2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion (Base plaque)

The 2/9th Battalion was the first Queensland battalion raised for the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF). It became part of the 18th Brigade of the 6th Division and later, the 9th and 7th Divisions.  After an initial diversion to the UK, the battalion served in North Africa at Giarabub and then at Tobruk before returning to Australia to prepare for the Pacific Campaign.  As part of the 18th Brigade, the battalion deployed to Milne Bay, and went on to further action at Buna and Sanananda.  Later it was deployed to the Finisterre Range in Papua and finally Borneo.