenges, losses and successes of the Australian military and its personnel helped forge the character of the new nation of Australia, which had only become the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901. In the Gallipoli Campaign all Australian fighting units were formed up together on the Gallipoli Peninsula, with supply, medical and other services stretching back as far as Egypt and England. Subsequently, the First AIF was effectively split. For a new nation fighting a war so far from home this created many logistical and organisational challenges. There were many innovations in the organisation of the Australian military during this time. The alliance with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the creation of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and other ANZAC units were also important throughout most of World War 1. The intent of the new unit colour patch system was initially to help with organisation and identification of individuals and units in the field. However, it became more than that, creating bonds between soldiers that contributed to the 'esprit de corps', development of loyalties and interpersonal 'mateship' among the Australians. 1st Division Unit Colour Flags 1914 The first orders for unit colours were for flags 9 inches (22.86 cm) square, divided horizontally with the battalion colour over the brigade colour. Green, red and light blue were allocated as the colours for the 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade and 3rd Brigade respectively, while the colours for the battalions in each brigade in the order of battle were originally black, yellow, brown and white, the battalion colour to be shown over the brigade colour. The 4th Brigade, raised separately, was allocate blue as the brigade colour. Glyde (1999) does not describe writing on the battalion flags (only on the Artillery, Engineers and Medical flags), but writing designating the unit may have been displayed on some or all of the other flags. File:1st Brigade flag 1914 v2.png|Flag of 1st Brigade Headquarters 1914 File:1st Battalion flag 1914 v2.png|Flag of 1st Australian Infantry Battalion 1914 File:Divisional Artillery 1st Brigade flag.png|Flag of 1st Brigade Divisional Artillery File:Divisional Light Horse Regiment flag.png|Flag of Divisional Light Horse Regiment Division unit colour patches Divisional Order 81 decreed a rectangular patch on the upper sleeve of the uniform by . Engineers were ordered to change the colour of their uniform patch from khaki to purple so that it was more visible when worn against the khaki sleeve of the uniform. Artillery were ordered to adopt diagonally divided red over blue patches. As further divisions created colour patches for their uniforms, the shape of the patch indicated the division. • 1st Division had a horizontal rectangular patch, • 2nd Division had a diamond-shaped patch, • 3rd Division had a horizontal oval patch, • 4th Division had a circular patch (except the 4th Brigade, formed independently of 4th Division, which used a rectangle), • Australian Mounted Division battle units had triangular patches or horizontal rectangular patches, with the colours bisected diagonally, while some of their support units had vertical rectangular patches. File:1st Aust Divisional Engineers.png|1st Australian Divisional Engineers File:2nd Machine Gun Battalion AIF Unit Colour Patch.png|2nd Machine Gun Battalion (part of 2nd Division) File:AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS (SIGNAL SERVICE) 5th Aust. Divisional Signal Company 1916-1919.png|5th Australian Divisional Signal Company (Australian Engineers Signal Service) 1916–1919 Infantry Brigades and Battalions Each Infantry Brigade within each Division was assigned a colour and the Brigade HQ colour patches were the Divisional shape in the Brigade colour. Each Battalion in each Brigade was then assigned a colour, and the patch was split horizontally with the Battalion colour across the top of the field and the Brigade colour across the bottom of the field. On 16 March 1915 the second battalion of each infantry brigade was ordered to change their battalion colour from yellow to purple. Light Horse patches were divided diagonally. File:9th Bn 3rd Brigade 1st Division 1st AIF.png|1st Division, 3rd Brigade, 9th Battalion File:Headquarters 6th Brigade 2nd Division 1st AIF.png|2nd Division, 6th Brigade HQ ==New Zealand Units==

Units of the Army of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the First World War displayed unit colour patches worn in the centre of the back of the uniform jacket, immediately below the collar. The authority for the design and wearing of unit colour patches was from General Alexander Godley's orders dated 15 October 1917 No. 416. In addition to these New Zealand colour patches, some New Zealanders attached to ANZAC formations in Egypt, on the Western Front and in Palestine, wore colour patches of I ANZAC Corps including the ANZAC Mounted Division, or II ANZAC Corps. File:Auckland New Zealand Field Artillery.png|Auckland New Zealand Field Artillery File:Headquarters New Zealand Rifle Brigade.png|Headquarters New Zealand (Rifles) Brigade (1916) File:New_Zealand_Machine_Gun_Squadron.png|New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron File:New Zealand Army Service Corps in Egypt.png|New Zealand Army Service Corps in Egypt File:12th Battalion unit colour patch horizontal.png|12th Battalion unit colour patch File:12th Battalion cancelled unit colour patch vertical.png|12th Battalion unit colour patch in the "cancelled" vertical orientation File:52nd Battalion unit colur patch.png|52nd Battalion unit colour patch Artillery of the First AIF Sources: File:1st Siege Artillery Brigade.png|1st Siege Artillery Brigade, April 1915 and 36th Heavy Artillery Brigade, April 1915 File:Siege Battery Ammunition Columns.png|1st Siege Battery Ammunition Column, 1st Siege Artillery Brigade, March 1918 and 2nd Siege Battery Ammunition Column, 1st Siege Artillery Brigade, March 1918 File:Headquarters 2nd Light Horse Brigade.png|2nd Light Horse Brigade HQ File:5th Light Horse Regiment v2.png|5th Light Horse Regiment File:6th Light Horse Regiment v2.png|6th Light Horse Regiment Although orders required that unit colour patches should replace other indications of belonging to a unit, such as shoulder badges, sometimes both were still worn until late in the war. Australian Army ANZAC "A" Badge The ANZAC A badge was an insignia authorised by Lieutenant General Birdwood in November 1917 to be worn over the unit colour patch by individuals who served in 1915 as part of ANZAC Corps, 1st AIF, on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Later orders from Birdwood also authorised the badge for those people who served during the Gallipoli Campaign on the islands of Lemnos, Imbros and Tenedos, on the communication lines in Egypt, and on the transport ships and hospital ships standing off the peninsula. The authorised badge was brass but sometimes an embroidered version was worn. == Citizen Military Forces ==

Infantry . Bassett was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as a member of the amalgamated 57th/60th Battalion, for his actions during a prolonged Japanese assault on Bougainville Island in 1945. At the end of World War 1 most Australian army units were disbanded. However, in May 1921 a reorganisation of Australia's part-time military forces led to the creation of the Citizen Military Force (CMF, or Militia). The units of the CMF were created upon the geographical locations of the World War 1 units, which enabled the perpetuation of the battle honours, numerical designations and colour patches of the 1st AIF. Many of these units were in continuous existence until the end of World War 2, a small number were disbanded, while others went through various temporary or permanent amalgamations with other units with similar roles located in nearby towns and suburbs or sharing history with each other. Yet others can be traced in lineage to units still in existence. Military Order 206/21 in 1921 authorised the use of unit colour patches for the Citizen Military Forces. As this new organisation was based on the AIF, this order granted authority to the Citizen Military Forces to wear Regimental colour patches similar to those worn by corresponding units of the AIF. It also allowed for ex-members of the AIF serving in Citizen Military Forces to wear a miniature colour patch of the last AIF unit in which they served, worn above their current CMF colour patch. As an example of amalgamation, the 57th Battalion and the 60th Battalion, both formed in Melbourne's northern suburbs, amalgamated in 1930 to become the 57th/60th Australian Infantry Battalion. They retained the 57th/60th designation until demobilisation in 1946. Soon after Japan joined the war the unit adopted the colour patch of the 57th Battalion, the patch of the amalgamated unit higher in the order of battle. Similarly, amalgamations created the 12th/40th, the 14th/32nd, the 29th/46th, the 37th/52nd and the 58th/59th Australian Infantry Battalions. The 12th Battalion, initially raised in 1914 from Tasmania, was also disbanded after World War 1 but re-raised in 1921. In 1936 it was amalgamated with the 50th Battalion becoming the 12th/50th Battalion and retaining the unit colour patch of the 12th Battalion. The 12th/50th served during World War 2 in a garrison role in the Northern Territory. In May 1945 before the end of the war the 12th/50th amalgamated with the 40th Battalion which was raised in 1914 from Tasmania and South Australia and was based at the time of amalgamation in Hobart, Tasmania. The 12th/40th Battalion still exists as the Royal Tasmania Regiment and retains the lineage and the unit colour patch of the original 12th Battalion of World War 1. Light Horse In 1921 the Light Horse was broadly organised into two divisions, each comprising three brigades of horse. Over the following two decades these regiments gradually became mechanised and armoured. They were also frequently renamed as their roles changed, usually correlating with the issue of new vehicles. They were often transferred between different brigades and divisions and they were also assigned or unassigned to various affiliations with other regiments. Further details about the mechanisation and organisational development of these units can be found in the section below on armoured units of the 2nd AIF. ==Permanent Military Forces after 1921==

== Second Australian Imperial Force ==

With the raising of the all volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force for overseas service during the early stages of World War 2, the concept of the unit colour patch was continued. A grey background of the same shape as the divisional patch denoted a unit as being of the Second AIF. Superimposed over the grey background were the colour patches of the units with the same number designations as those of the 1st AIF to which they were geographically related. File:17th Battalion 1st AIF ANZAC A Badge.png|17th Battalion 1st AIF 1914-1919, with ANZAC "A" Badge File:2-17th Battalion 2nd AIF v2.png|2/17th Battalion 1940-1942 File:2-17th Battalion 2nd AIF Tobruk.png|2/17th Battalion 1942-1946, in Siege of Tobruk T-shape Of the thirty two Militia infantry battalions that served during World War 2, twenty nine became 2nd AIF units when 65% of their number enlisted as individuals in the AIF. Many of these units saw action in Borneo and in the South West Pacific, including Timor, New Guinea, New Britain and Bougainville. The 57th/60th for example served in New Guinea and Bougainville. When these units joined the AIF they did not change their colour patch (in most cases, except for the 37th/52nd and the 61st). In other words, most did not adopt the grey background used by newly raised 2nd AIF units such as the 2/12th, 2/17th and 2/40th, but retained the patch they used when they had been Militia units (which they had inherited directly from World War 1 units). However, individuals who enlisted in the AIF were entitled to wear the grey AIF trim. If battalions preserved the colour patch from the First AIF, this also meant that the colour patches of units that had transferred to the AIF from the Militia usually did not reflect the shape of the patch for the division to which they had been assigned as part of the Second AIF. The 24th Aust Infantry Battalion and the 2/24th Aust Infantry Battalion were among a very few, possibly the only, namesake battalions that served in the same campaign during World War 2. The 24th Battalion was attached to the 7th Aust Division for its deployment during Operation Postern at Lae and Nadzab on the north coast of New Guinea in 1943, while the 2/24th Battalion fought in the same campaign attached to the 9th Aust Division. Similarly to the 2/17th Battalion, the 2/24th had originally been raised in the 7th Division of the 2nd AIF. The first pattern of its colour patch, prior to the Siege of Tobruk pattern, was a miniature of that of the 24th Battalion in the diamond (lozenge) shape of the 2nd Division of the 1st AIF, superimposed over the full sized grey diamond of the 7th Division of the 2nd AIF. The 26th Brigade including the 2/24th was transferred to the 9th Aust Division of the 2nd AIF in February 1941, while serving in the Middle East, and was serving with the 9th Aust Division at the Siege of Tobruk. Armies, Corps, Headquarters For orders of battle and chains of command between armies, corps, headquarters and the divisions, see Structure of the Australian Army during World War II. Sources: Armies and Corps File:Headquarters First Australian Army 1942-1946.png|Headquarters First Australian Army 1942-1946 File:Headquarters 3rd Australian Corps 1942-1944.png|Headquarters 3rd Australian Corps 1942-1944 File:Administrative Headquarters Australian Imperial Force 1939-1942; Headquarters Australian Imperial Force (Middle East) 1941-1943; Headquarters Australian Beach Groups 1944-1945 v2.png|Administrative Headquarters Australian Imperial Force 1939-1942; Headquarters Australian Imperial Force (Middle East) 1941-1943; Headquarters Australian Beach Groups 1944-1945 File:Headquarters Australian Overseas Base Sub-Area 1940-1941, Headquarters Australian Base and L of C Units 1941, Headquarters AIF (Middle East) Base Area 1941-1943 v2.png|Headquarters Australian Overseas Base Sub-Area 1940-1941; Headquarters Australian Base and Line of Communication Units, 1941; Headquarters AIF (Middle East) Base Area 1941-1943 Armour Armoured Divisions File:Headquarters 1st Aust Armoured Division 1941-1943.png|Headquarters 1st Aust Armoured Division 1941-1943 File:HQ 2nd Cavalry Division 1921-1942 - Headquarters 2nd Australian Motor Division 1942.png|HQ 2nd Cavalry Division 1921-1942, Headquarters 2nd Australian Motor Division 1942 Armoured Brigades The Australian armoured brigades were allocated a colour patch of a particular shape, which was also usually allocated to the regiments or battalions within each brigade (unless they had inherited a different one). The colours of each regiment (or battalion) usually included the brigade colour and a regimental colour that followed an order of battle pattern as for the infantry. However, armoured units were detached and attached regularly to different brigades and divisions, as required by the contingencies of the war. The technology of armoured vehicles was developing rapidly during World War 2 and as units acquired vehicles with different capabilities they were attached to the formations that required those technologies. Therefore armoured units often did not remain in the same brigades. Accordingly in many cases the colour patches and even the names of armoured units changed as the technological nature of the unit changed and as they were transferred between different formations. File:Headquarters 1st Aust Armoured Brigade 1941-1944.png|Headquarters 1st Aust Armoured Brigade 1941-1944 Armoured Regiments and Battalions File:2nd Aust Army Tank Battalion 1942-1944.png|2nd Aust Army Tank Battalion 1942-1944 File:2 7th Aust Armoured Regiment 1941-1944.png|2/7th Aust Armoured Regiment 1941-1944 Royal Australian Artillery of the Second AIF Sources During World War II, units of the Royal Australian Artillery, similarly to Australian armoured units during World War II but quite unlike artillery units during World War I, served in disperse locations. They were usually attached to mobile armoured or infantry formations, or to static air bases, coastal defences including defending against the air raids on Darwin, or other fortress locations. Since they were posted both in overseas war zones and in Australia, units nominally serving within the same artillery formation (and therefore wearing the same colour patch) could be serving at the same time in locations as far apart geographically as different Australian states and territories, or different countries. Corps and Headquarters Artillery File:Royal Australian Artillery 2nd Australian Corps 1942-1945.png|Headquarters troops, Royal Australian Artillery 2nd Australian Corps 1942-1945. As of 20 July 1943, attached from the 9th Division were 2/7th Aust Field Regiment, 2/8th Aust Field Regiment, 2/3rd Aust Tank Attack Regiment, 2/4th Aust Light Anti Aircraft Regiment. Attached from the 6th Division were 2/2nd Aust Field Regiment and 2/3rd Aust Field Regiment. 3rd Aust Survey Battery. Divisional Artillery - Armoured Divisions File:Unit colour patch Royal Australian Artillery 1 Aust Armoured Division 1943.png|Royal Australian Artillery 1st Aust Armoured Division, including 16th Aust Field Regiment (from mid-1943), 108th Aust Anti Tank Regiment, 112th Aust Anti Tank Regiment Divisional Artillery - Infantry Divisions File:13th Australian Field Regiment (AIF) v2.png|Royal Australian Artillery 4th Aust Infantry Division 1926-1942, including 2nd Aust Medium Regiment, 10th Aust Field Regiment, 15th Aust Field Regiment, 7th Aust Anti Tank Regiment, 107th Aust Anti-Tank Regiment, 109th Aust Anti-Tank Regiment, 2nd Survey Regiment, 4th Aust Division Artillery Training School 13th Aust Field Regiment File:2 8th Australian Field Regiment RAA 9th Division 1942-1946.png|2/8th Aust Field Regiment 1942-1946 Non-Divisional Artillery and Artillery of Fixed Defences File:16th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 1942-1943.png|16th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 1942-mid 1943 Royal Australian Engineers Sources Engineers File:Royal Australian Engineers 1st Australian Infantry Division.png|Royal Australian Engineers 1st Australian Infantry Division Infantry of the 2nd AIF Sources Infantry Divisions File:1st_Division_1st_AIF_formation_colour_patch.png|1st Division 1921-1942, 1st Australian Infantry Division 1942-1945 File:7th aus inf div.svg|7th Australian Infantry Division 1940-1946 Infantry Brigades File:Headquarters 1st Brigade 1st Division 1st AIF.png|1st Brigade 1921-1945 Infantry Battalions This section shows an image of a deceased Aboriginal person. File:3rd Bn 1st Brigade 1st Division 1st AIF.png|3rd Battalion1921–1943 File:2-3rd Bn 6th Div 2nd AIF.png|2/3rd Battalion1939–1946 File:2 19 Battalion colour patch.png|2/19th Battalion 1940–1942, captured with the 8th Aust Division in the Malayan campaign and the Battle of Singapore in late 1941 and early 1942 The 2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion fought during the loss of the 8th Australian Infantry Division in Malaya and Singapore. The 2/19th suffered more casualties than any other Australian unit in World War 2. The 2/19th was formed west of Sydney as part of the 8th Division on 15 July 1940. They embarked from Sydney for Singapore aboard the HMT Queen Mary on 2 February 1941, disembarking on 18 February. Immediately upon arrival they were deployed to Malaya. On 3 October 1941 they moved to Jemaluang on the east coast to prepare defensive positions in preparation for Japan's expected involvement in World War 2. Elements of the 2/19th first saw action on 7 January 1942. They were subsequently involved as a battalion in delaying actions during the withdrawal from Malaya to Singapore at Muar and other places, but suffered severe casualties. Their remainder were captured along with all Australian and other allied forces. The losses to Australia of the Fall of Singapore were epitomised by the Bucknell brothers. NX35579 Herbert Graham Bucknell and NX31452 George Vincent Bucknell were both members of B Company of the 2/19th Battalion. They were born in Fiji and moved to Australia in 1933, settling as farmers in West Wyalong, New South Wales. Herbert Bucknell (born in 1910) enlisted on 22 June 1940 at West Wyalong. He was reported missing on 11 February 1942. His status as Killed in Action was not confirmed until 23 June 1945, up to which time he was officially believed to have been taken Prisoner of War. George Bucknell (born 1913) enlisted on 30 May 1940, also at West Wyalong. He was Wounded in Action on 19 January 1942, reported missing on 16 February 1942 and confirmed on 14 July 1943 to have been taken Prisoner of War. On 17 September 1945 he was "recovered from the Japanese at Fukuoka" and returned via Manilla to Sydney on 13 October 1945 where he underwent extensive hospitalisations. On 24 February 1942, Donald Geoffrey Bucknell, brother of Herbert and George, was killed in a farming accident at West Wyalong when a horse team bolted. A poignant letter dated 1 March 1942 from Donald's wife (who signed the letter Mrs. D.G. Bucknell) was addressed to the Army asking that Herbert and George be advised of the death of their brother. Based on these dates, until the end of the war when George Bucknell was repatriated none of the brothers would have known what had happened to any of the others. The losses to the 2/19th were extensive. There were 677 killed, some of whom were included among the 150 wounded Australian and Indian soldiers and their carers who were murdered by the Japanese in the Parit Sulong Massacre. There were 1,162 of the 2/19th who went missing or were taken Prisoner of War. The Commanding Officer of the 2/19th, NX12595 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson, was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, leadership and disregard for his own safety during his organisation from 18 to 22 January 1942 of the fighting withdrawal from Malaya towards Singapore. He lead some assaults himself. He was captured on 15 February 1942 at Singapore and served out the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War. Anderson was "recovered from the Japanese at Siam" on 4 October 1945 and was repatriated to New South Wales. Anderson was born in South Africa and had received the Military Cross for actions as a member of the King's African Rifles fighting against Germany in the East African campaign during World War 1. File:27th Bn 7th Brigade 2nd Division 1st AIF.png|27th Battalion1921–1946 File:2-27th_Battalion_2nd_AIF_v2.png|2/27th Battalion April to October 1940 File:2 27th Battalion 1940-1942 7th Div v2.png|2/27th Battalion October 1940–1946 File:60th_Battalion_AIF_Unit_Colour_Patch.PNG|60th Battalion 1921-1942. From 1930 until early in 1942, members of the 57th/60th Battalion were authorised to wear the patch of either the 57th or the 60th Battalion, depending on the origins of the individual, even though in 1930 the colour patch of the 57th had become the official version. The Regimental Colour (flag) of the 60th was also still officially in use during this time. File:1st Australian Parachute Battalion 1943-1946 v4.png|1st Australian Parachute Battalion1943–1946 Two highly honoured infantrymen Infantry Machine Gun Battalions Sources File:19th Machine Gun Battalion 1942-1944 v2.png|19th Aust Machine Gun Battalion, 1942-1944. Formerly 19th Light Horse Regiment and 19th Aust Machine Gun Regiment 1941-1942, but transferred to the Aust Infantry in August 1942 as the 19th Aust Machine Gun Battalion of the 23rd Brigade, serving in anti-aircraft roles around Darwin The 1st, 14th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 25th and 26th Light Horse Regiments were also converted to machine gun regiments either before World War 2 or early during the war, but they remained with the Armoured Corps. The 1st was disbanded in 1942, while the others were all subsequently converted to cavalry or motor regiments before also being disbanded before the end of the war. Commandos Sources: Commando Squadrons Initially formed as Independent Companies (some remained so while others were placed under the command of regiments), the Commando Squadrons had a higher proportion of officers and included more members on strength than infantry rifle companies. File:2 1st Independent Coy UCP.svg|1st Independent Commando Company, 1941-1942. The majority of the 2/1st were captured on land or at sea escaping from New Britain and went down with the Montevideo Maru when it was sunk by the . File:2 2nd Independent Coy UCP.svg|2/2nd Commando Squadron, Sparrow Force, Timor. The 2/2nd continued to harass the Japanese after the fall of Sparrow Force and the occupation of Timor by the Japanese. They were reinforced by the 2/4th Commando Squadron and recruited local and Portuguese fighters with logistical support from Major General J.E.S. Stevens of Northern Territory Force, but were eventually evacuated from Timor after about 1 year of guerrilla fighting. Commando Regiments and their predecessors File:2 6th Aust Cavalry (Commando) Regiment 1944-1946.png|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, administrative headquarters for the 2/7th, 2/9th and 2/10th Commando Squadrons. The 2/6th displayed the unit colour patch colours brown, red and green in the reverse order to all other cavalry units. File:7th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1940-1942.png|7th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1940-1942; 2/7th Aust Cavalry Regiment 1942-1943. File:2 7 Cav Cdo Regt Unit Colour Patch 3.svg|2/7th Cavalry Commando Regiment 1943-1946 arising from 2/7th Aust Cavalry Regiment, administrative headquarters for the 2/3rd, 2/5th and 2/6th Commando Squadrons. File:8th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1940-1941 (redesignated 9th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment in April 1941).png|8th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1940-1941 (redesignated 9th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment in April 1941) File:9th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1941-1942.png|9th Aust Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1941-1942 formed originally from the 8th Australian Infantry Division. File:2 9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment.png|2/9th Aust Cavalry Regiment 1942-1944; 2/9th Aust Cavalry (Commando) Regiment 1944-1946, administrative headquarters for the 2/4th, 2/11th and 2/12th Commando Squadrons. Independent Companies in Australia Sources File:North Australia Observer Unit 1942-1943 v2.png|North Australia Observer Unit 1942-1943 File:North Australia Observer Unit 1942-1945, issued 1943 v2.png|North Australia Observer Unit 1942-1945, issued 1943 Pioneers Sources File:2 3rd Pioneer Battalion 2nd AIF.png|2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, 1940-1946 Signals Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers File:AEME 6th Aust Division 1943.png|Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 6th Aust Infantry Division 1943 File:Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 2 9th Aust Armoured Regiment Workshop 1944-1945.png|Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 2/9th Aust Armoured Regiment Workshop 1944-1945 Salvage Units Source File:3rd Aust Corps Salvage Unit.png|3rd Aust Corps Salvage Unit File:Salvage Units New South Wales Line of Communication Area.png|Salvage Units New South Wales Line of Communication Area Provost (Military Police) Provost - Headquarters units File:2nd Australian Corps Provost Company 1942-1945.png|2nd Australian Corps Provost Company 1942-1945 Provost - Divisional units File:1st Australian Armoured Brigade Provost Platoon.png|1st Aust Armoured Brigade Provost Platoon Intelligence File:Allied Geographical Section (AMF Component) 1943-1946 v2.png|Allied Geographical Section (AMF Component), Intelligence Services 1943-1946 File:Air Liaison Units 1945-1949.png|Air Liaison Units 1945-1949 Schools, Training, Education Sources File:Army Headquarters Schools 1942.png|Army Headquarters Schools 1942 Postal Services File:1st Aust Division Postal Unit 1941-1943.png|1st Aust Division Postal Unit 1941-1943 File:8th Aust Division Postal Unit 1941-1945.png|8th Aust Division Postal Unit 1941-1945 Newcastle Covering Force Postal Unit was formed in March 1942, was later redesignated 10th Aust Division Postal Unit from April to September 1942, but was not issued a planned vertical oval colour patch before it was disbanded. Pay Offices, Cash Offices File:Second Aust Army Command Pay Office 1942-1943.png|Second Aust Army Command Pay Office 1942-1943 File:3rd Aust Corps Field Cash Office 1942-1943.png|3rd Aust Corps Field Cash Office 1942-1943 Support File:Australian Army Catering Corps 1943-1945.png|Australian Army Catering Corps 1943-1945 File:AIF (Middle East) Movement and Transportation Group 1942, AIF (Middle East) Movement Control 1 2 Group 1942, AIF (Middle East) Port Detachment 1942-1943.png|AIF (Middle East) Movement and Transportation Group 1942, AIF (Middle East) Movement Control 1/2 Group 1942, AIF (Middle East) Port Detachment 1942-1943 Australian Army Ordnance Corps Sources AAOC Headquarter Units File:AAOC 1st Aust Corps 1939-1943.png|Australian Army Ordnance Corps 1st Aust Corps 1939-1943 File:AAOC 7th Aust Division 1940-1943.png|Australian Army Ordnance Corps 7th Aust Division 1940-1943 AAOC Troops File:Australian Army Ordnance Corps (Permanent) 1928-1942, Australian Army Ordnance Corps (Field Units), 1942-1945.png|Australian Army Ordnance Corps (Permanent) 1928-1942, Australian Army Ordnance Corps (Field Units) 1942-1945 Australian Army Service Corps Sources AASC Headquarter Troops File:Australian Army Service Corps Troops - Headquarters First Australian Army 1942-1946.png|Australian Army Service Corps Troops - Headquarters First Australian Army 1942-1946 File:3rd Australian Corps Troops - Australian Army Service Corps.png|3rd Australian Corps Troops, Australian Army Service Corps File:1st Aust Corps Troops Ammunition Company 1940-1942 Middle East, A Section, 2 4th Aust Motor Ambulance Convoy Transport Wing 1942-1943 Middle East.png|1st Aust Corps Troops Ammunition Company 1940-1942 (Middle East), A Section 2/4th Aust Motor Ambulance Convoy Transport Wing 1942-1943 (Middle East) File:1st Aust Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company AASC 1940-1942.png|Australian Army Service Corps 1st Aust Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company 1940-1942 AASC Divisional Units File:Australian Army Service Corps 1st Australian Division.png|Australian Army Service Corps 1st Australian Division File:Australian Army Service Corps 9th Australian Division 1940-1942.png|Australian Army Service Corps 9th Australian Division 1940-1942 File:Australian Army Service Corps 9th Australian Division 1942-1945.png|Australian Army Service Corps 9th Australian Division 1942-1945 AASC Non-Divisional Troops File:Australian Army Service Corps Details 1925-1930 and 1940-1942.png|Non-Divisional Units Australian Army Service Corps (Militia) Eastern Command 1940-1942 Motor Transport File:Victoria Line of Communication Area Motor Transport Units AASC 1942-1945 v2.png|Victoria Line of Communication Area Motor Transport Units Australian Army Service Corps 1942-1945 Fuel Supplies File:Tasmania Line of Communication Area Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depots AASC 1942-1945 BIPOD.png|Tasmania Line of Communication Area Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depots AASC 1942-1945 Horse Transport File:Queensland Line of Communication Area Horse Transport and Remount Units AASC, 1942-1945.png|Queensland Line of Communication Area Horse Transport and Remount Units Australian Army Service Corps 1942-1945 Medical Units Sources Medical Units attached to Formations File:Australian Army Medical Corps 3rd Australian Corps 1942-1944 AIF Troops.png|Australian Army Medical Corps 3rd Australian Corps 1942-1944 AIF Troops File:Australian Army Medical Corps 8th Australian Division 1940-1945.png|Australian Army Medical Corps 8th Australian Division 1940-1945 File:Australian Army Medical Corps Land Headquarters Units 1942-1945.png|Australian Army Medical Corps Land Headquarters Units 1942-1945 File:Australian Army Medical Corps Queensland Line of Communication Area 1942-1945.png|Australian Army Medical Corps Queensland Line of Communication Area 1942-1945 Australian Army Medical Women's Service AAMC Non-Divisional Personnel Ambulance Trains (AAMC Staffs) in Australia File:Australian Army Medical Corps Staffs, Northern Territory Ambulance Train 1942-1944.png|Australian Army Medical Corps Staffs, Northern Territory Ambulance Train 1942-1944 Hospital Ships File:3rd Australian Hospital Ship ‘Centaur’ 1943 v2.png|3rd Australian Hospital Ship ‘Centaur’ 1943 Hospitals Inconsistencies were sometimes apparent between the approved designs and the manufacture of colour patches during World War 2. Instances of this were quite common with patches for signals, armour and cavalry, which included inconsistencies and errors in both colour and shape. Another example involving patches for medical units was the choice of green colouration for the colour patches of the 2/1st Australian General Hospital. File:2 1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 as per drawings.png|2/1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 with mid-green band as per Master General of Ordnance line drawings File:2 1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 as per CCF manufacture v2.png|2/1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 with dark green band as per Commonwealth Clothing Factory manufacture File:2 1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 as per Western Australian manufacture v2.png|2/1st Australian General Hospital 1940-1945 with light green band as per Western Australian manufacture Casualty Clearing Stations File:10th Australian Casualty Clearing Station 1942-1943, 110th Australian Casualty Clearing Station 1943 -1945.png|10th Australian Casualty Clearing Station 1942-1943, 110th Australian Casualty Clearing Station 1943 -1945 File:Camp Hospitals, New Guinea Line of Communication Area 1942-1945.png|Camp Hospitals, New Guinea Line of Communication Area 1942-1945 File:South Australia Line of Communication Area, Depots Medical and Veterinary Stores 1942-1945.png|South Australia Line of Communication Area, Medical, Veterinary and Dental Stores Depots 1942-1945 Voluntary Aid Detachments with the AIF File:Voluntary Aids AIF (Middle East) 1942.png|Voluntary Aid Detachments AIF (Middle East) 1942. Recognised by the Military, the Voluntary Aid Detachments were at their peak in World War I and World War II, providing first aid, nursing assistance, comforts, domestic assistance and other supports for wounded and returned soldiers. It was one of only two women's services active at the outbreak of the war. As worn by VFX64863 (V13447) Private Gladys Lila Crawford. Australian Army Medical Corps and Australian Army Nursing Service of the 8th Aust Division File:2 13th Australian General Hospital 1941-1945 Malaya Singapore PoW Bullwinkel v2.png|140px|2/13th Australian General Hospital 1941-1945. Malaya, Singapore, Prisoners of War. Personnel of the Australian Army Nursing Service wore the colour patch of the unit or formation headquarters to which they were posted (rather than the generic service patch). File:2 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station Java Weary Dunlop.png|2/2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station captured on Java in March 1942. This was the unit commanded by VX259 Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Edward "Weary" Dunlop. Dunlop and his unit were imprisoned on Java before being taken to be used as forced workers on the Thai-Burma Railway. File:Australian Army Medical Corps 8th Australian Division.png|2/12th Field Ambulance, of the 'broken 8th'. The Gull Force elements of the 2/12th were captured on Ambon, the Sparrow Force elements were captured at Koepang, Many were lost with the sinking of the Australian Hospital Ship Centaur, while some went on to active service later in the Borneo campaign (1945). Sparrow Force Sparrow Force was one of the forces formed to defend the islands to the north of Australia early in the war. Sparrow Force was based upon the 2/40th Battalion and was intended to defend the island of Timor from invasion. Deploying in late 1941, heavy fighting ensued after the invasion of Timor by the Japanese. The main force surrendered on 23 February 1942. However, with logistical support from 12th Division the commandos of the 2/2nd Independent Company reinforced later by the 2/4th Independent Company conducted a guerilla campaign until their withdrawal was completed in January 1943. Sparrow Force personnel like all captive members of the 8th Division were sent to labour camps across south-east Asia and Japan. Sparrow Force comprised the 2/40th Battalion and the other units following, or elements thereof. It was representative of the makeup of the task forces created early during the war. File:2-40th Bn 2nd AIF.png|2/40th Australian Infantry Battalion File:2 1st Fortress Signals Sparrow Force.png|2/1st Fortress Signals, Sparrow Force Garrison Battalions, PoW Camp Units, Internment Camp Units Sources: Garrison battalions were raised for full-time duty in October 1939 for fixed defence installations. Their personnel were drawn from the Class 'B' of the Militia, that is personnel between the ages of 48 and 55 who had seen war service prior to 1 September 1939. Cadres for reserve garrison battalions which were to be raised on mobilisation were created in 1940. Commands where two or more full-time duty battalions were raised had a small administrative brigade headquarters. From early on some battalions had adopted a secondary title indicating their specific role, such as Internal Security. In 1942 this was formalised and most battalions were given an appropriate secondary title. If units were raised on special establishments to guard prisoner-of-war and internment camps the restrictions to prior war service were waived. Some internment camp units included women on their establishment. Between 1939 and 1942, by which time most of the units had been formed, all Garrison Battalions were assigned the same unit colour patch (the black square on a green background square). File:Australian Garrison Battalions 1939-1942.png|Australian Garrison Battalions 1939–1942. The first seven Garrison battalions were raised in October 1939, rising to 33 battalions plus around four individual companies by the end of the war. Some Garrison Battalions were assigned to Brigade Headquarters File:2nd Australian Garrison Brigade Administrative Headquarters 1942-1944.png|2nd Australian Garrison Brigade, New South Wales, Administrative Headquarters 1942–1944 Not all garrison battalions were administered within a brigade. Garrison Battalions and Companies File:22nd Australian Garrison Battalion (Prisoner-of-War Camp) 1942-1945, Cowra Prisoner-of-War Group 1945-1947.png|22nd Australian Garrison Battalion (Prisoner of War Camp, New South Wales) 1942-1945, Cowra Prisoner of War Group 1945-1947 VDC == New Patches 1945-1949 ==

A new system was introduced in 1987 known as Series I and Series II colour patches. The Series I range are known as the 'Heritage' patches and are the pre-1949 patches maintained in a register with the Series I 'Extended'. The Series II range includes new patch designs introduced during the 1990s. Both are used in the Australian Army due to some units tracing their lineage to First AIF and Second AIF units. The register also includes the patches for the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. Headquarters Formations and Divisions File:Land Headquarters.png|Land Headquarters File:1st Division 1st AIF formation colour patch.png|1st Division File:1st Brigade (Australia) Unit Colour patch.png|1st Brigade Royal Australian Regiment File:INF1004 - UCP - 4RAR.PNG|4th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentInactive Infantry File:1-19 RNSWR UCP.svg|1st/19th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment Armour, Cavalry, Light Horse File:2nd Cavalry Regiment (Australia).png|2nd Cavalry Regiment Artillery File:3rd_Field_Artillery_Brigade.png|7th Field Battery, 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery Engineers Sources: File:1st Divisional Engineers.png|1st Divisional Engineers Signals Sources File:108th Signal Squadron (4th Command Support Regiment).png|108th Signal Squadron (4th Command Support Regiment) Aviation Sources: File:16th Brigade Aviation Headquarters v2.png|16th Aviation Brigade File:1st Aviation Regiment (modern) v2.png|1st Aviation Regiment Regional Force Surveillance Various other examples File:1st Intelligence Battalion, current pattern.png|1st Intelligence Battalion, current pattern, barracks File:2nd General Health Battalion modern.png|2nd General Health Battalion File:10 FSB unit colour patch.PNG|10th Force Support Battalion File:Australian Army Band modern.png|Australian Army Band File:Corps of Staff Cadets.png|Corps of Staff Cadets, Royal Military College, Duntroon --> ==See also==