1ST NSW RIFLE VOLUNTEERS, 1854-1860
In 1851, the Government of NSW, with the sanction of HM Imperial Government, authorised the establishment of Volunteer Corps in Sydney. Three years later in September, 1854, during the Crimean War, the 1st NSW Rifle Volunteers was formed. It is from this Regiment that the present unit claims direct descent. The first Commanding Officer was Major Thomas Wingate. The original uniform was a dark green frock coat with black velvet facings and black shoulder straps with trousers of similar material with a black bold stripe. A forage cap to match was worn with the numeral I and a bugle as a badge. The first known public appearance of the Regiment was on the occasion of the opening of an Industrial Exhibition at the Museum, when it formed a Guard of Honour for the Governor (Sir Charles Fitzroy). The Regiment also formed a Guard of Honour for the Governor at the opening of the railway to Parramatta and attended the Queen's Birthday Review on which occasion they were brigaded with the Dorsetshire Regiment. Public interest in the Volunteer Regiment was slight and for some years the unit struggled for existence.
THE SYDNEY BATTALION 1860 - 1878
In 1869, during the Maori War in New Zealand, enthusiasm in the Regiment was revived as a result of public meetings and under the new title of "The Sydney Battalion" a considerable number of recruits were enlisted. At this time a change in uniform was made, the newly adopted dress being grey with black facings, an infantry shako and a brown belt. On 18th May, 1861, Lady Young, on behalf of the ladies of Sydney, presented the Regiment with its first Colours. In 1868, the Regiment took part in the Review before HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Shortly afterwards, an attempt was made on the Prince's life which caused great excitement in Sydney. As a result, the Regiment had to supply many guards on public places. Another change in uniform was made the following year, when scarlet tunics, dark blue trousers with scarlet pipings were adopted. The shako was retained but some years later was replaced with a white helmet. The first volunteer encampment for continuous training in New South Wales was conducted during Easter 1873, at Ham Common near Richmond. Subsequent camps were held in the Campbelltown area.
THE FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY 1878 - 1911
In 1878, a system of partial payment for volunteers was approved and the Sydney Battalion was absorbed into the First Regiment Infantry. During the peaceful years that followed, the purely metropolitan nature of the unit was extended to include companies at Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Moss Vale and Mudgee.
In 1885, a detachment of one officer and seventy five other ranks from the First Regiment sailed with the contingent for the Soudan, the first occasion on which Australian troops served abroad. Although the contingent arrived in Africa towards the end of the campaign, their activities were recognised by the inclusion in the First Regiment's Battle Honour of "SUAKIN 1885".
Towards the end of the century the uniform was changed to khaki, although the scarlet uniform was retained for ceremonial purposes. The Regiment contributed twelve officers and ninety one other ranks to the contingents which participated in the South African War. Major Watson, a member of the First Regiment, was the officer selected to demand the surrender of Pretoria. Private (later Captain) Dufrayer was awarded one of the four scarves knitted by HM Queen Victoria and awarded for special gallantry. "SOUTH AFRICA 1899 - 1902" was added to the Regimental Battle Honours.
In 1905, Lord Northcote, then Governor General and Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, presented Colours which subsequently were deposited in the Chancel of St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney. In 1911 with the introduction of universal training, there was a change in designation to 21, 24 and 26 Regiment.
THE GREAT WAR
Although records are incomplete, it is known that more than 100 officers who had trained with the pre-war First Regiment saw service in various AIF units. Among them were Major General Holmes, Brigadier General McLaurin, Brigadier General S.C. Herring, Brigadier General I.C. McKay and Brigadier General J. Heane.
The history of the 1st Battalion during World War 1 is a history in itself.
The Battalion sailed from Australia with the first contingent in 1914 and served with distinction at Gallipoli and in France.
Three Victoria Crosses were among the many decorations awarded to members of the 1st Battalion, AIF.
The recipients were: Lance Corporal L. Keysor, Captain A.J. Shout, and Corporal G.J. Howell.
For its services in the Great War, the Battalion was granted the following Battle Honours:
HERBERTSHOHE 1914 BULLECOURT
ANZAC YPRES 1917
LANDING AT ANZAC MENIN ROAD
DEFENCE OF ANZAC POLYGON WOOD
SARI-LONE PINE BROODSEINDE
GALLIPOLI 1915 POELCAPPELLE
SUVLA PASSCHENDAELE
EGYPT 1915-16 LYS-AMIENS
FRANCE & FLANDERS 1916-18 HAZEBROUCK
SOMME 1916-18 ALBERT 1918 (CHUIGNES)
POZIERES - EPEHY HINDENBURG LINE
THE FIRST BATTALION (EAST SYDNEY REGIMENT) 1919 - 1944
In the years between the wars, the Regiment was linked with a number of other battalions and was known under various titles. However, it always reverted to the title granted in 1921, "The 1st Battalion East Sydney Regiment". In 1937 the City of Sydney by charter adopted the Battalion as "The City of Sydney Regiment" and at the outbreak of Word War II the full title was "1st Battalion, City of Sydney Regiment".
1st/19th BATTALION CITY OF SYDNEY REGIMENT
On 1st July, 1930, the 1st Battalion was amalgamated with the 19th Battalion under the title "1st/19th Battalion". Lieutenant Colonel C.H. Howard, OBE, VD, was appointed the first Commanding Officer and he remained in command until 1st July, 1934.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR, 1939 - 1945
Prevailing policy at the time prevented units of the pre-war militia serving abroad. However, a great many officers, NCO's and men of the pre-war 1st Battalion served with the three services during World War II. The Regiment was known under a variety of titles until it was disbanded in 1944.
The 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion of the Second AIF served with distinction in the Middle East and Pacific theatres. It participated in the first offensive in Libya, the defence of Greece and Crete, where the Battalion earned fame at Retimo.
After its return to Australia in 1942, it moved to New Guinea where it participated in the advance across the Kokoda Trail and the battle for Gona.
In 1944 - 45 it took part in the Aitape-Wewak campaign and was engaged in active operations when the War ended in August, 1945.
The following officers commanded the Battalion: Major General P.A. Cullen, AC, CBE, DSO*,ED; Major General I. Campbell, CBE, DSO, Major General K.W. Eather, CB, CBE, DSO, ED, Colonel T. White.
The Battalion was granted the following Battle Honours for its service during the Second World War:
NORTH AFRICA 1940-41 EORA CREEK - TEMPLETONS CROSSING
MIDDLE EAST 1941 OIVI - GORARI
BARDIA 1941 BUNA - GONA
CAPTURE OF TOBRUK SANANANDA ROAD
GREECE 1941 NAMBUT RIDGE
MOUNT OLYMPUS BUT - DAGUA
BRALLOS PASS HAWAIN RIVER
CRETE - RETIMO SOUTH WEST PACIFIC 1942-45
KOKODA TRAIL LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA
THE FIRST INFANTRY BATTALION (Commando)
THE CITY OF SYDNEY'S OWN REGIMENT
When the post war CMF came into being in 1948, the 1st Battalion was not re-formed. On 25th June, 1955, the 1st Commando Company was raised in Eastern Command. In 1957 it was decided that as this unit already incorporated the designation "1st" within its title, it would be a convenient framework on which to reform the old 1st Battalion. Accordingly on 1st December, 1957, the unit was re-designated as 1st Infantry Battalion (Commando) City of Sydney's Own Regiment.
The 1st Battalion, City of Sydney's Own Regiment was granted Freedom of the City for Entry by the City of Sydney on 10th October, 1959. This honour conferred the privilege of the unit of being able to "march through the streets with bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and Colours flying."
When the Citizen Military Forces were re-organised on 1st July, 1960, the unit became the 1st Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment. On 16th October, 1965, His Excellency, The Governor Of New South Wales, Sir Roden Cutler, VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE, Honorary Colonel of the Royal New South Wales Regiment presented new Queen's and Regimental Colours to the unit.
1st/19th BATTALION THE ROYAL NEW SOUTH WALES REGIMENT ASSOCIATION INC. P.O. Box 224 INGLE BURN NSW 1890 Tele: 0414 907 427
I
SUAKIN 1885
SOUTH AFRICA 1899 - 1902
HERBERTSHOHE 1914
ANZAC
LANDING AT ANZAC
DEFENCE OF ANZAC
SARI-LONE PINE
GALLIPOLI 1915
SUVLA
EGYPT 1915-16
FRANCE & FLANDERS 1916-18
SOMME 1916-18
POZIERES - EPEHY
BULLECOURT
YPRES 1917
MENIN ROAD
POLYGON WOOD
BROODSEINDE
POELCAPPELLE
PASSCHENDAELE
LYS-AMIENS
HAZEBROUCK
ALBERT 1918 (CHUIGNES)
HINDENBURG LINE
NORTH AFRICA 1940-41
MIDDLE EAST 1941
BARDIA 1941
CAPTURE OF TOBRUK
GREECE 1941
MOUNT OLYMPUS
BRALLOS PASS
CRETE - RETIMO
KOKODA TRAIL
EORA CREEK - TEMPLETONS CROSSING
OIVI - GORARI
BUNA - GONA
SANANANDA ROAD
NAMBUT RIDGE
BUT - DAGUA
HAWAIN RIVER
SOUTH WEST PACIFIC 1942-45
LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA
XIX
GALLIPOLI
SUVLA
EGYPT 1915-16
SOMME 1916-18
FRANCE & FLANDERS 1916-18
HAMEL
POZIERES
BAPAUME 1917
BULLECOURT
YPRES
MENIN ROAD
POLYGON WOOD
BROODSEINDE
PASSCHENDAELE
POELCAPPELLE
AMIENS
ALBERT 1918
MONT ST QUENTIN
BEAUREVOIR
HINDENBURG LINE
MALAYA 1941-42
THE MUAR JOHORE
SINGAPORE ISLAND
WAITAVOLE
SOUTH WEST PACIFIC
LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA
