Historical information

This trophy was presented to 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles to be presented to the officer presenting the best essay or military history presentation by Captain John McLean, a serving office with the regiment between 1958 and 1993. It was only presented twice and probably lapsed soon after the linking of the regiment with 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse; 1992 Lieutenant H Burvill, 1994 Lieutenant M Jarrett.
The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.

Significance

Fine example of efforts to promote the study of military history by regimental officers.

Physical description

Octagonal wooden plaque with octagonal brass medallion of Sir John Monash and plastic plates recording donor and winners of annual competition.

Inscriptions & markings

"Monash trophy awarded for V.M.R. Officer best annual essay or military history presentation. Presented by Captain J.F. McLean R.F.D. E.D. 1958 - 1993 'Peace is having friends with weapons' "