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2/4th Field Regiment Association

A wreath laying to honour the service and sacrifice of the 2/4th Field Regiment.

Event Details

Date:
Sunday, 23 October 2022 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Location:
Sanctuary, Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, VIC 3001
Details:
  • Admission is free.
  • This venue is wheelchair accessible.

The 2/4th Australian Field Regiment was raised in 1940. Many of its men and officers were drawn from the 4th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, which had existed since the First World War. 

In November 1940 they arrived in Egypt before moving on to Syria in 1941. During the bitter fighting of the Syrian campaign in June and July, they fired over 40,000 rounds.

The 2/4th returned to Australia before seeing action in New Guinea. On 5 September 1943, 31 men of the 2/4th parachuted with two dismantled 25-pounder-Short guns into Nadzab. Supporting the US 503rd Parachute (Infantry) Regiment, it was the first-ever parachute jump for an Australian artillery unit. 

Their last action of the war was in the Borneo campaign and the landings at Balikpapan. The 2/4th landed early on 1 July 1945 and would fire more than 10,000 rounds over the next four days. 

The 2/4th were officially disbanded on 7 February 1946. 1,744 men served with the regiment during the Second World War. Of these, 30 were killed in action or died while on active service.

Shrine Representative:

  • Shrine Governor Lieutenant Colonel Neil Smith AM

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