This memorial is dedicated to those who served in the 2/27th Infantry Battalion which is otherwise know as The South Australian Scottish Regiment. The plaque for this memorial shows both the insignias of the Australian Infantry Forces and the 27th Battalion as well as the Mackenzie Tartan colours of the regiment.
The SA Scottish Regiment was originally known as the 27th Infantry Battalion up until 1938. This was the second alteration of the 27th AIF as the first regiment was formed in 1915 and disbanded shortly after the armistice of the first world war. The second 27th battalion was proposed in 1937 before being officially raised in Woodside, South Australia the following year. Prior to its raising, over 100 recruits of the battalion signed a petition for the conversion of the battalion to a kilted scottish regiment. This was owing to the strong Scottish ties the regiment had as well as its use of the same Mackenzie tartan colours commonly associated to the historic Seaforth Highlanders from the British Army. Unlike other regiments, the SA Scottish regiment also maintained a traditional pipe band which was reportedly unappreciated by the fellow battalions in their camp.
The memorial inscription reads:
27 Aust. Inf. Bn. (A.I.F.)
The S.A. Scottish RegimentIn Memory Of All Who Served
In The Regiment 1939 – 1945
Darwin, New Guinea, Nissan And
Bougainville, Solomon IslandsLest We Forget
The South Australian Scottish Regiment (1939 – 1945)
The SA Scottish Regiment was initially called up for protective duties and regular training on the outbreak of World War II. It was only two days after Japan entered the war in December 1941 that the battalion then mobilized to Darwin. During their defensive role in Darwin, the SA Scottish regiment aided in the counter attacks against Japanese bombers in 1942. From December the following year, the 27th then joined the 23rd Brigade after spending time back in Adelaide.
As part of the 23rd Brigade, the Scottish Regiment was sent to relieve American garrisons in the Solomon Islands. From September 1944, the 27th battalion defended the airfield on Green (Nissen) Island as well as undertook surveillance missions of the surrounding islands controlled by Japanese forces. While their previous years were primarily garrison-based duties, the Scottish regiment eventually took part in several small attacks from April 1945 as the tide turned in the Pacific. The 23rd Brigade spent time in 1945 overseeing the central and northern sectors of Bougainville Island before moving to the active northern sector of the Bonis Peninsula. It was here that the 23rd Brigade saw frequent engagement with the Japanese forces and were subjected to shelling by Japanese artillery. After the surrender of Japanese forces, the 27th moved to Torokina where the ranks thinned. Some men were discharged, transferred or voluntarily signed up to take part in the occupation of Japan from this base. Once most of the battalion had left for home or other active service by May 1946, the battalion was disbanded.
