Historical information

These spats appear to be part of an army uniform and may have been worn by a member of an Australian Lighthorse unit. The Victorian Mounted Rifles was established in 1885 by Colonel Tom Price who lived in his retirement years in Warrnambool. Many members of the G Company Mounted Rifles from Warrnambool and district enlisted in World War One and served with distinction in the Victorian Lighthorse units which evolved from the Mounted Rifles units.

Significance

These spats are retained as they are possibly part of the uniform of an Australian Lighthorse soldier early in the 20th century and may have local provenance.

Physical description

These are two spats or leggings made of stiffened brown leather shaped to fit the lower calf of the leg. They have leather straps and metal buckles at the top end.