War Memorials in Australia
Darwin 2/4th Australian Pioneer Battalion Plaque
Place:
Darwin, Northern Territory, 0800
District: Darwin-Daly
Orientation: Territory capital
Location: Adjacent to Darwin Cenotaph, Bicentennial Park, off Esplanade between
Herbert Street and Knuckey Street
Position: 12 28 00 S 130 50 39 E
Ref: 80043
__________________________
The plaque is one of a
series commemorating various units who served in Darwin during World War II.
They are set at ground level next to a fence overlooking the harbour and in
close proximity to Darwin Cenotaph.
Insignia of Australian Commonwealth Military Forces
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF
2/4 AUSTRALIAN PIONEER BATTALION A.I.F.
BATTALION FORMED AT GRETA N.S.W. FEB 1941 - ARRIVED DARWIN SEP
41 VIA ALICE SPRINGS. BATTALION HQ. AT NOONAMAH WHILE COYS.
WORKED ON DEFENSIVE POSITIONS FROM ADELAIDE RIVER TO DARWIN
FORTRESS AREA INCLUDING BATCHELOR, WEST POINT AND LEE POINT.
SAILED WITH "SPARROW FORCE" FOR TIMOR 14. 2. 42. BOMBED AT SEA.
ORDERED BACK TO DARWIN AFTER THE FALL OF SINGAPORE - ARRIVED
AFTERNOON 18. 2. 42. DARWIN BOMBED THE NEXT DAY. MUCH BATTALION
EQUIPMENT DESTROYED WHEN SHIPS SUNK IN HARBOUR.
SPENT NEXT 13 MONTHS IN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS BETWEEN DARWIN AND
51 MILE UNTIL RELIEVED IN MARCH 1943.
.
ERECTED BY MEMBERS OF
THE 2/4 AUSTRALIAN PIONEER BATTALION ASSOCIATION
LEST WE FORGET
Information current to May 2000