Historical information

The 8th Light Horse Regiment was engaged in the battle to capture Turkish defences in and around Beersheba in early November 1917 in conjunction with other Light Horse units and troops from the Imperial Camel Corps, British Yeomanry Division, New Mounted Rifles and 53 Welsh Division.
The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse.

Significance

Comparatively rare collection of photographs of 8th Light Horse (AIF) on operations in Egypt and Sinai 1916-1918.

Physical description

Black and White photograph of two-wheeled water cart drawn by donkey, also two mounted men who are wearing sun toppees and one has a rifle in rifle bucket.

Inscriptions & markings

"Captured Turkish water cart at Beersheba with British Yeomanry"