1/19 RNSWR - History

The 1st Battalion traces its lineage furthest back of all New South Wales infantry units, directly to the 1st Sydney Volunteer Rifles, which was formed in Sydney in 1854 in response to the Colony's concern at the possibility of Russian action against Australia associated with the Crimean War. By the time of Federation, the unit had evolved into the 1st Regiment, New South Wales Infantry, and had made substantial contributions to Australian forces raised for deployment to the Sudan in 1885 and South Africa in 1899-1902. To this day the Battalion carries the Honorary Distinctions SUAKIN 1885 and
SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902 on its Regimental Colours.

Before the Federation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, each of the colonies maintained its own defence force. In the latter part of the 19th Century, the need for Australia to be defended by one army, and not six, was evident. This need became one of the mainsprings of the movement towards Federation; indeed Alfred Deakin held that defence was the chief stimulus to Federation, and Sir Henry Parkes argued that defence was the overarching justification for the Federal movement. After Federation, the units of
the colonial defence forces were merged into the new Australian defence force, and the 1st Regiment, New South Wales Infantry, was re-designated the 1st Australian Infantry Regiment. The regiment continued through several re-designations, and was first linked with the 19th Battalion to form the 1st/19th Battalion in 1930.

On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the 1st and 19th Battalions were raised as part of the Australian Imperial Force, and included many members from locations in 1/19 RNSWR's current area. The Battalions served throughout Australia's involvement the War, and fought on Gallipoli and on the Western Front in France and Flanders. The Battalions were awarded the Battle Honours LANDING AT ANZAC, SOMME 1916-18, POZIERES, BULLECOURT, YPRES 1917, PASSCHENDAELE, AMIENS and HINDENBURG LINE, and carry them on their Regimental Colours, together with the Battle Honours PALESTINE 1917-18 and RUMANI, which were brought to the Regiment by the 6th and 7th Australian Light Horse Regiments.

Lance Corporal Leonard Keysor, Captain Alfred Shout, MC and Corporal George Howell of the 1st Battalion, and Lieutenant Percy Storkey of the 19th Battalion, were awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in World War I. To this day members of 1/19 RNSWR wear the "black over green" colour patch of the 1st Battalion on their slouch hats, and the Battalion's headquarters is named Romani Barracks.

The 2/1st (AIF), 2/19th (AIF) and 19th (initially Militia, later AIF) Battalions served as part of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force throughout Australia's involvement in World War II, and fought in North Africa, Greece, Crete, Malaya, Singapore, Papua and New Guinea. The Battalions were awarded the Battle Honours NORTH AFRICA 1940-42, BARDIA 1941, GREECE 1941, MALAYA 1941-42, KOKODA TRAIL and BUNA-GONA, and carry them on their Queen's Colours, together with the Battle Honours SYRIA 1941, DEFENCE OF TOBRUK, EL ALAMEIN and BORNEO, which were brought to the Regiment by its other infantry battalions. The 1st (Militia) Battalion served in World War II in defence of Australia, and did not deploy overseas.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson, MC, Commanding Officer of the 2/19th Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross for brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage at the Muar River in Malaya in January 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Anderson was sent to restore a vital position, and his small force destroyed ten enemy tanks. He was cut off, but he defeated persistent attacks, and forced his way through the enemy line.

In 1960 The Royal New South Wales Regiment was raised, including the 1st Battalion, which at that time was known as the 1st Infantry Battalion (Commando) (The City of Sydney's Own Regiment). In 1966 the 19th Battalion was re-raised as a special conditions unit to provide an opportunity for men from remote areas of New South Wales to serve as reserve soldiers. In 1971 the 1st and 19th Battalions were linked again to form 1/19 RNSWR, maintaining the special conditions role. In 1996 the Battalion was relocated from Ingleburn to its current locations in Orange, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Dubbo.

In the year 2000, the lead-up to the Centenary of Federation, 1/19 RNSWR supported Operation Gold, providing soldiers for operational search tasks at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. A rifle company group deployed to New Zealand on Exercise Tasman Reserve earlier in the year and a platoon (minus) deployed to Malaysia for six weeks as part of Rifle Company Butterworth. These deployments were valuable in practising individual and collective skills, and maintaining the Battalion's readiness to provide
members for deployment on operational service.

The Battalion has also been active in the community this year, parading the Colours on a number of ceremonial occasions. The most notable of these was the commemoration in Orange in July of the centenary of the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Sir Neville Howse for valour in Orange Free State, South Africa in July 1900. Sir Neville was a resident of Orange, and his Victoria Cross was the first awarded to an Australian soldier.

The Battalion also provided the Colour Party when it participated with the Association of First Infantry Battalions at the annual Pozieres Day commemoration to remember the fallen of the 1st Battalions.

In 1939 the 1st Battalion was granted its Motto; "Primus Agat Primas" (Let the First Be Foremost). Today the traditions of the original 1st Sydney Volunteer Rifles, through its evolution and re-designation, and the Battle Honours of the ancestral battalions, are proudly maintained by the 1st/19th Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment; still the First!