Collar badge : 42nd Infantry Battalion (Capricornia Regiment)

42 Infantry Battalion, Capricornia Regiment left hand collar badge. A kangaroo is centrally located within the badge outside of which, in a circular frame are five stars and the words, 'CEDE NULLIS' [Yield to no one]. Outside this is a wattle floral wreath surmounted by a Queen's crown. The scroll across the bottom of the badge reads `42BN / AMF'. There are two lugs on the reverse of the badge.

After the First World War ,the Australian Imperial Force, including the 42nd Infantry Battalion ceased to exist. In its placed formed The Citizens Military Force (CMF), also known as the militia. These new units maintained the structure of the AIF and kept the same numerical designations. The militia units were also distributed in the same areas the original AIF units were raised and consequently, militia units were also known by the name of their shire. Thus Queensland's 42 Infantry Battalion was the 'Capricornia Regiment', with training centres in Rockhampton, Mt Morgan, and, for a while, Gladstone and Mackay in the Capricorn region. The unit also drew men from Sarina, Carmilla, and Yeppoon. The territorial title 'The Capricornia Regiment' and the motto Cede Nullis were approved in 1927 but had actually been in use since 1921. The battalion continued to train in its militia role until 1939 when the Second World War broke out. After mobilisation the battalion became part of the 29th Militia Brigade and the Third Australian Militia Division (not to be confused with the Third Division AIF). It was designated as the 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion (42 AIB). It is sometimes referred to as 2/ 42 Battalion, but that is technically incorrect as it was not part of the Second AIF. In January 1943 42AIB travelled to New Guinea and fought at Buna, Mt Tambu, Bamboo Knoll, Charlie Hill and Salamaua. In August 1944 the unit returned to Australia and after leave it once again deployed on active service to Bougainville in December where it fought until the end of the war. In 1948 the 42nd Infantry Battalion, The Capricornia Regiment once again became a Citizen Military Force (CMF) battalion and had three companies in Rockhampton with its headquarters in Maryborough. An element of the 31st Battalion was raised in the Mackay/Sarina area and it later transferred to become part of the 42nd Battalion. During 1953 there was a re-organisation of the forces and it was during this period that the battalion changed its insignia to incorporate the crown of Queen Elizabeth II. The unit reorganisation continued with the unit headquarters transferring to Rockhampton in 1957. On 30 June 1960 the Australian Army reorganised and the 42nd Battalion was absorbed into the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment (RQR).