It participated in the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, coming ashore in the second wave, before taking part in the fighting at Krithia and then at Lone Pine.

In December 1915, the battalion was withdrawn from the peninsula and returned to Egypt where it was involved in defending the Suez Canal until being transferred to the Western Front in France in early 1916.

The battalion was re-raised during the inter-war years as a part-time unit and was later mobilised during World War II, but did not serve overseas.

Following the outbreak of World War I, Australia began raising an all-volunteer force for overseas service.

After a period of just two months basic training, they left Australia and proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December 1914.

Ten days after the landing the 2nd Brigade was transferred from Anzac Cove to Cape Helles to assist in the attack on Krithia.

The battalion subsequently participated in the greatest Allied offensive of 1918, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918.

The battalion continued operations to late September 1918, when the Australian Corps was withdrawn from the front line for a period of rest and training.