The Lighthorseman The Horses South Australian Mounted Lieutenant Colonel (acting)Carew Reynell A tribute written by English Cavalryman, LtCol RM P Preston , DSO, November 16th 1917; Rifles Association Inc The 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment came to Gal- “the majority of the horses in the Corps were , and lipoli in May 1915 and within three months had been there is no doubt that these hardy Australian horses make Representing reduced to 181 men. Many had been lost to enemy fire the finest mounts in the World. and even more to sickness and general debility. Their The Royal Australian They (the Australians) have got types of compact, well- commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Carew Reynell, built, saddle and harness horses that no other part of the Armoured Corps commented - “we are all ill to breaking point” World can show. Rather on the light side according to our Association in SA ideas, but hard as nails and with beautiful clean legs and Before the ‘August Offensive’ he wrote: feet. and incorporating Their records in this war place them above the Cavalry “ The 2nd/9th Australian I feel I ought to be writing home sort of good bye letters in case horse of any other nation. of a wash out … I think I have arranged for every contingency as The Australians themselves can never understand our par- Armoured Regimental far as this Regiment is concerned and hope we shall give a good tiality for the half-bred weight-carrying Hunter, which to Group Association account of ourselves, and in case of accidents – goodbye and may them looks like a cart horse. Their contention has always it be some consolation to you to realise that I have been some use been that good blood will carry more weight than big bone, and here, and Dickaboo [his son Richard] must grow up quick and be and the experience of this war has converted the writer, ”. 9th Light Horse Old a comfort to his mother and grandfather for one, entirely to their point of view. It must be remem- bered that the Australian countrymen are bigger, heavier Comrades Association On the night of 27 August 1915, twenty-eight year old men than their English brothers. It is probable that they Lieutenant Colonel Reynell was killed leading a at averaged not far off 12 stone stripped. To this weight must Hill 60. be added another 9½ stone for saddle, ammunition, sword, Lieutenant General William Birdwood, commander of rifle, clothes and accoutrements, so that each horse carried Welcome’s you to today’s the Anzac Corps, wrote to Major Reynell’s father in law, a weight of 21 stone, all day for every day for 17 days, on Douglas Byard, two days after the major’s death: less than half the normal ration of forage and with only one drink every 36 hours! “ He turned out, as you told me he would, a first class soldier… The weight carrying English hunter had to be nursed back Australian Reynell commanded his regiment with the greatest dash, and at to fitness after these operations and for a long period, once charged straight for the Turkish trenches into which he led whilst the little Australian horses without any special care, his men. As he was not quite satisfied with the trench they had other than good food and plenty of water were soon fit to Light Horse taken he very rightly decided to gain possession of some further go through another campaign as arduous as the last one!” part of the enemy’s position. He shouted to his men to follow him, which they at once did, and again charged across the parapets at Remembrance a further point. You will realise how deeply I grieve as in fact we all do”. SAMRA wishes to acknowledge the support of the following organizations Service Lieutenant Colonel Reynell’s son, Flight Lieutenant Rich- ard (‘Dickaboo’) Reynell, met his death in 1940 at the age of 28 years as a test pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He is buried in Brookwood Military Ceme- ANZAC DAY SA Police 3rd/9th Light Horse Barossa Light 10th/27th Royal tery, Surrey, England. (SAMRA) Horse Historical South Australia Association Regiment 25th of April 2015 Tribute to the men of the War Horse Tribute Australian Light Horse All Present to face the Horse Trough Please stand as the Catafalque Party mounts and the • Department of Veterans’ Affairs T r i bu t e to t h e H o r s e s : Barossa Light Horse Historical Association takes post. (represented by Mrs Alison Mertens) Mr Michael Scott - Equestrian SA

• Other associations and members O d e to t h e F a l l e n H o r s e s : I n t ro d u c t i o n : LtCol Reg Williams RFD (Retd) - President SAMRA LtCol Reg Williams RFD (Retd) - President SAMRA of the public They went with songs to the battle, they were young. A d d r e s s o f R e m e m b r a n c e : O d e to t h e F a l l e n : Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. Brigadier Ellis Wayland AM RFD ED (Retd) Major Roger Burzacott RFD (Retd) They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. They fell with their faces to the foe. P r ay e r o f R e m e m b r a n c e : They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. A l l : Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning At the going down of the sun and in the morning. Today we remember with thanksgiving those who we will remember them. We will remember them. made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not P l ac i n g o f W r e at h s o r ot h e r T r i bu t e s : A l l : We will remember them. have been in vain. • SAMRA Today we dedicate ourselves to the cause of • 3rd/9th Light Horse (SAMR) justice, freedom and peace, and for the wisdom Major Roger Burzacott RFD (Retd): Lest we forget. and strength to build a better world. • Barossa Light Horse Historical Association A l l : Lest we forget. • Equestrian Federation of Australia (SA) P l ac i n g o f W r e at h s o r ot h e r T r i bu t e s : • Other associations and members of the public • Hon Col 3th/9th Light Horse (SAMR) L a s t P o s t : (Col Chris Burns CSC) Musician - Josh Koop Tribute to Royal Australian • OC 3th/9th Light Horse (SAMR) Those in uniform to salute. Armoured Corps Members (Maj Michael Harris) All Present to face the RAAC Granite Monument. • The Lord Mayor of One minute silence Those in uniform to salute (Mr Martin Haese) A d d r e s s o f R e m e m b r a n c e : • The Federal Member for Adelaide R o u s e : Mr Ron Teusner

(representative for Ms Kate Ellis MHR) Musician - Josh Koop P l ac i n g o f W r e at h s o r ot h e r T r i bu t e s : • The State Member for Adelaide No compliments paid Please stand for the National Anthem (Ms Rachel Sanderson MP) Performed by Olivia Robinson • The RSL-SA State Branch Please remain standing as the Catafalque Party (represented by Mr Graham Nybo OAM) dismounts and the Barossa Light Horse retire.