Infantry 3

World War Two

On the outbreak of World War II in 1939 the serving units of Queensland Mounted Infantry were 2/14, 5th and 11th Light Horse Regiments forming the 1st Cavalry Brigade. Again the A.I.F. was formed and more than half of this Brigade volunteered for this force. The 7th Divisional Cavalry Regiment was formed and a large proportion of these men transferred to this Unit. Their places were taken by universal trainees and the Citizen Force Units were called to full time duty. My dad, Matt Campbell was part of the 2/14th which was shuffled from Fremantle, Puckapunyal, and Townsville.

Mechanization of the Light Horse which had begun prior to the war was now completed. 1st Armoured Division was formed and was preparing to move to the Middle East when Japan entered the war in 1941 and assembled troops redirected from the Middle East to Burma and New Guinea. 1st and 2nd Cavalry divisions became in turn 1st and 2nd Motor Divisions and then 2nd and 3rd Armoured Divisions.

However, the threatened invasion of Australia did not eventuate and as only limited armoured units were required in the island fighting. The General Grant tanks were not suitable for the boggy conditions of the tropics.

The Regiment was disbanded at Townsville on 29th July 1943. The troops were transferred as reinforcements to other Units committed in the New Guinea Campaigns.

In 1948, Citizen Military Force Units were again raised but without an armoured unit being allotted to Queensland. However on 20th July 1949 approval was given for the establishment of an armoured car squadron to be known as A Squadron 2/14 Queensland Mounted Infantry.

The Head Quarters were located at Water Street Depot, Fortitude Valley, which was the R.H.Q. of the Regiment prior to World War II. I recall with animated affection, Santa, arriving in an armoured tank, at Water Street.

Response to recruiting was enthusiastic and within eighteen months the establishment was changed to allow the formation of a Regiment. R.H.Q. and A Squadron were located in Brisbane, B Squadron at Boonah and C Squadron at Beaudesert. The unit was reorganised as an Armoured Car Regiment and equipped with Staghounds Armoured Cars, Canadian Scout Cars and White APCs.
During 1952 the role of the Regiment was changed to Corps Regiment R.A.A.C.; a heavy-gun tank organization.

In 1956 the role changed again to anti-tank.

In 1960 the Australian Army changed to Pentropic Organizations, and this resulted in the closure of 2/14 Q.M.I. country depots.

During 1966 2/14 Q.M.I. became a Cavalry Regiment once again, and was re-equipped with Staghound Armoured Cars, Ferret MKI and II Scout Cars and Saracen A.P.Cs.

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Peter Campbell - 0418 774 663