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2nd / 24th Infantry Battalion Memorial GrovePrint Page 
The grove of eucalyptus trees commemorates members of the 2nd / 24th Infantry Battalion who died in service or were killed in action during World War Two.
Victoria's 2nd / 24th Infantry Battalion was raised in Wangaratta in July 1940. It was part of the 26th Brigade, with the 2nd / 23rd and 2nd / 48th Battalions. The brigade was initially part of the 7th Division but in early 1941 became part of the 9th Division. The 2nd / 24th trained at Bonegilla before sailing for the Middle East in November 1940.
The 2nd / 24th entered Tobruk on 10 April 1941 and helped defend the "fortress" for the next eight months. The 2nd / 24th saw extensive service at Tobruk, manning the Red Line at a number of different locations and participating in the bitter fighting in the Salient. The Red Line was Tobruk's outer line of defence and consisted of a series of concrete pillboxes forming a semi-circle around the town. In October the majority of the 9th Division, except the 2nd / 13th Infantry Battalion, was evacuated by sea. The 2nd / 24th was evacuated on the night of 20 October, sailing to Alexandria. The division was transferred to Palestine and Syria for rest and garrison duties.
Location
| Address: | 233 Tone Road, 2 / 24 Battalion Drive, Wangaratta Cemetery , Wangaratta, 3677 |
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| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -36.373715 Long: 146.293173 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Trees |
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| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 03-September-1939 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 15-August-1945 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 29th May, 1993 |
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Plaque :
2 / 24 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
`Wangaratta`s Own`
Tobruk - The Salient - Tel El Eisa - El Alamein
Lae-Nadzab - Wareo -Tarakan
This Memorial Of Native Eucalyptus Is Dedicated To The Memory Of The
Men Of The Battalion Who Gave Their Lives In The Cause Of Freedom
During World War 2. The Trees, Set In The Form Of 2 And 24 To Define
The Battalion, Were Planted By Association And Council Members On 29. 5. 1993
Lest We Forget
Alan MacFarlane, President, Kevin Gleeson, Mayor,
2/24 Battalion Association City of Wangaratta
