Formed March 1939 as part of the 1^st Cavalry Division, based in Ashfield, NSW.

Commanded by Lt. Col. D’Arcy Francis from May 1939 to Jan 1940.

Took possession of 4 x LP (local production) No.2 Armoured cars built in Victoria in November 1939.

Took possession of LP No.3 Armoured cars built in SA in 1940.

Re-designated 2^nd Armoured Regt in January 1940 and re-equipped with tanks.

Re-designated 14^th Machine Gun regiment in June 1940.

Re-designated 2^nd Armoured Regiment in July 1940.

Early 1941 with Australian manufactured machine gun carriers.

Moved to Greta and renamed 2^nd Army Tank Battalion (3^rd Australian Army Tank Brigade) and re-equipped with Matildas in July 1942.