Illustrations of Light Horsemen from 2nd Cavalry Division at their training camp at Broadmeadows: two profiles and one of a machine gun crewTwo newspaper images with captionsaustralian army, broadmeadows training camp, light horsemen

Broadmeadows was home to the major army training camp for the Australian Imperial Force. The land was previously known as Mornington Park. It was a wide field, suitable for military practice, including training for the Light Horse regiments. It is the current location of the Maygar Army Barracks on Camp Road in Broadmeadows. To reach the camp, soldiers marched from Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road and headed north up Sydney Road, only resting near Fawkner Cemetery. Soldiers slept in tents and food was basic. Training was hard, but it did not prepare soldiers for a modern war with machine guns, gas, shells and aeroplanes – technology that did not exist in previous wars. Some men only completed a few months training before departing on troopships from Port Melbourne. Once overseas, some soldiers received further training in Egypt. It is likely that these men are associated with the Orbost district.This photograph is a reminder of the personal stories of those who were involved in WW1.Two copies of a black / white photograph on dark grey buff cards. The photos show a group of soldiers having a meal. Some are sitting on the ground with others standing behind them.on back of 989.1 - "Sept 14 Broadmeadows"w.w.1 broadmeadows-army-training-camp

Army Unit Colour Patches were worn as a distinguishing unit indication at the top of each sleeve from 1916.The 8th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. Made up of men drawn from the 3rd Military District [Victoria], the 8th Light Horse Regiment was established at the Broadmeadows Training Camp in Melbourne, Victoria. The Army Unit Colour Patches (UCP) were orginally designed in a simple manner,allowing other member to easily identify the member's unit, division and battalion. A UCP is worn on the puggaree of the slouch hat whilst the Unit Shoulder Patch will incorporate the UCP normally with a border showing the unit's superior HQ. Horizontally aligned rectangular colour patch for 8 Light Horse Regiment, AIF, divided diagonally yellow (left) below light blue.Nilwwi, world war 1, light horse, 8th regiment

William HOLMES served 6 months in the Junior Cadets prior to WW1(National Archives records) As No 6826 he enlisted in the AIF in 20th reinforcements 22nd Batt on 28.7.1917 age 18 years 10 months. Embarked 21.11.1917 and arrived Suez 15.12.1917, embark for England 9.1.1918, allotted letter A on Regt No due to duplication (6826A), hospital 16.4.1918 (unclear), rejoin unit 25.4.1918, embark for France 29.4.1918, WIA 17.7.1918 Gassed, move to overseas Training Brigade 2.11.1918, embark for Australia 8.1.1919, discharged medically unfit 14.3.1919. He again enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corp on 28.3.1942 as No V352711, promoted to Lieutenant 10.12.1942, discharged from the Corp on 31.10.1945. Items are part of a collection. .1) Small oval portrait in dark grey mount. .2) Group photo of WWI uniformed soldiers. WILLIAM HOLMES marked with blue ink above his head - middle row RHS..1) Handwritten: “W HOLMES, Dad when a boy” .2) Handwritten: “Dad when away” Stamped in blue ink: - Kitchener Studio Broadmeadows Camp - Ainar Studio Auburnphotography-photographs, military history - army

Photograph taken of 2nd Platoon on the banks of the Ovens River, Wangaratta. After completing training at Wangaratta they marched to the railway station headed by the Town Band prior to travelling to Broadmeadows Army Camp.Reproduction of black and white photograph of soldiers standing in two rows along riverbank lined with trees. There is a small white dog in foreground. Wangaratta's 2nd Platoon of Australia's New Army March 19161916, second platoon, wangaratta, ww1

Staff Sergeant Philpott among the medicine at Seymour or Broadmeadows Army Camp. Les Chandler spent some months gaining medical training before sailing to war in 1916.medicine, ww1, world war 1, aif, a.i.f

Possibly reinforcements to 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF training at Broadmeadows prior to proceeding ovrtseas.Good image of " soldiers at rest " during training WW1Black and white photograph mounted on card of eight soldiers enjoying a cup of tea. There are Bell tents and horses in the background.Imprinted across lower edge of card " J. Colquhoun Photo - Broadmeadows Camp 1915 - 1 Donald Street, Prahran ."

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.Rare document from Light Horse Regiment at beginning of WWIIFour page type - written Camp Administrative Order No.1 dated 9 February 1939 signed by Captain W.B. Maguire, Acting Adjutant 20th Light Horse Regiment. Contains instructions for the movement of men, horses and equipment to a Camp of training at Broadmeadows, Victoria.Signed on Page 4 " W.B. Maguire "20 light horse, training, broadmeadows

1.Photocopy of letter dated 24/12/1914 handwritten by William Thomas Byrne of Docker's Plain whilst at training camp - 3rd light horse brigade train - to his sister. 2.Photocopy of brief summary of W.T.Byrne's life to when he was discharged in 1918 - photocopied from Docker Plains School Honor Book William Thomas BYRNE was born on 21/9/1890 at Docker Plains to William and Johanna Byrne. He was educated at Docker Plains and Wangaratta State schools. A farmer when he enlisted on 13/10/1914. He trained at Broadmeadows and embarked on Hororata on 17/4/1915. He served with the 3rd Light Horse and 12th and/or 27th ASC - Army Service Corps as a Driver. Newspaper article dated 7/11/2003 states letter was found inside second hand book and the writer of the letter identified as the uncle of local Wangaratta resident and historian Bill O'Callaghan. The letter written prior to embarking overseas was addressed to Mrs Connell Ford Street Wangaratta but intended for his sister Nora, a Nun at Brigidine Convent, Albert Park. Photocopy of handwritten letter and life history summary in black ink on white paper 3rd Light Horse Brigade train 24/12/14william thomas byrne 5692, docker's plains

The 8th Light Horse was initially raised from companies of the colonial Victorian Mounted Rifles located in North-east Victoria following Federation. In 1912 a major reorganisation of the Australian military forces resulted in the regiment being renumbered 16th Light Horse. The Regiment was disbanded in 1919 but soon after was re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, with the territorial title Indi Light Horse. The Indi Light Horse consisted of 3 squadrons. A squadron consisted of troops in Corryong, Walwa, Tallangatta, Eskdale and Wodonga. After an extensive recruiting campaign in January 1939 a new troop was raised in Bethanga, Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.This article is significant because it depicts horses being loaded at the Wodonga Railway Station to despatch to the training camp at Broadmeadows. Two black and white images from the Border Morning Mail Friday March 10, 1939. One image shows horses being loaded on to trains in Wodonga to be sent to the base at Broadmeadows, Victoria. The second image depicts two leaders of the 8th Light Horse Regiment.Caption with Photo 1 WODONGA AND DISTRICT SOLDIERS OF THE KING Top: Wodonga railway station presented busy scenes on Monday when the lighthorsemen and their mounts took possession of it. Bottom- Although the men were jubilant at boarding the train for Broadmeadows the horses did not like the idea. This horse was no exception. Photo 2 TWO LIGHTHORSE LEADERS Lieutenant L. W. Welesmith, Tallangatta (left), discussing the entraining of horses for Broadmeadows at Wodonga, with Lieutenant J. A. Mc-Geoch (Wodonga), before the departure of the 8th Light Horse troop.australian light horse, peter frawley, light horse wodonga

This portrait, taken at Ainar Studios during the First World War, captures a soldier stationed at Broadmeadows Camp, Victoria—one of Australia’s primary military training facilities during the early 20th century. Broadmeadows Camp played a pivotal role in preparing thousands of recruits for overseas service, particularly during WWI. Studios like Ainar and Kitchener, often operating near or within the camp, provided soldiers with the opportunity to send formal portraits home to loved ones—a cherished tradition that blended personal memory with national service. These images now serve as poignant historical records of Australia’s wartime experience and the individuals who served.This portrait of a soldier from Broadmeadows Camp, captured by Ainar Studios during the First World War, holds enduring historical and cultural value. It represents a deeply personal yet widely shared wartime ritual—soldiers commissioning studio portraits before deployment, often to send home as keepsakes. Broadmeadows Camp was a major training ground for Australian troops, and such images document not only individual service but also the broader national experience of mobilisation and sacrifice. The photograph is significant for its ability to humanise the war effort, offering a visual connection to the identities, emotions, and stories of those who served. As both a personal memento and a historical artifact, it contributes to our understanding of Australia’s military and social history during the early 20th century.Black and white portrait pasted onto cardboard. Portrait of a soldier from Broadmeadows Camp.Below Photo Front: The Kitchener Studio/Broadmeadows Camp/Under Vice-Regal Patronage/The Ainair Studio/571 Burwood Road/Auburn, Victoria Back: Soldier posing for Portrait/from Broadmeadows/Army Camp/Taken/Ainair Studiobroadmeadows |army camp, the ainair studio, auburn