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This history was prepared by Mr Claude H Wilson, President of the 13th Armoured Regiment Association in the late 1980s and draws on a diary by a member of the WWI 13th Light Horse.
Valuable historical source of a Victorian regional military unit in both WWI (1914-1918) and WWII (1939-1945).
Typed document prepared by Mr Claude H Wilson, President of the 13th Light Horse Regimental Association 1987. Scanned and posted as pdf file.
At this parade, the recently linked linked regiment, 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse, exercised its Freedom of the City of Fitzroy. The regiment was the first occasion that the new regiment paraded after the linking of two 1948 regiments 4/19 PWLH and 8/13 VMR. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Fernleigh RFD is leading the parade. Captain Lyle Jackel third from left. Official Party outside City of Fitzroy Town Hall includes Mayor Angela Ireland in mayoral robes numbered 5, Honorary Colonel John Neale RFD ED is at her left, number 3. Since 1948, the regiment had its depot in George Street Fitzroy. The guidons being carrier are 4th Light Horse and 8th Light Horse.
Three colour photographs of official party and marching troops at Fitzroy Town Hall 3 May 1992.
pwlh, vmr, fitzroy, fernleigh, neale, freedom of city
Henry George Roberts was born in Lambeth, Middlesex, The United Kingdom on 17 June 1885. The son of Elizabeth and Corporal Thomas Roberts of 2/3rd Regiment of Foot, The Buffs. Thomas Robert died in 1893 and on 28 September 1894 Henry was admitted to the Royal Military School as an apprentice. He remained there until 7 July 1900 when he enlisted at Aldershot, in the 2nd Dragoon Guards as a boy soldier. The 1901 and 1911 Censuses record him as being a musician with the 2nd Dragoon Guard, (The Queen’s Bays). Roberts married Lily Winterbourne Quinton in early 1912, a son Frederic was born on 1 February 1913. By August 1914 Roberts has travelled to Australia where he was employed as a musician and residing at “Quamby” Royal Park, Melbourne. His wife and child remaining at Mellison Road, Lower Tooting, London. On 8 September 1914 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne, allotted Regimental Number 42, the Rank of Trooper and allocated to A Squadron, 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment. His enlistment papers raise a mystery. He stated that he and six years’ service with the Territorial Hampshire Carabiniers but made no mention of his eleven years’ service with the Regular 2nd Dragoon Guards. There is no clear answer as to why this misinformation was provided. Roberts was promoted to Sergeant on 28 October 1914. His occupation and prior experience resulting in Roberts’ appointment to the leadership of the regimental band. After training in Australia, he embarked on the Star of the Sea at Port Melbourne on 25 February 1915 arriving in Egypt on 14 March. On 16 May 1915 he proceeded to Gallipoli where he was killed in action on 7 August 1915 during the attack on the Nek. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Lone Pine Memorial for the missing. For his service in The Great War, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War, and Victory, Medals.
Circular metal medallion with image of Britannia standing with a lion issued to NOK of No 42 Sergeant Henry Roberts 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment who was killed in action at the Nek 7 August 1915. The plaque about 120 mm in diameter, was cast in bronze, and came to be known as the "Dead Man’s Penny", because of the similarity in appearance to the much smaller penny coin. 1,355,000 plaques were issued, which used a total of 450 tons of bronze,Henry Roberts and continued to be issued into the 1930s to commemorate people who died as a consequence of the war.
Henry Roberts
wwi, world war one, gallipoli, nek, 8th, light horse, roberts
Book with colour cover and 82 pages with photographs, perfect bound.
non-fiction
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 and an additional troop of the Wangaratta squadron was raised at Cobram. In 1977, 8/13 VMR was reduced to an independent squadron, A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles, and in 1991 it was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of the new regiment.
vmr, history, cmf, army reserve, hunter
Sir Zelman Cowan, Governor General of Australia, made a visit to Bandiana to present the Sovereign's Banner to the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC). The 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Light Horse Heritage Troop provided a mounted escort for Sir Zelman and Lady Cowan. The escort was under the command of Captain (later Major) Robert Morrison, a keen horseman, who had been the prime mover in raising the Heritage Troop. All riders were serving soldiers of A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and their horsed activities were additional to their normal training responsibilities.
Black and white photograph of light horse escort to Governor General Sir Zelman Cowan at Bandiana 4 December 1981. Riders are Lieutenent R Morrison, Sergeant S Berg, Corporals F Reynolds, A Florient, Lance Corporal Milgate, Troopers C Ellison, K Dudley, Anderson, McDonald.
light horse, morrison, bandiana, sir zelman cowan
Sir Zelman Cowan, Governor General of Australia, made a visit to Bandiana to present the Sovereign's Banner to the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC). The 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Light Horse Heritage Troop provided a mounted escort for Sir Zelman and Lady Cowan. The escort was under the command of Captain (later Major) Robert Morrison, a keen horseman, who had been the prime mover in raising the Heritage Troop. All riders were serving soldiers of A Squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and their horsed activities were additional to their normal training responsibilities.
Black and white photograph of Lieutenant R Morrison riding Cherokee (left) and Sergeant S Berg riding Postie (right) either side of a car carrying the Governor General Sir Zelman Cowan at Bandiana 4 December 1981.
bandiana, light horse, morrison, berg, sir zelman cowan, governor general
Photograph of Lieutenant Robert Morrison, Light Horse Heritage Troop A Squadron 8 13 Victorian Mounted Rifles at the Albury and District Horseshow 1 July 1979.
Black and white photograph of light horse officer holding sword.
morrison, albury, 8/13 vmr, light horse
Soldier is Sergeant Warwick Cole and early member of the 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Heritage Troop at a recruiting display in Civic Square Albury c. 1982.
Black and white photograph of lighthorseman as part of a recruiting display in Civi Square Albury. M113 Light Reconnaissance vehicle in background. Boy standing talking to horseman.
light horse, recruiting, albury, cole
These four officers were a familiar sight leading the Anzac Day March in Melbourne in the 1960s. They represented the four World War One Light Horse Regiments raised in Victoria.
Black and white photograph of four returned servicemen in uniform and mounted on horseback outside of Waltons Store in Melbourne. Inscription along lower edge of photo.
Manuscript on lower edge of photo "ANZAC DAY 1966 8th, 9th, 13th, 4th Light Horse / Col A Crawford, Capt H Ewart, Lt JE Holland, Col JR Hall"
light horse, anzac day, melbourne, hall, ewart, crawford, holland
Metal protector designed to slip snugly round a match box. The regimental badge on side is damaged but appears to be Medical Corps. Difficult to date or to decide if Australian Army or British Army.
Small three-soded metal box with regimental badge attached to one side.
match, army
Wax matches also known as 'strike anywhere' were invented in 1826 by William Newton in England. It consisted of a wax stem with embedded cotton threads and a tip of phosphorus. Cases of various styles were introduced to protect against accidental combustion. This simple but robust metal cylindrical box with close fitting cap made it attractive to soldiers in World War One. Bryant & May was a British company created in the mid-19th century specifically to make matches. In 1901 they acquired the rights to the Swan Vesta process.
Match cylinder with press on lid.
On cap " Bryant & Mays Wax Vesta London"
match, bryant & may
During World War One poisonous gas was used as a weapon. When gas was detected or suspected an alarm was given in the trenches so soldiers could put on masks and protective gear. The gas rattle was a simple and effective method of raising the alarm. Gas precautions were taken in World War Two but gas was not used. This rattle might be WWI vintage or it might be from WWII era.
A wooden box incorporating a toothed cog attached to a 'swing' handle. When swung the toothed cog engaged with a wooden flap enclosed in the box causing a loud noise.
world war one, wwi, gas
World War One individual trenching shovel probably issued by German Army.
Small shovel with wooden handle. Blade is worn.
1915
world war one, wwi, german army
Small axe, metal head with one bladed end and one spiked end. Wooden handle. Probably World War One (WWI) German army issue.
world war one, wwi, german army
World War One vintage personal entrenching tool carried by a soldier. Probable German issue.
Metal entrenching tool with spade end and pick end, wooden handle.
world war one, wwi, german, trench
Type and country of origin still being researched
Bayonet, double edged, with quillion and wooden handle.
bayonet, wwi
This set of spurs belonged to Lieutenant Thomas Spencer Howard 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Howard was killed in action in the charge at the Nek, Gallipoli peninsula, on 7 August 1915. Howard was a 25-year-old grain dealer from Melbourne when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed a lieutenant in the 8th Australian Light Horse on 24 October 1914. He had pre-World War One service with 10th Light Horse (VMR), 11th & 29th Light Horse Regiments. They were returned, together with a pair of binoculars, to his family following his death.
Spurs with leather straps and chains
howard, gallipoli, nek, wwi, world war one, light horse, 8th
These binoculars belonged to Lieutenant Thomas Spencer Howard, 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Howard was killed in action in the charge at the Nek, Gallipoli peninsula, on 7 August 1915. Howard was a 25-year-old grain dealer from Melbourne when he enlisted in the AIF and was appointed a lieutenant in the 8th ALH on 24 October 1914. He had pre-World War One service with 10th Light Horse (VMR), 11th & 29th Light Horse Regiments. Prior to sailing he was presented with these binoculars: “Lieut TS Howard 8th LH, 3rd Aust Imp Exped’y Force, From Chief and Staff of J.F.C. Jan 1915”. They were returned, together with his spurs, to his family following his death.
Metal binoculars with leather case with metal presentation plaque on inside flap lid.
Lieut TS Howard 8th LH, 3rd Aust Imp Exped’y Force, From Chief and Staff of J.F.C. Jan 1915
howard, light horse, 8th, gallipoli, binoculars, wwi, world war one, nek
1897 pattern officer's sword with leather thong, and leather and metal scabbard.
'VMR E' on blade near hilt
vmr, sword, weapon
This shirt was worn by Staff Sergeant Maurice Miles 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. SSgt Miles had World War Two service prior to joining the Citizen Military Forces (CMF)
Jungle green shirt with rolled sleeves, yellow lanyard on right sleeve, metal VMR shoulder titles, Staff-Sergeant rank insignia, ribbon bar: British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 39-45, Efficiency Medal with rosette, and National Medal.
world war two, wwii, miles, vmr
Uniform worn by Major Charles Stening when serving with 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles. He had World War Two service (SX 1412) and service with United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) 1951.
Battledress jacket, shirt and tie. Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) shoulder titles, Major badges of rank, blue platted lanyard, ribbon bar: 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence medal, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service medal 1939-45, United Nations medal and Efficiency Decoration (ED). Blue UN beret.
united nations, world war two, wwii, sinai, stening, un, unmogip
This uniform probably was worn by a cadre staff member posted to 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles to provide training to reserve soldiers. 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.
Battledress jacket, trousers, shirt and tie with Warrant Officer Class Two rank insignia, Parachute qualification insignia, ribbon bar: General Service medal with Borneo bar, Vietnam medal, National medal and Vietnamese Campaign medal.
military, vmr, uniform
VX 42774 Captain H G (Bob) Fyffe, a grazier from Tocumwal, NSW, served with the Tocumwal troop of the 20th Light Horse prior to WWII (1939-46). He enlisted at the outbreak of war and served with the 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in North Africa. During the attack on Trig 22 on 17 July 1942 Captain Fyffe commanding a composite squadron manoeuvred his tanks to knock out machine guns and anti-tank guns enabling 2/32 Battalion to capture the objective. Captain Fyffe was awarded the Military Cross for his leadership and courage in the action. This was 9th Division Cavalry's first tank action of the war. 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, as 20th Motor Regiment. In 1943 the regiment was deployed to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. Upon return to Australia in 1945 it was redesignated 20th Pioneer Battalion and disbanded at the end of the war. 20th Light Horse was the only light horse unit to serve overseas in WWII.
Silver plated tankard with engraving on side.
20th LH / Officers Mess / Presented by Lieutenant H G Fyffe
fyffe, 20th, light horse
These booklets were issued to officers serving in areas where it was envisaged it might be necessary to deploy troops to assist civilian police and authorities to maintain law and order.
Small green covered book with title 'Aid to the Civil Power'. Staple bound. Manuscript name 'Clarke' on top right cover.
Clarke
civil power, military
non-fiction
Transcription of diaries and notebooks of Trooper Harry Turner, 8th Australian Light Horse 1915-18 give a vivid account of a light horseman participating in the battles on the desert campaign 1916-1918.
world war one, wwi, egypt, palestine, light horse, turner
The 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum has had three iterations: Buna Barracks Albury 1988-2000; Building 105 North Bandiana 2003-2009. The latest installation was officially opened at Simpson Barracks 8 December 2019.
Heavy card covered book with leather covering on corners and spine, being Visitors book for 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum from 1991 to 2009.
visit, museum, victorian mounted rifles
9th Australian Light Horse was raised in South Australia and western Victoria. It was part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and served on Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine.
World War One British War Medal 1914-1918 and Victory Medal awarded to Regimental No 2805 Driver J T Bowden 9th Australian Light Horse.
wwi, world war one, light horse, bowden
Framed colour portrait of Major Reg McDermott who following Would War Two service in 2/8th Infantry Battalion joined 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles and was Squadron Commander 'C' Squadron 1953-57.
world war two, wwii, mcdermott
Official AMF publication dated 1934, probably prepared for the training of officers in tactics.
Soft covered book, 250 pages and numerous maps causing it to bulge. Stapled along left edge. Is a study of the actions and movements of the British Expeditionary Forces during the first two months of the First World War.
world war one, wwi, bef, france, belgium
An official AMF publication issued to all Australian servicemen and women just prior to their deployment to South Vietnam during the war in that country. Contains information about the culture of the country, aspects of the armed forces of USA, Republic of South Vietnam and the Viet Cong and North Vietnam Army. Details of weapons likely to be encountered.
Green soft covered book titled 'Pocketbook South Vietnam', saddled stitched and stapled, 74 pages.
vietnam war, weapons, language, customs
Red covered 4-ring binder containing documents relating to Boer War soldiers from Victoria. Index sheet in attached pdf document.
boer war, maygar, hillier, ramsay, haycroft
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
