1/12Members of the Torres Strait Island community march during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary parade held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
Australia’s only Indigenous WWII battalion celebrates anniversary
THE largest First Nations army unit ever formed in Australia’s military history has celebrated its 80th anniversary on Thursday Island. The Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion was raised in 1943 to protect Australia’s north from the threat of invasion during WWII. SEE THE PICTURES
2/12A Badu Bomber dancer performs a traditional dance during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
3/12Australian Army soldiers from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR perform a traditional Torres Strait Island dance during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
4/12An Australian Army soldier from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR dressed in traditional Torres Strait Islander clothing during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. PIcture: Supplied
5/12Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC delivers a speech during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
6/12Australian Army soldiers from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR perform a traditional Torres Strait Island dance during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island, QLD. Picture: Supplied
7/12Officer Commanding Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR Major Chris Freeman leads the Australian Defence Force contingent during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
8/12Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor, Cr Phillemon Mosby delivers a speech during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
9/12Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC speaks with World War Two veteran Mr Awati Mau before the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary parade held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
10/12An Australian Army soldier from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR dressed in traditional Torres Strait Islander clothing mounts the Cenotaph during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied.
11/12Australian Army soldiers from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR perform a traditional Torres Strait Island dance during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied.
12/12World War Two veteran Mr Awati Mau at the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island. Picture: Supplied
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