Introduction

Unit Background
The history of the 8th/7th Battalion dates back to 23rd October, 1857 when the citizens of Ballaarat considered there was a requirement to establish a rifle corps in the district. Assent was given by the government of the Colony on 21st July, 1858.
Since that time, many re-organisations have taken place causing the battalion's title and area of influence to change.

8/7 RVR Museum
CO & Members in front of Sphinx 1914

The titles of the Ballarat area battalion are as follows:

  • 1858 The Ballaarat Volunteer Rifle Regiment
  • 1858 The Ballaarat Rangers
  • 1884 3rd Battalion, Victoria Rifles
  • 1890 3rd Victorian Regiment
  • 1892 1st Battalion, 3rd Victorian Regiment
  • 1893 3rd Battalion Infantry Brigade
  • 1900 7th Australian Infantry Regiment
  • 1908 1st Battalion, 7th Australian Infantry Regiment
  • 1912 70th Battalion and 71st Battalion
  • 1918 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment
  • 1921 8th Infantry Battalion, The City of Ballaarat Regiment
  • 1948 8th/7th Battalion

In 1960, a reorganisation of the CMF saw the formation of state based regiments and the Victoria country battalion where renamed 2 RVR. On 14 November 1987, the Battalion was officially retitled the 8th/7th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment.
A brief history of the Battalion is included on this web site.

Lanyard and Colour Patches
The Battalion wears a Brown and White intertwined lanyard drawn from its links to the 8th and 7th Battalions. However, the unit's Colour Patch is that of the 8th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (WWI), which is white over red and maintains close links with both the 8th and 7th Battalion Associations. Also indicated below is the colour patch of the 7th Battalion is Brown over Red.

Battalion Queen's and Regimental Colours

Battalion HQ at Ranger Barracks holds the Colours of the 8th/7th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment.

Taken by CPL M. Haiser
8/7 RVR Colours

Battle Honours
BOER WAR:
South Africa, 1899-1902
WORLD WAR I: 1914-18
Pozieres, Ypres 1917, Amiens, Mont St. Quentin, Somme 1916-18, Bulle-Court, Polygon Wood, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, Landing at ANZAC.
WORLD WAR II: 1939-45
Bardia 1941, Capture of Toburk, Bobdudi II, Hari River, South West Pacfic 1942-45, El Alamein, Greece 1941, Lae-Nadzab, Finisterre's Borneo

Motto
The motto of the 8th Battalion is Celer et Audax (Swift and Brave) and the 7th Battalion is Cede Nullis (Yield to No One).

Regimental Marches
? 8th/7th Battalion - Quick March "I'm Ninety-Five" Slow March "Men of Harlech" (10 August 1992)

Alliances
? The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales)
? The Royal Regiment of Canada

Allied Associations
The Associations of the 7th Battalion incorporating the
? 7th Battalion AIF
? 7th Battalion AIF (1939-1945)
? 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion
? 7th Battalion RAR Association
? The 8th Battalion (Ballarat) Association
? The 8th Battalion (Ararat) Association
? The 8th /7th Battalion - 2 RVR Association

Regimental Bond of Friendship
The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

Freedoms of Cities
The Battalion holds the right of Freedom of Entry to the City of:
? Maryborough, granted on 10 Aug 1980
? Ballarat granted on 26 Nov 1983
? Swan Hill granted on 17 Sept 1988
? Echuca granted on 21 Oct 1989
? Hamilton granted on 27 Oct 1990
? Bendigo granted on 11 Nov 2006

The Freedom of Entry to the City of Shepparton was granted on the 23 Mar 1958 to 59th Battalion (Hume Regt) which was absorbed into 2nd RVR in 1960;