23rd Light Horse Regiment

23rd Light Horse Regiment
23rd Light Horse Regiment hat badge
Active 1912–1942
Country Australia
Branch Australian Light Horse
Type Mounted
Role Cavalry
Size Regiment
Part of 6th Cavalry Brigade
Garrison/HQ Barossa Valley
Motto(s) 'Swift and Sure'
Battle honours ANZAC, GALLIPOLI 1915, EGYPT 1915–1917 SINAI 1917–1918
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch

The 23rd Light Horse Regiment (Barossa) was a Citizens Military Force (CMF) unit of the Australian Light Horse, formed during the 1912 reorganisation of the Australian Army. The regiment traces its origins back to the militia cavalry units raised in the colony of South Australia, specifically the South Australian Mounted Rifles.

History

The 23rd Light Horse was formed in the 1912 reorganisation of the Australian Light Horse from elements of the 16th Australian Light Horse (South Australian Mounted Rifles) and the 17th Australian Light Horse (South Australian Mounted Rifles). It drew upon Number 1 Squadron of the 16th and the Headquarters and machine gun section of the 17th. In 1913 it adopted the territorial title of 23rd (Barossa) Light Horse in recognition of its catchment area north of Adelaide.[1] During the First World War militia units were precluded from serving oversees, as a result of the Defence Act 1903, however members of the 23rd volunteered for service with the Australian Imperial Force. In recognition of this service, the 23rd Light Horse was later awarded battle honours for ANZAC, Gallipoli, Egypt and the Sinai.[2]

Following the war the Australian Light Horse was again reorganised in 1921 and the 23rd formed part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade of the 2nd Cavalry Division. This brigade also contained the 3rd and 9th Light Horse Regiments as well as supporting troops. During the 1920s the Australian Light Horse converted from their pre-war mounted rifles role to that of cavalry modelled along British Army lines.[3]

Due to the financial pressures that the Australian military was under, a number of light horse units were amalgamated in the late 1920s. The 18th and 23rd regiments were linked to form the 18th/23rd Light Horse Regiment in 1929. In 1936 the 18th and 23rd were unlinked, however the 23rd was linked with the 9th regiment to form the 9th/23rd Light Horse Regiment.[2]

When the Second World War broke out the CMF was mobilised for continuous training and home defence. During the early period of the war the unit conducted training with its parent division and many members volunteered to join the 2nd Australian Imperial Force. The 23rd was unlinked from the 9th on 1 December 1941. As part of the wider mechanisation of the Australian Light Horse, the unit was converted to a motorised reconnaissance role and was retitled the 23rd Reconnaissance Company (Barossa Light Horse) at this time.[2] In this role it was to serve as the brigade reconnaissance company for the 6th Armoured Brigade.[4]

The 23rd Reconnaissance Company was disbanded on 8 May 1942 without serving overseas.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Peacock, R.K (1936). The Evolution of the Australian Light Horse 1841–1935. University of NSW, ADFA Library: Unpublished Manuscript. p. 24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Festberg, A.N (1972). The Lineage of the Australian Army. Melbourne: Allara Publishing. pp. 54–55.
  3. ↑ Bou, Jean (2010). Light Horse: A History of Australia's Mounted Arm. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. pp. 228–230. ISBN 0521197082.
  4. ↑ Hopkins, R.N.L (July 1971). "The 6th Armoured Brigade". Sabretache: 7–9.
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