Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion |
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Members of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion on Thursday Island 1945
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| Active | 1941–46 |
| Country |  Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Type | Light infantry |
| Size | ~ 500 men |
| Part of | Torres Strait Force |
| Engagements | Second World War |
| Insignia | |
| Unit colour patch |  |
The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion was a special group of soldiers in the Australian Army during the Second World War. What made them unique was that almost all their soldiers were Torres Strait Islanders. This made them the only Indigenous Australian battalion ever formed by Australia.
They started as a smaller group in 1941. By 1942, they grew into a full battalion. Their main job was to protect the islands of the Torres Strait. These islands are at the very top of Queensland, Australia. In 1943, some of their soldiers even went to patrol Dutch New Guinea. After the war ended, the battalion was officially closed down in 1946.
Contents
Forming the Battalion
The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion began as a small group of just over 100 men. This happened in May 1941. The Australian government was worried about a war in the Pacific. They wanted to free up other soldiers for different tasks.
It was a bit hard to find enough recruits at first. This was because of the pearling season. But by December 1941, the group had enough soldiers. They were ready to act as a mobile reserve. More people joined in early 1942. This led to a separate labour company being formed. It was called the Torres Strait Employment Company.
Growing the Force
In June 1942, Japan joined the war. This made the government decide to make the unit bigger. They asked for more volunteers. The Torres Strait Islanders responded very well. About 830 Islander men joined the army during the war. This was almost every eligible man. It was about one-fifth of the Torres Strait population at the time. Also, 40 Torres Strait Malays and Aboriginal people joined.
By July, more soldiers arrived in the Torres Strait. The 14th Garrison Battalion came to help. The Torres Strait Infantry Company then supported them. They helped defend the Horn Island airfield.
Becoming a Full Battalion
The Torres Strait Infantry Company grew even more. It took in the employment company. On March 1, 1943, it officially became a full battalion. Major John Uther Swain was its commander. It was planned to have 17 officers and 470 men.
The soldiers received full infantry training. This was the same training as other Australian soldiers. They practiced with other battalions on Prince of Wales Island. The battalion had four main companies, 'A' to 'D'. They were spread across the Torres Strait. This included Horn Island, Goode Island, and Thursday Island. They were a key part of the islands' defenses. They helped protect against Japanese air raids.
Later, in May 1943, many more people joined. A special pioneer company was formed. It had 160 men. This meant the battalion could focus on defense. They no longer had to do labour or building tasks.
Patrols and Reorganization
From October to December 1943, some soldiers went to Dutch New Guinea. They patrolled the area. They were looking for Japanese soldiers. On December 23, they had a fight with a group of Japanese. One soldier from the battalion was killed. Six others were wounded.
In mid-1944, all parts of the battalion came together. They gathered on Thursday Island. It was decided that the smaller outposts were not needed anymore. The battalion was reorganized. A transportation company was formed. This group handled terminal operations and water transport.
Fairness in Pay
At the time, there were unfair rules about pay. All officers and senior leaders were white Australians. Torres Strait Islanders originally received only one-third of the pay. This was compared to white soldiers of the same rank.
Because of this and other concerns, some companies went on strike. This happened in late December 1943. In February 1944, the Army agreed to raise their pay. Soldiers would now get two-thirds of what white soldiers earned. It wasn't until 1986 that the Indigenous soldiers received all their missing pay. This was for their service during the war.
Despite the pay differences, the Islanders liked the Army's structure. Its discipline and clear ranks meant they were treated with respect by other soldiers.
A Unique Contribution
This unit was very special. It was the only Indigenous Australian battalion ever formed by the Australian Army. Many Indigenous Australians joined the war effort. But most served in mixed units. The war helped change official rules and views. It showed how important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were in the military.
The Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion made a huge contribution. Most able-bodied Torres Strait Islander men of military age served in the war. The battalion was officially closed down in 1946. This happened after the war ended. A total of 36 members of the battalion died while serving.
Legacy Today
Today, there is a unit called 'C' Company of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR). It was set up in the Torres Strait in 1987. This unit is a Regional Force Surveillance Unit (RFSU). Its job is to patrol the Torres Strait. It also provides security to remote parts of Northern Australia. Many descendants of the Torres Strait Light Infantry soldiers now serve in 51 FNQR.
Commanding Officers
These officers led the battalion during the war:
- Major John Uther Swain (1942–1944)
- Major Charles Frederick Mayne Godtschalk (1944–1946)
See also
