Sir Murray William James Bourchier (1881-1937), grazier, soldier and politician, was born on 4 April 1881 at Pootilla, Bungaree, Victoria, eldest son of Edward Bourchier, Geelong-born farmer, and his wife Francis (Fanny), née Cope. In 1878 Edward and his three brothers had taken up four adjoining selections on the Murray River near Tocumwal. Within a few years their properties had expanded considerably: Edward's, near Strathmerton, was called Woodland Park; the other three were known collectively as Boomagong. After a private education in Melbourne, Murray returned to Woodland Park. From 1909 until the outbreak of World War I he commanded a troop of light horse at Numurkah, attending annual camps and courses. Bourchier's military service was distinguished. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1914 and sailed as a lieutenant in the 4th Light Horse Regiment, serving seven months on Gallipoli. After the Sinai campaign in 1916-17, during which he was promoted lieutenant-colonel commanding his regiment, he made the crucial final assault on Beersheba. On 31 October 1917 he led his men, many of them from his own district, at full gallop over two miles into Turkish entrenchments and on for a further two miles (3.2 km) into Beersheba to capture vital wells before the Turks could destroy them. Lacking sabres, the regiment used bayonets held in their hands as shock weapons. For this exploit he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and earned the sobriquet 'Bourchier of Beersheba'. Eleven months later, after fighting north through Palestine, he commanded a joint force of the 4th and 12th Light Horse regiments (Bourchier Force) in the final advance on Damascus; on entering the city the 4th captured 12,000 Turks and set about relieving their sufferings. Bourchier was three times mentioned in dispatches. He was appointed C.M.G. in June 1919 and his A.I.F. appointment ended in October. In 1921 he was promoted colonel, commanding the 5th Cavalry Brigade, and in 1931 brigadier, in charge of the 2nd Cavalry Division. He returned to Strathmerton but later farmed a property at Katandra, which he named Kuneitra. - Source: Australian Dictionary of BiographyService dress of General Sir Murray Bourchier, complete with jacket, trousers, shirt, tie, boots (high rise),Sam Browne belt, peaked cap, medal ribbons, badges of rank, medal ribbons

Service of Frank Phillips Prior to the commencement of World War I, Frank Phillips served in the Minyip Troop of the Light Horse militia. His civilian occupation was that of clerk. On 22 August 1914 he enlisted in C Squadron 4th Light Horse Regiment. The 4th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the troop ship “Wiltshire “ for training at Mena Camp, in Egypt. During May 1915 the Regiment was deployed to the Gallipoli campaign in a dismounted role. After seven months, the Gallipoli campaigned was abandoned and the troops withdrawn. On return to Egypt the 4th Light Horse Regiment divided with one component deployed to Palestine and the other to the Western Front. Frank went on to serve in Palestine. He was promoted to Sergeant while at Gallipoli and, in Palestine, was promoted to Captain, serving as Adjutant of the Regiment. He was granted furlough to return to Australia from 14 October 1916 to 12 March 1917. On 16 January 1918 he was Mentioned in Despatches Citation: At Hill 750 near Bir El Esani on 30-4-17 he led an attack on Hill 750 under heavy rifle fire capturing the position and 7 armed Bedouins. On 23-5-17 during reconnaissance, he led and attack on 790 under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire and captured the position, inflicting losses on the Turks. He has, at all times, set a fine example of courage to his men. 22 October: 1918 he was awarded the Military Cross Recommendation of Commanding Officer – For exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty on the 28th September 1918, during the crossing of the JORDAN near EL MIN, this officer (adjutant of the Regiment) personally reconnoitred for crossings under heavy M.G. fire and led the Regiment to the only available crossing, rendering invaluable assistance during the crossing. On 3oth September when the Regiment was advanced guard on to KAUKAB, this officer’s personal reconnaissance to confirm patrol reports was of the highest order and utmost value to his C.O. culminating in the capture of KAUKAB with a mounted attack and the The 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment has a long and distinguished history that pre-dates Federation to colonial Victoria’s mounted troops. Our history parallels that of the nation, including its active participation in some of the most inspiring events in Australian Military History including the Defence of ANZAC and the charge at Beersheba. The Regiment is based on a linkage of the two post-World War II Victorian Army Reserve RAAC units - 4th/19th Prince of Wales’ Light Horse and 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles. From these units we derive our links with the six Light Horse Regiments of Victoria and Southern New South Wales (4th, 8th, 13th, 17th, 19th and 20th Light Horse Regiments.) The Regiment proudly bears the guidon of the 4th Light Horse, with the guidons of the remaining regiments being laid up in the crypt of the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. During World War I, the 4th Light Horse Regiment served with distinction on three fronts – Gallipoli, Palestine and the Western Front. Corporal, later Captain, Phillips was a member of the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. He created the post card while serving with the Regiment as a Corporal at Gallipoli. Post Card hand made and sent to familyFrom Cpl Frank Phillips, 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Entries in pencil Front: Addressed to Andrew Phillips (father) at Minyip, Victoria, Message: “A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, Made while on my day out. Love Frank” Reverse Top Centre – 4 LH Badge Centre – cloth map of Australia stapled to card Bottom – Print of flag stapled to card, Irish green ensign, Union flag in canton, gold coloured Irish harp on fly. Notations: Broadmeadows, Wiltshire (Troop Ship), Shrapnel Gully, Suicide Gully, Courtney’s Post Mena, Mex, Heliopolis, Imbros, Gallipoli, Turkish soil underneath (flag), Australia on Turkey, Lone Pine, Leans Trench, Constantinople, All honour to our Irish comrades, To greet you 1915-16. From the shells, yells, and little Hells, of the Darda Dardenelles 0 – 0 May you enjoy your Xmas dinner as I hope to enjoy my Xmas billy in the trenches.ww1, gallipoli, 4th light horse, post card, frank phillips

Tunic and badges assembled by owner to respresent a Great War Light Horse tunic from WW2 Tunic which is almost identical to the Great War tunics worn by Light Horse OR's. This tunic forms part of a mannequin essemble representing a 1st AIF 4th Light Horse soldier of the period 1916-1919 serving in Sinai, Palestine and Jordan.Tunic, OR's, 1st AIF style. Woollen serge, 8 oz, Olive drab, 4 patch pockets, 4 large plastic buttons, beige, 9 small plastic buttons, beige. Sgt rank chevrons right sleeve (3 stripes). 5 Blue service chevrons stitched to lower RH sleeve. 2 Colour patches (4LH Regt) Lt blue over Dk blue. 2 'A' badges brass attached to colour patches. 2 'rising sun' collar badges, oxidized copper, attached to collar points.Makers label not present1914, 1918, 1917, ww1, 1916, 1915, jacket, light horse, tunic, woollen jacket

Hat is of modern manufacture but created to represent the hat worn by a soldier of the 11th Australian Light Horse Regt in the period 1903-@1912. Boer War Mannequin (Jack's Dad), lacks a hat of the period and this hat is being used until a suitable hat can be located. The hat represents the period immediately after the Boer WarHat, wool felt, green/khaki, broad brim Puggaree with 1 white fold, polyester/cotton Badge 11th Light Horse Regt. Feather, cock,100% wool Made in China Finest Qualityhat light horse felt pre ww1

The Silver War Badge was a First World War badge authorised for issue to members of the armed forces of the British empire. It was granted to those who had served since 4 August 1914. In the case of officers the badge was issued to those who had retired or relinquished their commissions. The badge was issued to other ranks who had been discharged on account of age, wounds or sickness, such as would render them permanently unfit for further service. During WW1, men not in uniform tended to be given white feathers by ladies who wanted them to enlist. The badge provided some protection against this. Since then, the Empire for which they were fighting has ceased to exist.The badge is circular in shape with the words "For King and empire" and "Services rendered" around the rim, and a voided cipher and crown of King George V in the centre. The reverse has a hinged vertical pinbadge, king and empire

A small, coloured Christmas card showing the rising sun badge, a sketch of purple pansies and the words" To greet you and wish you a Merry Christmas" on the front. There is a green woven cord down the spine holding the internal sheet on which is written "Christmas, 1917. Did you hear a whispered "Coo-ee". Did you feel a clasping hand, When the Christmas bells were ringing, In Australias Golden Land? For in my thoughts I send them you, From the shatter'd fields of war, That we might meet, greet as in dear days of yore; And O how low distant distant seem those times, When you and I were near, Oh would the Southern Cross and you were shining on me here. From 2987 Sapper C A Roney 1st Aust Divn Signal Coy AIF France"As describedchristmas card, ww1, france