Showing 2721 items matching "australian army at war"
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Bendigo Military Museum
Manual - TM5 - 245: (US) Department of the Army Technical Manual - Map Reproduction, US Department of the Army, United States of America, War Office, 10 Sep 1956
Nine Chapters describing all aspects of Map Reproduction. 224 pages, including 8 appendices, glossary and indexA soft covered military manual, 224 pages of text, diagrams and annotated photographs"AHQ Survey Regiment" stamped inside front and back covers. Number "149" handwritten inside front cover.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr, mapping -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - BATTLE DRESS, WINTER, ARMY, 1967
Refer to Cat 58251. Jacket - Thick woollen material - brown khaki colour, two breast pockets, held shut with a button on each. It has epaulettes and long sleeves, on the shoulders are red curved, sewn on, badges "Royal Australian Infantry". 2. Trousers - thick woollen material -brown khaki colour. Button fly. 3. Grey cord lanyard. Inside jacket is label 3795952, Patterson written in blue ink.winter uniform, vietnam war, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Equipment - LINER, PONCHO, Gibraltar Fabrics Inc, c1962 - 1972
These were issued to US Troops in South Vietnam. They are designed to be fitted under their poncho. These were much sought after items by Australian soldiers obtained by swapping, purchasing etc.This is a nylon type lightweight blanket for a soldier in jungle warfare. It is camouflaged with curved patterns of black, brown and two ton green. The outer material is of a "Ripstop" material. It is hemmed with with an olive nylon material. On the corners and centre border are the straps 200 mm long x width 6 mm. It has internal insulating material similar to hollow Dacron fibres.vietnam war, us army kit. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - CLOTH, SWEAT RAG, Aust Army, 1962 - 1972
Used by Australian Infantry in jungle warfare.This is a simple open weave cotton cloth - colour jungle green.vietnam war, uniform accessory -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPHS, WW1, Aust Army et al, 1916-1930
Items in the collection relating to Lt Col Jack Swatton M.I.D. Regt No 4905, refer Cat No 6719.2P for his extensive service record and RSL.These are miniature black and white photos from WW1 scenes. They apparently were collected from cigarette packets. They are numbered, these are definitely not the full set. Each photo has a number and one line description of scene.On the rear of each is an advert for Magpie cigarettes, stating these are the copies of official war photographs. originals are from Australian War Museum, Melbourne. it shows prices for enlargements and proceeds to go to War Memorial funds.passchendaele barracks trust, ww1, australian war memorial, fundraising -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, GUIDE to ANZAC BATTLEFIELDS, LIEUTENANT COLONEL GLENN WAHLERT, "Exploring Gallipoli", 2008
'EXPLORING/ GALLIPOLI - / AN AUSTRALIAN ARMY BATTLEFIELD GUIDE"Soft cover book. Soft cover - cardboard, blue, grey and black print on front, spine, back and front and back flaps of cover. Front and back illustrations - montage of grey with black and white photographs of soldiers and War Memorial. Back flap - illustrations in colour - maps. 136 pages, paper, cut, plain, semi gloss white, illustrated - colour and black and white photographs, diagrams, maps, illustrations.books, ww1, gallipoli, history -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, VIETNAM WAR SOLDIERS, Frank WALKER, "Ghost Platoon", 2011
"GHOST PLATOON/ 39 AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS, VIETNAM, 1969/ THE ARMY DENIED THEY EXISTED/ WHAT WERE THEY TRYING TO HIDE?"Soft cover book. Soft cover - cardboard, maroon and black print on front, spine and back. front cover illustration - photograph in muted tones of green and grey, soldiers receiving supplies by helicopter. 338 pages - paper - cut, plain, white. Illustrated, colour and black and white photographs.books, history, vietnam war -
Bendigo Military Museum
Coin - TOKEN, U.S. Army, 1962-1975
The Beach Comber was an entertainment place on the beach at Vung TAA. It was outside Australia lines, but Aussie haunted the place anyway. The Americans sold cold beer in aluminium cans, the Aussie were still using steel cans.Token is round and brass colours has the same wording on both sides.Around the edges “BEACH COMBERS VUNG TAU “ The centre 5 c in black ink 5474 is handwritten vietnam war, vung tau, beach combers -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - LABELS, SURNAME, Australian Army, C1968
Major M.B. TINKLER see CAT NO. 5480.2Four items are the same. A strip of jungle green drill cotton, Sewn onto the strip is the surname “TINKLER” in black cotton thread The top and bottom edges are folded back, the left and right ends are open. vietnam war, army uniform -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper, Australian Army, Guinea Gold Australian Edition, 1945
Two newspapers are similar in size and heading. Single sheet paper when folded provides 4 pages. Printing in black ink. .1) Japan Signs Surrender .2) Gen. Adachi surrenders to 6 Division . Sword handed over ww2, pacific war, japan surrender -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - POCKET BOOK SOUTH VIETNAM, AUSTRALIAN ARMY, C 1962-1972
Aust soldiers going to South Vietnam were issued with this booklet Pocket size booklet. The cover is cardboards, jungle green colour. The printing is white. At the top of front cover is the Crest of Australia 72 pages- History of South Vietnam and culture. Enemy descriptions and drawings. Viet language. Ranks of US Army and SVN army. Maps Inside front cover.. Pte. P. J. PENNO 3790111 NUI DAT 67/68 Page 24 has a map of South Vietnam. A bird mark “x” has been placed on PHUOC TOY vietnam war, booklet -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - BOOKLET, Australian Army Southern Command, Southern Command JTC Wing, C1967
Australia served alongside SVN forces plus other Allied nations 1962-1972. Before our soldiers left Aust they had specific jungle training.Programme- front cover cardboards with grainy image of a twin rotor helicopter, three helmeted US soldiers moving to left of picture. Machine gin barrel in the foreground. 3 pages, white paper of instructions, two pink pages of lessons and times. Four pages of wartime tasks in the field. Front cover in biro PTE P.J. PENNO 3790111vietnam war, svn -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - Flag Day - Army Survey Regiment Versus School of Military Survey, 10.10.1986
These photographs were taken at Flag Day, an annual sports competition between the Army Survey Regiment and the School of Military Survey, at Bendigo on the 10th of October 1986. The two RASvy units took turns each year to host the event. The day competition usually comprised basketball, cross country, golf, sailing, squash softball, tennis, touch football, tug-of-war and volleyball. The evening competition often included darts, carpet bowls, hookey, quoits and snooker. The scoreboard in the background in photo .11P indicated an emphatic victory for the Army Survey Regiment.This is a set of 13 photographs of Flag Day, Army Survey Regiment versus the School of Military Survey, at Bendigo on the 10th of October 1986. There are more photographs available on 35mm negatives and 35mm positive proofs. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. .1) - Photo, black & white, 1986, Ian ‘Rock’ Thistleton. .2) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: CPL Dave Cook, unidentified (x4), CPL Peter Johnson, unidentified. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: CPL John Smith, Peter Tuddenham, John ‘Stormy Tempest, unidentified, Pat Drury, Mick ‘Buddha’ Ellis, Trevor Roddam, Paul Richards, Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley. .4) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: unidentified (x2). .5) - Photo, black & white, 1986, Eddy Jacobs - No. 13, Paul Baker – with ball, Brian Fauth – 2nd from right, Daryl South - No. 7. .6) - Photo, black & white, 1986, Rick van Der Bom. .7) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: Leah (Hoffman) Peppler, unidentified, Stu Thaxter. .8) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: SGT Mick Gillham, unidentified (x3), Phil Meagher, Barry Hogan, Jim Walker, Daryl South, WO1 Trevor Osborne, CPL Michelle Griffiths, CPL Sherri (Dally) Burke, SPR Avril (Bray) Lloyd. .9) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R foreground: SPR Jan (Crighton) Minchin, CPL Eddy Jacobs .10) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: John ‘Stormy’ Tempest, Mark Donnelly, Paul ‘Hutch’ Hunter, Andy Lucas, foreground unidentified, Lyall Camp, CPL John Martin, SSGT Bob Scaddan. .11) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: CO SMS LTCOL Jim Corless, CO ASR LTCOL Don Swiney MBE, RSM WO1 Jeff Lynch, SGT Wayne Rothwell. .12) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: LTCOL Clem Sargent, RSM WO1 Jeff Lynch, CO ASR LTCOL Don Swiney MBE, SGT Wayne Rothwell. .13) - Photo, black & white, 1986, L to R: LTCOL Clem Sargent, RSM WO1 Jeff Lynch, SGT Wayne Rothwell, CO ASR LTCOL Don Swiney MBE.1P – annotated with ‘10 Oct 86 I. Thistleton’ .2P to .13P –No personnel are identifiedroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - Booklet Royal Australian Survey Corps History, " The Royal Australian Survey Corps " 1915-1990, c, 1995
This article was presented as a paper to the 1990 Australian War Memorial History Conference to mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the "Australian Survey Corps" on 1 July 1915. The Corps has since been renamed. Booklet, A4, 13 Pages, Cardboard Cover, Colour, Maps, Photographs, Black and White. Held together by metal staplesroyal australian survey corps, rasvy, fortuna, army survey regiment, army svy regt, asr -
Bendigo Military Museum
Print - PRINT, FRAMED
Caption under print. Soldiers of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7 RAR, preparing to board VS Iroquois helicopters during operation Ulmarrah, the cordon and search of Lang Phuoc Hai Village, South Vietnam, 26 August 1967". Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Lang Phuoc Hai, beside Route 44 leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon-and-search by 7RAR of the coastal village of Lang Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was conducted by 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and 7RAR with support elements. Left to right: Private (Pte) Peter Capp (kneeling); Pte Bob Fennell (leaning over, facing camera, with an ammunition belt for an M60 machine gun slung over his shoulder); Corporal Bob D'Arcy (partly obscured behind Fennell); Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front); Pte Ian Jury (partly obscured, centre, rear, holding rifle); Pte Colin Barnett (front, right, M60 ammunition belt on back, back of head to camera); Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (partly obscured behind Barnett); the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould, 7RAR. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter was operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (Having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, ACT, dedicated in October 1992). Source AWM Print donated and dedicated to 3789179 FRANK FRIGERIO, 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR. See also Cat No. 3543-3549.3Print - coloured print of a photograph depicting three helicopters coming in to land above a dirt road with several groups of soldiers in uniform with jungle vegetation in the background. Frame - black painted metal.See in context, historical - caption under print.prints, framed, accessories, vietnam war -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - SLIDE SHOULDER BOARD
Established during world War Two, the first 'Everyman's Hut' was built at Bonegilla camp to serve army personnel. An 'Everywoman's Hut' was established at Bandianna and was staffed by women. The hut's were also staffed by ministers of religion who had returned to Australia due to war plus volunteers. Everyman's staff wore a military cut uniform and, where appropriate, were given officer status by local commanders. Today, Everyman's Welfare Service caters for the well being of members of the ADF and their families. Part of the Reverend Chaplain Major Thomas Bruce Williams, No556101, Collection.Khaki coloured slide should backgrounder board in poly ester fabric. A label with fawn lettering on a brown background is sewn to the straight end of the board. Above the label are two horizontal red bands in cotton braid.Embroidered on a brown label: 'EVERYMAN'S HUT'.everyman's hut, major thomas b. williams -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - SERVICE CHEVRONS - BLUE, Australian Army, c1939 - 1945
1. Khaki felt background on which has been sewn 2 blue chevrons. They are V shaped. 2. Khaki felt background on which are sewn three blue chevrons. They are V shaped.war, uniforms, badges -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper - A.I.F NEWSPAPER, C.1939 - 45
Produced for troops in the AIF during WWIIEight sheets of paper that when folded provide sixteen pages of news. Black ink. There are photos, adverts, war news, cartoon and maps. .1 Dated Sat 26 September 1942, Issue 133 .2 Dated Sat 30 October 1942, Issue 134 .3 Dated Sat 17 October 1942, Issue 136 .4 Dated Sat 7 November 1942, Issue 139 .5 Dated Sat 14 November 1942, Issue 140 .6 Dated Sat 21 November 1942, Issue 141 .7 Dated Sat 5 December 1942, Issue 143 .8 Dated Sat 12 December 1942, Issue 144 .9 Dated Fri 25 December 1942, Issue 146 - This issue has coloured front and rear page .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, .6, .7, .8, .9 - Mrs H.M. MacCallum 6 Queen Street Bendigo Victoria .4 additional text Sender VX41168 H. M MacCallumnewspapers, aif news ww2 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Postcard, Royal Army Medical Corps Picking Up the Wounded in a Captured Village, c1916
Most probabaly purchased by Harry Holmes.World War One official war postcard showing a number of ambulances and troops on the battlefield."These are King's soldiers and our conrades who have fought and suffered. The best we can give them is thei due." Such is the feeling of the devoted Red Cross service.world war one, harry holmes, ambulances, red cross, wounded, soldiers, royal army medical corps -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Personal Records, Paybook, J.L.McIntyre
These paybooks were carried by John Lachlan McIntyre while on active service during the First World War. The books cover the period November 1915 to July 1919. Every soldier carried a paybook, and made an entry each time they were paid. Paybooks enable researchers to track the dates and places that a soldier served. These paybooks are associated with JL McIntyre, a founding member of Lara RSL. The books are highly personal objects carried with him every day, and would have formed a key element of his wartime experience. They are also significant as research materials, allowing researchers to track McIntyre's war experience. 2 Small khaki paybooks. One is landscape with a rising sun badge and text on the front. The other is portrait with a cloth cover and text. Each book has tables inside tracking dates and locations of payments made to JL McIntyre while on service. Book 1: Pay Book No. 170804 Surname McIntyre Christian Names J.L. 3591 Unit 58th Bn Australian Imperial Force Soldier's Pay Book. Book 2: JL McIntyre Soldier's Pay Book, For Use On Active Service 3591paybook, military, army, wwi, world war one, first world war, mcintyre, rsl, lara -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Drivers Licence, Australian Military Forces Army Driving Licence
Cpl. Ronald Warren Ellis, EM (VX502517) was born in Brunswick in 1927. His family moved to Lara when he was young, and his schooling took place at the Lara State School. After finishing his education, Ron took up employment at Sims Coopers in Corio. Ron was enlisted in the second AIF at Melbourne, and posted to the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Greta west of Newcastle, NSW. After 3 months training, he was sent to the Service Corps Training Centre for driver and maintenance training in Ingleburn, south of Sydney. When this course was completed, Ron was posted to the Australian Army Service Corps as a driver motor vehicle with the 2nd AIF. Rons service with the AIF lasted 425 days, when he was then transferred to the Interim Army for a further 309 days. The duration of his service was in NSW. Ron was discharged from the Army in Melbourne on the 4th of May 1948. In 1957, Ron enlisted in the CMF and served with 22nd Construction Squadron for 17 years with the last 5 as a Corporal, and was awarded the Efficiency Medal for long service and good conduct.Brown canvas booklet that is folded into three. Licence gives details of Army number, name, rank and type of vehicle that is able to be driven. Licence has been issued to Private Ronald Warren Ellis on 24/01/1948. No. 258778 Army No. V?SOL517 Rank: Private Name in full: Ellis, Ronald Warren Unit: Transferred to (unit): Having passed the prescribed tests ... authorised to drive... types of ... vehicles within the Commonwealth of Australia and Territories. Signature of Driver: drivers licence, australian military forces, army, private, ellis, ww2, wwii, world war two, second world war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Postcards
... the war. cairo egypt wwi world war one first world war australia ...This postcard was sent by an Australian soldier from Cairo to Australia during the First World War. It has the capacity to illustrate issues of British Imperialism, Australian approaches to race and religion, and the experience of Australian Soldiers experiencing world travel during the war.Postcard with a black and white image of citadel and tombs of the Mameluks, Cairo. Has writing on the reverse in black ink, and some scribble from a blue pen."The polish of the main pyramids is decorated in the interior of the tombs. I use to pass this often when going for stores in Cairo. It is rather nice but the Gyppoes sleeping on the foot path, and other stupid pranks. Harvey." Publ. the Oriental Commercial Bueau. Port Said.cairo, egypt, wwi, world war one, first world war, australia, army, british empire -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Trousers, E.W. PTY LTD, Australian Army Trousers, c. 1968
... by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment ...These trousers, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E. Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known.This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.Khaki trousers with pleats and a series of belt loops at the waist; two front pockets; and three buttons positioned at the left, right, and centre of the back of the trousers (for attaching a jacket to the trousers). There is a large tear in the seat.lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Jacket, E.W. PTY LTD, Australian Army Jacket, 1968
... australian army royal australian artillery war Both patches read ...This jacket, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known. This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.Khaki jacket featuring two buttoned chest pockets and a belt. A rope cord is draped across and under the right shoulder of the jacket (referred to as a lanyard). There is a single patch (of red and blue colouring) that is located at the top of both sleeves, with an additional patch at the bottom of the left sleeve.Both patches read "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY". Inside jacket tag reads "E.W. PTY/LTD. / SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1968 / CLASS 8405-66-025-6422 / BATCH 8/68 / MILL AV / SIZE OF CHEST 41/42 PR / MATCHING TROUSERS 39 PR / DRY CLEAN ONLY / CREASE UPPER HALF / OF LAPELS ONLY / NAME: SCHULZE HE / ARMY No. 3164207"lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Shirt, Australian Army Shirt, c. 1968
... australian army royal australian artillery war Khaki coloured, button ...This shirt, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E. Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known. This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.Khaki coloured, button-down collared shirt. Staining can be seen across the front of the shirt, as well as the sleeves.lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Tie, Australian Army Tie
... australian army royal australian artillery war Khaki tie ...This tie, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known.This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.Khaki tie that is missing the bottom section (appears to have been cut off).lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Boots, Australian Army Boots
... australian army royal australian artillery war Pair of polished, lace ...These boots, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E. Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known.This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.Pair of polished, lace-up, black leather boots.lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Army Hat, Australian Army Slouch Hat
... australian army royal australian artillery war A khaki coloured ...This hat, along with the rest of the dress uniform, belonged to an individual named H.E Schulze. It is believed to have been dropped off to the RSL, so no additional information is known.This uniform serves as an example of the military dress worn by the Royal Australian Army (Royal Australian Artillery Regiment) during the late sixties.A khaki coloured Australian military felt hat. The left side has been folded up and pinned with an Australian Infantry Combat Badge. A safety pin is attached to the underside of the hat.lara, rsl, royal australian army, royal australian artillery, war -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Silk Flag, Nippon Times
Made at the end of World War 2 to celebrate the surrender of Japan. The item was brought back from Japan by Sapper Albert Alexander Founds VX71775 who joined from Lara Victoria 12 January 1942 and was discharged on 9th July 1947. Made of silk after the Japanese Surrender of World War 2A silk flag with the words Nippon Times. Unconditional Surrender by Japs Completed at 20 minute Ceremony. Picture of cherry blossoms, map of Japan and British, American FlagSee imagesilk, american army, british army, australian military forces, aif, cherry blossoms, nippon times, japan, world war 2, ww2, japenese surrender -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, Set 4 photographs. and others for Torquay Light Horse camp, 1940
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