Historical information

Example of soldiers making their own entertainment while posted to remote location in New Guinea during WW11 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 on active service during World War 2 (1939-1945).

Physical description

Four black and white photographs of soldiers dressed up as women for a concert party at Merauke, Dutch New Guinea 1944. Part of 20th Light Horse collection.

Inscriptions & markings

" Lowell French, John Cole, Ballet Girls. "