4 RAR Associations of Australia
The Fighting Fourth
Their Service . . . .
IV
Welcome to HQ
Website created, updated & administered by
About this site.
This resource is an initiative of the respective state 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Associations of Australia and is dedicated to providing serving and former members of the 4th Battalion Royal, Australian Regiment (4 RAR) with information on forthcoming events, reunions and matters of general interest.
For current information on what is happening or planned in your state, visit the 'STATES' link to your State.
Any resource concerning 4 RAR would be remiss if it did not include the Honour Roll of our fellow warriors. We recognise and honour them on the 'ROLLS' link. The Nominal Rolls [where available] list fellow warriors by conflicts in which the Battalion served. A page for our fellow warriors who are on 'Sick Parade' and those members recently deceased, is also included.
Visits to other websites can be accessed by clicking on 'LINKS'.
The costs incurred in circulating information to members are generally borne by a few dedicated individuals and the purchase of 4 RAR merchandise assists in offsetting part of those costs. Check the items available on the 'MERCHANDISE' link.
To update your contact information, to register for the Forum, or to make a comment, visit the 'eMAIL US' page. [Read our Terms of Use before emailing.]
The 'FORUM' is a resource for serving and former 4RAR members, members of the public and those undertaking research to submit questions and answers about 4 RAR. Please read the 'Forum Registration' page!
For an overview of this website's structure and pages, click on the 'SITE MAP'.
This resource is an initiative of the respective state 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Associations of Australia and is dedicated to providing serving and former members of the 4th Battalion Royal, Australian Regiment (4 RAR) with information on forthcoming events, reunions and matters of general interest.
For current information on what is happening or planned in your state, visit the 'STATES' link to your State.
Any resource concerning 4 RAR would be remiss if it did not include the Honour Roll of our fellow warriors. We recognise and honour them on the 'ROLLS' link. The Nominal Rolls [where available] list fellow warriors by conflicts in which the Battalion served. A page for our fellow warriors who are on 'Sick Parade' and those members recently deceased, is also included.
Visits to other websites can be accessed by clicking on 'LINKS'.
The costs incurred in circulating information to members are generally borne by a few dedicated individuals and the purchase of 4 RAR merchandise assists in offsetting part of those costs. Check the items available on the 'MERCHANDISE' link.
To update your contact information, to register for the Forum, or to make a comment, visit the 'eMAIL US' page. [Read our Terms of Use before emailing.]
The 'FORUM' is a resource for serving and former 4RAR members, members of the public and those undertaking research to submit questions and answers about 4 RAR. Please read the 'Forum Registration' page!
For an overview of this website's structure and pages, click on the 'SITE MAP'.
Doesn't it make you feel proud !
New South Wales & ACT . . . . . Queensland . . . . . South Australia . . . . . Northern Territory . . . . . Tasmania . . . . . Victoria . . . . . Western Australia
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About the Battalion.
On 18 January 1952, a Royal Australian Regiment Depot was raised as a training unit for special establishment on the Order of Battle. The Depot was later renamed 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR) on 10 March, 1952. This renaming was necessary because Government approval had been given to raise a Battalion and not a Depot as requested. The primary function of 4 RAR at the time was to train and hold infantrymen for service in Korea and later, for Malaya. On 24 March, 1960, the unit was incorporated into the School of Infantry as Depot Company, Royal Australian Regiment.
The political decision to raise a fourth battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment was made in 1963. Consequently, instructions for the raising of the Battalion were issued on 13 January, 1964. This was to be a new battalion, not a resurrection of the old 4 RAR.
The official raising of 4 RAR on 1 February 1964, at Woodside, South Australia, was the first time a regular Infantry Battalion had been raised on Australian soil. On orders from the then Governor-General, the 4 RAR Assault Pioneer Platoon Sergeant became the only soldier in the Australian Army permitted to wear a beard.
On 15 August 1973, due to the reorganisation of the Army and the cessation of National Service, 2 RAR and 4 RAR were linked to form the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2/4 RAR) and based at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville Qld. 2/4 RAR was charged with the task of preserving the traditions, associations, museums and proprietorship of the two original battalions from which it was formed until such time as the linking was annulled. Because of this, all ranks of 2/4 RAR were aware of the history of both 2 RAR and 4 RAR and jealously preserved these traditions, whilst working hard to establish a distinctive image for their own, new Battalion.
After 2/4 RAR returned from its deployment on Operation Tamar to Rwanda in 1994, 2 RAR and 4 RAR were delinked on 01 February 1995 and 4 RAR moved to Holsworthy NSW. In 1996, a decision was made to convert 4 RAR to a Special Forces unit within the Royal Australian Regiment and on 01 February 1997 the battalion was re-rolled and renamed as 4 RAR (Commando).
It continued in this role and was one of three combat-capable groups within the Australian Special Operations Command. Many descendants of the original members of the Battalion were serving, or had served, in the Battalion when 4 RAR was deactivated on 19 July 2009 and renamed 2 Commando Regiment.
On 18 January 1952, a Royal Australian Regiment Depot was raised as a training unit for special establishment on the Order of Battle. The Depot was later renamed 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4 RAR) on 10 March, 1952. This renaming was necessary because Government approval had been given to raise a Battalion and not a Depot as requested. The primary function of 4 RAR at the time was to train and hold infantrymen for service in Korea and later, for Malaya. On 24 March, 1960, the unit was incorporated into the School of Infantry as Depot Company, Royal Australian Regiment.
The political decision to raise a fourth battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment was made in 1963. Consequently, instructions for the raising of the Battalion were issued on 13 January, 1964. This was to be a new battalion, not a resurrection of the old 4 RAR.
The official raising of 4 RAR on 1 February 1964, at Woodside, South Australia, was the first time a regular Infantry Battalion had been raised on Australian soil. On orders from the then Governor-General, the 4 RAR Assault Pioneer Platoon Sergeant became the only soldier in the Australian Army permitted to wear a beard.
On 15 August 1973, due to the reorganisation of the Army and the cessation of National Service, 2 RAR and 4 RAR were linked to form the 2nd/4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2/4 RAR) and based at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville Qld. 2/4 RAR was charged with the task of preserving the traditions, associations, museums and proprietorship of the two original battalions from which it was formed until such time as the linking was annulled. Because of this, all ranks of 2/4 RAR were aware of the history of both 2 RAR and 4 RAR and jealously preserved these traditions, whilst working hard to establish a distinctive image for their own, new Battalion.
After 2/4 RAR returned from its deployment on Operation Tamar to Rwanda in 1994, 2 RAR and 4 RAR were delinked on 01 February 1995 and 4 RAR moved to Holsworthy NSW. In 1996, a decision was made to convert 4 RAR to a Special Forces unit within the Royal Australian Regiment and on 01 February 1997 the battalion was re-rolled and renamed as 4 RAR (Commando).
It continued in this role and was one of three combat-capable groups within the Australian Special Operations Command. Many descendants of the original members of the Battalion were serving, or had served, in the Battalion when 4 RAR was deactivated on 19 July 2009 and renamed 2 Commando Regiment.
MALAYSIA / SARAWAK - SOUTH VIETNAM - TIMOR - TIMOR LESTE - IRAQ - AFGHANISTAN
AEST
Rest Ye, Oh Warrior. You'll battle no more,
no longer to live the horrors of war.
Your duty was done with Honour and Pride.
Farewell ! Oh brother, 'til we march by your side.
no longer to live the horrors of war.
Your duty was done with Honour and Pride.
Farewell ! Oh brother, 'til we march by your side.
Dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice
Copyright © 2009 www.4rarassociationsaustralia.com
Our heritage
DUTY FIRST
NEWS FLASH !
4 RAR to retain the
Unit Citation for Gallantry.
4 RAR to retain the
Unit Citation for Gallantry.