Bass Strait passenger ship Nairana. Built for Bass Strait ferry operator Huddart Parker & Co. Ltd. of Melbourne during World War One, the Nairana was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and completed as a seaplane carrier, HMS Nairana. Serving from 1917 to 1920 participating in the capture of Archangel during the Bolshevik Revolution. After 1920 she was decommissioned as a seaplane carrier and returned to her Australian owners crossing Bass Strait until she was laid up in 1948. Just off Port Phillip Heads on April 12 1936, a strong wave struck the Nairana, tipping her over for two minutes before she righted herself again. During the horrifying two minutes, four people were drowned, and eight people were injured. The ship was reportedly carrying roughly one tonne of concrete in the hull when she tipped. Reports from the local papers said that it was a tidal wave meanwhile others were saying it was either an earthquake or a total lie. A later paper said that the ship had been caught in a rip at the mouth of the bay, causing the tragedy. The S.S Nairana, was sold for £4,000 (over $170,200 in today’s money!) in 1951 after two years of being stranded on the beach at Port Melbourne, when the moorings broke one night during a storm and drifted ashore, causing her to wreck.Items associated with the TSS/HMS Nairana in its military and civilian roles and items relating to Capt. JF Spence, navigation Officer and possibly later the captain who sailed with the Nairana out of Plymouth after WWI. .01 Barometer and Clock from Dining Saloon .02 Commemorative plaque describing the HMS Nairana's WWI service with timber mount for plaque with information sheet attached. .03 Clock Key .04 Two 2 Log books owned by Capt. Spence containing the navigation calculations for the journey from Plymouth to Melbourne. .05 Huddart Parker hat badge [Capt. JF Spence].Barometer and Clock from dining saloon, TSS Nairana 1917 - 1951 Clock Key - 4 50-No9 Hat badge - HPtss nairana, wwi, bass strait, huddart parker, capt. spence

History / Summary This badge was issued to people of military age who had volunteered for active service outside Australia since 1 July 1915, but had been certified by an authorised Medical Officer as medically unfit to do so.Circular badge with two loops on back. Pin missing.Around circumference of badge, Volunteer for active service , below coat of Arms, Medically Unfit. Next line , Issued by Department of Defence. Back, 58682ww1, badge

Document, Australian Military Forces, Programme of Parades.67th Battalion Senior Cadets, Captain J. Laidler, Commanding Officer, for Quarter ending December 30th, 1918.H.A.Duffus, Lieut. & Adjt. Area Officer, Training Area 67b. Drill Hall, Mollison Street, Bendigo.Cadet K.Guiney, 5 Platoon, B Coy, Address 126 Sternberg Street Bendigo. Document, Australian Military Forces, Programme of Parades, 67th Battalion Senior Cadets, Captain J. Laidler Commanding Officer, for quarter ending September 30th 1918.Cadet K.Guiney, 5 Platoon, B Coy. R.L.Houston, Lieut. & Adjt. Area Officer Training Area 67b, Drill Hall, Mollison Street, Bendigodocument, certificate, australian military forces

Bendigo Advertiser from Saturday, November 27, 1943. Two black and white photographs of women in uniform in an outdoor setting. The first is captioned: with Warrant officer Durack (third from left) are from left Cpl Nolte, Cpl Hands, Cpl P. Priest, Cpl H. Morton, Sergeant W. Sprott and Cpl G. Glover. The smiles are for the A.W.A.S. first birthday in Bendigo and for general satisfaction of barracks life. The second is captioned: Group of A.W.A.S. members taken in the garden of their barracks, where one year's residence in Bendigo was celebrated yesterday. From left: Spr. V. Edwards, Private M. Treloar, Private A. Geddes, Spr. A. Lewis, Spr. W. Hyatt. Standing from left: Spr. M. McPherson, Private M. Penton, Spr. G. Johns, Spr. M. Simonds, L/Cpl J. Murray, Pte. G. Simpson, Spr. N. Jeffrey and Spr. S. Pieydell.military, world war 2

Army driving licence No. 71896 issued to Anderson Sydney Ernest. Date: 10/06/1943. Vehicle type: trucks and testing officer coursemilitary, world war 2

2Lt Andrew Crawford, a Tatura farmer, served six years with 7th and 15th Light Horse regiments prior to enlisting in 8th Light Horse AIF in WWI. He served at Gallipoli where he was wounded at The Nek, 7 August 1915, and later in Palestine. He reached the rank of Major by the end of the war. Following the war he served in 20th Light Horse CMF reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the regiment.Tunic worn by Second Lieutenant Andrew Crawford 7th Light Horse (VMR). Khaki serge with ACMF 1903-10 metal buttons, white edging to epaulets, gorget patches white with narrow red centre stripe. Brown leather "Sam Browne" belt and shoulder strap. Single metal officer star on each epaulet.uniform, military, vmr, officer, crawford

Provenance of this particular hat not known, however "Heroes and Gentlemen" by Winty Calder contains a photograph of Lieutenant Leslie Maygar wearing this style of hat, also a photograph of a group of Victorian Mounted Rifles officers wearing these hats.Side hat, red cloth with folds outlined with gold piping. Gilt Victorian Military Forces cap badge.hat, cap, military, victorian mounted rifles

Framed illuminated nominal roll of the 7th Australian Light Horse (VMR) 1907. Stained wooden frame with glass panel. Lists officers, NCOs and men of the regiment arranged in troops drawn from Avenel, Broadford, Yea, Seymour,Murchison, Nagambi, Rushworth, Dookie, Shepparton, Numurkah, Mansfield, Cathkin and Alexandra. Boer War battles listed around the periphery.On reverse of frame, paper label "Purchased from Geo. Styles Gallery 50 Hunter Street Sydney Phone 233.2628"military, victoria, 7th light horse

This uniform was worn by Lieutenant Colonel D J Hunter OAM RFD when serving with the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Lt Col Hunter joined 8/13 VMR from 20th National Service Training Battalion in 1956 and served with the regiment till 1967, and again 1977-1980. 8/13 VMR was raised as part of the Citizen Military Forces in May 1948 and was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse in October 1990 as part of an Army reorganisation.This uniform is well provenanced, complete and in good condition, and is representative of the uniform worn by an officer of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, a regiment with lineage dating from 1885, but no longer an active regiment in the Australian Army.Khaki wool fabric battledress style jacket with embroidered badges of rank and shoulder titles, yellow cord lanyard, and ribbon bar denoting Australian Active Service Medal, Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal, Australian Service Medal 1945-75, Reserve Forces Decoration and Commemoration of National Service Medal.victorian mounted rifles, uniform

Escort for Major General Sir Winston Dugan on his arrival at Melbourne 17 July 1939, to take up the post of Governor of Victoria. Escort comprised Lieutenant HG Fyffe, Sergeant C Thorburn, Trumpeter G Pyle and 12 troopers drawn from the Tocumwal Troop 20th Light Horse Regiment.Historical photograph of Vice Regal escort drawn from a Light Horse Regiment. It is well provenanced and in good condition. It is possibly the last mounted escort in Victoria drawn from serving military.Black and white photograph of three men on foot, two with plumed hats, one in bearskin, speaking with mounted officer in front of mounted escort armed with lances.governor of victoria, dugan winston sir, fyffe h g, thorburn c, pyle g

Officer's dress boot worn by Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC who served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse. He was promoted to the command of the regiment after l8 months' service, and finally to the command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.Representarive example of officer's dress boots from the 'between the wars' period. Well preserved example of the boot makers art, complete and in good condition. Owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.Brown leather officer's dress boots with strap-on spurs and leather instep patch and under sole chain. Matching left and right wooden stretchers with metal handle on spreader wedge. boot, street, spur, stetchers

Officer's stable boot worn by Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC who served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse. He was promoted to the command of the regiment after l8 months' service, and finally to the command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.Representative example of officer's stable boots from the 'between the wars' period. Well preserved example of the boot makers art, complete and in good condition. Owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.Leather and canvas boots with leather boot and canvas upper calf legging. Leather strap at instep and leather stiffened back seam to canvas section; Leather edging at top of canvas upper legging together with adjustable strap. Foot of boot is stabilised by a metal 'Dasco' insert. On metal heal protector "704603"boot, street geoffrey a brigadier

Officer's campaign boots worn by Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street MC who served in WWI at Gallipoli and on the Western Front. Following the war he was placed on the Reserve of Officers. He returned to military service in 1931 as Squadron Commander in the 4th Light Horse. He was promoted to the command of the regiment after l8 months' service, and finally to the command of the Third Cavalry Brigade which included the 8th Light Horse Regiment. Brigadier Street had entered Federal Parliament in 1934 and in November 1938 was seconded from military duties to serve as Minister for Defence in the Lyons Government . He was serving in this capacity in the Menzies government when he was killed in an air crash near Canberra on 13 August 1940.Representative example of officer's leather campaign boots from the 'between the wars' period. Well preserved example of the boot makers art, complete and in fair condition. Owned by well known Australian soldier and politician tragically killed at commencement of Second World War.Brown leather officer's campaign boots with hook and eye fasteners and fabric laces.Stamped on inner side of legging section "W Abbott & Son London & Paris"boots, street geoffrey austin brigadier, minister for defence, 3rd cavalry brigade

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. His personal effects were returned to his family in this case. His diary was transcribed by Doug Hunter in 1997 and the original returned to the donor.A rare example of an officer's trunk used in WWI. It is well provenanced and of particular significance to his family, it being the case in which his personal effects were returned following his death. It is in good condition considering its age and travel history.Suitcase of pasteboard with jute fabric facing, wood and metal external protection strips, leather corner protectors, leather handle on each end, two metal locks and leather security strap. Case has internal lift-out tray and ribbon letter rack on inside of lid. Lined throughout with fabric. Case was used as an officer's trunk by Captain Charles Arblaster 8th Light Horse Regiment.Stencilled on lid "C Arblaster"arblaster, 8th light horse regiment, 53rd infantry battalion, suitcase, diary

Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Hunter joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles from 20 National Service Battalion November 1956. He transferred to Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles in 1967, returning to VMR in 1977. He commanded A Squadron 8/13 VMR 1978-1980. He was Staff Officer Grade 1 Headquarters 3 Division 1983-1985. Following retirement he was active in the regimental museum and wrote the book "My Corps Cavalry: a history of the 13th Australian Light Horse AIF". He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia 2009 for services to military history.Representative of a period in 1980s when chain mail epaulettes was worn by officers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles.Open-necked officer's 'Blues' jacket with chain mail epaulettes; lieutenant colonels' badges of rank and 'R' denoting Reserve of Officers status; Silver 8/13 VMR buttons and collar badges. Worn by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Hunter who served in the regiment between 1956 and 1987.uniform, hunter douglas, vmr, oam, 3 division, pngvr, chain mail

VX 42774 Captain Robert (Bob) Fyffe, a grazier from Tocumwal, NSW, served with the Tocumwal troop of the 20th Light Horse prior to WWII (1939-46). He enlisted at the outbreak of war and served with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942 Captain Fyffe commanding a composite squadron manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war.Fine example of a uniform worn by a well known grazier and citizen soldier of the Tocumwal district, southern NSW, in both peace and war.Khaki wool serge officer's tunic with leather Sam Browne belt and revolver holster, and slouch hat with emu plumes and 20th Light Horse hat badge against red backing. Tunic has 20th Light Horse colour patches. overseas service chevrons and ribbon bar for Military Cross, 39-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence medal, British War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45; metal Australia shoulder titles captain's rank stars and Rising Sun collar badges. Uniform worn by Captain Robert Fyffe MC, 20th Light Horse and 6th Division Cavalry Regiment AIF.. uniform, fyffe robert captain mc, 20th light horse, 9th division cavalry regiment, military cross

This tunic and cap were worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer CBE DSO & Bar, ED when Honorary Colonel 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1959-1960 Hammer had pre-WWII service with 8th Battalion and 17th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment. He served with the 6th Division in North Africa and Greece before becoming Commanding Officer of 2nd/48th Battalion. On return from the Middle East, Hammer commanded the 15th Brigade throughout two years of fighting in New Guinea and Bougainville. After the war, Hammer became Commissioner for Repatriation in Victoria and continued his military career in the Citizens Military Forces, commanding the 2nd Armoured Brigade and later 3rd Division. Open-neck officer's 'Blues' tunic with gold braided general's epaulettes and Major General's embroidered badges of rank; gilt general's buttons; red and gold braided aiguillette and white gloves. Uniform worn by Major General H H (Tack) Hammer when appointed as Honorary colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Medals awarded to Major General Hammer are Commander of the British Empire (CBE), Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Mentioned in Despatches (MID), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Queen Elizabeth Coronation Medal, Efficiency Decoration (ED). General's peak cap with gold bullion hat badge and double row of oak leaves on peak. Medals on display are replica.8/13 vmr, military, hammer, honorary, colonel, general, world war two, wwii, cmf

13th (Gippsland) Light Horse Regiment was a unit of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia with its Headquarters in Sale Victoria and depots throughout Gippsland. The regiment in 1939 was still horse mounted but converted to armoured vehicles soon after becoming the 13th Armoured Regiment.Fine example of a document setting out the program of parades and training obligations for a citizen soldier in the immediate pre-Second World War period.White three fold card being Programme of Parades for Half-Year ending 31st dec 1939 for 13th (Gippsland0 Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. Commanding Officer Lieut Col WG Hopkins13th light horse, gippsland, hopkins wg lieutenant colonel, parade card

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.This is one of a collection of pewters 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 Light Horse Regiment / Presented by / Lieut R G Pryor 16-10-39"pryor rg lieutenant, 20th light horse, engravings, presentations, mugs, light horse regiment, wwii, world war two, second world war, pre-war militia

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. This is one of a collection of pewters 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 Captain E.R. Dibbs20th, mess, officer, dibbs, 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 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. This is one of a collection of pewters 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 J.T.Drake20th light horse, officers' mess, drake j t lieutenant

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. This is one of a collection of mugs 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 Officers' Mess. Presented by Lieutenant J.S. Christiechristie, mess, 20th, 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 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. This is one of a collection of mugs 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 Officers Mess. Presented by Lieutenant S.W. Ross" and on base "Rigert EPNS A1 " 10 "ross, 20th, light horse, mess

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. This is one of a collection of mugs presented bt 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 Lieut A.W. Tanner 1936" and on base " Rigert EPNSAI 10 "20th, light horse, tanner, mess

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. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regionalVictoria 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 Lieut N. I. Morrison" and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10" 20th light horse, officers' mess, morrison n i lieutenant

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. Lieutenant Fyffe enlisted at the outbreak of war and served as VX 42774 with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa and was promoted to captain. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942, Captain Fyffe, commanding a composite squadron, manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by Officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World WarsSilver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side"20th Australian Light Horse Officer's Mess. Presented by Lieutenant H.G. Fyffe" and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10 "officers' mess, 20th light horse, fyffe h g

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. This is one of a collection of mugs presented by Officers of a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period between the World WarsSilver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side"20th Australian Light HorseOfficer's Mess. Presented by Lieutenant G.A. Bryant", and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10"bryant, mess, 20th, 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 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. .This is one of a collection of mugs 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 G. McC. Fairley"; and on base "Rigert EPNSAI 10"20th light horse, fairley g mcc lieutenant, officers' mess

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

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