Description
Description: 10th Light Horse (Western Australian Mounted Infantry) – Gilt Hat Badge – 1930 to 42.
Maker’s Name: N/A
Condition: Very Good
Comments: 10th Light Horse (Western Australian Mounted Infantry) – Gilt Hat Badge. Now a very rare badge complete with two lugs.
In order to perpetuate the traditions and distinctions of the Australian Imperial Force, it was decided that in July 1919 all CMF units would be re-designated with the unit numbers of the AIF.
From this date, the 25th Australian Light Horse Regiment was renamed the 10th Australia Light Horse Regiment while retaining the territorial title Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI).
One final recognition was given in 1923 when the regiment was finally awarded the right to carry the battle honours for the Second Boer War. Initially these had been granted to the Western Australian infantry regiments but not to the mounted regiment. This oversight was corrected and from this time they bore these battle honours in addition to those granted to the AIF 10th Light Horse Regiment.
During the Second World War, the regiment underwent several name changes in order to show its varying roles. In 1943, it was gazetted as an Australian Imperial Force unit, after the majority of its personnel volunteered to serve overseas. This did not occur, though, and instead, its main task was the defence of south-west Australia. During this period, the regiment was also partially mechanised, although it did retain horses which were used to patrol the coastline. It was the last regiment in Australia to employ horses. It was disbanded on 14 April 1944.
