Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The 53rd was the first of four Battalions of the 14th Brigade, all drawn largely from NSW, that were to become part of the 5th Division. This was part of the 'doubling' of the AIF in Egypt in early 1916: the 53rd was the 'pup' Battalion of the 1st Battalion. Its colour patch comprised a vertically aligned rectangle signifying the 5th Division.  The green bar on the right signified the 14th Brigade and the black bar on the left the first of the four battalions in the brigade.

Battle/Campaign Involvements

• Fromelles (/explore/campaigns/2) (Fleurbaix) 19 July 1916 to 20 July 1916
• Bullecourt (/explore/campaigns/6) 3 May 1917 to 17 May 1917
• Polygon Wood (/explore/campaigns/19) 26 September 1917 to 3 October 1917
• Dernancourt/Ancre (/explore/campaigns/35) 27 March 1918 to 30 April 1918
• Villers Bretonneux (/explore/campaigns/23) 5 April 1918 to 25 April 1918
• Amiens (/explore/campaigns/14) 8 August 1918 to 11 August 1918
• Mont St Quentin/Peronne (/explore/campaigns/15) 31 August 1918 to 3 September 1918
• Hindenburg Line (/explore/campaigns/81) 28 September 1918 to 5 October 1918

If you have specialised knowledge of the unit and would to contribute more detail to the 53rd's story on this site we would like to hear from you.  We are particularly keen to hear from unit associations and keepers of unit heritage and traditions.  Contact admin@vwma.org.au (mailto:admin@vwma.org.au) to find out how.