Battalion exercises their Freedom of Entry for Wollongong

Community members, families and friends are encouraged to attend a commemorative ceremony and parade as members of the 4th / 3rd Battalion exercise their Freedom of Entry to the City on Saturday 17 November.

NSW Governor General David Hurley AC DSC [Ret’d] will attend the ceremony with Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM prior to the march from the Cenotaph in MacCabe Park up through Globe Lane and down Crown Street. The ceremony commemorates the centenary of the end of World War I in November 1918.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said: “We welcome the Battalion exercising their right to Freedom of Entry to our City. The Battalion was granted Freedom of Entry in March 2001. The ceremony and parade on 17 November will recognise the vital role the 4th / 3rd battalion has played in the Australian defence forces.

“I encourage all community members, especially schools groups and community organisations, to come out and pay tribute to our local Battalion which has provided service to our defence forces since 1862.

“This is a good opportunity for all community members to see a traditional military parade through the heart of Wollongong where Battalion members will have their bayonets fixed, colours flying and music playing.”

The Commanding Officer of the 4th / 3rd Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel David Charlton said: “To be able to celebrate our links to the City of Wollongong at this time, the centenary of the WW1 armistice is a wonderful privilege. The men and women of 4th/3rd Battalion come from all walks of life and are part of the local community. They are the custodians of the region’s military heritage and traditions. This parade is an opportunity to thank the families, friends, employers and community whose support is so important for our soldiers and officers.”

The ‘Freedom of Entry to the City’ is an honour that dates back to medieval times and was granted to military units that earned a city’s trust. Citizens of these cities had the power to refuse entry to armed groups unless the citizens were confident of their own safety.

The event will start in MacCabe Park at 1pm where the 4th / 3rd Battalion will lay wreaths at the Cenotaph before leading a spectacular parade through the city.  The parade will begin at the Cenotaph and proceed into the City Centre, via Globe Lane and finish at the eastern end of the Mall at Kembla Street.

For more information you can contact Council’s Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111 or visit our website.

Background on 4th 3rd Battalion Royal NSW Regiment The 4th / 3rd Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment (4/3 RNSWR) is one of four active (Army Reserve) Infantry Battalions in the 5th Brigade and maintains its association within The Royal New South Wales Regiment.

The RNSWR dates from the Loyal Associations formed in 1792 through the establishment of the military forces of the Colony of New South Wales. These historic links are proudly commemorated in the RNSWR motto “Primus in Terra Australis” (“First in Australia”). Pre-Federation.

The 4th / 3rd RNSWR reflects the development of Australia prior to Federation. There has been a volunteer infantry presence in NSW since at least 1862. The lineage of 4th / 3rd RNSWR can be traced from The Newtown Volunteer Rifle Corps (1862), the Goulburn Volunteer Rifle Corps (1869) and the Ashfield Volunteer Reserve Corps (1885). New South Wales soldiers served in the Soudan (1885) and the Boer War (1899 – 1902). The RNSWR carries “Suakin” on its colours, the oldest battle honour in the Australian Army, for service in the Soudan (March – May 1885).

First World War The 3rd Battalion and the 4th Battalion, 1st Australian Imperial Force (AIF) were raised in 1914 as part of the 1st Brigade of the 1st Division for service overseas. Both Battalions saw service in the Gallipoli campaign, notably at Lone Pine, and subsequently served with distinction in the campaigns of France and Flanders 1916-1918. Private John Hamilton, 3rd Battalion, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, in August 1915.

Second World War The 3rd Battalion and the 4th Battalion, 2nd AIF (2/3rd and 2/4th Battalion, 2nd AIF) were raised at Ingleburn in 1939 as a part of the 16th Brigade of the 6th Division for service overseas. Continuing the ANZAC tradition and spirit established a generation earlier, both Battalions served with distinction in North Africa, Greece, Crete, Syria and New Guinea.

The Modern Era The 3rd Battalion was re-raised in Canberra in 1948 while the 4th Battalion was re-raised from existing Riverina District units in 1957. The restructure of 1960 resulted in the 4th Battalion, together with C Company (The Werriwa Company) 3rd Battalion RNSWR, the 34th Battalion (Illawarra Regiment) and the 45th Battalion (St George Regiment), being incorporated into the 3rd Battalion RNSWR. The 3rd Battalion and the 4th Battalion were reformed in 1965 as separate Battalions prior to finally being linked on 26 September 1987 as 4/3 RNSWR. In 2018 C Company in Canberra was cut across to 1/19 RNSWR and C Coy 4/3 RNSWR was re-raised in Kogarah (St George Company).

4th / 3rd RNSWR soldiers continue the tradition of serving overseas with distinction, either as individuals or in teams, in Malaysia, the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

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