The Headquarters of the 3rd/9th Light Horse (The South Australian Mounted Rifles) is located in the Elizabeth Training depot on Broadmeadows Road Smithfield South Australia. The unit is a member of the 9th Brigade is listed the current Order of Battle (ORBAT) as an Independent Light Cavalry Squadron.

In this document my aim is to provide the following:

a. a brief history of the Regiment
b. a brief history of the Guidons
c. a brief history of the Gallipoli Campaign and the Battle of Gaza – Beersheba.
d. outline the post WW2 – CMF/ARes era, &
e. state the Regiments position regarding Harry Morant ‘The Breaker’

History of the Regiment

The 3rd/9th Light Horse (South Australia Mounted Rifles) carries the traditions of cavalry and the armoured corps, the Regiment bears the oldest military title in South Australia. Its history dates from 1840 with the formation of the South Australian Volunteer Cavalry by proclamation of the Governor, Lieutenant Colonel George Gawler.

Volunteer cavalry served throughout the colonial era and provided the basis of the five (5) mounted contingents of South Australian Mounted Rifles (SAMR) that served in South Africa during the Boer War of 1899 – 1902. The Torrens Parade Ground is a significant site for the Regiment because it was from there that the contingents of SAMR departed for the South African (Boer) War.

At the commencement of World War One the Light Horse units were raised with 3rd and 9th Light Horse Regiments being formed largely from volunteers throughout rural South Australia. Both units served with distinction at Gallipoli and in Palestine, including actions to support the last great cavalry charge in history at the Battle of Beersheba on 31st October 1917.

In WW2 the unit became the 2nd/9th Australian Armoured Regiment and served with distinction in the SW Pacific Area.

Following WWII, the Regiment has been known by several titles including:

a. the 3rd Recce Regt
b. the 3rd/9th SAMR &
c. the 3rd/9th LH (SAMR)

It has been employed in a variety of armoured related roles including:

a. Reconnaissance Regiment
b. Tank Regiment
c. Anti-tank Regiment &
d. Cavalry Regiment

In 1975 the Regiment was reorganised and reduced to an Independent Squadron with roles including:

a. Cavalry Squadron
b. APC Squadron, &
c. Light Cavalry Squadron
The Guidons (Colours)
A moth-eaten rag, on a worm-eaten pole,
It does not look likely to stir a man's sole,
'Tis the deeds that were done 'neath the moth-eaten rag,
When the pole was a staff, and the rag was a flag.
Sir Edward Hamley on seeing some old Colours of the 32nd Foot in Monmouth Church

The word ‘Guidon’ derives from the Italian guidone meaning 'guide' or 'marker' and/or the Middle French corruption guyd-hommes; hence it is the focus for soldiers in battle. There developed for this precious symbol of unity a reverence for its own sake, endorsed by the religious practice of blessing a banner before it was carried into battle. That the Roman legions fought fiercely to protect their eagle standards and suffered disgrace for their loss illustrates just how highly prized such things became. For a very long time, soldiers have given high regard to these talismans of corporate identity, and so it is today.

Today, Regimental Guidons are the visible memorials to great deeds of a regiment, and symbols of its spirit as expressed in those deeds. Guidons are no longer carried on active service, as their battlefield function has long since disappeared; but when they were, they became the rallying point of a regiment and acts of heroic self-sacrifice were often performed in their defence.

The South African (Boer) War 1899 -1902

Australians served mostly in mounted units formed in each colony, often known as mounted rifles, bushmen, or imperial bushmen. They fought in both the British counter-offensive of 1900 which resulted in the capture of the Boer capitals, and in the long, weary guerrilla phases of the war lasting until 1902. Colonial troops were valued for their ability to "shoot and ride", and they performed well in the open war on the veldt. Australians at home initially supported the war but became disenchanted as the conflict dragged on; especially as the effects on Boer civilians became known.Among the men from the 2nd South Australian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent, who fought in the Boer War was Trooper Harry "The Breaker" Morant.

The Gallipoli Campaign 1915

Ninety three (93) years ago the Australian Light Horse (ALH) arrived as reinforcements on those ‘fatal shores’ at ANZAC Cove. They went seeking adventure. Those who survived left seven (7) months later as hardened veterans.

The Enemy, ‘Johnnie Turk’ were well led and they were good soldiers. Crack shots, their fire was indiscriminate, Trooper and CO alike fell to their marksmen.

The LH were last in and last out, They too were well led, loyal and courageous but it was the great Australian characteristic of mateship that would bind them and in the end help them prevail over extreme hardship.

In the ‘Great August Offensive’ epitomised in the film ‘Gallipoli’, the LH were almost annihilated, they had to fight on battlefields the size of tennis courts. In seven (7) grueling months their ranks had been decimated, they were reinforced again and again yet they fought on.

Finally reason had prevailed and the withdrawal has gone down in history as one of the Army’s greatest achievements but at what expense. Some say that Gallipoli was the cradle of our nationhood; others say that it was bloody murder.

What ever your belief, the truth is that the 3rd and the 9th ALH Regiments from South Australia played their part in the making of the ANZAC LEGEND.

The Palestine Campaign 1916 – 1918


Re-united with their horses the ALH were to serve with distinction in the Palestine Campaign, including the ‘Battle of Gaza-Beersheba’, where they rode for victory and they rode into the history of Australia with the capture of the ancient ‘Wells of Beersheba’.

The Battle of Gaza – Beersheba: 31 Oct 1917

The Desert Mounted Corps (DMC) comprising the Australian Mounted Division & the ANZAC Mounted Division was commanded by LTGEN Sir Harry Chauvel.

The importance of Beersheba was its water and its access to the Hebron Rd or the road to Jerusalem and beyond (Damascus).

Chauvel’s plans were to conduct a night ride from wells forty two (42) km to the south west at Khalasa and Asluj to Beersheba.

Conduct a preliminary operation supported by the Somerset Bty Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) to capture Tel el Sabah, a 100 metre high salient five (5) km to the east of Beersheba.

Following the prelim op the 3 ALH supported by the NZMR Brigade were to capture Beersheba.

The 8 ALH, 9ALH & 10 ALH were to secure the Hebron Road at Sakaty five (5) km to the North East of the town and act as a cut off force.

The 4 & 12ALH including the Royal Yeomanry were the Reserve.

Following the substantial reinforcement by the enemy of Tel el Sabah, Chauvel committed extra resources in support of 3 ALH including the NZMR Brigade and 9 ALH.

Of significance, this event was to be the first and only time that the South Australian Regiments the 3 ALH and the 9 ALH were to support each other in the entire campaign. MAJ T J Daly (9ALH) was award the DSO for his conduct in the battle.

3 ALH had failed to take the Tel in time, conscious of his orders Chauvel decided to commit his reserve. With the day on the wain the 4 & 12 ALH
charged with bayonets hand and took the town at night fall.

The liberation of Palestine had begun. Almost 12 months later on 2 Oct 1918 during the ‘Great Ride to Damascus’, 9ALH under Daly charged a Turkish force captured their General, 1500 all ranks, several field guns, other weapons and the Standard of the 46th Turkish Regiment.

The Final Campaign 1945

Sixty three (63) years ago the 2nd/9th Australian Armoured Regt (AAR) formed in 1942 out of the remnants of the 9th LH were to distinguish themselves in the final campaign of WW2. Mounted in Matilda Tanks they were to, serve on Tarakan, Labuan and in Brunei Bay. They were also well led, they were loyal and courageous and the great Australian characteristic of mateship bound them and in the end helped them prevail over a tenacious enemy.

It is loyalty, courage and mateship that binds the Regiment to this day. Loyalty, courage and mateship will continue to bind it into the future.

Post WW2 – The ARA & CMF – 1948 to the Present

The CMF was raised in 1948. It claimed the lineage of the militia and the battle honours of the AIF, Australia’s temporary army of the two world wars.
Following the abolition of National Service in 1972 and in an age of full employment and exciting, affordable leisure, the CMF had struggled to find and keep recruits.

In May 1973 Dr T.B. Millar was appointed to head a committee to inquire into the future of the CMF. The Millar Report was the most comprehensive review of Australian Defence Force Reserves since at least World War II. Some of its principal conclusions and recommendations included:

a. A Reserve force was an essential component of the defence of Australia;
b. The CMF should be renamed the Army Reserve;
c. Australia should have one Army (i.e. total force) with two complementary elements, the Regular Army and the Army Reserve;
d. The Army Reserve should be developed to provide an effective operational force for the defence of Australia.
h. Steps taken to improve training, structures, recruitment and administrative procedures
Reservists continue to play a fundamental part in all activities and operations conducted by Army as evidenced in their participation in overseas deployments and internal exercises and activities.

Breaker Morant

The man known as Breaker Morant was the disgraced bastard son of a British aristocrat, a legend in his own Australian lifetime for his prowess with wild bush horses and other daring-do, the argument surrounding him goes on.

Should he be lauded as a hero and scapegoat, be recognized as a scoundrel and war criminal? Should or should not, his name be added to the others on the impressive Boer War monument that stands at the entrance to Adelaide’s bustling cultural boulevard, North Terrace?

Morant did not fall to enemy fire. Rather he died at the hands of his own side: in front of a military firing squad following courts martial for charges in today’s parlance of war crimes.

We should see Morant and his actions for what they were, murder.

When summarily dealt with, Morant was a British-born national serving in a British unit, not an Australian or serving in an Australian unit. He had taken his discharge in Africa from the SAMR and enlisted in the British unit the Bushveldt Carbineers (BVC). He had become a tragic but shameful scapegoat to his own poetic, cavalier, conflicting debt ridden character.

‘The bravest, bad bastard that ever lived,’ said one Adelaide contemporary of Morant.

‘Jolly, immensely popular, n’er do well and wild,’ said no less than the South Australian governor’s wife, Lady Tennyson.

‘Gambled all his life, till the cards finally ran out,’ said Banjo Paterson, another Morant acquaintance.

‘Drunkenness and disgrace,’ concluded Victor Newland, Boer War correspondent for Adelaide’s Register who had also known Morant in South Australia.

‘Poor Breaker. On principle never paying a debt. Yet would give a friend his only shirt. Gentleman, cadger, beast and brave man.’

This Regiments position with regard to Morant is this; he had taken his discharge from the SAMR. Once he had joined the British unit the Bushveldt Carbineers, he had relinquished or severed is Australian connections. As a foreigner his name has no place on the South Australian Boer War memorial because it commemorates the fallen of the SAMR.

In conclusion I trust that I have provided you with a brief but interesting history of the 3/9 LH (SAMR) South Australia’s great and historic Cavalry Regiment.

M R Burzacott RFD
Hon Col
3/9 LHR (SAMR)

(Courtesy- South Australian Mounted Rifles Association)

 

This site was last updated 15/03/09.