47th Australian Infantry Battalion (WWII)

Members of Queensland’s 47th Infantry Battalion were also known as the ‘Wide Bay Regiment’ and together with the 15th and 42nd Battalions formed the 5th Division’s 29th Brigade. The 47th initially trained and performed garrison duties in Queensland before deploying to Milne Bay and Goodenough Island in 1943.  The 29th Brigade held the record for the longest service in New Guinea – 18 months.  The 47th was sent to Bougainville in late 1944, joining the 3rd Division.  They returned to Australia on 23 December 1945 and disbanded in January 1946.