Lancers

Here commemorate the service of some ordinary, and in some cases extraordinary contribution of these citizen soldiers to the security of their nation. The soldiers featured are to a degree random. The primary criteria for inclusion being that the webmaster was presented with or ran across details of the soldiers' service. Details of those who commanded the Regiment can be found in the COMMANDERS section.

On Formation

Trooper (later General) Sir Harry Chauvel GCMG, KCB; Sir Harry joined the Regiment in 1885 when his father formed the Upper Clarence River Light Horse. He did not stay long, moving to Queensland, then seeking a career in the permanent forces. He fought with distinction in the Second Anglo-Boer War, then commanded the 1LH Bde at Gallipoli, being one of the two architects of the defence of Monash Valley. When the Light Horse were deployed in Palestine, he was made the Boss, Commander of the Desert Mounted Corps containing the Australian Light Horse (less 13 and part of the 4 LH), the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, British Yeomanry, the Imperial Camel Corps and others. The first Australian soldier to command a corps. In this piece he tells his own story of the conflict in Palestine 1916-1918.

Major Alister Bowman; commanded the Singleton Troop during the time of the Boer War.

Boer War

Captain (later Major General) Charles Cox CB, CMG, DSO, VD; initial commander of Lancer Squadron in South Africa, later commander of 1 LH Bde at Gallipoli and Palestine (1915-1918) then Honorary Colonel (1928-1945).

Trooper Milverton Ford tells his own story of his escapefrom the Waretval Prison Camp with fellow Lancer Trooper George Whittington.

Corporal Ben Harkus; a talented soldier with a sad story. Buried in a unmarked plot in South Africa, he left a wife and child.

Corporal Fred Kilpatrick; the first Lancer to die in battle.

Trooper Tom Morris; the first Australian nominated for the Victoria Cross.

Staff Sergeant Major (Later Lieutenant) Henry Robson. Was part of the 1993 UK Tournament Contingent, Senior NCO of Lancer Squadron in the Boer War. Killed in Action with 6LH at Gallipoli 1915

Trooper (later Warrant Officer Class 1) Ash Whitney; a trooper in the Boer War who ultimately became RSM of the Regiment and Senior Warrant Officer of the Army.

The First World War

Trooper (later Bombardier) Stanley Chippindale. A young shop assistant from Parramatta who trained as a signalman with the Regiment prior to World War 1. When war came, he went to Egypt as a Lighthorseman. There he transferred to the Artillery, sent to France, he was awarded the DCM and wounded on the first day of the Fromelles battle. In England convalescing, he died of pneumonia.

Captain Wallace Cox. Fighting Charlie Cox's young brother, wounded at the Bloody Angle 7 August 2015, died a day later and buried at sea.

Trooper John Gorrell. The story John Gorrell and his time with the Regiment in Palestine 1916 -: 1918.

Sergeant James Green. James served as a medical orderly in the Boer War, as a Lancer between the wars, then joined the 1^st Light Horse AIF in 1914. He was in B Squadron on 7 August 2015 when they attacked the Chesssboard at Gallipoli. James was one of the 86 killed on that, the Regiment's darkest day.

Second World War

Trooper Douglas Beardmore; The last combat crewman of the Museum's fully restored tank "ACE".

Lance Corporal Stanley Butler; This tells of Stan's life and his involvement in the Huon Peninsula campaign (New Guinea).

Lieutenant Allen Chanter; joined the Army in 1940. In 1943 he was transferred to the Regiment serving in C Squadron in New Guinea and Borneo rising to the rank of sergeant. After the war he re-joined the Regiment and was commissioned. The narrative tells of a full life, many families and many professions 'till he passed away in 2021.

Lieutenant David Craven; too young to go to North Africa with the 2/2MG Bn, David saw service in New Guinea, then after the war held the Lancers' Association together for forty years as secretary.

Trooper Philip Edwards served in A Squadron from the CMF days at Rutherford in 1940 through until Balikpapan in 1945. He delivers a comprehensive and sometimes irreverent account of his memories. Many of those who served in A Squadron are mentioned.

Trooper Roy Faunt; This tells of Roy's time in the Army. Roy served in 2 Troop A Squadron in New Guinea and Balikpapan.

Corporal Geoff Francis; This tells of Geoff's time in the Army. Geoff served in A Squadron in New Guinea and Balikpapan.

Trooper Allan Howitt; This tells of Allan's life time in the Army. He went to school in the depression with no shoes. Allan joined the Regiment in 1940 served in 2 Troop B Squadron in Balikpapan. After the war he was a Tram then later Bus conductor.

Colonel George McLean; George McLean came to the Regiment from Duntroon. He served as a troop leader in New Guinea and Borneo. After the war he continued to serve in the Regular Army 'till he retired in 1969.

After 1945

Colonel John Haynes AM; John Haynes joined the Regiment as a trooper in 1948. He served in all 13 RAAC units and in Vietnam, 36 years CMF and ARA. His efforts after his army service were most worthy.

Warrant Officer Henry Mikel; A Polish soldier who fought at Monte Cassino and suffered as a Prisoner of War in Germany. After World War 2 he migrated to Australia and joined the Regiment serving until his retirement and inspiring generations of young Lancers.