BACKGROUND
16th Battalion is an Army Reserve Infantry Battalion with depots located at Karrakatta, Joondalup, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie. The Battalion offers rewarding part-time career opportunities for Western Australian's who want to serve in the Australian Defence force.
The 16th Battalion can trace its history back to the time of federation when the Goldfields Battalion of Infantry was formed. The Battalion has historical links to the 16th Battalion AIF (World War 1), the 2nd /16th Battalion AIF (World War 2) and 16th Battalion - The Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia (World War 2 to the present).
For its outstanding performance in World War 1 the Battalion carries battle honours which include the landing at Gallipoli and subsequent involvement in the European battles for the Somme, Pozieres, Bullecourt, Messines, Ypres, Passchendaele, Amiens and the Hindenburg Line, just to name a few.
During World War 2 the 2nd/16th Battalion saw active service in North Africa, Syria, New Guinea and Borneo winning its most revered battle honour for defeating the Japanese on the Kokoda Track. At the same time the 16th Battalion Cameron Highlanders of Western Australia were engaged in coast watching duties and the Defence of Darwin. In 1944 the Cameron Highlanders saw active service on the island of New Britain and in 1945 they were involved in the battles for Waitavalo and the Tol plantations.
From the end of World War 2, through until the present day, 16th Battalion soldiers have volunteered, and deployed, to support operations in Timor, Malaysia, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Iraq, now through the High Readiness Reserve. Volunteers have also deployed on coastal security and naval boarding party tasks in the Timor Sea. Other roles include supporting National counter-terrorist measures through service in the Reserve Response Force. 16th Battalion is currently poised to deploy up to 60 volunteer soldiers to support operations in the South Pacific region.
The proud tradition continues for Western Australia's 16th Battalion.