Historical information

The 8th Light Horse was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 and sailed for overseas in December 1914 so this trial must have taken place during that period. The Wiles mobile cooker was developed by a Ballarat engineer, James Fletcher Wiles, on the advice of Sir Stanton Hicks, first Director of Catering for the Australian Army. The horse drawn cooker was operated by steam, raised by burning oil, to cook food and heat a baking oven. About 300 units were produced during WW1 (1914-18) and were in service in Egypt, France, and Australia. They could be operational in 20 minutes, and cooking could take place while being towed up to 50 kph..

Significance

The first trial of this major innovation in military cooking together with this fine study of a light horse regiment on the march makes this object a significant one to the Australian Army and Victoria.

Physical description

Large framed photograph of a regiment of mounted horsemen on the march. Frame is of stained molded wood with glass front. Name panel at lower centre.

Inscriptions & markings

"The famous 8th Light Horse / returning from Greensborough Camp / After the first trial of the Wiles Cooker / Victoria 1914-1918"