Historical information

Between 1939 and January 1941, 575 members of rhe 20th Light Horse Regiment enlisted in the 2nd AIF. The Regiment was reinforced with men from all over Victoria called up for compulsory service.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.

Significance

This is one of a collection of photographs featuring a Light Horse regiment drawn from rural and regional Victoria in the period immediately prior to mobilisation for World War 2 (1939-1945).

Physical description

Black and white photograph of large group of soldiers arranged in three rows with one man in front with piano accordion.

Inscriptions & markings

" 20th ALH members after enlistment in 2nd AIF 1940."