24th Australian Infantry Brigade's Headquarters Company

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Brief History

The 24th Brigade was formed on 1 July 1940 as part of the 2nd AIF for service during World War 2. Originally a part of the 8th Australian Infantry Division the brigade was subsequently transferred to the newly created 9th Australian Infantry Division in December. It served during the Western Desert Campaign, forming part of the Allied garrison during the Siege of Tobruk. Later, it was withdrawn to Syria to perform occupation duties, but was rushed back to Egypt to participate in both the First and Second Battles of El Alamein.

In early 1943, the brigade returned to Australia to fight against the Japanese in the Pacific. In 1943–1944, the brigade fought in New Guinea, taking part in the landing at Lae and in the Huon Peninsula campaign. Late in the war it took part in the Labuan landings and the Battle of North Borneo in mid-1945. After the war, the brigade was disbanded in early 1946. Two battalions with strong WA connections formed par t of the Brigade , namely the 2/28th and 2/32nd Battalions.

Unit Personnel

• Stephen Charles Southern 16 Nov 1943 - 3 Aug 1944