UNSWR Hat Badge

The University of New South Wales Regiment hat badge: The origins of the UNSWR lie in a request from the University of Technology. This establishment was founded in 1948 and was sensitive, since its inception, to the stigma it had in relation to the long founded historic traditions of Sydney University. The University of Technology staff saw the Sydney University Regiment (SUR) as an attractive adjunct to that university and believed a similar unit would be beneficial and prestigious for the University of Technology. With the reintroduction of National Service during the Korean War came deferment problems for university students. This environment led to the formation of UNSWR at Kensington. Army Headquarters approval to form the unit was granted in July 1951. The Regiment celebrated its first birthday on 31 January 1952. In 1957, the University's name was changed to the University of New South Wales and subsequently the UTR became the University of New South Wales Regiment. The use of the word 'University' at the start of the title UNSWR was unique at the time and was requested by the University. For most of its history, UNSWR has had two main roles: to commission officers for service in the ARES, and to provide military training for University students. In 1989, the role of UNSWR was changed to one of producing officers for the General Reserve (GRES) and in 1991 (as part of the University Regiment Review) the establishment was changed to reflect that role. The badge is gilt with two clutch pins.