This photograph shows members of the Tasmanian Lighthorse, C Squadron, 3rd Australian Lighthorse. The Lighthorse regiments were gradually absorbed into mechanized units by the time of WW2, but they took part in some significant battles in the Middle East during WW1. The most significant of these was the charge on the Ottoman HQ in Beersheba on October 31, 1917. This victory enabled them to move on into Damascus. Two significant films have been made of this event. Charles Chauvel’s “40,000 Horsemen” (1940) and “The Lighthorsemen” (1987).
The Tasmanian Lighthorse Historical Troop is fittingly made up of volunteers, many with military backgrounds. It is fitting because the original Lighthorse regiments were made up of volunteers. Most of them were rural men: farmers, drovers, and cattlemen who knew how to handle a horse. Once they joined up they were given extensive training in cavalry techniques. Many of them already knew how to use firearms.
Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. For the first time since it was first gazetted as a National Day of Remembrance, members of the public will not be able to attend the Dawn Service or take part in the commemorative marches. We all know why.
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