16 mm film of 4/19 PWLH Regiment's Big Desert Camp of 1975film, 16 mm, camp, big desert

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

An account of Big Camp 1967 by a junior legatee that attended. It was an impression of the camp by Rod Anderson from Brighton Grammar. It was a reprint from 'The Brighton Grammarian'. The boys took a special train from Flinders St station direct to Somers. It mentions the location of the camp on the shores of Westernport Bay and the tidal creek and wooden bridge. It has a centrally placed circular lawn with huts and slushies quarters and the main hall. The camp has it's own radio station - Radio Somers, plus a printing press and open air theatre. Was stapled to 01970 JL11 Why I founded the Somers Camp an article about Lord Somers published in 1933.A record of the camp at Somers in the words of a junior legatee that attended in 1967.Foolscap page x 2 of black type.Handwritten 'JL11/10' in black pen.camp, lord somers, lord somers camp

Soft cover, thin cardboard photo of 2 soldiers on cover 295 pages with index and photo section in middle orange spine,On fist page in pen "Angeles Eeles 9/5/4 Br/KH " Mn May Hall"books, military history

A framed coloured photograph of three soldiers posing in front of the tail of a Caribou aircraft. Two are dressed in jungle greens and one in khaki.caribou, photograph

Mounted unframed black and white photo of five solders removong coffin from truck with three extra soldiers waiting to help.Photographer Noel Bellnew zealand soldiers, noel bell

Ticket printed on pale green card. Gold ruffled border.Text: " MANNIBADAR SOLDIERS MEMORIAL HALL / No. 132 / Cabaret Ball / at the Memorial Hall / on Friday, 6th of June, 1969, at 8 p.m. "mannibadar soldiers memorial hall, dances, entertainment

Book, soft cover, small image at top shows composite photo of various POW camps. Writing is embossed with eerie green edges. Other small writing in white, 342 pages.From Bishop Noel Daly's collection 2004books, military history

This flag was commissioned by the Geelong City Council. The Geelong & District Returned Soldiers' Reception Committee appears to have been Functional 1918-1920.The Flag is an OriginalCloth Flag - Union JackIn an oval circle in the middle of the flag - Welcome Home Geelong & District Returned Saliors and Soldiers' Reception Committee.union jack, geelong city council

AIF WW1 returning soldiers to AustraliaHandwritten with soldiers pay detailWW1 AIF Soldier's Pay Card for Returnee to Australia. Worn cardboard and paper. Legible. Paybook number169440 issued on 5 September 1918 to 2570 Private Harold HINDLEY of Australian Army Medical CorpsPay book number 169440 soldier's pay details from 5 September 1918 to 20 November 2018soldier's pay record, handwritten

Seymours was previously known as the Soldiers' Hotel, and the North Grenville Hotel. It was built in the late 1850s, and is classified by the National Trust. The hotel closed suddenly on 27 July 2018. A number of photographs showing windows and doors at Seymours Hotel. soldiers' hotel, north grenville hotel, ballarat, soldiers' hill, hotels, windows, doors, architectural features

This report was written by Dianne Lavell for the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Dianne Lavell worked for the Department of Conservation and Land Management in Orbost. She was a long time resident of Orbost. A spiral bound, plastic covered book titled Scout Camp Wall Creek. It is a report on Scout Camp at Wall Creek in Orbost. It contains description and history of the site deemed to be a place of potential cultural significance. on the front cover is a coloured photo of the site.scout-camp-wall-creek

This book tells the story of underage soldiers during World War 1. Includes stories of Australian soldiers.340 pages, illus. Hard cover.world war 1, boy soldiers

Artist Georg Rosenkranz, crewman aboard the HSK Kormoran, painted this while at Graytown Prisoner of War Camp.Watercolour sketch of a man with a wheelbarrow, rooster on top of garbage bin.With a garbage bin to smuggle food in the camp.graytown pow camp, georg rosenkranz, illustrations, watercolour

The badge was made in the 1940s for Victoria Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League (RSSL). The word 'Imperial' has been dropped frrom the title.This is an original badge from the 1940s.A round brass badge with a scroll at the bottom and a crown at the top, red, blue, brass colours,Front - Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League, Victoria, War Service Fund. White background RSL badge with sailor and soldier in the middle. Back - the number 156, Stokes, Melb.rssl, rssila, victoria, 1940s, rsl badge

This item was created while on service during World War One. A group of eight uniformed Australian soldiers casually dressed while posing for a photograph. The image was taken at Serapeum during World War One.Verso "Group taken at Serapeum, left to right front row, Frank S., Jack Nase, Joe Fawcett, B.R., H.H. Gordon, Theo Jones at back, Harold Holmes, Reid, Les Walters.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, nase, fawcett, gordon, theo jones, reid, h.reid, harry holmes, walters, gordon spittle, joe fawcett, joseph fawcett, harold holmes, les walters

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Two photographs - .1) a sepia photograph of a seated man in uniform leaning with arms crossed on a marble topped table. A baton is held in his right hand. On the table is lying a cornet. The man is Frank Wright and the uniform is from the Soldiers Memorial Band .2) the same photo in black and white only largerBoth photographs have Richards & Co. Ballarat embossed in the bottom right hand corner. .2) has a Richards & Co. Photographers Ballarat stamp on the reverse sidefrank wright, cornet, soldiers memorial band, uniform, baton

Black and white copy of original photograph which shows a group of men and women, mostly members of the Ellis and Howell families of Mannibadar, posed for a photograph in front of garden shrubbery. Three of the men, identified on the back of the photograph as Ron Ellis, Mervyn Howell, and Ray Howell, are in military uniform.On back of photograph: "Visitors to the Lighthorse men / Colac camp, 1941".jessie miller, ron ellis, mervyn howell, ray howell, may ellis, florence howell, jack fletcher, perc howell, ivan ellis, edith rodgers, ron howell, mannibadar, world war 1939-1945

Artist Georg Rosenkranz, crewman aboard the HSK Kormoran, painted this while at Graytown Prisoner of War Camp.Stylised watercolour painting of POW cutting wood at Graytown CampCutting wood at Graytown. (?) He had on hand only ? fingers (Very nice chop)graytown pow camp, georg rosenkranz, illustrations, watercolour

Believed to have been made by Mr Doster at Camp 3 Tatura4 turned wood buttons, dark brown. Each with 2 holes in centre. Attached to backing card with cotton thread.On back of backing card "Im Camp Gemacht"

Photo contains 15 soldiers holding weapons posing who are members of C Coy RVR role playing as enemy for the Battalion at Puckapunyal 2011rainf, infantry, enemy party, c coy, 5/6

Made by Karl Kirsch at Camp 3.5 light coloured square/rectangle buttons; 2 darker coloured - 1 square 1 slight rectangle buttons; 2 holes in centre of each button; made of wood.Tatura Camp 3 1943-1946 Babette Kirsch buttons - wood, camp 3, sewing, kirsch