The 20th Light Horse ( Victorian Mounted Rifles ) was raised in 1920 as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Citizens Military Forces, with Headquarters at Seymour and depots along the Goulburn Valley from Mansfield to Tocumwal in southern NSWThis is one of a collection of tankards presented by officers of a Light Horse Regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World Wars.Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side" 20th Australian Light Horse Officer's Mess. Presented by Lieutenant Crawford A. 1936. On base EPNSAI 10"military, mug, pewter, mess, light horse, victoria, militia

The British Army 14th/20th King's Hussars was affiliated with 20th Australian Light Horse Regiment [date ?] . This affiliation carried over to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1948 and is now maintained in the affiliation of the Queens Royal Hussars and 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse following various amalgamations and linkings.Rare example of a gift between British and Australian regiments.Metal figurine on a turned wooded base depicting an hussar. Wraparound inscribed plaque on base."Presented to 8th/13th Victoria (sic) Mounted Rifles by all ranks 14th/20th King's Hussars on the occasion of the presentation of our new Guidon / 12 June 1982"20th light horse, 8th/13th victorian mounted rifles, queens royal hussars, 14th/20th king's hussars

James Alexander Nicholl was born 1878 at Ballarat Victoria. He served four years with the 3rd Regiment Victorian Colonial Forces, receiving his commission as an officer after two years. On 1 May 1900, as a 22 year old lieutenant, he sailed with the 4th Victorian Imperial Regiment to South Africa serving there under Colonel NW Kelly for fifteen months. Upon his return to Australia he resumed service with the now, Australian Light Horse. He was adjutant of the 16th (Indi) Light Horse located in northeast Victoria when WWI began. He volunteered for the AIF and was appointed to ‘C’ Squadron 13th Light Horse with the rank of Captain. Nicholl served at Gallipoli, France and UK, returning to Australia in 1919. Again he resumed his service with the CMF, this time with the 20th Light Horse.Rare group of medals awarded to citizen soldier from Victoria with service in Boer War and WWI (1914-1918) and peacetime service with pre-Federation Colonial Forces and post-Federation Citizen Military Forces both before and the war.Swing mounted medal group awarded to Major JA Nicholl being: Queens South African Medal with four clasps - Transvaal, Rhodesia, Cape Colony and South Africa 1901; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration (VD). On rim QSA "Lieut J.A. Nicholl Victorian MR"; on reverse 14-15 Star "Captain J.A. Nicholl 13/LH Rgt AIF"; on rim BWM and Victory "Major J.A. Nicholl AIF"; on reverse VD "Major J.A. Nicholl 20th LH"nichol, medal, boer war, wwi, vd, colonial, light horse, 13th, world war one

Rare recording containing music and fraternal messages between affiliated regiments in British and Australian Armies.Black vinyl long- playing microgroove disc with affiliation messages and musicOn both Sides 1 and 2 : "Affiliation messages by the Commanding Officer of the VIII King's Royal Irish Hussars and the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Marches by the Regimental Bands".8/13 victorian mounted rifles, 8th king's royal irish hussars

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 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. Rare relic with both date and unit significance.Union Jack flag flown by 20th Pioneer Battalion ( Victorian Mounted Rifles ) at Merauke on cessation of hostilities 15th AUGUST 1945flag, 20th light horse, 20th motor regiment, merauke dutch new guinea

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 redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war, 1945. 20th Light horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII. Object with rare historical significance to both date and unit serving overseas.Australian blue ensign flown by 20th Motor Regiment ( Victorian Mounted Rifles ) at Merauke on cessation of hostilities 15th August 1945flag, 20th light horse, 20th motor regiment, merauke dutch new guinea

Vietnam War veteran An enthralling account of an Australian infantryman and his companions in the Vietnam War. On Friday 8th March 1968, 20-year-old Gary McKay lost the lottery. He was conscripted. From a comfortable and carefree life of surfing and rugby football, he was drafted into the deadly serious preparation for war in the jungles of South Vietnam. In Good Company is his story told in his own words. It begins with induction and selection for the officer academy for national servicemen at Scheyville, a six-month 'pressure cooker' course which produced second lieutenants ready to lead troops into action against the Viet Cong. It ends three and a half years later with a burst of NVA machine-gun fire during a battle among enemy-held bunkers in the hills of Nui Le. Here is a grass-roots account of the blood, sweat and tears shared by a rifle platoon in jungle warfare, a straightforward story of the fears and the camaraderie which soldiers experience in combat. Gary McKay fashioned this account from his experience in action, leading his platoon. The detail is provided from the 80 letters he wrote to his wife while he served. He wrote his story for the reader who wants to know what the soldier on the ground went through - in the fetid jungle, in battle. Anyone who wants to understand what service in South Vietnam meant to those who were there should read this book. 'Reading In Good Company leaves a vivid and disconcerting impression of how the Vietnam War smelt, felt and sounded. One of the most honest and affecting war memoirs which Australians have so far published.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times 'An enthralling, accurate account of infantry soldiering in the Vietnam era. Very readable; a must for those who have never experienced combat and a vivid reminder for all veterans.' - Major General M. P. Blake, AM, MC, former CO 5th Battalion RARGary John McKay MC (born 1947) is a writer and former Australian Army officer. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during the Vietnam War.[1] He later served as Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment between 1988 and 1990Soft cover non fiction book

The 1/15 Royal New South Lancers and 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles were sister armoured corps regiments of the Citizen Military Forces, now Army Reserve, formed in 1948. Training and social contact between the regiments was frequent and gifts and presentations such as this plaque often occurred.representative of social interaction between regiemtns of the Citizen Military Forces.Wooden plaque with badge and motto of 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers Regiment at centre. Also plastic presentation plate attached. To / OFFICERS 8/13 VMR / from / OFFICERS 1/15 RNSWL [and on reverse of plaque in ink] Received Sep 81military, plaque, lancers, tenax in fide, officer, mess

Presented to 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles by Lieutenant Colonel M W L Fairless in recognition of his former regiment 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Fairless moved to Albury with his civilian employment and transferred to 8/13 VMR which he commanded 1965-1969.Representative of citizen soldiers transferring between regiments in consquence of relocation with their civilian employment.Wooden plaque with the badge and title of the 9th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment attached to it together with a presentation label.Presented by / Lt Col M W L Fairless EDmilitary, anti-aircraft, officer, plaque, artillery, fairless

Colour patch identifies the hat as belonging to a member of the 26th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment, a CMF (militia) regiment raised around Geelong and western Victoria c.1939. First tasked with coastal defence in south-western Victoria and later Western Australia.rare example of headgear of a CMF regiment from Victoria mobilised for defence of mainland Australia during World War Two.Khaki slouch hat with colour patch on puggaree and rising Sun badge on turned up brim.Stamped inside band: V553 / 6 7/8 / 1942military, slouch hat, light horse, machine gun, world, world war two, wwii, cmf

Maurice Miles served in the Australian Army in World War Two and was present at Cowra when the Japanese POW breakout occurred. He joined Citizien Military Forces in 1965, serving with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles till 1985. He was a keen rifle shot and this shield was a way of fostering the skill within the regiment.Representative of community efforts to foster military skills in citizen soldiers.Wooden shield with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge at centre and plaques arranged around edges recording winners of competition.Donated by / S Sgt Maurie Miles / & Family / upon his retirement / 8/13 VMR / 1965-1985cowra, cmf, vmr, military, world war two, marksmanship

Embroidered shoulder titles were worn on the upper sleeves of uniform prior to the introduction of colour patches c.1990. Regular regiments used the numerical designations First, Second, Third and Fourth. CMF regiments used their territorial designation: Victorian, Queensland, New South Wales, Hunter River, South Australian, Prince of Wales's and 10th Light Horse. Australia’s defence plans and priorities changed after the Second World War. Decolonisation coupled with competing ideologies created an unstable situation in the Asia-Pacific region. Australia recognised it needed both regular and citizen forces. Six Armoured Corps regiments were formed in 1948, all with territorial titles reflecting their Light Horse heritage. In Victoria they were 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. The 1st Armoured Regiment, formed July 1949, was the first regular RAAC regiment, followed by 2nd, 3rd and 4th Cavalry Regiments decades later. Unique collection of regimental titles worthy of preservation and display.Display board containing the badge and shoulder title of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles flanked by the formation signs of 2nd Armoured Brigade. These are followed by the shoulder titles of Royal Australian Armoured Corps and eight other RAAC regiments.military, titles, uniform, ara, cmf

Training Officers were regular army officers posted to Citizen Military Forces regiments such as 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles for training and administrative purposes. The practice was beneficial to CMF units and young ARA officers who gained a broader range of experience.Representative of methods of fostering excellence in citizen soldiers.Wooden shield with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge at top centre and plastic plates attached giving details of the purpose of the trophy and recording winners. Competition was for Best Vehicle Crew and was presented 1984, 85 & 86, then 1990, 91, 92.Training Officer's Shield / Donated by Capt D M Cameron / Trg Offr Dec 1982-Dec 1984military, competition, ara, cmf, vehicle, crewman

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. Good study of pre-WWII light horseman in regional Victoria.Black and white photograph of mounted light horseman with second light horseman standing behind horse. Second horse to side.Pte Valentine Reginald Allison / 13th Gippsland Light Horse / Leongatha Showgrounds / c.1938 / (Grandfather of Cpl S Mather / Tng Sgt, 2001)military, militia, cmf, gippsland, leongatha, allison

The Heritage Troop of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles was a very public face of the regiment during the 1980s and early 1990s. It conducted one royal escort, several vice-regal escorts and numerous VIP escorts in the border, north-east and wider Victorian locations. The royal duty was at the opening of Hopkins Barracks, Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles accompanied by HRH Princess Diana, 31 October 1985. Major General Kevin Cooke GOC 3rd Division authorised the establishment of the troop in February 1980. Captain (later Major) Robert Morrison was the troop leader and the driving force behind the concept seeing potential where others did not. The troop was made up mainly by serving members of 8/13 but did include some civilian members. Training and advice came from former light horsemen: Des Martin (8LH), Norm Whitehead (21LH), Bob Fyffe (20LH) and Fred Trickey (Riding Master RMC). Mannequin dressed in the uniform of a sergeant of the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Light Horse Heritage Troopmilitary, light horse, heritage, vmr

Early attempt to form regimental band took place in 1948, but it failed. This drum indicatesit was more successful later but it is not thought the band followed the regiment to NE Victoria in 1955. Possibly band members joined 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse.Base drum with title around edge of skin "8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles"band, vmr, military, music, drum

Large hard cover book with leather spine and corner protection. The book was used as a minute book for the 7th Australian Light Horse (Victorian Mounted Rifles), and its subsequent renumbering 15th Light Horse (VMR), 20th Light Horse(VMR) and 20th Motor Regiment (VMR).. First entry dated 1905 and last 1945. In June 1970, the officers' mess of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles made a decision to use this book for its minutes, the previous book having been lost. Their last used is dated October 1975. There are miscellanous papers afixed towards the end of the book.military, mess, officer, minutes, vmr, wwi, wwii

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.Black and white photograph of a section of 13 Light Horse in France.military, wwi, world war one, light horse, france, cavalry

John Neale, Bill Woolford and Lou Madjeric were former members of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment and after retirement became active in the establishment of the regimental museum at Buna Barracks.Colour photograph of Lou Madjeric, John Neale and Bill Woolford at Buna Barracks Albury 27 October 1991woolford, madjeric, neale, buna barracks, albury

This uniform was worn by Lieutenant Colonel J Allard who commanded 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles 1959-1962. Col Allard had served in the pre-WW2 militia, then in 2/4th Armoured Regiment (AIF). Following the war he joined the CMF and served as 2i/c 4/19 PWLH prior to taking command of 8/13 VMR. He maintained close contact with the Regimental Association and following his death in October 2018 at age 98 his family donated this uniform to the museum. The uniform was known as 'mess undress' but served as formal winter dress until 'mess dress' was made available in 1970s. Mannequin dressed in Blues uniform with beret and 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles badge with emu plume tuft behind badge. Uniform has 8/13 VMR regimental buttons, lieutenant colonel badges of rank and WWII service ribbon bar. military, uniform, allard, vmr, blues

Khaki drill was standard working uniform for tank crewmen of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Khaki drill was replaced by black tanksuit in 1959. 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.Mannequin dressed in khaki drill jacket and trousers with basic web equipment and pistol pouch, black beret with silver rising sun badge. uniform, tank, military, vmr, cmf

The 8 Kings/Queens Royal Irish Hussars was affiliated with 8th Light Horse and later 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Gifts and visits were exchanged between the regiments. The artist, Henry Martens (b. 1790, London; d. 1868, London) was an English military illustrator and artist. He created works for the firm of Rudolf Ackermann who ran the Eclipse Sporting Gallery at 191 Regent Street. The majority of these depicted military uniforms and battle scenes, particularly images of the Sikh Wars and the Kaffir Wars. He worked mainly in water-colour although a few oil paintings do exist.Framed print of "Visiting the Outposts" by Henry Martens. This was a gift to 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles from its affiliated regiment 8 Queens Royal Irish Hussars in 1980.Presented by Queens Royal Irish Hussars 1980military, light horse, hussars, irish, martens, girt, affiliation

Single Fold racing guide for " Monsoonal Meeting Saturday 11 December 1943 ." Prepared by Cavalry Racing Club.military, racing, recreation, motor regiment

Black and white photograph of 20 Motor Regiment.Location not known.Photo is laminated.military, motor regiment, uniform, world war two, wwii

VMR Heritage Troop was a very public face of the regiment during the 1980s and early 1990s. It conducted one royal escort, several vice-regal escorts and numerous VIP escorts in the border, north-east and wider Victorian locations. The royal duty was at the opening of Hopkins Barracks, Puckapunyal by HRH Prince Charles accompanied by HRH Princess Diana, 31 October 1985. Major General Kevin Cooke GOC 3rd Division authorised the establishment of the troop in February 1980. Captain (later Major) Robert Morrison was the troop leader and the driving force behind the concept seeing potential where others did not. The troop was made up mainly by serving members of 8/13 but did include some civilian members. Training and advice came from former light horsemen: Des Martin (8LH), Norm Whitehead (21LH), Bob Fyffe (20LH) and Fred Trickey (Riding Master RMC). This was an example of the troop engaging in a community activity. Colour photograph of street scene in the Victorian town of Dimboola, June 1986. It was a set for shooting an episode of a TV series "Flying Doctors" and included a cameo appearance of a section of four light horsemen from the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Troop. Horsemen were Corporals S Walch, A Florent, N Morris and Trooper C Ellison. Photo is glued to a fluted plastic card.light horse, dimboola, television, flying doctors

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.A4 sized booklet with stiff slip-on plastic spine, 16 pages, clear plastic front cover and card back cover. Covers the history of the regiment from Victorian Colonial period, Federation militia as 7th, 15th and finally 20th Light Horse, then conversion to 20 Motor Regiment and deployment to Merauke in Dutch New Guinea and lastly in the closing stages of the Second World War to 20th Pioneer Battalion.military, wwii, world war two, light horse, motor regiment, pioneer battalion, aif, merauke, new guinea

Colonel Leslie Coleman was the Honorary Colonel of 8/13 VMR. Colonel Coleman graduated to the RAAC from the Royal Military College in 1939 and transferred to the 2nd AIF in 1941. He was adjutant of the 2/10 Armoured Regiment when the unit was raised in 1941. Later in the war he was attached to British 7 Armoured Division in Western Europe during and shortly after the invasion of Normandy. Lieutenant Colonel John Neale served in the Royal Australian Navy in World War Two. Following the war he returned to Albury and joined the 8/13 VMR in 1948. He rose through the ranks and became the Commanding Officer in 1974. He too was the Honorary Colonel 1990-92. Major Norman Whitehead MC served with the 21 Light Horse prior to World War Two. He joined the AIF and served with 2/6th Armoured Regiment. He was wounded during the capture of Buna New Guinea 1942 and awarded the Military Cross. Following the war he was one of the original officers of the 8/13 VMR when it was raised in 1948. He was squadron Commander of 'A' Squadron. He maintained close contact with the regiment after his retirement and frequently visited annual camp.Black and white photograph of Colonel Coleman, Lieutenant Colonel John Neale and Major Norman Whitehead taken during 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp at Puckapunyal 1974.Ink stamp on reverse "Mikainis Photo Studio / 23 Jun 1974 / 61 Goulburn St., Seymour / Telephone 92-2141 Vic"military, world war two, vmr, camp, coleman, neal, whitehead

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of Lieutenant General J Gray inspecting Honour Guard, AWM Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992awm, gray, robertson, beersheba

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photograph of VMR Squadron Honour Guard on Beersheba Day parade , Australian War memorial, 31 October 1992.awm, vmr, beersheba day, robertson

On 31 October 1992, a parade was held at Australian War Memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the charge at Beersheba, Egypt (present day Israel) on 31 October 1917 during the second battle of Gaza, by two regiments of Australian Light Horse, 4th ALH and 12th ALH to capture the all-important wells in the town. An Honour Guard drawn from the Victorian Mounted Rifles Squadron of 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse, commanded by Lieutenant Kelvin Robertson, paraded in the forecourt of the AWM together with a body of horsemen from the Light Horse Association. Host for the parade was Mrs Elyne Mitchell OAM, daughter of wartime commander Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel. The reviewing officer was Lieutenant General J C Grey OA Chief of the General Staff. Concurrently, a parade was held in Melbourne where 4/19 Prince of Wales’s Light Horse and other units and services exercised their right to freedom of the city. The parade concluded at the Shrine where wreaths were laid at the Light Horse memorial and the water trough.Colour photo of Honour Guard marching at Australian War Memorial, Beersheba Day, 31 October 1992. awm, vmr, parade, beersheba day, robertson