16th Australian Field Regiment

Brief History

The 16th Army Field Regiment was raised at Seymour in Victoria during October 1941 comprising the 45th Field Battery and the 46th Field Battery. The 47th Field Battery wasn't formed until February 1942. Also in February the unit's name changed to become the 16th Australian Field Regiment, and it was transferred to the 1st Armoured Division, moving with them to Narrabri in NSW to participate in extensive manoeuvres. Their next move was to Gunnedah in October and in January 1943 they moved to Western Australia. Their initial base was at Morowa in mid February before moving to Mingenew, and then Dandaragan in July.

1st Armoured Division was disbanded in September and the Regiment joined the 1st Armoured Brigade Group in October and moved to the artillery camp at Rockingham. In March 1944 they moved briefly to Moora and in July to Chidlows. In October 1944 the regiment left WA for St Ives in NSW, and then in March 1945 they moved to Mapee in Queensland where they were disbanded in July 1945.

Three men died from injuries and one from illness while posted to this unit.

Unit Personnel

• Maxwell John Watson 5 Nov 1942 - 21 Sep 1943

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 3.053 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018