The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) memorial was unveiled along the Pathway of Honour on the 24 April 2014. The memorial features two plaques. The first to recognize the achievements of the battalion and its dedication to those who served and sacrificed during their service whilst the second lists those South Australian servicemen who died during service with the Battalion during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The inscription reads:
2nd Battalion
The Royal Australian RegimentDedicated to all members who have served in the battalion
Raised as the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 to the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in 1949In particular, to those who made the Supreme Sacrifice
Lest We ForgetAreas of Deployment
Japan Korea Malaya Thai-Malay Border Vietnam
Rwanda East Timor Solomons Iraq Afghanistan
The SamichonUnveiled by Lt. Colonel P.O.G. Forbes MC ED (Rtd) on the 24th of April 2014
Plaque:
Those South Australians who paid
The Supreme Sacrifice whilst on
active service with the battalionKorea – 1953
Vietnam – 1967/68
Vietnam – 1970/71
(the names and dates on this plaque have been omitted in this text)
2nd Battalion – ‘Second to none’
As the inscription states, the 2nd Battalion was initially formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and its motto is ‘Second to none‘. The battalion became the 2nd Battalion, RAR on 23 November 1948 during the Occupation of Japan where it was stationed at Hiro, Toyko and Ebisu during its duties. Since its formation, the Battalion has seen a number to significant engagements. This includes: the Occupation of Japan, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War.
In May 1971, the operational responsibility of this battalion was taken over by 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC). It remained in this state for more than 21 years until becoming unlinked on 1 February 1995. Since then, the Battalion has seen active service in Rwanda, East Timor (Timor-Leste) as well as the Solomon Islands. Following the invasion of Iraq in 2003, it was placed as part of the Australian embassy’s security force in Baghdad.
