42nd Battalion (Australia)

42nd Battalion
Australian troops from the 42nd Battalion with American soldiers, during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.
Active	1915–2008
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Infantry
Part of	11th Brigade, 3rd Division 29th Brigade, 5th Division 11th Brigade, 2nd Division
Motto(s)	Cede Nullis (Yield To None)
March	Blue Bonnets Over the Border
Engagements	First World War Battle of Messines (1917) Battle of Broodseinde Battle of Passchendaele Battle of Amiens (1918) Battle of Hamel Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin Second World War Salamaua–Lae campaign Bougainville Campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	Charles Davidson
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch

The 42nd Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Raised as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War, it was established at Enoggera in December 1915, forming part of the 11th Brigade in the 3rd Division. It subsequently served on the Western Front in France and Belgium in 1916–18 before being disbanded on 22 October 1918. In 1921, the battalion was reformed as part of the Citizens Forces becoming known as the 42nd Battalion (Capricornia Regiment). Following the outbreak of the Second World War the battalion held a number of training exercises and camps until 1941, before being mobilised in March 1942 as part of the 29th Brigade, in the 5th Division. It subsequently served in New Guinea fighting against the Japanese during 1943–44 and on Bougainville in 1945, before being was disbanded on 7 May 1946. In 1948, it was reformed as part of the re-raised Citizens Military Forces. Today, its lineage is perpetuated by the 31st/42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment, a unit which continues to serve in the Australian Army Reserve.