This memorial was constructed in dedication to the service of the 9th Battalion RAR and to those who sacrificed their lives whilst serving under the Battalion. The front inscription of the memorial features the symbol of the Royal Australian Regiment whilst the adjacent plaque features the names of those killed in action during their service with the battalion.
Front Inscription:
9th Battalion
The Royal Australian RegimentThe 9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment,
was raised at Keswick Barracks, Adelaide on the
13th of November 1967. From late November 1967 until
its depature for South Vietnam on the 9th of
November 1968, the battalion was based at WoodsideOn return from South Vietnam on the 10th of
December 1969, the battalion was relocated to
Enoggera, Queensland
Plaque:
They paid the supreme sacrifice
whilst on active service
with the 9th Battalion
Names have been omitted from this transcription
History
As the inscription states, the 9th Battalion was raised on the 13 November 1967 at Keswick Barracks. During their training, the battalion was transferred to Woodside prior to their deployment to Vietnam in 1968. In November that year the battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion RAR and was based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy province. While an advanced party was sent out first and arrived on the 5 November, the rest of the Battalion departed four days later on the HMAS Sydney and celebrated the battalion’s first year at sea. The battalion formed part of the overall 1st Australian Task Force.
The battalions first major operation was Operation Goodwood in response to the increasing Viet Cong forces in the area. The operation lasted for 10 weeks and was one of the most severe conflicts for the Battalion. Out of the 26 servicemen that was killed in action during this conflict, 14 were soldiers from the 9th Battalion RAR. Following this operation, the Battalion was then involved in Operation Federal as well as searches and patrols following the 1969 Tet Offensive. After a rest period back at Nui Dat in March 1969, the battalion rejoined Operation Federal in April.
By April, the operations of the 1st Australian Task Force changed to pacification techniques including the seeking out and destroying of the enemy at their bases. Between April to October 1969, the 9th Battalion was active for Operations Overland, Overlander and Jack before being relieved by 8th Battalion RAR and returning back to Australia in December. While the Battalion was scheduled to return to Vietnam in 1971, the Australian Government’s decision to end its commitment to the conflict and cancel the Battalions re-deployment.
After Vietnam, the government’s defence policy shifted to defending mainland Australia and the reduction of the Army to accomodate these changes. As a result, the 9 RAR was linked with the 8th Battalion. On the 31 October 1973, the battalions were linked to form the 8/9 RAR.
