The Official 2/26 Battalion Website

In affiliation with the 2/26 Battalion Family & Friends Association Inc.

"This website came to fruition in an attempt to tell the true story the 2/26th Infantry Battalion, (the only Infantry Battalion raised in Queensland; part of the 27th Brigade, 8th Division) played during the Malay Campaign of World War II.....

2/26th Battalion Medals & Honours

All surviving Battalion members. or next-of-kin of those who did not survive their service in South East Asia, received four medals from the Australian Government:

1939 - 1945 Star
Pacific Star
1939 - 1945 War Medal
Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945 

 

 

The Defence Medal 1939/45 was also issued to all servicemen who served in Malaya, NEI and Borneo and to all POWs of the Malayan campaign.
 In recent times another medal:

                            Australian Service Medal 1945 – 1975

has been struck by the Government, and members or next-of-kin are encouraged to apply to receive this medal. 

Many members also wear (on the right side) two other medals:

                            The Front Line Service Medal
                            P.O.W. Commemorative Medal

These two medals are not Government issued and need to be purchased privately.

As a result of their service, three Battalion members were presented with higher awards.
 
SWARTZ – REGINALD WILLIAM COLIN
Service Number   QX6459
Rank                      Captain
Unit                        2/26 Battalion
Service                 Army
Honour/Award     Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Citation                Highly meritorious service as POW in Thailand.
 
MAGARRY – WILLIAM RONALD
Service Number    QX17833
Rank                       Lieutenant
Unit                         2/26 Battalion
Service                  Army
Honour/Award       Military Cross
Citation                  Remarkable skill and courage against strong opposition on 26 January 1942.

 
PARKER – CHARLES TERENCE
Service Number     QX11509
Rank                        Private
Unit                          2/26 Battalion
Service                    Army
Honour/Award        Distinguished Conduct Medal
Citation                   Outstanding courage and gallantry during daylight attack on 29 January 1942.

Mentioned in Dispatches:
 
ANDERSON – GEORGE ROBERT
Service Number      QX14796
Rank                          Private
Honour/Award          Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation                     Gallant and distinguished services in S.W.P.

BOYES – ARTHUR HAROLD
Service Number        VX13608
Rank                           Colonel
Honour/Award            Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation
 
MARRINGTON – MORRIS WILFRED
Service Number         QX16523
Rank                            Acting Corporal
Honour/Award            Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation                       Gallant and distinguished services in S.W.P. area.
 
WALSH – PATRICK JOHN
Service Number         QX19117
Rank                            Chaplain 4th Class
Honour/Award            Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation                       Services rendered whilst POW in Japanese hands.

RIXON – FRANCIS CHARLES
Service Number         QX20054
Rank                            Private
Honour/Award            Mentioned in Dispatches
Citation                       Distinguished Service

 
Other Members Awards:
 
EXON - ROBERT JAMES
Service Number        VX62179
Unit                              2/26 Battalion
Awards                       1939 - 1945 Star
                                     Pacific Star
                                    1939 - 1945 War Medal
                                     Australian Service Medal 1939 - 1945
                                     Australian Service Medal 1945 - 1975
                                     B.C.O.F Japan 1946 - 1952
                                     P.O.W. Commemorative Medal