MUR traces its origins to 1884 as D Company, 4th Battalion of the Victorian Rifles, also known as Mount Alexander Rifles, founded in Bendigo on 30 June 1858, at which time it was known as the University Company. General Sir John Monash was a Colour Sergeant of this unit before taking a commission in the colonial and later Commonwealth militia.[citation needed]
As a University Regiment the unit did not deploy with the AIF in either of the world wars and as such, it carries no Battle Honours on its Colours. However, many officers and soldiers of AIF units had received their initial military training or commissions with the University Rifles.[citation needed] In 1927, the regiment adopted the motto of Postera crescam laude (I will grow by the praise of posterity), the same motto as the University itself.[1]
During the Second World War the regiment was disbanded; this occurred in 1942. In the post-war structure of the Australian Army the University Rifles was reformed as the present Melbourne University Regiment, officially raised on 1 April 1948.[1] In 1953, the regimental march – The Thin Red Line – was approved.[1]
Post Plan Beersheba, Monash University Regiment (MonUR) was disbanded and adsorbed into MUR in 2013.[citation needed]
Currently, MUR is a unit of 8th Brigade (8 Bde) where its headquarters is located in Sydney. MUR is a direct command unit of 8 Bde and as part of the 2nd Division, responsible for training of ARes officer cadets (OCDTs) and other ranks (ORs). MUR consist of three sub-units, these are Monash Company, Herring Company and Rhoden Company. MUR conducts training at three separate facilities: OCDT training at the former Monash University Regiment (MonUR) depot in Mt Waverley, Regimental headquarters and training company located in the Grattan Street, Carlton depot and newly established RIC at Simpson Barracks at Watsonia. It is one of the busiest Reserve units in Victoria where it conducts training courses throughout the year.[citation needed]
^Speed, F.W. (1988). Esprit De Corps: The History of the Victorian Scottish Regiment and the 5th Infantry Battalion. Allen & Unwin. p. 414. ISBN0043020070.
References
Festberg, Alfred (1972). The Lineage of the Australian Army. Melbourne, Victoria: Allara Publishing. ISBN978-0-85887-024-6.
Further reading
Peacock, R.K. (n.d). Outline of History of Melbourne University Rifles 1884–1936
Ryan, M.J. (2008). A Most Unusual Regiment: A History of Melbourne University Regiment. Loftus, New South Wales: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN9780980379662.
