This service remembers the men of the 2/24th Australian Infantry Battalion on the anniversary of the Second Battle of El Alamein.
The 2/24th Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. Due to their time in the city, they became known as 'Wangaratta's Own'. During the Second World War, they served in North Africa and the Pacific and were involved in some of the heaviest action during the Siege of Tobruk.
In October 1942, the 2/24th took part in the critical victory at El Alamein. Once again, the battalion was involved in some of the heaviest fighting as the Allies worked to stop the Axis advance toward the Suez Canal. They suffered heavy casualties and when the 2/24th were withdrawn on 1 November, only 55 men were on the transports.
During the Second World War, the 2/24th Battalion suffered more battle casualties than any other battalion – 335 men were killed in action, while nearly 900 were wounded.
Reviewed 28 November 2022