History

 BATTALION                                                            RAISED
RAR....................... .........................................23 November 1948
1 RAR............................................................. 12 October 1945
2 RAR............................................................. 16 October 1945
3 RAR.............................................................. 20 October 1945 
4 RAR.............................................................. 01 February 1964-2009 Deactivated and remains on ORBAT: 2 Commando Regiment replaced 4RAR on 19 June 2009.
5RAR............................................................... 01 March 1965
6 RAR.............................................................. 06 June 1965
7 RAR.............................................................. 01 September 1965
8 RAR.............................................................. 08 August 1966
9 RAR.............................................................. 13 November 1967
2/4 RAR........................................................... 15 August 1973
8/9 RAR........................................................... 31 October 1973
5/7 RAR........................................................... 03 December 1973

FORMATION
After World War II, it was decided that a small regular army be established and an Australian component be deployed to the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) in Japan. The 34th Infantry Brigade was raised on Morotai Island in the North Moluccas specifically for that purpose. It comprised the 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions. As this new Brigade was formed mostly from volunteers from Australian World War II Divisions, the new brigade carried forward the outstanding traditions of its infantry battalions.
On the 23rd of November 1948, the three battalions were designated the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Australian Regiment. Shortly thereafter, on 10th March 1949, His Majesty, King George VI, granted the title "Royal" to the Regiment and thus the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) was born comprising 1 RAR, 2 RAR and 3 RAR.


Page 1. Presentation of Queens and Regimental Colours 8 RAR

Page 2 .Unit Citation / South Vietnam



 The Salute by Veterans at the Cenotaph or Wreath Laying Ceremony (Remembrance Service)

It will be noticed at any Remembrance Service or when passing a Cenotaph Veterans will place their Right Hand over their “Left Side” many believing that they are placing their ‘Hand over their Heart” in Respect or Remembrance of their Fallen Comrades”;- this is not so.

The Veterans Salute to their “Fallen Comrades” originated in London on Armistice Day in 1920, during the ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall at the same time a funeral procession accompanying the remains of the “Unknown Soldier” halted at the Cenotaph during the ceremony before proceeding to Westminster Abbey for internment. Those present included the senior Soldier, sailor and many Victoria Cross winners. The ceremony concluded with a march past. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard Regiment conducting the ceremony, faced with a gathering of highly decorated and high ranking military men (including many Victoria Cross winners), all wearing rows of medals, decreed that all would salute the Cenotaph as they marched past by placing their hand over their medals, signifying that “No matter what honours we may have been awarded they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice”.????