Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Black and White Photograph of Two Unidentified Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron Troopers

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1916 - 1918

Overview

A small black and white photograph of two (2) Light Horsemen kneeling in front of a group of horses. The two men are wearing shirts with the sleeves rolled up and bandoliers over the left shoulder. They are both carrying a canvas bag at the right hip and a water canteen at the left. In addition, they each wear a sun helmet. The horses behind them are all tethered together, carrying saddles and packs. Some are wearing eye shades. The photograph has a small border and is in good condition back and front. There is a small number 2 written on the reverse top corner.

Historical information

The image shows the Horse lines of the 10th Light Horse Machine Gun Section. Everything the Light Horse trooper needed for living and fighting had to be carried by him and his horse. His extra clothing, food and personal possessions were in a canvas haversack carried over the shoulder. Across the other shoulder hung a one-litre water bottle. As well as the 90 rounds of ammunition in his bandolier, he carried ten rounds in the .303 (“three-oh-three”) rifle slung over his shoulder and another 50 rounds in pouches on his belt, which also supported the bayonet and scabbard. The horse was carefully fitted with the special military saddle, designed to carry a remarkable array of equipment with the least possible discomfort. Across the front was strapped a rolled greatcoat and waterproof ground sheet. Mess tin, canvas water bucket and nosebag with a day’s grain ration, were slung at the back of the saddle. The man’s blanket was sometimes carried in a roll or spread under the saddle on top of the saddle blanket or “rug”.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.48

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Photo Paper

Width

87 mm

Height or length

61 mm

Inscriptions and markings

“2” written on back in pencil.

Contextual information

Walers were the type of horse used by light horsemen in the campaign in the Middle East during the First World War. The light horse fought dismounted, with rifles and bayonets, however, sometimes they charged on horseback, notably at Magdhaba and Beersheba. The smallest unit of a light horse regiment was the four-man section: one holding the horses while the other three fought. The horses were called Walers because, although they came from all parts of Australia. They were sturdy, hardy horses, able to travel long distances in hot weather with little water.
Horses usually need to drink about 30 litres of water a day. However, during the campaign they often went for up to 60 hours without water, while carrying a load of almost 130 kilograms, comprising rider, saddle, equipment, food, and water.

Keywords

First World War

10th Light Horse Regiment

Australian Imperial Force

Place made

Egypt

Year

1916 - 1918

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity