5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=5th/6th Battalion The Royal Victoria Regiment


caption=Melbourne University Regiment cap badge
dates=1854
country=Australia
type=Reserve Infantry
branch=Army Reserve
specialization=Light Infantry
command_structure=4th Brigade
garrison=Melbourne
motto=5th Battalion - "Nemo me impune lacessit" (No one shall provoke me with impunity)
6th Battalion - "Semper Paratus" (Always ready)
march="Our Director"

The 5th/6th Battalion is one of two battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment, an Australian Army Reserve unit, and sister unit to 8th/7th Battalion. The battalion, abbreviated as 5/6 RVR, is organised as a standard infantry battalion, with its respective sub-units situated throughout metropolitan Melbourne. Each company is located at:
* Battalion Headquarters (BHQ) - 202 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
* Support Company (Spt Coy) - 127 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds
* Alpha Company (A Coy) - 101 Duke Street, Sunshine
* Bravo Company (B Coy) - 2 Robinson Road, Surrey Hills
* Charlie Company (C Coy) - 67 Royal Avenue, Sandringham

During the Army Reserve training year (typically from mid February to mid December), members of 5/6 RVR attend their respective depots every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 10:30. Battalion Headquarters is also open 8:00am to 4:00pm, weekdays. The battalion conducts a training weekend once a month, at a variety of locations, such as Simpson Barracks, Puckapunyal and RAAF Williams.

Pipes and Drums

Formed in 1899 as part of The Victorian Scottish Regiment, the 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums is now the band for all battalions of the Royal Victoria Regiment. It is supported by the RVR Pipes and Drums Association, an incorporated body that offers tax deductible status for donations over $2.

Unit History

5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment is derived from a number of famous Australian battalions which had drawn members from the Melbourne metropolitan area. The history of this Battalion and the events leading up to their linking and the formation of the subsequent 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment is as detailed below.

The Regiment

In the late 1950s, it was determined to consolidate all Army Reserve infantry regiments into one regiment per state. With this move, several proud regimental histories were ended and a new chapter in the history of Victorian volunteer military forces had begun. The Royal Victoria Regiment was formed on the 1st July, 1960, as a non-tactical grouping of all Army Reserve infantry battalions in the state of Victoria. It inherits and embodies the traditions of the infantry in the state of Victoria from the earliest units formed since 1854. To fully understand the heritage of the regiment it is necessary to go back to the very founding of the Colony. This summary will concentrate on the history of the Melbourne battalions since the conclusion of World War Two.

Melbourne metropolitan units and Victorian regional units comprise 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment. The regional unit’s proud traditions and histories are entrusted to 8th/7th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment sister unit of 5th/6th Battalion.

It should be understood that many of the 1st Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and the 2nd AIF units were raised directly from the skeleton of militia units on the declaration of war. For this reason, The Royal Victoria Regiment can claim more battle honours than any other Regiment or Unit in the Australian Defence Forces. A list of the approved battle honours is contained in this information pack and the colour patches of these units is also attached. This summary follows three Victorian battalions (5th, 6th and 58th/32nd) that have been merged, split and re-named several times from 1948 through to 2003. A fourth battalion was briefly formed in the early 1970s and some of its activities will be briefly mentioned. This constant flux and turmoil has disrupted the clarity of our heritage. The various regimental families however, sustain our past and a benefit of this consolidation is the breadth of our affiliations.

1948-1960 – Post World War II Expansion

With World War Two over the 2nd AIF was de-mobilised more rapidly than the similar forces of any other participating nation. It was not long however, before the fear of communism prompted the expansion of Australian Forces. In 1960, the National Service scheme ceased, resulting in an immediate reduction in strength. A substantial structural change was also about to occur, for on the 30th June, 1960, all battalions and their members were absorbed into the new-style pentropic 1st Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR).

The conflict in Korea, coupled with a perceived threat of communism to the security of the country and surrounding regions, led to the adoption of National Service. This scheme required participants to complete three months of full time service, followed by three more years as members of Citizens Military Force (CMF) units.

5th Battalion – The Victorian Scottish Regiment

The 5th Battalion, The Victorian Scottish Regiment (VSR) had existed prior to World War Two and was re-established on 1st April 1948, as part of the Citizen Military Forces (CMF). Just as many of the members of the pre-war VSR had helped to raise the AIF, many ex-members of the 2nd AIF returned to the colours to again raise the 5th Battalion. Battalion Headquarters was established at Hawthorn and the Companies were located at Kew, Surrey Hills, Armadale and Dandenong.

The first Commanding Officer of the new Battalion was Lieutenant Colonel G.R Warfe, DSO, MC, ED. The Battalion quickly undertook a variety of training and duties, providing a guard of honour on the occasion of the presentation of the Field Marshall’s Baton to Sir Thomas Blamey Australia’s first and as at the time of writing only active Field Marshall (HRH The Duke of Edinburgh is also listed as a Field Marshall in the Australian Army).

The battalion colours were also recovered with great pomp and ceremony, from the Scots’ Church in Melbourne. In addition, Scottish Dress was quickly approved and the VSR was soon dressed distinctively. In 1898, the VSR had originally worn a modified Gordon tartan, with the gold lines replaced by red. In 1899 this was replaced by the Gordon tartan. The battalion motto was the same as that prior to World War One: “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit”. These same words are engraved at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle. Loosely translated this means “no one hurts me and gets away it with it”. The battalion march was “Cock of the North”, and the unit colour was gold.

National Service led to 5th Battalion VSR growing to be over full-strength, allowing the unit to conduct ambitious peacetime training successfully. The battalion was represented in the Coronation Contingent sent to London in 1953. In 1954 the battalion provided the Government House Ceremonial Guards during the visit of Queen Elizabeth II. In the same year the battalion also provided troops to line the streets, with their colours, for the opening of Parliament in Canberra. The battalion was presented with new Queen’s and Regimental Colours on the 12 May 1957. 5 Battalion’s Colours are laid up in The Scots’ Church, Melbourne.

6th Battalion – The Royal Melbourne Regiment

In May, 1948, the 6th Battalion was re-formed. 6th Battalion The Royal Melbourne Regiment (RMR) had existed prior to the Second World War and again ex-soldiers of the 2nd AIF returned to the colours, members now of the CMF. The Battalion recovered its colours, adopting the motto of “Semper Paratus” or “Always Ready”. The Battalion March was “Waltzing Matilda” and the unit colour was Khaki.

The Battalion was established in the same Victoria Street Training Depot that they had occupied prior to the war. At the time of writing, this depot still stands opposite the Queen Victoria Market on the corner of Therry & Franklin Streets in Melbourne. Companies were also established at Preston and Carlton.

The 6th Battalion gained an influx of members due to the effects of National Service, and participated in many of the major ceremonial events that the 5th Battalion VSR was involved in. The size of the unit allowed large scale and advanced training, although when the scheme ceased, the unit suffered a reduction in size. The battalion also gained a significant honour, being granted the Freedom of Entry to the City of Melbourne, on 10th March 1960. 6 Battalion’s Colours are laid up in St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne.

58th/32nd Battalion – The City of Essendon Regiment

A third CMF Battalion was raised in the Melbourne area in 1948, being based predominantly in the Western and North-Western suburbs. Initially encompassing Footscray, and known as The West Melbourne Regiment, then sometime later as The Melbourne Rifles the battalion eventually expanded to be 58th Battalion, The City of Essendon Regiment.

The battalion established its Headquarters at Pascoe Vale Road Moonee Ponds and had companies at Footscray and Brunswick. It gained many new members through National Service, but lost many when the scheme ceased. This battalion was also absorbed into 1 RVR, when the pentropic organisation was adopted in 1960. Unlike the 5th and the 6th battalions the 58th Battalion has not since reappeared in the Australian Army’s Order of Battle, yet strong links are still maintained by the 58th/32nd Battalion Association. The current Moonee Ponds Depot is still the location for their annual ANZAC day service. The 58th Battalion Colours were laid up on the 10 May 1970 located at the Essendon Town Hall. The 32nd Battalion Colours were laid up in August, 1970, and are at St John’s Anglican Church in Footscray.

1960-1965 – the Pentropic Experiment

A re-assessment of optimal fighting strengths and structure resulted in the Australian Army adopting a Pentropic arrangement for its battalions in 1960. All of the Victorian CMF Infantry units were affected by this and two units were created to replace the five older ones. 1 RVR comprised most metropolitan sub-units whilst 2 RVR was built from a mixture of city and metropolitan units.

The pentropic arrangement comprised five rifle companies, a support company, an administration company and a command element. For 1 RVR the break up of the Sub-units was as follows:
a. A Company (The Merri Coy);
b. B Company (The Scottish Coy);
c. C Company (The Melbourne Coy) from the 6th Battalion;
d. D Company (The Essendon Coy);
e. E Company (The Footscray Coy) from the 58th/32nd Battalion; and
f. Support Company was established from the 5th Battalion.

The term Royal Victoria Regiment had been adopted at the outset of the formation of the new unit, to reflect the connection of the unit with the State from which it was raised. This was an effort to uphold the traditions and maintain the ties to the local communities. At the same time, a new badge was adopted, which is still retained by current units. The Regiment celebrated its birthday on 1st July 1960 as a result of this union.

1965-1982 – Expansion Era

The pentropic arrangement was found to be generally unsuitable for use within the Australian Army and by 1965, alternatives had been studied and selected. On the 3 May 1965 both 1 RVR and 2 RVR were again split to form the following five units:
a. 1st Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area),
b. 2nd Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Country Areas),
c. 5th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area),
d. 6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (Melbourne Area), and
e. 1st Independent Rifle Company (Mildura).

When National service ended CMF units were again eroded, as they became completely voluntary units. In 1973, the Government commissioned a review into the training and organisation of the CMF. One result from this was that the CMF became known as the Australian Army Reserve or as it is more widely known: The Army Reserve. National Service was again introduced, offering five years voluntary service in the CMF or two years full-time service, subject to being balloted by birth date, enabling all of the metropolitan units to remain at good manning levels.

1 RVR

The creation of 1 RVR essentially replaced 58th Battalion as the third metropolitan battalion. As with its predecessor, it was concentrated in the western and north-western parts of Melbourne and maintained a beneficial rivalry with the other Melbourne battalions.

In 1975, 1 RVR absorbed both the 5 & 6 RVR due to all units being well below strength. This caused disruption to many members and was due at least in part to the fallout from the Australian involvement in Vietnam and the generally disinterested public view of the military following that unpopular conflict. With changes to its conditions of service, the number of people in the Army Reserve began to drop significantly. On the 14 November 1987, 1 RVR was absorbed into 5/6 RVR. The colours of 1 RVR were laid up on 25 April, 1988 and remain at the Essendon Town Hall.

5 RVR

5th Battalion was again manned effectively and in its distinctive dress. However, in 1966, a directive was issued that only one company in a Battalion was allowed to wear the traditional Scottish dress, a move that was not popular. The battalion received its new colours on 19th October 1969 at Royal Melbourne Showgrounds by His Excellency the Governor General of Victoria, Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe, KCMG, KBE, CB, DSO, KStJ.

The Vietnam War saw the general community lose enthusiasm for the military, and the strength of all of the Battalions fell accordingly. The end of the involvement in Vietnam, and the end of National Service, severely affected the 5th Battalion. By 1975 the situation precipitated the amalgamation of all of the Victorian Battalions. 5 RVR’s Colours were laid up once more although it would not be long before they would represent another unit.

6 RVR

The 6th Battalion once again took over its old stamping grounds with the end of the pentropic arrangements. As with 2 RVR and 5 RVR, 6 RVR was presented with new colours on 19 October 1969 at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds. Suffering the same fate due to community disinterest of Defence issues and the abolition of National Service, 6 RVR was amalgamated with the 5 RVR into 1 RVR in 1975. 6 RVR’s Colours were laid up, waiting for an opportunity to be shown to new soldiers.

3 RVR

Brief mention is made of this Battalion, because Routine Orders were raised for this Unit. During 1973, in an era of declined interest in the Army Reserve, the four Victoria State infantry battalions and the independent rifle company were formed into one battalion for a major exercise and named 3 RVR. LTCOL Barry Ingram AM RFD ED was Commanding Officer. An unprecedented amount of resources were deployed to support 3RVR during its brief existence. This even included support from the RAAF.

The 1980's

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the government of the day reacted by immediately increasing defence spending. The Army Reserve expanded and improved as a result.

5/6 RVR

On the 17 August 1982, a new Melbourne battalion was created: 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment. 5/6 RVR adopted the traditions of both the The Victorian Scottish Regiment and the Royal Melbourne Regiment and recovered both sets of Colours to reflect this. The Battalion also maintained its previous allegiances with The Gordon Highlanders and their extended affiliates, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 6th Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.

The amalgamation also involved combining some aspects of both units. The unit lanyard went from being just one colour to being a twisted braid of gold and khaki. The unit adopted “Our Director” as the battalion march, rather than choose one of the original marches. A Pipes and Drums was raised, and this is now the Regimental Band. The battle honours remained the same and the following honours are emblazoned on the colours:

Alliances

*GBR - once The Gordon Highlanders - then Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) - now Royal Regiment of Scotland
*CAN - The Toronto Scottish Regiment - via Gordon Alliance
*CAN - 48th Highlanders of Canada - via Gordon Alliance
*RSA - Cape Town Highlanders Regiment - via Gordon Alliance
*CAN - Lake Superior Scottish Regiment
*GBR - The Royal Fusiliers

ee also

* 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums
* Australian Army
* Australian Army Reserve
* List of Australian Army Regiments
* Royal Victoria Regiment
*GBR - London Scottish Regiment

External links

* [http://www.army.gov.au/hq4bde/index.htm Official website of 4 Brigade]
* [http://intergon.net/rvrpd 5/6RVR Pipes and Drums]