Australian Light Horse were mounted troops with characteristics of both cavalry and mounted infantry, who served in the Second Boer War and World War I. During the inter-war years, a number of regiments were raised as part of Australia's part-time military force. These units were gradually mechanised either before or during World War II, although only a small number undertook operational service during the war. A number of Australian light horse units are still in existence today.
Australian light horsemen on Walers in 1914, prior to their departure from Australia to serve in World War I
South Australian Mounted Rifles training in Adelaide, prior to deployment to South Africa, circa 1900
Australian light horse monument in Beersheeba
Troopers of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at Beersheeba, 1917
Mounted infantry were infantry who rode horses instead of marching. The original dragoons were essentially mounted infantry. According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, "Mounted rifles are half cavalry, mounted infantry merely specially mobile infantry." Today, with motor vehicles having replaced horses for military transport, the motorized infantry are in some respects successors to mounted infantry.
Two Australian light horsemen in 1914
