2 Platoon, Alpha Company, 8/9 RAR
 

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1268127

2 Platoon, Alpha Company unofficial patch : 8/9 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment

Description
Circular shaped Velcro backed patch with a semi-circular tab above and below. The material used in the patch is cotton Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform material. The patch features a stylised grey wolf head in the middle. Above this, within a tab, is embroidered 'TWO PLATOON' and below in another embroidered tab is 'WEREWOLVES'.

History / Summary
Associated with the service of the men of 2 Platoon, A (Alpha) Company, 8th/9th Infantry Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. 8/9 RAR was formed in 1973 when 8 and 9 RAR merged as part of the Army's downsizing following the withdrawal from Vietnam. Members of the battalion deployed to Butterworth, Malaysia during the late 1970s and into the 1980s.

The battalion became part of the Ready Reserve Scheme in 1992 and was disbanded in 1997 as part of the Australian Government's restructure of the Army. In October 2007, the battalion was re-raised.

The unit has served on boarding parties in Australian territorial waters and has served more recently in Timor Leste. The unofficial 2 Platoon, A Company patches were designed to be worn on caps, backpacks and day bags of 2 Platoon members as a way to foster platoon identity and pride.

The patches were designed by Corporal Matthew Bennett during the company's deployment to Timor Leste from early 2010 to June of that year. The patches were then produced and distributed to members of the platoon upon return to Australia.