23 Field Regiment (23 Fd Regt) traces its origins from July 1940, during World War II (WWII.) It was at this time that volunteers were sought to man a newly created unit, the 2nd/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment (2/3 Anti-Tank Regt.) Although many of the original officers and men had previously served with the (now) disbanded 14 Field Brigade between WWI and WWII, there is no direct link between these units.

Active Service during WW II

After assembling at Warwick Farm racecourse in Sydney, the new 2/3 Anti Tank Regt sailed for the Middle East on 14 November 1940. The unit's first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel R.E. Munro ED.


The unit trained in Palestine, both as infantry and anti-tank artillery using 6 pounder guns
and rapidly became proficient in both roles. 2/3 Anti-Tank Regt was redeployed to Libya and whilst conducting desert training at Mechili in April 1941, was suddenly and unexpectedly engaged by elements of General Erwin Rommel's "Deutsche (German) Afrika Corps" (DAK.) During this engagement the unit suffered heavy casualties and lost many members as prisoners of war.

The unit succeeded in getting through to Tobruk and from April to August 1941 became a key component in it's successful defence against a numerically superior DAK. 2/3 Anti -Tank Regt was instrumental in destroying much of Rommel's armour force and after Tobruk, the Regiment was refitted and went back into action at El Alamein in July 1942. Again the Regt executed its role with great distinction. Major Jack Argent was periodically appointed commander of the 2/3 Anti Tank throughout this period, and was in command at the battle of El Alaimein.

By 2nd February 1943, the Regiment was back in Australia preparing for a new jungle warfare role. Major Jack Argent was assumed command of 2/3 Anti Tank in Sep 1943 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 11 Jan 1944. The 2/3 Anti Tank subsequently saw action in many jungle theatres including New Guinea and Labuan, and Borneo as both Gunners and Infantry. In 1946, 2/3 Anti-Tank Regt disbanded and it's veterans established the 2nd/3rd Anti-Tank Regt A.I.F. Association which is still very strong today, of which Colonel Jack Argent is the current Patron.

Post WWII Service

The Regiment was re-raised in July 1948 as a Commonwealth Military Forces (CMF) unit and re-titled the 3rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Lieutenant Colonel J.N.L. Argent OBE ED, who had commanded the unit during the later stages of WWII, was again appointed the Commanding Officer, and a large number of officers and men who had served in the 2/3 Anti-Tank Regt volunteered to serve with the new unit.

The Regiment was equipped with 17 pounder anti-tank guns and occupied depots at:
a.Belmore- Regimental Headquarters, Light Aid Detachment and S Gun Battery;
b.Ashfield - Q and R Gun Battery's; and
c.Homebush - P Gun Battery.


In 1951 the Regiment's role was changed to field artillery, which also involved another change in name to the 3rd Light Regiment RAA. This unit was equipping with 4.2" mortars. A further name change occurred in 1956 when 3 Light Regiment became 23 Light Regiment and a year later was re-equipped with 25 pounder guns. The name then changed to it's present title of 23 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Regiment.


Since then, the unit has retained a field artillery role and in 1965 the unit re-quipped to 105mm gun howitzers. These guns were recalled in 1968 to be sent to South Vietnam, and temporarily replaced by the 105mm L5 pack howitzers. After the Vietnam War the unit was re-equipped with its 105mm Gun Howitzers the American made M2A2, which are still used today for ceremonial displays and parades.


In 1974 the Regiment was granted the 'Freedom of Entry into the Municipality of Burwood' in recognition of its long association with the Burwood area. At the presentation parade, the Regiment carried the Queen's Banner of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery for the first time (the Banner having been presented to the Corps of Artillery in 1971.)

In July 1974, 18th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment (18 LAA), which was also located at Kogarah amalgamated with 23 Field Regiment following the reorganisation of Army Reserve units. As a result, the Regiment comprised three field batteries, and occupied depots at Belmore, Kogarah and Ingleburn. In October 1976, the unit underwent further reorganisation and reduced to two field batteries, however continued to occupy the three existing depots. In October 1976, the 18 LAA Regt Band, which had been inherited in the 1974 amalgamation, was retitled the' 2nd Divisional Field Force Group Artillery Band' but remained under command of 23 Field Regiment. Since then it has been renamed '2nd Divisional Royal Australian Artillery Band' but is commonly known as the 23 Field Regiment Band.

In 1990 (the Regiment's 50th anniversary year), the unit's main armament changed to the current 105mm Hamel Gun L119, which is based on the British Light Gun. 12 Field Battery was re-raised for two weeks, for the purpose of an exchange with 16 Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Army and trained with the new Hamel Gun. During 1991, the Regiment was granted 'Freedom of Entry into the Municipality of Rockdale' again in recognition of its long association with the Rockdale area and following the presentation parade, the Regiment exercised its right by way of a mounted parade through the streets of Rockdale.


In 1995, 10 Field Battery moved from the old Ingleburn depot and occupied its current depot in Holsworthy Barracks. In 1999, new Multi-user Depots were opened for Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Battery at Rockdale, and 11 Field Battery at Sutherland.

In January 2000, 10 Field Battery established a second depot location at HMAS Harman in Canberra.

Today, the Regiment supports the 5th Brigade in Sydney and participates in numerous training and community based activities. We also support current operational deployments with troops deployed to the Solomon Islands, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.