Victorian Collections logo
The Beechworth Burke Museum
From the collection of The Beechworth Burke Museum
849 Items featured online

Photograph, 1908

  • Sepia coloured photograph of a parade of light horsemen riding along a quiet street toward the viewer. The street is lined with businesses, from which a couple of people watch the parade.

    2639 (cropped)

  • Sepia coloured photograph of a parade of light horsemen riding along a quiet street toward the bottom left of the photo. The street is lined with businesses, from which a couple of people watch the parade. There is writing in red pen along the bottom border.

    2639 (obverse)

  • The cream coloured backing of the photo with blue cursive writing and a purple stamp along the top part.

    2639 (reverse)

  • Sepia coloured photograph of a parade of light horsemen riding along a quiet street toward the viewer. The street is lined with businesses, from which a couple of people watch the parade.
  • Sepia coloured photograph of a parade of light horsemen riding along a quiet street toward the bottom left of the photo. The street is lined with businesses, from which a couple of people watch the parade. There is writing in red pen along the bottom border.
  • The cream coloured backing of the photo with blue cursive writing and a purple stamp along the top part.

Historical information

Taken in 1908, the photograph depicts a long line of Australian soldiers riding atop horses. They marching down Ford St, Beechworth.

This group were part of the Beechworth Mounted Rifles; a voluntary detachment of the Australian Light Horse Militia. This unit consisted of soldiers from the Euroa, Longwood, Violet Town, Benalla, Thoona, Wangaratta, Rutherglen, and Beechworth Detachments of Victorian Rifles, and subsequently formed into the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Victorian Mounted Rifles). The Victorian Mounted Rifles was gazetted as a volunteer formation on 2 December 1885 with the aim of consolidating all the disparate calvary units dispersed across Victoria into a coordinated and single administrative and military unit.

The Victorian Mounted Rifles fought in the Second Boer War (1889 - 1902), although it is unknown if the group depicted in this image were involved in the conflict.

Significance

The photograph is historically significant due to its connection to the Australian Light Horse Regiment, specifically of the Victorian Mounted Rifles. This unit retains a special significance within Victorian culture, as there is a memorial and monument - erected in 1903 - honouring their service on St. Kilda Road in Melbourne.

The record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing scholarly and public interest in war, military history, and the ANZAC legend. The historic context of this record can provide insight into Australia's history, military and defence policies. Lastly, as the Victorian Mounted Rifles remain a largely unexplored topic in comparison to other military units and divisions, the record presents a unique opportunity for further and important study and research.

Physical description

Sepia rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper and mounted on card

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Ford Street / Beechworth / 1908 (in pen)

Reverse: (upper left corner)
UNITED SHIRE OF BEECHWORTH /
.................................. /
SHIRE SECRETARY
[stamped in purple ink]

(upper right corner)
BMM 2639
[written in pencil]
2G
[written and crossed out in blue ink]

(centre-right margin)
Beechworth Light Horse /
60 /
1908
[written in blue ink]

Subjects

References

  • THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE. A newspaper listing in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, dated Sat 29 Feb 1908. This article promotes joining the Australian Light Horse, and discusses various details, with particular reference to people, visits & parades linked to No.4 squadron. 8th regiment A.L.H., Beechworth.
  • THE AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE. A newspaper listing in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, dated Sat 29 Aug 1908. This article details travel and transport relating to the Australian Light Horse, including troops located at Beechworth.
  • EIGHTH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE. A newspaper listing in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, dated Sat 22 Feb 1908. This article notifies the Beechworth troop of upcoming events including the change of date to an upcoming parade.
TOP
Back to top