10th Light Horse Regiment (Australia)

Regiment of the Australian Army November 2019 10th Light Horse Regiment ("X LH") 10th Light Horse Regiment badge.JPG 150px 10th Light Horse Regiment cap badgehttp://www.diggerhistory.info/images/badges-regt/badge-armour-tenth-lthorse.gif https://web.archive.org/web/20060917093125/http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/badges-regt/badge-armour-tenth-lthorse.gif 10th Light Horse Regiment Badge Digger History 2 March 2010 17 September 2006 live Australia Mounted infantry Royal Australian Armoured Corps; Army Reserve 10 October 1914Western Mail 16 October 1914, p. 42 – present Armoured reconnaissance 13th Brigade One regiment Irwin Barracks Karrakatta King Charles III(Colonel-in-Chief, RAAC) Colonel-in-Chief Percute et Percute Velociter (Latin: "Strike and Strike Swiftly"). Gold and black Colours "Marching Song of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade (to the tune of Marching Through Georgia)" 100px Unit colour patch Lieutenant Colonel Noel Brazier The 10th Light Horse Regiment is a "mounted infantry" regiment of the Australian Army Reserve, raised in Western Australia (WA). While the name of the 10th Light Horse originated in the first months of World War I, the regiment traces its ceremonial lineage to mounted infantry units of the Colonial militia of Western Australia, raised during the late 19th century, such as the Western Australian Mounted Infantry. Consequently, its battle honours include: "South Africa" (Boer War) and; "Gallipoli", "Gaza-Beersheba", "Jerusalem", "Megiddo" and "Damascus" (World War I). At present, the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, the 6x6 Surveillance & Reconnaissance Vehicles – a variant of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon – and the Hawkei PMV comprise the regiment's key operational vehicles.Hastie Andrew 2021-10-09 Returning 10th Light Horse to full strength a reminder of WA's strategic importance https://www.theage.com.au/national/western-australia/returning-10th-light-horse-to-full-strength-a-reminder-of-wa-s-strategic-importance-20211009-p58ymk.html 2021-10-10 The Age en It is part of the 13th Brigade, a reserve formation encompassing most reserve personnel in WA and is based at Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta, where it consists of two squadrons. Because of its operational role, the regiment's administrative grouping is the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. History Early years In Western Australia, prior to Federation, it was the custom for the volunteer infantry at major centres to form, within themselves, small bodies of mounted infantry for the purpose of performing certain cavalry duties. By 1900, records indicate that at least four such bodies existed, these being at Perth, Guildford, Geraldton and Bunbury. These units were brought together under a single command and took the title of the Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI).18th Australian Light Horse Regiment Australian Light Horse Studies Centre http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog?topic_id=1113322 13 March 2011 During the Boer War, Western Australia despatched five contingents to South Africa bearing the name Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI), although these contingents were not part of the part-time Western Australian mounted volunteer who also bore this same name.Western Australia Mounted Infantry Australian Light Horse Studies Centre http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog?topic_id=1113502 13 March 2011 In 1903, the Commonwealth re-organised the whole framework of the Australian defence forces. Since there was no money for a standing army, the military was organised on a part-time paid militia model while its strategy bore remarkable similarity to their erstwhile enemy's military organisation. By a combination of rifle clubs, infantry regiments and mounted units, the defence of Western Australia was based on the concept of guerrilla war being waged on any potential invader. At that time, although not stated publicly, the big fear was a Japanese invasion. In line with all the changes, the West Australian mounted militia formation was called the 18th Australian Light Horse,Hall 1968 64 with the territorial title remaining as the Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI). For Western Australians in London who wanted to continue their mounted service, an exchange programme was commenced allying the WAMI with a British Territorial unit known as King Edward's Horse or The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment. From 1908, any Western Australian could serve in either regiment without any break in their service, a most important factor for officer seniority. After the Kitchener Report, the defence structure of Australia was again changed to enlarge the units through conscription. The regiment's title was changed in July 1912 to the 25th Australian Light Horse,Hall 1968 64 part of the Citizens Force, with the territorial title once again remaining as the Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI). Like all units, nearly all the former members were purged and replaced by conscripts. Unfortunately, the cost for the individual of being in the Light Horse was in excess of the sustenance allowance received and the numbers dropped alarmingly. The man whose personal energy singularly saved the WAMI from oblivion during this period was Noel Brazier, an officer from Kirup, Western Australia. http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/records/awm8/10/15/awm8-10-15-1.pdf Nominal Roll - 3rd Light Horse Brigade, 10th Light Horse Regiment 22 April 2012 1915 Australian War Museum Australian Imperial Force For his efforts he became the regiment's commanding officer on 11 May 1913. First World War For several weeks following the outbreak of World War I, "light horsemen" (mounted infantry) from the 5th Military District (WA) who had volunteered for overseas service with the Army's Australian Imperial Force (AIF), were formed into "C" Squadron of the 7th Light Horse Regiment. While the Army had planned only to raise a squadron-sized light horse unit, the numbers of volunteers grew so quickly that a decision was made to raise an entire regiment of Western Australians.10th Australian Light Horse Regiment Australian Light Horse Studies Centre http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog/1862400/10th-australian-light-horse-regiment-aif-history/ 2 March 2010 On 10 October 1914, "C" Squadron was officially re-designated the 10th Light Horse Regiment. It was the only AIF light horse unit raised in Western Australia. thumb|right|alt=Four men, two wearing pith helmets, sit in the sand, shaving. Three have soap on their faces.|Officers of the 10th Light Horse Regiment shaving prior to the Battle of Romani in July 1916. The officer on the left is Horace Robertson Training was undertaken in several locations across the state: regional troops were drilled in their home towns, and later training took place at Guildford, the Claremont Showground, and finally the entire regiment was sent by ship to Rockingham, arriving in early January 1915. The Light Horse. Encamped at Rockingham http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44754047 Western Mail 1915-01-08 2016-01-07 15 During this move the horses, being walked from Guildford by 150 members of the regiment, stampeded in the night. Several were killed and many more scattered across the sparsely populated region. News and Notes http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article156498054 The Midlands Advertiser 1915-01-08 2016-01-08 2 The regiment was sent to Egypt as part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, embarking from Fremantle on the MashobraHamilton 2015 64 in two stages, beginning 7 February 1915, With the 10th A.L.H on the Field: From W.A. to Gallipoli. Notes From An Officer's Diary. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80884520 The Daily News 16 December 1915 7 January 2016 6 arriving on 8 March 1915. alt=Portrait of light hoseman, Hugo Russell|left|thumb|Hugo Throssell (1884–1933), a Captain of the 10th and the only light horseman during the First World War to be awarded the Victoria Cross The regiment's first action of the war came during the Gallipoli campaign. Due to the terrain and the static nature of the fighting on the peninsula, it was felt that mounted units could not play a part; however, a number of light horse units were deployed in a dismounted role as infantry. The 10th Light Horse Regiment arrived at Gallipoli on 20 May 1915 and initially it was largely used in a defensive role. In August, however, the Allies attempted to break the stalemate, launching the August Offensive. The regiment's action at the Nek during this offensive was immortalised in the final scenes of the 1981 Peter Weir film Gallipoli. It was also involved in the Battle of Hill 60 later in August before being evacuated along with the rest of the Allied troops in December 1915. Reverting to its original mounted infantry role, the regiment saw service in the Middle East for the remainder of the war, taking part in numerous actions including those at Romani and Beersheba. The regiment was later given the honour of leading the Australian Mounted Division, and accepted the formal surrender of the city of Damascus on 1 October 1918. Later, while awaiting repatriation, the regiment was used to suppress a nationalist uprising in Egypt in 1919. Following its return to Australia, the 10th Light Horse Regiment was disbanded in 1919. During its service during the war, the regiment suffered 237 killed and 479 wounded. Its members received the following decorations: one Victoria Cross, one Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, three Distinguished Service Orders and one Bar, one Member of the Order of the British Empire, nine Military Crosses and one Bar, 15 Distinguished Conduct Medals and one Bar, 15 Military Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, 48 Mentions in Despatches and four foreign awards. Hugo Throssell was the regiment's sole Victoria Cross recipient. Inter war years and Second World War thumb|Trooper K. Butcher with his horse in July 1943. Butcher was the winner of the 10th Light Horse Regiment's "Best turned out light horseman" competition at the unit's annual sports day In order to perpetuate the traditions and distinctions of the Australian Imperial Force, it was decided in July 1919 that all CMF units would be re-designated with the unit numbers of the AIF.Grey 2008 125. From this date, the 25th Australian Light Horse Regiment was renamed the 10th Australia Light Horse Regiment, while retaining the territorial title Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI).Festberg 1972 45. One final recognition was given in 1923 when the regiment was finally awarded the right to carry the battle honours for the Second Boer War. Initially, these had been granted to the Western Australian infantry regiments but not to the mounted regiment. This oversight was corrected and from this time they bore these battle honours in addition to those granted to the AIF 10th light Horse Regiment. The regiment was called up for training in November 1939, spending a month camped just south of Woodman Point on the location of the abandoned Naval Base. They returned in January 1940 for three months' training, during which time they were visited by Lord Gowrie, the Governor-General. The 10th Light Horse Is It "Sydney Or the Bush!" http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58969959 Sunday Times 31 March 1940 8 January 2016 17 Lord Gowrie at Naval Base—Narembeen Hall http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46360453 The West Australian 6 March 1940 8 January 2016 16 During the Second World War, the regiment underwent several name changes in order to show its varying roles. In 1943, it was gazetted as an Australian Imperial Force unit, after the majority of its personnel volunteered to serve overseas. This did not occur, though, and instead, its main task was the defence of south-west Australia. During this period, the regiment was also partially mechanised, although it did retain horses which were used to patrol the coastline. It was the last regiment in Australia to employ horses.Bou 2010 254 It was disbanded on 14 April 1944. Post Second World War After the war, it was reformed as a single squadron in 1949, when it became fully mechanised and was renamed the 10th Western Australian Mounted Infantry,Festberg 1972 18. operating Staghound and Canadian Scout armoured cars. Expanded to a full regiment in 1952, it was again renamed as the 10th Light Horse in 1956 when it was equipped with Staghounds, Saracens and Ferrets, before being reduced to a single independent squadron again in 1976.http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6670&Tab=Uhi&Titl=10%20Light%20Horse 10 Light Horse Orders of Battle.com 25 September 2010January 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes The squadron remained independent until 2001, when it formally became a part of the Army Reserve's 13th Brigade. The regiment was until recently equipped with the M113 vehicle in the armoured reconnaissance role, and the Land Rover 6x6 LRPV and Regional Force Surveillance Vehicle, in the light cavalry/reconnaissance role. As a part of the Australian Army's Plan Beersheba, the squadron received the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle to be employed in the dual role of reconnaissance/surveillance and protected lift. Under Plan Beersheba the squadron was task with pairing with Regular and Reserve cavalry units to provide Bushmaster crews in support of the ready multi-role combat brigade.https://web.archive.org/web/20160329145657/http://www.army.gov.au/Our-future/Projects/Plan-BEERSHEBA/Reserves http://www.army.gov.au/Our-future/Projects/Plan-BEERSHEBA/Reserves Plan Beersheba: Reserves Australian Army 29 March 2016 11 May 2019 dead In October 2021, the 10th Light Horse was re-raised from a single squadron to full regimental status. This involves forming a regimental headquarters to command the existing 'A' Squadron and re-raising of 'B' Squadron. The process is expected to be completed over a two-year period, increasing the size of the unit to over 170 personnel. During this time, the regiment took delivery of its first Hawkei PMVs.15 September 2021 Iconic 10th Light Horse charging back https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-news/perthnow-stirling/iconic-10th-light-horse-charging-back-with-more-recruits-c-3909883 19 September 2021 PerthNow enSeman-Bourke Sandra Historic moment in the west https://news.defence.gov.au/capability/historic-moment-west Department of Defence en 11 October 2021 Personnel from the squadron have been deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of RAMSI, Timor Leste, and Afghanistan, where they have been deployed with Regular Army units.http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/Forces-Command/2nd-Division/13th-Brigade/10th-Light-Horse-Regiment 10th Light Horse Regiment Australian Army 21 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120227112717/http://www.army.gov.au/Who-we-are/Divisions-and-Brigades/Forces-Command/2nd-Division/13th-Brigade/10th-Light-Horse-Regiment 2012-02-27 dead Battle honours The regiment has received the following battle honours: Boer War: South Africa 1900–1902; First World War: ANZAC, Defence at ANZAC, Suvla, Sari Bair, Gallipoli 1915–1916, Romani, Magdhaba–Rafah, Egypt 1915–1917, Gaza–Beersheba, El Mughar, Nebi Samwil, Jerusalem, Jordan (Es Salt), Megiddo, Sharon, Damascus, Palestine 1917–1918.http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10567.asp 10th Light Horse Regiment Australian War Memorial 27 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100125080413/http://www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_10567.asp 25 January 2010 live Alliances – The King's Royal Hussars.Festberg 1972 46. In popular culture The 10th Light Horse Regiment is portrayed in the 1981 film Gallipoli featuring actor Mel Gibson. Notes References Bou Jean Light Horse: A History of Australia's Mounted Arm 2010 Port Melbourne, Victoria Cambridge University Press 978-0-52119-708-3 Festberg Alfred The Lineage of the Australian Army 1972 Allara Publishing Melbourne, Victoria 978-0-85887-024-6 Grey Jeffrey Jeffrey Grey A Military History of Australia 3rd Cambridge University Press Melbourne 2008 978-0-521-69791-0 The Australian Light Horse Hall Richard John W.D. Joynt 1968 59504 Blackburn Fatal Charge at Gallipoli: The Story of One of the Bravest and Most Futile Actions of the Dardanelles Campaign – The Light Horse at the Nek – August 1915 Hamilton John Frontline Books 2015 978-1-84832-902-7 England Further reading Hopkins Ronald Ronald Hopkins Australian Armour. A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972 1978 Australian Government Publishing Service 978-0-642-99414-1 Category:Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Australian Army Category:Mounted regiments of Australia Category:Military units and formations established in 1914 Category:Military Units in Western Australia