3rd Pioneer Battalion (Australia)
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| 3rd Pioneer Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1916–19 |
| Country | Australia |
| Branch | Australian Army |
| Role | Pioneer |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 3rd Division |
| Colours | Purple and White |
| Engagements | First World War |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Colour Patch | 100px |
The 3rd Pioneer Battalion was an Australian infantry unit raised for service during the First World War as part of the all volunteer Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Trained as infantrymen, they were also tasked with some engineer functions, with a large number of personnel possessing trades from civilian life. As such, they were designated as pioneer units. The concept had existed within the British Indian Army before the war, but was adopted by the Australian Army in early 1916 to meet a need for troops with construction and engineering skills to assist with digging trenches, labouring, constructing strong points and battlefield clearance, at a time when the AIF was being reorganised as part of plans to transfer it from the Middle East to the Western Front in Europe.[1]
A total of five pioneer battalions were raised by the AIF during the war, with one each being assigned to each of the five infantry divisions that the Australians deployed to the battlefield in France and Belgium. The 3rd Pioneers were raised in Victoria, in March 1916, from volunteers drawn from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia were subsequently assigned to the 3rd Division.[2][3] The battalion consisted of four companies, under a headquarters company.[1] After departing Australia on the transport Wandilla on 6 June 1916, the battalion subsequently served with the 3rd Division in the United Kingdom and on the Western Front from late 1916 until the end of the war.[2] The battalion was involved in the following actions throughout 1917 and 1918: the Battle of Messines, the Third Battle of Ypres, the Spring Offensive, the Battle of Hamel and the Hundred Days Offensive.[4]
One member of the battalion, Walter Peeler, received the Victoria Cross, for his bravery during the Battle of Broodseinde in October 1917.[5][6]
References
- Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dennis et al 1995, p. 465.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mallett 2003.
- ↑ Kuring 2004, pp. 83, 90–92.
- ↑ Returned and Services League.
- ↑ Staunton 1988.
- ↑ Bean 1941, p. 850.
- Bibliography
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Further reading
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