8th Battalion (Australia)
| 8th Battalion | |
|---|---|
Members of the 8th Battalion, after attacking at Passchendaele,
28 October 1917 |
|
| Active | 1914–19 1921–46 |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Line Infantry |
| Size | ~800 – 1,000 men |
| Part of |
2nd Brigade (1914–19) 23rd Brigade (1941–46) |
| Colours | White over Red |
| Engagements | |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Colour Patch |  |
The 8th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Initially raised in 1914 for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War the battalion was completely recruited from Victoria and formed the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. During the war it fought at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front. It was disbanded in 1919, before being re-raised as a Militia battalion in 1921. During the Second World War the 8th Battalion was used primarily as a garrison unit before taking part in the Bougainville campaign late in the war. It was disbanded again in 1946 during the demobilisation process, although it was reformed again in 1948 when it was amalgamated with the 7th Battalion. Today, its honours and traditions are perpetuated by the 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment.
The 8th was known as the "Blood and Bandages" brigade due to their Unit Colour Patch being white on red.
The 8th Battalion was raised within two weeks of the start of the First World War. The majority of its personnel were drawn from volunteers for overseas service from rural Victoria and after undertaking rudimentary training the battalion, attached to the 2nd Brigade, departed Australia two months later, heading for Egypt. The Australians arrived in Egypt on 2 December 1914 and following this they undertook further training and briefly taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal from the Turks following the First Suez Offensive. The Turkish offensive ended before the battalion could see any action. Following this, the battalion remained in Egypt before being transported to Lemnos Island in early April in preparation for their involvement in the Gallipoli campaign. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Kinsey Bolton, they took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove, coming ashore as part of the second wave on 25 April 1915.
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