Historical information

Second Cavalry Division conducted camp of full time training at Torquay near Geelong Victoria from January to April 1940. One of the regiments attending was 8th Light Horse. This was one of the last large gathering of horsed cavalry in Victoria. The 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941,the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded.

Significance

Images of citizen soldiers from North East Victoria at beginning of world War 2.

Physical description

Collection of six black and white photographs of 8th Light Horse in camp near Geelong, January to April 1940.Shows mounted horsemen,tents and horse lines.