14th Battalion, The Prahran Regiment

This building was used as a place of parade for a Company of the 14th Battalion The Prahran Regiment" rather than this Town Hall. 

The local Historian indicated that recruiting briefly took place in the town hall during the war but the Soldiers Club was above the Theatre and most training took place in the Union Theatre which was in the Arcade.

The Battalion was mobilised at the start of the War and was initially sent to guard Vital Installations near Geelong.

Upon the fall of Timor in early 1942 the Battalion was rushed by rail to Geraldton in Western Australia to bolster the defenses against a possible Japanese landing.

The Battalion was later sent to Darwin to strengthen the defenses of the top end.

As the threat to Australia receded the Battalion was partially demobilised and merged with the 32 Battalion to form the 14/32nd Battalion.

It was as the 14/32nd Battalion that the local enlistments from the Wonthaggi area took part in the amphibious Landing at Jaquinot Bay in New Britain and the successful Battalion attack on Bacon Hill for which the Battalion was granted the Battle Honour of Waitavolo."