At Federation, the Victorian Mounted Rifles companies in North East Victoria were reorganised into the 8th Light Horse Regiment. In 1912 the regiment was renumbered 16th Light Horse. In 1920 following WWI, the revitalised Citizen Military Forces renumbered 16th (Indi) Light Horse to 8th (Indi) Light Horse with Headquarters at Benalla and sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion equipped with Bren Gun Carriers, 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 Light Horse was linked with 13th and 20th Regiments to form the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles in the Citizen Military Forces. 8th Light Horse became 8th Reconnaissance Regiment in December 1941 and was .Shows casual approach to dress while training.Black and white photograph of group of soldiers of 8th Light Horse in shorts and shirts, some without shirts or hats.There are no plumes in hats indicating unit is transitioning from horses to Bren Gun Carriers, late 1941." 8th Light Horse 1941. 8th, light horse, reconnaissance, carrier, cavalry, nulla

The 8th Light Horse was initially raised from companies of the colonial Victorian Mounted Rifles located in North-east Victoria following Federation. In 1912 a major reorganisation of the Australian military forces resulted in the regiment being renumbered 16th Light Horse. The Regiment was disbanded in 1919 but soon after was re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, with the territorial title Indi Light Horse. The Indi Light Horse consisted of 3 squadrons. A squadron consisted of troops in Corryong, Walwa, Tallangatta, Eskdale and Wodonga. After an extensive recruiting campaign in January 1939 a new troop was raised in Bethanga, 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.This photo represents a group of Bethanga men who committed to service during World War 2A framed Black and white photograph of Bethanga members of the Australian Light Horse in uniformBack row (left to right), Troopers Keith Cadman, Arthur "Friday" Dower, Bert Sommer, Norm Martin, Andy Mitchell, Tom Pearce; Middle row (left to right). Troop Leader Sergeant Edward "Ted"Davies, Troopers Jack Mortlock, Albert "Ab" Bohun, Aub Cadman, Les Freyer Front row (left to right), Troopers Henry Trenchard, A."Ed" Hertzog, Doug Dower, Nelson "Manny" Green, Eric Wheller, J. Parker.indi light horse, bethanga light horse troop, bethanga history

The 8th Light Horse was initially raised from companies of the colonial Victorian Mounted Rifles located in North-east Victoria following Federation. In 1912 a major reorganisation of the Australian military forces resulted in the regiment being renumbered 16th Light Horse. The Regiment was disbanded in 1919 but soon after was re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, with the territorial title Indi Light Horse. The Indi Light Horse consisted of 3 squadrons. A squadron consisted of troops in Corryong, Walwa, Tallangatta, Eskdale and Wodonga. After an extensive recruiting campaign in January 1939 a new troop was raised in Bethanga, 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.This article is significant because it depicts horses being loaded at the Wodonga Railway Station to despatch to the training camp at Broadmeadows. Two black and white images from the Border Morning Mail Friday March 10, 1939. One image shows horses being loaded on to trains in Wodonga to be sent to the base at Broadmeadows, Victoria. The second image depicts two leaders of the 8th Light Horse Regiment.Caption with Photo 1 WODONGA AND DISTRICT SOLDIERS OF THE KING Top: Wodonga railway station presented busy scenes on Monday when the lighthorsemen and their mounts took possession of it. Bottom- Although the men were jubilant at boarding the train for Broadmeadows the horses did not like the idea. This horse was no exception. Photo 2 TWO LIGHTHORSE LEADERS Lieutenant L. W. Welesmith, Tallangatta (left), discussing the entraining of horses for Broadmeadows at Wodonga, with Lieutenant J. A. Mc-Geoch (Wodonga), before the departure of the 8th Light Horse troop.australian light horse, peter frawley, light horse wodonga