2/31st Battalion (Australia)

2/31st Battalion
Soldiers from the 2/31st dig a section defence post in Syria during October 1941
Active	1940–1946
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Infantry
Size	800–1,000 men[1][Note 1]
Part of	25th Brigade, 7th Division
Motto(s)	Forever Forward
Colours	Black over red
Engagements	World War II North African campaign Syria-Lebanon campaign New Guinea campaign Borneo campaign
Commanders
Notable commanders	Selwyn Porter Murray Robson
Insignia
Unit colour patch

The 2/31st Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army that served during World War II. It was raised in June 1940 and was assigned to the 25th Brigade, 7th Division. It initially served in the United Kingdom where it undertook defensive duties before being moved to the Middle East in 1941. After taking part in the fighting in Syria and Lebanon, the battalion undertook garrison duties around Tripoli before being transferred back to Australia in 1942. In late 1942 the battalion was sent to New Guinea to fight against the Japanese along the Kokoda Track. They subsequently fought a number of battles throughout 1942, 1943 and early 1944. Their last campaign came in mid-1945 when they landed on Borneo. After the war the battalion was disbanded in March 1946.

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