Rediscovering the 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment Guidon
AIF Historical Troop MenangleBeersheba Breakfast Talk, 28thOctober 2016 by LW Carter AFSM (Rtd), 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Menangle Historical Troop.
The 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF Historical Troop Menangle was established December 2014 on behalf of Camden RSL Sub-Branch, and subsequently permitted to photograph, replicate, and display the regiment colours and Battle Honours Guidon, by the Regiments Colour Party, both mounted and unmounted.
The original Guidon was developed by royal decree and hand woven 94 years ago. The Guidon presented here is a computer digitised exact replica of the original. Its resting place has remained a mystery for the past 58 years.
10 years ago, I started investigating the whereabouts of the Guidon. Two years ago, by chance, I read an article about Light Horse parade activity in Goulburn in the mid-1950s. I got in touch with the Goulburn City chief librarian and the Goulburn Anglican Diocese historian, who sent me a copy of a press cutting from the Goulburn Evening Post dated October 7th 1958.
Finally, I visited St Saviours Anglican Cathedral in Goulburn where I saw the Guidon hanging on its original staff, at the entrance to the Soldiers Memorial Chapel. The Guidon is still in excellent condition, having hung there since 5th October 1958.
Following the ceasing of WW1 hostilities, the Australian Army Mounted Divisions were disbanded or re-organised, with Goulburn as headquarters for all NSW activities. The original Guidon was consecrated to the 7th Light Horse Regiment 1928, in a Brigade Camp at Liverpool by the retired Desert Column Commander, Sir Harry Chauvel. It is now assumed that “Sir Harry retained the Guidon after that parade”.
Consequently, no one was aware of the Guidon’s location until after the death of Sir Harry Chauvel on 4th March 1945. Some 10 years later, the Chauvel family contacted the regiment, wishing to return the Guidon to the 7th Light Horse Regiment.
The press cutting I have reads: THE DEAN OF GOULBURN, Very Revd Arnold King in a sermon at the Sunday Morning Service in St Saviours Anglican Cathedral said “The Regiment Had Won its Spurs with great renown… During the battle of Beersheba and the pursuit which followed, the 7th Light Horse Regiment sustained the fine traditions it had already established for dash and gallantry.”
In what has been a long and interesting journey, I wish to thank photographer Brett Atkins, together with the very Revd Phillip Saunders Dean of Canberra and Goulburn.
Also to Troop Sgt Rob Lowe’s daughter, Jessica, a graphic artist in London who supplied the artwork. My service friend in Alberta Canada supplied the braided tassels and King Edward crown finial. Mrs Chris Boardman of Camden Country Quilters Guild, shaped the silk brocade, edged the material with gold braid, stitched on the location of conflict badges and regiment emblem and embroidered the VII on the top mast head point, signifying King Edward the 7th.
Leonard Carter. AFSM EFO (Rtd) President 7th Light Horse Regiment AIF Menangle Historical Troop, NSW. (Camden RSL Sub-Branch: Service Member 242899).
