Light Horse
 

A question for slick mick,or anyone who can supply the answer.
The Australian Light Horse Regiments seem to have a individual shoulder patch,not divisional but for the Regiment, did they also have a individual shoulder title & if so why the two. Ray

Hi Ray,

During World War 1, all the AIF Light Horse Regiments had regimental colour patches and this tradition as such continued with the post WW1 Light Horse militia units (and with all the other militia battalions/regiments/corps).

During WW1, they would have only worn a metal curved AUSTRALIA title on their tunics.

It was really only after WW2 that the modern RAAC and the rest of the army wore cloth battledress shoulder flashes.

I don't believe at any time did the Light Horse wear a cloth title + a colour patch on their uniforms at the same time.

Mick

Ray,
Between the wars the Australian LH regts (in fact all regiments, horse and foot) wore the cloth colour patch as a kind of commemoration of the WW1 AIF as well as a recognition sign; the idea was that the militia regts were granted the privilege of carrying on the regimental (or battalion) numbers, battle honours, etc, of the WW1 units. Therefore they didn't need a metal title as well. However, Corps units like the AASC and RAA also wore a metal shoulder title in addition to a colour patch.

Thanks fellows, that makes a lot more sence, It made good identification with the metal Australia title, Yes that makes things a lot clearer. Ray