1st Battalion (Australia)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Australian 1st Battalion


caption= 5 members of 1st Battalion waiting to be relieved by troops of 7th Battalion at Gallipoli, August 1915
dates= 1914-1919
country= Australia
allegiance=
branch= Australian Army
type= Infantry
role= Line Infantry
size=
command_structure= Australian 1st Brigade
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors= Black over Green
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Unit Colour Patch
march=
mascot=
battles= World War I
notable_commanders= James Heane
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 1st Battalion was raised for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. The 1st Battalion along with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions were completely recruited from New South Wales and formed the 1st Brigade. The battalion saw service in Gallipoli and on the Western Front. It was demobilised in 1919.

Formation and Middle-East service

The battalion was raised within two weeks of the declaration of war and left Australia two months later. The battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December.

The battalion took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April, 1915 as part of the second and third waves. It took part in the desparate struggle for the dominating hill known as Baby 700. The Turks wrested control of the hill and the battalion withdrew to Russell Top and later to the southern flank near Gaba Tepe. During a bayonet charge on 27 April, 1915, Lieutenant (later to be promoted Captain) Shout conducted a crucial bayonet charge and was awarded the Military Cross [LondonGazette|issue=29215|date=2 July 1915|startpage=6541|supp=yes|accessdaymonth=25 July|accessyear=2008] and was Mentioned in Despatches.

In August, the battalion took part in the attack on Lone Pine. The battalion served at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December. Two members of the battalion, Captain Shout and Lieutenant Keysor were awarded the Victoria Cross for valour at Lone Pine.cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11188.asp|title=1st Battalion|publisher=Australian War Memorial] .

Fighting in France

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed to France and deployed to the Somme. The battalion's first major action in France was at Pozières in July 1916. Later the battalion fought at Ypres, in Belgium, before returning to the Somme in winter. At Bullecourt in May 1917, Corporal Howell became the third member of the battalion to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

In 1918 the battalion helped to stop the German spring offensive in March and April. The battalion subsequently participated in the greatest Allied offensive of 1918, launched near Amiens on 8 August, 1918.

The battalion continued operations to late September 1918.

Demobilisation

By the end of the war, the battalion had lost 1165 killed and 2363 wounded. The battalion returned to Australia between November 1918 and May 1919 for demobilisation and discharge.

Commanding Officers

*Lt. Col. L. Dobbin
*Lt. Col. A. J. Bennett
*Lt. Col. W. J. Rowland
*Lt. Col. J. Heane
*Lt. Col. B. V. Stacy

References

Bibliography

* [http://www.awm.gov.au/diaries/ww1/folder.asp?folder=1140 First Battalion AIF War Diaries] - Australian War Memorial
*1st Battalion AIF Historical Committee, the history of the First Battalion AIF 1914-1919 (Sydney: James J. Lee 1931).
*D.J. Blair, Dinkum diggers: an Australian battalion at war (Carlton; Melbourne University Press, 2001).