44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment)

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Brief History

The 44th Australian Infantry Battalion was a militia unit raised in Perth in 1921 as part of the 13th Infantry Brigade. The unit was mobilised when the Pacific War commenced. In January 1942 they moved to Bushmead to form part of the Special Mobile Force, with an initial task of protecting the Pearce RAAF base. They were tasked with being ready to respond to any enemy landing between Albany and Geraldton.

With the arrival of troops that had returned from the Middle East, the battalion moved first to Mingenew in early April 1942 and then later that month to Moora. In May they moved forward to Dandaragan to assist with patrolling the beaches to the west, with Company sized groups at Jurien Bay and the Moore River Aboriginal Settlement. In July the arrival of further troops saw them move back to Point Walter, and the Special Mobile Force was then disbanded in July 1942.

In August 1942 the 44th Battalion joined the 5th Infantry Brigade Group at Bellevue, with the Brigade given the role of being ready to respond to threats in the North West or South West of the state, as well as being support for other units in Geraldton and Fremantle. In November the brigade group moved to Strawberry Siding near Mingenew. In February 1943 they relocated to Geraldton, with the 44th Battalion located at 'The Twins' from where they patrolled the area north of Geraldton. In March 1943 the battalion undertook amphibious landing training at Geraldton and in September, jungle training at Collie, followed by leave in Perth during October.

By January 1944 the need for a strong force near Geraldton had faded and along with the 5th Infantry Brigade they left WA for Kairi in Queensland where they came under the command of the 3rd Australian Infantry Division. They undertook training for a role in New Guinea, but with most units under-strength the units of the 5th Infantry Brigade Group, including the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion was disbanded in June 1944 and the men used to bring other units up to strength.

Battalion Personnel

• Alexander James Harris 3 Jan 1940 - 1 Mar 1942
• Evan John David Davies 20 Aug 1940 - 18 Jan 1944
• Frederick Martin Wilton 9 Jan 1941 - 5 Oct 1941 & 24 Jun - 16 Jul 1942
• Steven Ralph Cox 27 Feb 1941 - 29 Jun 1945
• John Bennett Prentice 16 Jul - 31 Oct 1941
• Arthur Gordon Fielder 31 Oct 1941 - 4 Jan 1942 & 4 Jul 1942 - 4 Jul 1944
• Lewis Hinsley 28 Jan 1943 - 4 Jul 1945
• Arthur Lloyd Brockwell 28 jan 1943 - 4 Jul 1944
• Alan Henry Brockwell 19 Nov 1943 - 20 ?? Jun 1944
• Steven Ralph Cox ?? Jun 1944 - 31 Oct 1945  ???

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 2 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 , page 2.245 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018