IN PICTURES: Albany RSL and 10th Light Horse Troop Albany combine Boer War and Beersheba memorial services

The military memorial service held annually in late October was held again at Mt Clarence but this time with a difference. After assessment by the Albany RSL and 10th Light Horse Troop Albany, the decision was made to combine the Boer War Service and charge of Beersheba services into one, to be held at the world-recognised Desert Mounted Corps Memorial. As we look back on military history, it is simple to draw parallels between the service of State-based and later Australian Commonwealth forces serving in the first and second Boer wars with those of the Australian Forces of the Desert Mounted Corps of World War I, including those who fought at Beersheba. In both conflicts, the fighting elements served primarily as mounted soldiers with the capability to fight either mounted or dismounted — in the Boer wars as mounted infantry and in WWI in the Middle East as Light Horsemen. As such, it is logical that we commemorate the service of these unique soldiers of the past together. It is also interesting to note that some who served during the Boer wars as mounted infantry, in turn, served in the Desert Mounted Corps of WWI. The successful service was attended by a variety of guests from across WA including both the Regimental Sergeant Major and Training Warrant Officer from the recently re-raised 10th Light Horse Regiment based in Perth. The 10th Light Horse has direct links back to both the Boer War and the actions of the Australian Light Horse serving in the Middle East in WWI. Michael Tugwell is services director at the RSL sub-branch Albany.