12th/16th Hunter River Lancers
12th/16th Hunter River Lancers | |
---|---|
Active | 1948–present |
Country | Australia |
Branch | Army Reserve |
Type | Cavalry |
Role | Provide cavalry scouts and PMV drivers as roundouts and reinforcements in support of ADF operations. |
Size | One regiment |
Part of | 11th Brigade |
Garrison/HQ | Tamworth, New South Wales |
Motto(s) | Virtutis Fortuna Comes (Fortune is the Companion of Valour) |
Colours | Black on blue |
March | Quick – Our Director |
Insignia | |
Unit colour patch | |
Abbreviation | 12/16 HRL |
The 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers is an
History
Before World War I
The origins of the Hunter River Lancers can be traced back to 1885 when cavalry enthusiasts in Sydney first obtained permission to form a Cavalry troop. Interest soon stirred and shortly thereafter troops were formed in many country areas, one of which was in the Hunter River area. All these Cavalry troops were to some extent independent and were known as the 'Cavalry Reserves'. In 1889 these troops were welded into a Regiment called, 'New South Wales Cavalry Regiment', which was subsequently renamed the 'New South Wales Lancers' in 1894.[citation needed] In June 1897, a volunteer cavalry regiment of bushmen was raised and designated the 'Australian Horse'.[1] Some of the sub units from this regiment were the forerunners of the New England Light Horse (NELH). In 1900, E Squadron was raised from Gunnedah, Boggabri, Tamworth and Armidale and rapidly mobilised a detachment to serve in the South African War.[citation needed]
After Federation in January 1901, the colonial military forces were reorganised. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Australian Light Horse Regiments were formed in New South Wales at this time. In 1907, the 1st Australian Light Horse was split to form two regiments: the 1st and 4th, with the 4th assuming the designation of the Hunter River Lancers, while the 2nd Australian Light Horse was split to form the 2nd and 5th New South Wales Mounted Rifles, and the 3rd Australian Light Horse was split to form the 3rd and 6th Australian Horse. In 1912, the 6th Australian Horse became the 5th Light Horse (New England Light Horse), while the 4th Hunter River Lancers became 6th Light Horse (Hunter River Lancers).[1] Each regiment received their own badges and mottoes and remained on the order of battle until 1918.[citation needed]
World War I
At the outbreak of World War I, new light horse regiments were formed as part of the Australian Imperial Force. Distinct from the Australian Military Forces regiments, they were raised specifically for overseas service. The 5th and 6th Regiments virtually ceased to exist as most of their available manpower joined the AIF.[citation needed]
The
Interwar and World War II
After the war, the designation of the pre-war regiments was altered to maintain the traditions and battle honours of the AIF Light Horse regiments.[3] In 1918, the 5th Light Horse Regiment became the 12th Light Horse Regiment (New England Light Horse),[1] and in 1927 was awarded the battle honours won by the 12th Light Horse Regiment (AIF).[4] The 6th ALH (HRL) became the 16th Light Horse Regiment (Hunter River Lancers),[1] and was awarded battle honours for the Middle East campaign,[5] despite never having seen overseas service. This was because many of the members of the regiment had seen active service with other regiments.[citation needed]
In 1936, the 12th Light Horse regiment was designated the 12th/24th Light Horse Regiment and then in early 1939 the regiment was split to form the 12th Light Horse Regiment (New England Light Horse) and the 24th Light Horse Regiment (Gwydir Light Horse).[1] The Gwydir Regiment had its headquarters at Moree.[citation needed]
With the outbreak of World War II, the 12th and the 16th were called up for one month's training and raised to their war establishment. In early 1940 both regiments attended a three-month training activity. Towards the end of 1941 the 12th and the 16th were placed on full-time duty with new designations – the 12th Light Horse Regiment (NELH), was now the 12th Motor Regiment (NELH) (effective 14 March 1942) and the 16th was renamed the 16th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment (HRL) (effective December 1941).[1][6] In 1942, the 12th Motor Regiment was re-designated as the 12th Australian Armoured Car Regiment (NELH). At the same time 16th Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment was re-designated the 16th Motor Regiment (HRL).[1]
By 1942, the threat of Japanese invasion had passed and with island warfare not generally suited to armour, it was apparent three Australian armoured divisions, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, would be disbanded. As a result, on 3 July 1943 the 16th Motor Regiment (HRL) was disbanded and the 12th Australian Armoured Car Regiment (NELH) followed on 19 October 1943,[1] with the last men being marched out in March 1944. However, most of their soldiers from the 12th and 16th were posted to active service in other armoured, anti-tank, field artillery, infantry and service units of the Second Australian Imperial Force.[citation needed]
Postwar to current
In 1948, the 12th/16th Armoured Regiment (Hunter River Lancers) was raised as part of the new Citizen Military Force (CMF), which replaced the pre-war militia, and it was equipped with
The regiment was retitled 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers on 31 July 1949,
By 1970, the regiment was operating
Since 2000 many members of the regiment have been attached to regular
Current organisation
The Regiment is currently organised as follows:[10]
- Regimental Headquarters – Tamworth, NSW
- 'A' Squadron – Armidale, Muswellbrook, Tamworth, NSW
- 'B' Squadron – Caboolture, QLD.
Alliances
- United Kingdom – The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
- United Kingdom – The Queen's Royal Lancers - this alliance ceased sometime after 2015 (official date unknown) when the Queens Royal Lancers were amalgamated with the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) on 2 May 2015 to form the Royal Lancers.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hall 1968, p. 60.
- ^ a b c "12th Light Horse Regiment". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
- ^ Grey 2008, p. 125.
- ^ Festberg 1972, p. 47.
- ^ Festberg 1972, pp. 49–50.
- ^ Festberg 1972, pp. 47 & 49.
- ^ Hopkins 1978, p. 340.
- ^ Hopkins 1978, pp. 180 & 183.
- ^ a b Hopkins 1978, p. 341.
- ^ a b "12th/16th Hunter River Lancers". Australian-armour.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
References
- Festberg, Alfred (1972). The Lineage of the Australian Army. Melbourne, Victoria: Allara Publishing. ISBN 978-0-85887-024-6.
- ISBN 978-0-521-69791-0.
- Hall, Richard John (1968). The Australian Light Horse. Blackburn, Victoria: W.D. Joynt & Co. OCLC 59504.
- Hopkins, Ronald (1978). Australian Armour: A History of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps 1927–1972. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service. ISBN 978-0-642-99414-1.
External links
- "12th/16th Hunter River Lancers". Australian Army website. Archived from the original on 6 August 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2008.
- The Australian Light Horse Association. "History of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers". The Australian Light Horse Association website. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2008.