Historical information

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.

Significance

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.

Physical description

Silver plated mug with handle and inscribed on side.

Inscriptions & markings

20th Australian Light Horse Officers' Mess. Presented by Lieutenant J.S. Christie