When the war broke out in 1914, the Australian Government pledged an initial contingent of one Infantry Division and a Mounted (Light Horse) Brigade to the aid of the mother country. This force was designated the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). In the course of the war, this force grew to five Infantry Divisions, two Mounted Divisions, and various separate units (Flying Corps, Heavy Artillery, etc,). Australia eventually sent over 330,000 men to fight in Turkey, Palestine, and the Western Front, over 1/3 became a casualty. They were all volunteers.
The Australian Army stacked the deck for the 1st Australian Division. The division was officered by a large percentage of the Australian regulars, and the Infantry Battalions were cadred by volunteers from the various Militia Battalions. They were the fruit of the Australian compulsory service Law, enacted in 1912. The Division had three brigades of four infantry battalions. The battalions were recruited locally, and were grouped in brigades by states. The 2nd Infantry Brigade was all Victorian, consisting of the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Infantry Battalions.
The 5th Battalion had a (relatively) long history. The unit was cadred by two of the Militia Battalions, mainly from the 52nd. The 52nd was known as the Victorian Scottish Regiment (VSR). This unit was formed in August of 1898, and was made up entirely of Scottish immigrants and their sons. Equipped in traditional highland kilt, they set off to fight the Boers. They continued to function as a unit in Highland kilt until the Great War. When the call for volunteers was sounded the VSR grew from 2 companies to 6, with volunteers from another Victoria Militia Bn., and other enlistees. The four new companies had no intention of wearing Kilts, and the whole was mustered into service as the 5th Bn. in typical Aussie garb, sans kilts. However, many officers and men of the VSR retained their glengarrys and wore them in Egypt and Gallipoli. The VSR did not return to Highland dress until 1933.
The battalion served with honor and distinction at: Gallipoli from April 25- the evacuation, Somme, Pozieres, Baupume, Bullecourt, Ypres, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert and the Hindenburg Line, along with other actions too numerous to mention. They lost 997 in those four years, almost their entire original strength. Their sacrifices did not go unrewarded, for courage and valor they received: 2 CMG’s (Companion Order of St. Michael & George), 5 DSO’s (Distinguished Service Order), 1 OBE (Officer, Order of the British Empire) , 22 MC’s (Military Cross), 23 DCM’s (Distinguished Conduct Medal), and 105MM’s (Military Medals), along with other decorations. That puts the Decoration ratio at one per every five men. A proud record.
Our battalion has a monument in the yard of Scots’ Church on Collins Street in Melbourne. The Scots’ Church is also the home of our colours. Both the Regimental and Kings Colours hang in the church (We didn’t receive our colours until after the war).
This is the proud heritage of the men who wore the red and black rectangular patch of the 5th Battalion, AIF, 2nd Brigade, 1st Australian Division, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).
