Australian Naval History on 28 February 1918

Recruiting commenced for the RAN Brigade (RANB) Naval Guard Section. The RANB had been formed in 1917, and applied retrospectively from 1914 to appropriate Naval personnel.They were given their own specially designed naval button. They were ex Navy or Army personnel who were used to guard wharves and shipping in Australian ports, as well as Naval Dockyards. Prior to this the guards had been provided by the Army. This organisation was demobilized in late 1919 after the bulk of the 1st AIF had returned to Australia from overseas service. In 1920 the RANB personnel became RANR.