The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Black and white photograph of officers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at Annual camp Puckapunyal 1974.Back Row l to r: Lieuts J Clay, L Trapnell, T Ireland, Goodson,S. whitehead, R Griffiths, J boyce, Mentliskowsky,Wallman, K Courtis, J Mclean; Front Row: Major N whitehead MC, LieutsL Shefford, I Docking, Capt B Rowley, Major D Short, Lt Col J Neale, Colonel LG coleman ( Honrary Colonel ), Capt G Cole Lieuts J baines, L Jackel, J Horsley.

The 8/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles held its tracked Armoured vehicle training program camps at Puckapunyal. The regiment was raised as part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Black and white photograph of three officers at 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Caomp at Puckapunyal 1974.. They are Colonel LG Coleman ( Honorary Colonel ). Lieutenant Colonel J Neale ( Commanding Officer and Major ( Ret'd) N. whitehead MC.

The Dibb Report into mainland defence of Australia,1986, among other things identified the requirement for protection of key assets in Northern Australia and the possibility of involving Army Reserve (Ares) units in this thus releasing regular forces for offensive operations. Dibb also pointed out that this defined role would result in a huge lift in Ares morale. In June 1988, the 3rd Division (3Div) conducted a Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT), Exercise ‘Distant Trumpet’ in the Katherine- Darwin area to study problems associated with defence against low level incursions against Tindal RAAF Base. Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ followed in October of that year when units of the 3Div including A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles sent patrol groups to get a first taste of environment and conditions. Post-Exercise reports had to include recommendations re: health, equipment and adaptation of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for the new role deploying to Northern Australia. The first deployment by 8/13 Vistorian Mounted Rifles was in 1988. Deployments continued i following years. In September 1993, 3 Troop (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4/19 PWLH commanded by Captain Kelvin Robertson deployed to NT. The training began with airfield defence at Tindal followed by a 1000km recon into Arnhem Land in four Landrovers. The troop reported on the conditions of the roads, airfields, bridges (mainly causeways) resources such as fuel supplies in the towns and infrastructure. Each troop taking different route. 3 Troop had the Northern route through Kakadu National park across the East Alligator River to Oenpelli then to Maningrida and Ramangining and south to the Central Arnhem Road and back to Tindal Air force Base. Kelvin Robertson enlisted on 6 April 1981 at Cobram where Lieutenant Dan Wyborn was the troop leader at 2 Troop A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles (2TP A SQN 8/13 VMR). He completed the Initial Employment Training Course (IET) and then an M113A1 driver’s course in March 1982. Course Senior Instructor (SI) was Captain (CAPT) John McLean and wing instructor Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Mick Baxter (ex-Driving & Servicing Wing instructor at the School of Armour). He served with 2TP at Cobram as a trooper Driver/Signaller until June 1982 when he was selected for officer training. He served two years as an Officer Cadet in Course 21 at Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) graduating in June 1984. He returned to 8/13 VMR and completed the 1/85 Army Reserve (ARES) Regimental Officers Basic Course (ROBC Reconnaissance), then was posted immediately as 1 TP LDR for the Hay Booligal Annual Field Exercise (AFX). In 1985 he took command of 2TP at Cobram until Nov 1987 when he transferred to C Squadron First Armoured Regiment (CSQN 1AR). This began six months full time duty in which Lieutenant (LT) Robertson completed the regular army 1/88 (ROBC Tank), and then served as CSQN's first and only ARES Leopard Tank TP LDR until the next ARES LT was trained up as 2TP LDR. He later served as the CSQN Liaison Officer (LO) on the First Brigade (1 Bde) exercise ‘Predators Advance’ and as a staff officer on a Second Division (2Div) exercise. In Jan 1991 he studied at the Reserve Command and Staff College (RCSC). Upon completion of Grade 3 he was promoted to CAPT and transferred back to a reconnaissance troop, 3TP VMR SQN 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse (4/19PWLH) at Wangaratta. CAPT Robertson transferred to the Inactive List in 1994, but in 2011 returned to the Active List serving as Operations Captain (OPS CAPT) at Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers (12/16 HRL)and later Second-In-Command (2IC) Tamworth-based Operations Support Squadron (OPSPT SQN), and at 9 day exercises at Singleton range and an exercise at Townville High Range in Protective Mobility Vehicle (PMV) Bushmasters. In 2013 after completing the ARES Grade 3 Staff Officers course in Brisbane he returned home to Jerilderie and served as 2IC A SQN 4/19 PWLH based at Latchford Barracks Bonegilla. He was awarded the Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM) in 2014. Highlights of his career included being Parade Commander for the 75th anniversary Beersheba parade in Canberra on 31 October 1992. The guard, drawn from the VMR SQN 4/19 PWLH represented the 4th Light Horse Regiment, a participant of the Charge. Then twenty years later, 2012, he was invited to speak at the Quirindi Anzac Day ceremony. On this occasion he was serving with 12/16 HRL, so in two ceremonies, 20 years apart, he had represented both the 4th LHR and the 12th LHR, the two lead Regiments that charged Beersheba. CAPT Robertson was placed on the Inactive List again in 2015. Illustrates Reserve training in NT.Colour image of soldier with landscape in background being Captain Kelvin Robertson 3 Troop Leader (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment looking out over the Arafura swamp near the Maningrida to Ramingining road in Arnhem Land during exercise in the Northern Territory, September 1993.tindal, robertson

Colour photograph of officer in Mark 11 Ferret Scout Car followed by mounted escort at Bandiana, December 1983." Escort L-R Front : Capt Morrison, Sgt Berg, L-R Rear : Cpl Morris, Tpr Ellison

8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles often provided escorts and lance markers at parades at bandiana.Black and white photograph of officer with sword and sergeant with lance exchanging salutes at the handover/takeover parade for the Area Commander at Bandiana, 1982. Sergeant Meechan is the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles soldier.

The western plains of southern NSW provided ideal training areas for a cavalry squadron engaged in reconnaissance training.Colour photograph of three officers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles standing near Land Rover during annual exercise in Balranald area c. 1979. From left: Lieutenant T. Goode, Captain J. Mclean and Captain T. fraser.

In this exercise A Squadron 8/13 VMR operated under command 2 Cavalry Regiment. Major D. Hunter commanded A Squadron 1980-1982, then was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted as Staff Officer Grade 1 ( SO1 Armour ) on Headquarters 3rd Division.Colour photograph of officer standing beside camouflaged M113 Armoured Command Vehicle ( ACV ) during exercise in Ivanhoe NSW area, 1980. Major Doug Hunter was Officer Commanding A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.military, vehicle, training, soldier, camouflage, hunter, vmr, victorian mounted rifles, acv

Major Annett later commanded 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse and later again 4th Brigade, 2nd Division.Three colour photographs of Major Michael Annett, Officer Commanding VMR Squadron 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment at Australia Day Parade, Corowa NSW 23 January 1994.military, parade, light horse, sword, corowa, australia day

The Dibb Report into mainland defence of Australia,1986, among other things identified the requirement for protection of key assets in Northern Australia and the possibility of involving Army Reserve (Ares) units in this thus releasing regular forces for offensive operations. Dibb also pointed out that this defined role would result in a huge lift in Ares morale. In June 1988, the 3rd Division (3Div) conducted a Tactical Exercise without Troops (TEWT), Exercise ‘Distant Trumpet’ in the Katherine- Darwin area to study problems associated with defence against low level incursions against Tindal RAAF Base. Exercise ‘Northern Explorer’ followed in October of that year when units of the 3Div including A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles sent patrol groups to get a first taste of environment and conditions. Post-Exercise reports had to include recommendations re: health, equipment and adaptation of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for the new role deploying to Northern Australia. The first deployment by 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles was in 1988. Deployments continued in following years. In September 1993, 3 Troop (Wangaratta) VMR Squadron 4/19 PWLH commanded by Captain Kelvin Robertson deployed to NT. The training began with airfield defence at Tindal followed by a 1000km recon into Arnhem Land in four Landrovers. The troop reported on the conditions of the roads, airfields, bridges (mainly causeways) resources such as fuel supplies in the towns and infrastructure. Each troop taking different route. 3 Troop had the Northern route through Kakadu National park across the East Alligator River to Oenpelli then to Maningrida and Ramangining and south to the Central Arnhem Road and back to Tindal Air force Base Major Annett later commanded 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse, and later again 4th Brigade 2nd Division.. Colour photograph of Major M. Annett, Officer Commanding VMR Squadron 4/19Prince of Wales's Light Horse during annual exercise Northern Territory 1994.

The Hutton Trophy or Shield was awarded annually to the best Light Horse Troop in Australia. The trophy is now held at the Armoured Centre Puckapunyal. Inter-regimental competition was strong in the years between WWI and WWII. Annually, the best troop in the regiments of the 3rd (Vic), 4th (SA), 5th (WA) and 6th (Tas) Military Districts competed for the Hutton Trophy and the Lord Forster Cup. The Tocumwal Troop 20th LH commanded by Sgt HG (Bob) Fyffe were the winners in 1937/38 and the Tallangatta Troop 8th LH led by Lt L Wildsmith, in 1938/39. Other competitors in 1938/39 were the York Troop, 10th Light Horse (WA), Burnie Troop 22nd LH (Tas) and Orroroo Troop 9th/23rd LH (SA). Troops were marked on Personnel, Horses (type & turnout), Saddlery, Hotchkiss Gun (turnout), Horsemanship, Fire control, Shooting (rifle & H gun), Sword action and Time. VX 42774 Captain Robert (Bob) Fyffe, a grazier from Tocumwal, NSW, served with the Tocumwal troop of the 20th Light Horse prior to WWII (1939-46). He enlisted at the outbreak of war and served with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942 Captain Fyffe commanding a composite squadron manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war. Complement other images in collectionBlack and white photograph glued to corrugated plastic backing card showing two officers with large silver shield. Occasion is the presentation of the Hutton Trophy to the troop leader of the Tocumwal Troop 20th Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant H G (Bob) Fyffe, 1938.hutton trophy, tocumwal, fyffe, light horse, competition, victoria

This photograph was probably taken at the opening of the Federal Parliament in Melbourne.Not an original photograph but of interest because it shows together two 'towering' figures in Australian Light Horse history.Black and white photograph of two officers seated being Lieutenant Colonel Harry Chauvel (left) and Colonel Tom Price, May 1901. Chauvel is in light Horse uniform and Price in Victorian Mounted Rifles uniform. Both are wearing mourning bands on their sleeve, possibly mourning the recent death of Queen Victoria (22 January 1901). The photograph is laminated and is possibly an image cut from a publication. chauvel, price, light horse, vmr, melbourne, federation, uniform

Following the South African campaign 1899-1902, King Edward VII presented Banners to Australian regiments and corps which were represented in South Africa. The Banner presented to the 8th Light Horse is now on display at the history Room of the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Simpson Barracks Melbourne.Provides linking information between other significant objects in the collection.Photocopy of letter to Sergeant Walter Edward Payne 8th Australian Light Horse (VMR) from the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Benjamin Pleasents inviting him to be one of the representatives to the review of the King's Banners on 14 November 1904.letter, payne w e, pleasents w b, king's banner

Shooting competition was held annually for all units of the 3rd Division.Good study of Victorian citizen soldier officers at skill at arms activity.Black and white photograph of three 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles officers, winners of the pistol shoot at the 3rd Division annual shooting competition, c.1979. From left: Lieutenant S Whitehead, Captain J McLean, Lieutena t G Malloy.3rd division, shooting, mclean, whitehead, malloy, pistol, military

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.One of a collection of tankards donated by officers of a citizen soldier regiment in rural Victoria. It is in excellent condition.Silver plate tankard engraved on side with donor's name and date.20th Light Horse Regiment / presented by / Lieut G B Daniel / 16-10-1939military, 20th light horse, mess, drinking, silverware, daniel

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.One of a collection of tankards donated by officers of a citizen soldier regiment in rural Victoria. It is in excellent condition.Silver plate tankard engraved on side with donor's name and date.20th Light Horse Regiment / presented by / Major K D McKenzie /1936military, 20th light horse, mess, drinking, silverware

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.One of a collection of tankards donated by officers of a citizen soldier regiment in rural Victoria. It is in excellent condition.Silver plate tankard engraved on side with donor's name and date.20th Light Horse Regiment / presented by / Capt V A McLeish /1936military, 20th light horse, mess, drinking, silverware

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.One of a collection of tankards donated by officers of a citizen soldier regiment in rural Victoria. It is in excellent condition.Silver plate tankard engraved on side with donor's name and date.20th Light Horse Regiment / presented by / Lieut J G Burchall / 16-10-1939military, 20th light horse, mess, drinking, silverware

The 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizen Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSW. In December 1941, 20th Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles) converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the Regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon its return in April 1945, the Regiment was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion. It was disbanded following the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse regiment to serve overseas in WWII.One of a collection of tankards donated by officers of a citizen soldier regiment in rural Victoria. It is in excellent condition.Silver plate tankard engraved on side with donor's name.20th ALH / Officers Mess / presented by / Lieut H McP Austinmilitary, mess, drinking, silverware, 20th, light horse, austin

Warrant Officer Class Two Bill Woolford served with the Royal Marines during World War Two. Following the war he served in Hong Kong before migrating to Australia in the 1950s. He joined the Victorian Police and was posted to Wodonga. There he joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles serving as Squadron Sergeant Major until his retirement in 1967. This tankard was presented to him on his retirement. Often a gift of this type would be hung in the mess signifying the recipient would maintain close contact with mess and the regiment.Representative of a parting gift from the sergeants mess to a retiring NCO.Silver plate tankard with 8/13 Victoriann Mounted Rifles collar badge soldered to side and engraved with presentation details.Presented to / WOII Bill Woolford / by / Sgts Mess 8/13 VMR / June 1967military, drinking, silverware, woolford bill wo2, vmr, sergeants mess

Decorative domestic objects of this type where gathered by the regiment for use in formal occasions such as dinners, afternoon teas and suppers where guests were entertained. Often these were gifts from regimental officers as their time in the regiment ended.Representative of the type of object in regimental officers' messes. It is in excellent condition.Silver sugar bowl with four legs, two handles and a lid.sugar bowl, entertainment, formal ocasions, mess, officers

The regiment gathered objects of this kind for use at formal dinners and other occasions. Often the were acquired as gifts from parting officers.Good quality objects in pristine condition.Decorative silver tray with silver bowls for condiments: bowl for mustard and bowl with inner glass liner, spoon and lid for salt.silverware, domestic, mess, officers, formal, entertainment

Major Joshua Gay was Officer Commanding A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1986-1988.Silver Plated Sugar Bowl Scuttle presented to the officers mess of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles by an officer on his departure.To 8/13 VMR / OFFICERS MESS / FROM / MAJOR J GAY 1988silverware, domestic, mess, officer, military, formal, sugar bowl, scuttle

This water bottle was carried by stretcher bearers in the Light Horse Field Ambulance. The cup/cap was used to give a drink to a wounded soldier who could not hold a water bottle to his lips. A light horse field ambulance was an Australian World War I military unit whose purpose was to provide medical transport and aid to the wounded and sick soldiers of an Australian Light Horse brigade. Typically a Lieutenant Colonel commanded each ambulance. All officers of the ambulance were medical doctors or surgeons. Dental units were often attached to the ambulance as well. A Field Ambulance consisted of two sections, the Mobile and the Immobile. The Mobile Section travel with its brigade into combat, where it would establish a Dressing Station. It use stretchers or carts to retrieve the wounded and transport them to the Dressing Station. The Immobile Section established and operated a Receiving Station, which received the wounded the Dressing Station sent on. The ambulance's surgeons would operate on the wounded at the Receiving Station. From the Receiving Station, the sick and wounded would go first to the Casualty Clearing Station and ultimately to a Base Hospital. Representative of a water bottle which differed from the regular water bottle and was used for a specific purpose.Water bottle, felt coated, with small metal cup over spout, all held in leather carrier. Strapped to a wooden stand.military, water, medical, light horse, ambulance, stretcher bearer

Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 S. Turk and Colonel John Neale at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.turk, neale, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photo of Sergeant L. Brown ( partly obscured), Warrant Officer Class 2 L. Scott and former Warrant Officer Class 2 Mick Howes at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.howes, scott, brown, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 Tony Place and Sergeant Jim Salmon at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.place, salmon, wangaratta, dinner

Colour phortograph of Sergeant Hodge and former Warrant Officer Class 2 Bill Woolford at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.hodge, wangaratta, woolford

Dinner held to mark the retirement of Colonel John Neale as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 and Sergeant Gary Wynd at Formal Dinner at Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.perkins, wynd, wangaratta

A formal dinner was held at Wangaratta 20 June 1992 to farewell the Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, Colonel John Neale OAM RFD ED.Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 1 Johnson and Sergeant G Burke at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.burke, johnson, wangaratta, dinner