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

Warrant Officer Class Two Bill Woolford served with the Royal Marines during World War Two. Following the war he served in Hong Kong before migrating to Australia in the 1950s. He joined the Victorian Police and was posted to Wodonga. There he joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles serving as Squadron Sergeant Major until his retirement in 1967. This tankard was presented to him on his retirement. Often a gift of this type would be hung in the mess signifying the recipient would maintain close contact with mess and the regiment.Representative of a parting gift from the sergeants mess to a retiring NCO.Silver plate tankard with 8/13 Victoriann Mounted Rifles collar badge soldered to side and engraved with presentation details.Presented to / WOII Bill Woolford / by / Sgts Mess 8/13 VMR / June 1967military, drinking, silverware, woolford bill wo2, vmr, sergeants mess

This coffee pot is part of a collection of domestic objects associated with formal regimental occasions, dinners, afternoon teas or suppers.Example of silverware collected by a regiment for use in formal occasions.Silver plate coffee pot with decorative legs, handle, cap, and spout.coffee pot, beverage, entertaining

Decorative domestic objects of this type where gathered by the regiment for use in formal occasions such as dinners, afternoon teas and suppers where guests were entertained. Often these were gifts from regimental officers as their time in the regiment ended.Representative of the type of object in regimental officers' messes. It is in excellent condition.Silver sugar bowl with four legs, two handles and a lid.sugar bowl, entertainment, formal ocasions, mess, officers

The regiment gathered objects of this kind for use at formal dinners and other occasions. Often the were acquired as gifts from parting officers.Good quality objects in pristine condition.Decorative silver tray with silver bowls for condiments: bowl for mustard and bowl with inner glass liner, spoon and lid for salt.silverware, domestic, mess, officers, formal, entertainment

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

Saddle blankets matching regimental colour patch were used by light horse regiments in the period between the wars, 1920-1940. Following WWI (1914-1918) the 13th Light Horse (Gippsland) was raised as a Citizen Forces unit 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.Representative of the Light Horse in the period following WWI and the beginning of WWII.Red coloured saddle blanket with white piping and embroidered number '13' and letters 'LH' near lower right edge.military, horse, saddle, light horse, 13 light horse

Lead used by dismounted horseman to control horse while exercising or grooming. Clips attached to halter or bridle.Representative of equipment used in handling of horses in light horseLeather lead with two brass snap clips on one end and a loop on the other.military, horse, horse husbandry, light horse

Single hobble rope used to secure horse but not restrict its movement unduly either in horse lines in camp or attached to a peg when resting on patrol.Example of light horse equipmentSisal rope with whipped end and eye-splice at other end attaching a leather hoof cuff.hobble, rope, horse, light horse

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

Each light horseman carried two spare horse shoes and nails in a wallet or case attached to his saddle. The wallet was attached to the near (left ) side of the saddle and a sabre could be secured in the loops on the side of the wallet. Stamps on the underside of this wallet indicate it was used by a trooper of the 13th Light Horse Regiment during WWI (1914-1918). It is possible the wallet was issued to Regimental Number 280 Trooper H B Johnson. 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. unique relic of the Australian Light Horse in WWI.Leather wallet containing two spare horse shoes to be attached to saddle by light horseman. loop on side and securing strap held cavalry sword if trooper was issued with one.CGHF / B / 13 LH / 280military, horse, shoe, wallet, case

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

The vessels boiling electrical was used by soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles when it was equipped with Centurion tanks 1966-71. A boiling vessel fitted to British armoured fighting vehicles that permit the crew to heat water and cook food by drawing power from the vehicle electrical supply. It is often referred to by crewmembers (not entirely in jest) as the most important piece of equipment in a British armoured vehicle. The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret. Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Tommy cooker". Use of the BV enabled the crew to stay safely inside the tank and reduced the time taken for breaks. The first version, known as VBE No 1, began to be replaced in the early 1950s by the stainless steel No 2 version. A VBE No 3 had improved electrical sockets and was less prone to leakage. The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing. The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle. Ration tins are supplied without adhesive labels so the surrounding water is not contaminated. A vehicle with a defective BV is declared unfit for purpose. It is common practice for a junior member of a vehicle crew to be unofficially appointed "BV Commander", responsible for making hot drinks for the other soldiers. Example of article which improved efficiency and well-being of tank soldiers.Cilinderical metal vessel with close fitting lid, folding handle and electrical socket on side.military, tank, centurion, meals, boiling

This lance bucket could be attached to the stirrup iron quickly via the two straps and was for temporary issue to a troop for ceremonial occasions such as a vice regal escort, or Govt house guard when lances were carried. It differs from a much more common bucket which fitted over the top if the stirrup iron. An elliptical hole allowed the stirrup leather to pass through thus securing it to the stirrup more securely than the two straps alone. Lance buckets were used by the Squadron Sergeant Major and Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant of each Light Horse Squadron as they were the only ones to carry lances to assist them when they performed the duty of markers that the troops lined up on when on parade, or forming squadron-in-line, as they did for the charge at Beersheba. Unusual piece of light horse saddlery. Leather lance bucket with two adjustable straps to attach it to a stirrup.military, horse, stirrup, light horse, lance

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

Colour photograph of Lieutenant Colonel Noik and Colonel Frank Pearson at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June, 1992.vmr, pearson, noik, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 S. Turk and Colonel John Neale at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.turk, neale, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photograph of Major Fred Cobain and Lieutenant Howard Burvill at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.cobain, burvill, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photo of Sergeant L. Brown ( partly obscured), Warrant Officer Class 2 L. Scott and former Warrant Officer Class 2 Mick Howes at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.howes, scott, brown, wangaratta, dinner

Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 Tony Place and Sergeant Jim Salmon at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.place, salmon, wangaratta, dinner

Colour phortograph of Sergeant Hodge and former Warrant Officer Class 2 Bill Woolford at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.hodge, wangaratta, woolford

Colour photograph of Major Max Oates sitting next to unidentified civilian at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992oates, wangaratta

Dinner held to mark the retirement of Colonel John Neale as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 2 and Sergeant Gary Wynd at Formal Dinner at Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.perkins, wynd, wangaratta

A formal dinner was held at Wangaratta 20 June 1992 to farewell the Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, Colonel John Neale OAM RFD ED.Colour photograph of Warrant Officer Class 1 Johnson and Sergeant G Burke at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.burke, johnson, wangaratta, dinner

Formal dinner held at Wangaratta, 20 June 1992, to mark the retirement of Colonel John Neale as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted RiflesColour photograph of Sergeant Viv Schmidt sitting beside unidentified civilian at Formal Dinner, Wangaratta, 20 June 1992.schmidt, wangaratta