The Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised in 1885 as the mounted arm of Victoria’s colonial defence forces. Companies were recruited in rural centres across the State, members of country rifle clubs forming a significant component. They were semi-professional: only a small allowance was paid to members. Members were required to provide their own mount. Mounted riflemen were not cavalry, not being equipped with lance or sword. The were trained to fight with rifle and bayonet after dismounting. Horses enabled rapid and far reaching manoeuvrability. Upon Federation, the VMR companies became Australian Light Horse regiments.Fine study of pre-Federation soldier showing uniform.Black and white photograph of a soldier of the pre-Federation Victorian Mounted Rifles.victoria, mounted rifles, uniform, military

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

This case was used by Captain Charles Arblaster, a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, who served with the 8th Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli where he was wounded and evacuated to the United Kingdom for treatment. He returned to Egypt and transferred to the 53rd Infantry Battalion and proceeded to the Western Front where he was wounded and taken prisoner of war at Fromelles on 20 July 1916 and died of wounds four days later. He was aged 21. Personal item which adds to other items in the collection. Small leather pouch with belt attachment. Belt attachment and front flap closed with metal buttons.CA / 8LH / MGSarblaster, 8th australian light horse

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

A silver plate goblet with the donor's name engraved around the base.Major R N Morrison 1979-1990military, mess life, vmr, morrison, silverware

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

During the desert campaign in World War One (1914-1918) when grazing was non existent the horses began eating their neck ropes as a substitute. As a result the ropes were replaced with the British cavalry neck chain. The links are for securing the toggle piece when it was around the horses neck whilst being ridden. When the rider dismounted he would unlink the chain and use it as the horses lead chain. It was also used to tether the horse. It is doubtful if the chains were ever issued to light horse in Australia so it is likely this chain was brought home from the Middle East after the war.Rare relic of the Middle East campaign during World War One (1914-1918).Chain with loop om one end, toggle on the other and two intermediate plates with a cross shaped hole punched through them.military, chain, horse, desert campaign, wwi (1914-1918), cavalry

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

Presented in appreciation of hospitality or some other courtesy from the soldiers of one regiment to the other. 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse were the two Armoured Corps regiments in Victoria 1948-1991. In 1991 the two regiments linked to form a single regiment. Representative of exchange of gifts between military regiments in Victoria.Wooden shield shaped plaque with a regimental badge of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment and a presentation label.Presented to / 8/13 VMR O/R's Mess / From 4/19 PWLH O/R's Messmilitary, vmr, pwlh, mess, other ranks

A club formed by members of the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles who owned heritage vehicles. Vehicles were often used on Anzac Day to carry incapacitated and aged veterans.Coloured shield shaped embroidered badge with battle axe motif and title around edge.8/13 VMR Historical Military Vehicle Club vehicle, military, heritage, vmr, club

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 were winners of the Hutton Shield in 1937 and 1938. 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.Framed black and white photograph of Tocumwal Troop 20th Light horse with the Hutton Shield and other trophies.No 1 Troop C Squadron 20th Light Horse Regt (Tocumwal Troop). Soldiers named.tocumwal, 20th, light horse, competition, hutton

A feature of Agricultural Shows was military sports. Following World War One, the 8th (Indi) Light Horse was raised in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. 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.Black and white photograph of section of four light horse jumping at Albury Show, 1938.Wodonga troop 8th Light Horseshow, military, sports, wodonga, martin, albury

The 8th Light Horse (Indi) was raised following World War One the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. 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.Black and white photograph mounted on card of four light horse officers: Lieutenant AH McGeoch 4 Troop A squadron (Wodonga), Lieutenant F. Attree, A Squadron, Lieutenant Wilesmith, 3 Troop A Squadron (Corryong) and seated Captain Grossman 2i/c C Squadron 8th Light Horse, c. 1938.wilesmith, attree, grossman, light horse, mcgeoch, wodonga, corryong, 8th

Norman Whitehead served with 7/21st Light Horse prior to WW2. He served with 2/6th Armoured Regiment in New Guinea in WW2 and was awarded the Military Cross at Buna. Following the war he served with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Black and white photograph of retired Major Norman Whitehead at Buna Barracks Mess.whitehead, buna, albury, barracks, mc

Seymour was selected as the site for a military training camp by General Kitchener during his 1909 visit to Australia to advise the government of defence needs. Space for light horse training and areas for artillery training were factors in the choice of location. Black and white photograph of nine soldiers and two civilians at training camp Seymour Victoria 1910. Photograph is professionally mounted on card. Civilians were probably recruits who had not received uniforms prior to entering camp.manuscript: "Kitchener Camp Seymour 1910"; faint ink stamp: James Colquhoun / Photographer / Donald Street / Prahran"seymour, kitchener, camp, training, light horse, uniform

Seymour was selected as the site for a military training camp by General Kitchener during his 1909 visit to Australia to advise the government of defence needs. Space for light horse training and areas for artillery training were factors in the choice of location. Black and white photograph of light horse sergeant on horseback. Tents under trees in background. Probably Kitchener Camp Seymour 1910. Photo is professionally mounted on card.Faint ink stamp: "James Colquhoun / Photographer / Donald Street / Prahran"seymour, kitchener, camp, training, light horse, uniform, horse

Seymour was selected as the site for a military training camp by General Kitchener during his 1909 visit to Australia to advise the government of defence needs. Space for light horse training and areas for artillery training were factors in the choice of location. Soldiers thought to be Beechworth Troop, 8th Light Horse (VMR). 8th Light Horse (VMR) was raised following Federation from companies of the colonial Victorian Mounted Rifles throughout North-east Victoria. 8th regiment was renumbered 16th Light Horse (Indi) in 1912 and reverted to 8th Light Horse (Indi) in 1920.Black and white photograph of thirteen members of a light horse troop at Kitchener Camp Seymour 1910 posed for photograph. Photograph is professionally mounted on card.In manuscript: "Kitchener Camp Seymour 1910"; faint ink stamp: " James Colquhoun / Photographer / Donald Street / Prahran"light horse, seymour, 8th, vmr, indi, beechworth, kitchener, uniform

The Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as the mounted arm of the Victorian Colonial defence force in 1885. It was under the command of Colonel Thomas Caradoc Rose (Tom) Price (1842-1911). Price was born in Tasmania, educated in Hobart Town and at Scotch College, Melbourne, before entering the East India Military College, Addiscombe, England. He was commissioned on 7 July 1861 in the Madras Infantry and began twenty years’ service in India with several regiments, retiring in April 1883. On his return to Victoria he was tasked with raising of a force of one thousand, to be known as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the Permanent Military Forces. Companies of the Victorian Mounted Rifles were raised in rural districts throughout Victoria. The soldiers were paid a small annual allowance and were required to provide their own horse. Many members served in contingent to the Boer War. After Federation the VMR was gathered up into the Australian Light Horse. Black and white photograph of group of Victorian Mounted Rifles soldiers posed with a gentleman and three ladies. Occasion is probably open day at a camp of training. Photograph is professionally mounted o backing card.Ink stamp on reverse: "Hewitt / Photographer / 98 Simpson Street east Melbourne / Weddings and picnics attended / Extra copies may be obtained"vmr, boer war, colonial, training, uniform

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.Framed colour photograph of guidon of 20th Light Horse Regiment20th, light horse, guidon

Following service in World War Two, Staff Sergeant M Miles enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces and served as Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant in 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Lapel style Blues jacket with Staff Sergeant rank insignia. All buttons except one pocket button have been removed.miles, wwii, cmf, reserve

Trooper M Spinelli of VMR Squadron 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse volunteered for full-time duty in 1999 and served with 2nd/14th Light Horse (Queensland Mounted Infantry) in East Timor as part of INTERFET. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-United Nations peacemaking task force, organised and led by Australia in accordance with United Nations resolutions to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in East Timor from 1999–2000 until the arrival of UN peacekeepers. INTERFET was commanded by an Australian military officer, Major General Peter Cosgrove.Camouflaged jacket and trousers with name panel above right breast pocket; plastic buttons.Spinelliinterfet, timor, spinelli, uniform, camouflage

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. Many officers and senior non-commissioned officers had previous service in World War Two.Khaki battledress jacket and trousers. Jacket has Victorian Mounted Rifles shoulder titles, Major badges of rank and ribbon bar showing wearer had qualified for Efficiency Decoration (ED) i Citizen Military Forces and had served in World War Two.vmr, uniform, world war two, wwii, cmf, citizen military forces

This uniform was worn by members of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles from its formation in 1948 until replaced by battle dress and braided yellow lanyard. 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.Khaki World War Two style service dress jacket with two-colour platted lanyard, metal buttons, rising sun collar badges, metal 'Australia' titles on epaulettes. Teamed with khaki webbing belt. Mounted on half mannequin.uniform, citizen military forces, cmf, armour, vmr