The 13th Australian Light Horse Regiment often referred to itself as the 'Devil's Own' because of its number 13. The regiment had an unofficial hat and collar badge cast featuring a dancing devil. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) visited many Australian units on the Western Front and the Middle East during World War One (WWI). Rare photograph of the Prince of Wales in an informal setting with members of the 13th Light Horse in France 1917.Framed black and white photograph of two officers standing in front of a group of Australian soldiers and several villagers. Cream painted light wooden frame.Prince of Wales with members of the 13th Devil's Own, France 1917.13th light horse, devil's own, prince of wales, wwi, world war one

On this occasion 5 guidons were laid up 8th, 13th, 17th, 19th & 20th Light Horse Regiments. Coloured brochure, 16 pages, prepared for laying-up ceremony at Shrine, Melbourne , 7 August 2005.guidon, shrine, melbourne

Black and white image of three armoured vehicles each with soldier escorting large guidon/flags of the 8th/13th/20th Australian Light Horse regiments on parade through township of Wangaratta in February 1959 Gold colour metal frame containing cream mount and black and white photograph depicting three armoured vehicles each with soldier holding a guidon/flag Regimental Parade Wangaratta February 1959 Guidons of the 8th/13th/20th ALH8/13 victorian mounted rifles, 1959, guidons, wangaratta

The British War Medal was instituted on 26 July 1919 for award to those who had rendered service between 5 August 1914, the day following the British declaration of war against the German Empire, and the armistice of 11 November 1918, both dates inclusive. The 13th Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.. Two world War medals awarded to Regimental No 1336 Trooper H P C Cawsey 13th Australian Light Horse. Medals are British War Medal 1914-1918 and Victory Medal.cawsey, 13th, light horse, world war one, wwi

The 2nd Cavalry Division, a part-time force, was raised in Victoria in 1920. It consisted of 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 8th, 13th and 20th Light Horse Regiments, and 5th Cavalry Brigade, 4th, 17th and 19th Light Horse Regiments. Black and white photograph of group of 19 bandsmen wearing light horse uniform and holding variety of musical instruments. Photo is mounted on chipboard backing. Engraved brass label in lower right corner.3rd Cavalry Brigade Bandmilitary, band, music, cavalry, light horse, victoria

The 13th Australian Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regimental association was formed following the return from the war and continued to meet regularly till early 1980s. Records and memorabilia were handed to the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Twenty editions of the Annual Report of the 13th Australian Light Horse Regimental Association. Multiple pages, saddle stitched and stapled.association, 13th, light horse, wwi, world war one

This brief case was used by the secretary of the Association till its closure in 1980s, when it was passed to the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Collection with other regimental memorabilia. The 13th Australian Light Horse Regiment (AIF) was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in March 1915. Following service at Gallipoli the regiment was broken up with squadrons going to France as Divisional Cavalry Squadrons of 2nd, 4th and 5th Divisions. The regiment was reformed as firstly 1st Anzac Corps Mounted Troops and later Australian Corps Mounted Troops. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units. Black leather brief case with two locks and with title embossed on side of flap13th Aust light Horse Regt Association13th, light horse, wwi, wwii, world war one, world war two

This black and white mage depicts large group of men dressed in military uniform of the Light Horse - with most wearing bandoliers and slouch hat, some with emu plumes. The 13th Light Horse Regiment was formed at Broadmeadows in Victoria in March 1915; it was the third light horse regiment to have been raised in that state. Its regimental number quickly led to it becoming known as the "Devil's Own" regiment. It left Australia on 28 May and disembarked in Egypt on 29 June 1915. In 1921, Australia's part-time military forces were re-organised to perpetuate the numerical designations of the AIF following its demobilisation. Through this process, the 13th Light Horse was re-raised as a Citizens Forces unit in Victoria, adopting the territorial designation of the "Gippsland Light Horse". In 1939, the regiment was amalgamated with the 19th Light Horse to become the 13th/19th Light Horse.In August 1940, during the opening stages of the Second World War, the 13th was re-formed in its own right. It was later mechanised and re-designated the "13th Motor Regiment". In May 1942, it was converted into an armoured regiment – designated as the "13th Armoured Regiment" – as part of the 2nd Armoured Division's 6th Armoured Brigade, which had been formed for defensive duties to guard against a possible invasion of mainland Australia. After moving to Puckapunyal in July, the regiment was equipped with M3 Grant tanks. Further training was undertaken in Murgon, Queensland, throughout 1943. By that time, manpower within the Army was scarce and as the threat of an invasion by the Japanese diminished during the year, so too did the need for large-scale armoured forces. A number of armoured units were subsequently disbanded as men and equipment were reallocated as the Army reorganised for jungle warfare. As a result, the 13th was disbanded in October 1943. In the post war period, the unit was perpetuated by the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, which existed between 1948 and 1991–92. During WWI three light horse regiments were raised in Victoria for the AIF, the 4th ALH, the 8th ALH and the 13th ALH. These regiments served with distinction at Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front.Wide and narrow rectangle shaped black painted frame with gold colour mount and four silver metal screws in each corner. The frame contains a black and white photograph depicting a large group of men dressed in military uniform with bandoliers and slouch hat, some with emu plumes. A small black strip of plastic is attached in the centre of lower edge.Front - 13th Light Horse Rear - 2nd Division Cavalry School Broadmeadows 20-09-1935victoria, 13th light horse

These 2 photos are of Orbost men who were part of the 13th Light Horse volunteer regiment. This military training activity continued on after W W I. These photos were taken at the training camp at Seymour, Victoria. The Orbost troop would journey to other areas for training, sometimes to Bombala, and also practice on the Orbost Rifle Range. Although not identified in these photos, George William Wraight was a leader of the Light Horse Troop in Orbost and it is his daughter Dorothy Hepburn who has donated these photos. George W Wraight was the railway-station master at Orbost from 1935. The Troop often met at the Wraight house in Tarra Street, Orbost for training. George had been in W W I in the Middle East with the Light Horse. While at the railway station at Orbost, George had an accident and suffered 2 broken legs which meant that he could no longer work there. During W W II, he worked as a recruiting officer at Sale and Warrnambool. The Troop was disbanded in the c. late 1930s.Shows evidence of military training activities, Orbost district Two sepia photographs onto grey card. Both photos show a line-up of 20 soldiers standing at attention. Size is H-22cm W-34cmIn Line Picket 2 Troop C Squad 13 LH - written on to both photos13th light horse brigade, c squad 2 troop, military training, george w wraight

The Governor General Lord Gowrie visited the 8th Light Horse regiment when it was in camp at the Corowa Showgrounds September 1939. The second World War broke out three days later. The 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment superseded the 16th Light Horse in 1919. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded. In 1948, the 8th together with 13th and 20th Light Horse regiments were linked in the raising of the 8th /13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment.Black and white photograph in wooden frame - two mounted horsemen with soldier standing in frontCorowa Camp 1939 ( Sept. ) Left - Trumpet Major Dobbie, 2 Cav. Div. Band. Centre - Lord Gowrie VC, Governor General of Australia. Right - Major Morrison, OC 8th Light Horsemilitary, corowa, gowrie, light horse

This Dinner commemorated the 40th Anniversary of the raising of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment which linked 8th, 13th, and 20th Light Horse Regiments. 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.Coloured placemat and autographed menu card for 8/13 VMR Regimental Dinner 30 April 1988vmr, anniversary, dinner, buna barracks, albury

The 10th Light Horse was raised in 1903 from Victorian Mounted Rifles companies in Gippsland. In 1912 the regiment was renumbered 13th Light Horse. In 1920 the regiment had the territorial title Gippsland Light Horse added. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. In 1940 the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Set of one dozen white vitreous china side plates with a red monogram incorporating the regimental badge in the rim denoting the object was made specially for 13th Light Horse Officers' Mess. The red on white is the colour patch of the regiment."13th (Gippsland) LH Regt" above regimental badge, and "Officers' Mess" below badge. Marked on base of plate " 'Duraline' Supervitrifies Grindley Hotelware Co England" and "Loftus Moran Pty Ltd Melbourne" 13th, light horse, gippsland, monogram, officer, mess plate

The 10th Light Horse was raised in 1903 from Victorian Mounted Rifles companies in Gippsland. In 1912 the regiment was renumbered 13th Light Horse. In 1920 the regiment had the territorial title Gippsland Light Horse added. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. In 1940 the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and Queensland but as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Large white oval serving platter with 13th Light Horse monogram on edge. Part of an incomplete set of white vitreous china plates with a red monogram incorporating the regimental badge in the rim denoting the object was made specially for 13th Light Horse Officers' Mess. The red on white is the colour patch of the regiment."13th (Gippsland) LH Regt" above regimental badge, and "Officers' Mess" below badge. Marked on base of plate " 'Duraline' Supervitrifies Grindley Hotelware Co England" and "Loftus Moran Pty Ltd Melbourne"mess, officer, light horse, 13th, monogram, crockery

The 10th Light Horse was raised in 1903 from Victorian Mounted Rifles companies in Gippsland. In 1912 the regiment was renumbered 13th Light Horse. In 1920 the regiment had the territorial title Gippsland Light Horse added. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit. In 1940 the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Well provenanced link to an historic Victorian mounted regimentWhite circular shaped soup bowl with a red monogram incorporating the regimental badge in the rim denoting the object was made specially for 13th Light Horse Officers' Mess. The red on white is the colour patch of the regiment."13th (Gippsland) LH Regt" above regimental badge, and "Officers' Mess" below badge. Marked on base of plate " 'Duraline' Supervitrifies Grindley Hotelware Co England" and "Loftus Moran Pty Ltd Melbourne" 13th light horse, dish, officer, mess

Display board of replica cloth colour patches, mounted in glass fronted wooden frame. Colour patches displayed are those of : 1st Cavalry Division HQ (CMF) Desert Mounted Corps HQ 2nd Cavalry Division HQ (CMF) HQ 1st Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 2nd Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 3rd Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 4th Light Horse Brigade (AIF) HQ 5th Light Horse Brigade (AIF & CMF) HQ 4th Light Horse Brigade (CMF) HQ 6th Light Horse Brigade (CMF) 1st Light Horse Regiment / 1st Royal NSW Lancers 5th Light Horse Regiment / 5th Wide Bay & Burnett Light Horse 8th Light Horse Regiment / 8th Indi Light Horse Regiment 4th Light Horse Regiment / 4th Corangamite Light Horse Regiment 14th Light Horse Regiment / 14th West Moreton Light Horse Regiment 18th Adelaide Lancers 4th Light Horse Regiment / 1st Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 2nd ANZAC Mounted Regiment / 22nd Corps Mounted Regiment. 2nd Light Horse Regiment / 2nd Moreton Light Horse Regiment 6th Light Horse Regiment / 6th NSW Mounted Rifles 9th Light Horse Regiment / 9th Flinders Light Horse Regiment 11th Light Horse Regiment / 11th Darling Downs Light Horse Regiment 15th Light Horse Regiment / 15th Northern River Lancers 21st Riverina Light Horse 13th Light Horse Regiment / 2nd Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 1st ANZAC Mounted Regiment / Aust Corps Mounted Regiment / 13th Gippsland Light Horse Regiment 3rd Light Horse Regiment / 3rd South Australian Mounted Rifles 7th Light Horse Regiment / 7th Australian Horse 10th Light Horse Regiment / 10th Western Australian Mounted Infantry 12th Light Horse Regiment / 12th New England Light Horse Regiment 17th Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment 22nd Tasmanian Mounted Infantry 11th Light Horse Regiment / 4th Aust Div Mounted Regiment / 24th Gwydir Light Horse Regiment 1st Machine Gun Squadron / 25th Light Horse (MG) 2nd Machine Gun Squadron / 16th Hunter River Lancers 3rd Machine Gun Squadron / 20th Victorian Mounted Rifles 4th Machine Gun Squadron / 26th Light Horse (MG) 5th Machine Gun Squadron / 19th Yarrowee Light Horse 23rd Barossa Light Horse Regiment 12th Light Horse Regiment / 5th Aust Div Mounted Regiment 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance 4th Light Horse Field Ambulance 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance 4th Signal Troop / 4th Light Horse brigade 6th Mobile Veterinary Section /1st Light Horse Brigade 7th Mobile Veterinary Section / 2nd Light Horse Brigade 8th Mobile Veterinary Section / 3rd Light Horse Brigade 9th Mobile Veterinary Section / 4th Light Horse brigade 10th Mobile Veterinary Section / 5th Light Horse Brigade 5th Signal Troop / 5th Light Horse Brigade 1st Signal Squadron / NZ & Aust Mounted Div Signal SquadronColour Patch Display No 39. Includes detailed notes about history, usage and design of colour patchesworld war one, ww1, army, aif, insignia, heraldry, light horse, militia, badges, colour patches, cmf

The 20th Light Horse was raised as part of the reorganised Citizen Military Forces (Militia) following the end of WWI. It had Headquarters at Seymour Victoria and sub-units along the Goulburn Valley. The guidon, emblazoned with the South African and WWI battle honours, was presented in 1927. The 20th Light Horse served overseas during WWII being the only Light Horse unit to do so and received the battle honour South West Pacific 1944-45. In 1948 when 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as the descendent regiment of the 8th, 13th and 20th Light Horse Regiments it became the custodian of the three guidons including that of the 20th Light Horse. In 1991, the two Victorian mounted regiments 8/13th VMR and 4/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse were linked to form a single regiment which had custodianship of six guidons, 4th, 8th 13th, 17th 19th and 20th Light Horse Regiments. All except the 4th Light Horse Guidon were laid up at the Shrine in August 2005. The 4th guidon is to be laid up in November 2017.A representative example of a symbol of the esprit de corps and achievements of a regiment of citizen soldiers drawn from Victoria. Well provenanced and fine example of military heraldic art.Burgundy corded cotton flag with gold thread fringe with rope and tassels. at centre is 20th Light Horse badge surrounded by wattle wreath with purple and gold rectangular colour patch under. XX in top left corner and battle honours on either side of centre motif."South Africa 1899-1902, Gallipoli 1915, Palestine 1917-18, Anzac, Egypt 1915-17, South West Pacific 1944-45"guidons, flags, embroidery, citizen military forces, heraldry, light horse regiments

This six-postcard group is the second in a series of records of items in the collection of Edgar Dawson DCM. Dawson was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 57th Battalion, AIF. The 57th had a company of men largely from Bendigo and Eaglehawk. These postcards are from his personal album. Many are annotated in Dawson's hand with explanatory notes on the subject. Refer to Cat No 893 for his service details. Items originally in album cat. no. 207P Service details available through the NAA. Collection of six black and white postcards: 1. Photographic portrait from left William George Saville 4182, Alexander Pollock 3587 57th Btn, and unidentified trooper, possible 4th Light Horse Regiment. 2. Photographic portrait of Light Horse trooper. 3. Photographic portrait of William Tamlyn Curnow, 5078, 57th Btn 4. Photographic portrait of "Jim", 5. Photographic portrait of Septimus Fletcher, 4485, 57th Btn 6. Photographic portrait of Robert Gamble, 4644, 57th Btn 2. Card is addressed to "1904 L.Cpl W.W. Martin, D Cpy 57th Batt". Martin was 2150, KIA 26th September 1917. 3. On front "Sincerely, W. T. Curnow". On verso, "To Hec, from his old pal Curnow Sgt" 'Hec' was Dawson's nickname. 4. On front "Yours sincerely Jim". On verso, card addressed "350 Pte Melen, R. C., 15th Field Ambulance, via Manners St Maryborough Victoria" The 15th Field Ambulance Cpy, supported the 57th and other battalions of the 15th Brigade. 5. On verso "This is an Eaglehawk boy Septimus Fletcher, he came over with me and was with us a long time, but is on Division now" 6. On verso "This is our signal Cpl wearing his military medal for keeping communication at Bullecourt". Gamble won the MM for his actions 13th May 1917.57th battalion, postcards, album dawson dcm, edgar dawson dcm

These images capture for all time Light Horsemen travelling through Geelong on their way to camp at Torquay for the last Group meeting in Australia . information following - details obtained from .........https://torquayhistory.com/light-horse-brigade/ On Australia Day, 1997, Sir John Young unveiled this plaque on Point Danger, Torquay. Torquay history, Light Horse Training Camp, WW2 Plaque at Pt. Danger Note----- (See images to view plaque) The plaque identifies a significant event in Torquay’s history and the sentiments of ‘change’ for the Light Horse Brigade – from horses to machines. In 1940 the four Light Horse Regiments (4th, 8th, 13th and 20th), some 5000 Light Horse and 2000 horses camped and trained at Torquay. Three other regiments, formerly mounted on horses, were also at Torquay ‘mounted’ on privately owned trucks and cars. Division troops included Artillery, Engineers, Signals, Field Ambulance and other branches of the Army necessary to enable a Division to function. It wasn’t just the sheer numbers of men coming to this little town that made the event significant, it was also the fact that the men of the Light Horse were dramatic, almost glamorous figures and it is easy to see their exploits as some splendid adventure. Horses have played a special role in the story of Australia. They were the only means of transport across this huge country, so it was necessary for everyone to have the ability to ride a horse. When war broke out in 1899 between Britain and the Boers of South Africa (“Boer” was Dutch for “farmer”) Australia sent troops to fight. At first Britain was wary of using untried, unprofessional colonial cavalrymen but soon saw that the slouch-hatted Australian “bushmen” were a match for the fast-moving and unconventional mounted commandos of the Boers. The Australians proved themselves to be expert rough-riding horsemen and good shots. Bush life had hardened them to go for long periods with little food and water. They also showed remarkable ability to find their way in a strange country and use its features for cover, in both attack and defence. By 1914, when Australia joined the war against Germany, there were 23 Light Horse regiments of militia volunteers. Many men from these units joined the Light Horse regiments of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Men were given remounts (if not using their own horses) – army horses bought by Commonwealth purchasing officers from graziers and breeders. These were called “walers” because they were a New South Wales stockhorse type – strong, great-hearted animals with the strains of the thoroughbred and semi-draught to give them speed, strength and stamina. On 1st November, 1914, Australia’s First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May without their horses. Back with their horses after Gallipoli, they were formidable combatants across the Sinai and Palestine. Some British commanders observed that the light horseman moved with a “lazy, slouching gait, like that of a sleepy tiger” but described how the promise of battle “changes that careless gait, into a live athletic swing that takes him over the ground much quicker than other troops”. They had Light Horse, Torquay, training campdeveloped a reputation as formidable infantrymen. The Turks called them “the White Ghurkas” – a reference to their deadly skill with the bayonet. The Arabs called them “The Kings of the Feathers”. The plume had originally been a battle honour of the Queensland Mounted Infantry for their work in the shearer’s strike of 1891. During WW1 it was adopted by almost all the Light Horse Regiments. It was the proud badge of the light horseman. The most famous of their battles was the attack on Beersheba- the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. Mounted infantrymen and their superb walers had carried out one of the most successful cavalry charges in history – against what seemed impossible odds. They surprised the Turks by charging cavalry-style, when they would normally have ridden close to an objective then dismounted to fight. The fall of Beersheba swung the battle tide against the Turks in Palestine; and changed the history of the Middle East. While 19 men from the Surf Coast Shire served with the 4th Light Horse over the course of WW1, only four were involved in the charge of Beersheba- John GAYLARD, Philip QUINN.(Winchelsea); Wallace FINDLAY (Anglesea); Harry TRIGG (Bambra). After the war, Light Horse units played a key role in the Australian Government’s compulsory military training programme. The Citizen Military Forces (C.M.F.) thrived on the glamour of the wartime Light Horse tradition, ignoring the possibility that motor vehicles would soon replace the horses. When training was no longer compulsory, the C.M.F. regiments declined and horses became more of a luxury during the 1930s depression years of poverty and unemployment. Some regiments were motorised. Then, in 1939, Australia joined Britain in another world war. Training was increased for the militia at both home bases and regional training camps. The camp at Torquay in 1940, commanded by Major General Rankin, was at Divisional strength. By the end of the camp some felt that the Division was ready for active service. Gradually, over the next four years, the Australian Light Horse units were mounted on wheels and tracks and the horses were retired. Six men enlisted at the Torquay camp and another 57 men and women enlisted at Torquay for service in WW2. Those who served in the Militia provided valuable Officers and NCOs and men for the armed services during the war. Each infantry division of the 2nd AIF had a Light Horse regiment attached to it. But the day of the Australian mounted soldier hadn’t quite passed. During World War II, Australia’s 6th Cavalry Regiment formed a mounted unit they called “The Kelly Gang” which did valuable scouting work. In New Guinea, a mounted Light Horse Troop did patrol duty and helped carry supplies. Some fully equipped walers were flown into Borneo for reconnaissance in rugged mountain country. But by the end of the war, in 1945, the horse had disappeared from the Australian Army. References: Australian Light Horse Association www.lighthorse.org.au National Australia Archives Australian War Memorial Surf Coast Shire WW1 memorials www.togethertheyserved.com The Light horse- a Cavalry under Canvas Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Late in 1939 it was decided to set up a Lighthorse training camp in Torquay to train both men and horses for the battles of the Second World War. Horses, men and equipment came on special trains from all over Victoria and NSW, and as you would expect horseman came from areas such as Omeo and Sale, the Wimmera and the Western District. They arrived at the Geelong racecourse for watering in the Barwon River and then were ridden across the ford at the breakwater and began their 11 mile trek to Torquay. Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2 Tent city By the end of January 1940 the camp at Torquay accommodated some 5000 men and 2500 horses of the Second Cavalry Division. The rows of horses, tents and huts near Blackgate Road were quite a sight. While the cavalrymen engaged in exercises on the land and on the beaches, many of the troops took over the Torquay School for special training of men and officers. Mr Bob Pettit local farmer and Councillor for the Barrabool Shire, wrote about the Light horse in the Surf Coast Community News in 1985 saying “They used to travel about the district riding four abreast in one long convoy. To my annoyance they went through my property and shut all the gates behind them. I had certain gates open to let stock in to the water holes and it would take me three -quarters of an hour to follow the horsemen up and put all the gates right again” he continued “the men from the Light Horse were here when the fire went through in March 1940. He recalled an incident when early one morning, as some one blew the bugle, a soldier putting a white sheet on the line frightened the horses. They panicked and ran off in all directions. Six went over the cliff near Bird Rock, five were never found, and the rest were gathered up after nearly a fortnight in the bush around Addiscott and Anglesea" Light Horse, Training Camp, Torquay, WW2, Geelong Parade Geelong parade The training camp culminated in a parade through the streets of Geelong on March 12th 1940. The salute was given at the Town Hall and the troops continued on a route to the You Yang’s for a training exercise. Note-----(see media section for photograph) The Camp was abandoned in mid 1940 as it was deemed unsuitable for training during winter and the cost of a permanent camp could not be justified if it could not be used all year. Historic.......Rare,,,Interpretive.Sepia photographs.set of four ....post card size ....Horses &LighthorsemenNo 1, Lighthorsemen Regiment Geelong 1940......No 2 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940....No 3 Light Horse at Breakwater Geelong 1938 to 1940.....No 4 Light Horse crossing Breakwater camped at Geelong Showgrounds. These markings are on reverse of photographs.light horsemengeelong 1940., world war 2

Lloyd Lindsay Competition In 1873 Colonel Loyd Lindsay introduced a prize for mounted riflemen. The initial experimental competition was a great success and it was for many years a feature of the various shooting programs. The conditions in 1873 required that sections of four mounted men were to ride about three quarters of a mile, taking two flights of hurdles in the course, and were, while dismounted and their horses either linked or held by alternate files, each to fire five shots at 200 yards standing, and the same number at 400 yards in any position. There was a time limit of twelve minutes, and the rifle, of any Government pattern, had to be carried on the back or slung to the saddle. 13TH GIPPSLAND LIGHT HORSE HANDSOME TROPHIES ON VIEW Thery are on view in the window of Mr. A. W. Bennett, Jeweller, some handsome trophies which were pre sented to the 13th (Gippsland) Light Horse, and which are worthy of the admiration they have elicited. A handsome pair of solid silver candal abra, presented to the officers mess of the Regiment by Mrs. Norman Mc Lean in memory of her husband, the late Lieut. Norman McLean, who for many years was a member of the re giment, are a fine piece of workman ship and valued at £200. The silver cup donated by the same lady for competition amongst the Regimental troops, is also very handsome. The late* Hon. .William - Pearson, M.L.C., who was Honorary Colonel of the 13th (Gippsland) Light Horse Re giment, presented a handsome silver cup. for competition amongst the' troops of the 'regiment, Iand teams will compete 'for it annually at the camp of continuous training. The ar ray of trophies is a most interesting one. Gippsland Times 19 Jan 1925 HUTTON SHIELD Stratford Troop Beaten After winning the Hutton Shield for four years in succession, the Stratford Troop of the 13th. (Gipps land) Light Horse was defeated in this year's competition last week, Scottsdale Troop (Tasmania) beating Stratford by 17 points. Gippsland Times 22 May 1933 Black & white photo of 17 silver Light Horse trophies on a British flag draped display stand. Trophies include: Lloyd Lindsay Competition for best section & lance and sword events, Foster Cup for best troop in Australia, Machine Gun Troop, Pearson Cup, Digger Trophy for best Regiment in Australia, McClean Cup and donated candelabra, Hutton Shield for best Light Horse Troop in Australia, Brigade Cup for sports in annual camp.Sydney Whillams. Sketch on back identifying objectslight horse, trophies, photo

These type of gaiters were used by soldiers who would have been attached to the Light Horse Regiments. No other men other than soldiers in the Light Horse Regiments wore these gaiters as they were part of their uniform and added protection of their lower legs when riding their horses. All levels for AIF people wore these gaiter from Privates to Officers. There seems to be several types of gaiters which were lace ups or had straps over the outside of the gaiters or some were just done up with the buckles at the top. It is unknown it the ones we have would have had straps on the outside or if this was a choice of the wearer. Towards the end of WWI many of the light horse regiments combined with each other as their numbers became less and eventually with the advancement of military weapons the use of horses in war battles become less and were not needed in consequent world wars. These gaiters are historical significant to world war one and the light horse regiments especially the 4th and 13th Regiments. Men from the the Kiewa Valley went off to war and fought with the these regiments. Henry Higginson fought with both the 4th and 13th LHR in France. Sydney Stewart fought with the 4th LHR in France and was killed in France aged 20 years of age. A few of the young men that left from Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley went into the Light Horse Regiments as they were farmers that had experience with horse. Even though the AIF said they just did not automatically put country men into the LHR . Despite not having provenance of these gaiters the fact that men from Tawonga were in the light horse regiments, and only men from the LHR wore these gaiters it would be safe to say they would have been from some one in the local area that fought in WWI who owned these. Therefore they are representative of gaiters from the LHR and have excellent interpretive capacity as KVHS have a photo of Henry Higginson wearing his uniform which clearly shows his gaiters similar to these ones.One pair of brown leather gaiters with buckle at top. Seam at ankel. Left gaiter has strap missingmilitary, army, horse, gaiters