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The Regimental Colour Patch

The colour patch system was used as a means of formation, unit, and arm of service identification on the uniform between 1915 and 1921 by Australian forces raised specifically for war service overseas, and then between 1921 and 1949 by the whole of the Australian Military Forces at home or abroad.

Briefly summarised, the colour patch was a piece of cloth material, its geometrical shape identifying the formation to which the wearer's unit belonged.

Unit identity was indicated by, in the case of infantry, armour, and light horse, a colour combination identifying the numerical seniority of the unit within its brigade, and of that brigade within its division.

During World War I the 12th LH Regiment was part of the 4th Light Horse Brigade.

The Brigade colour was dark blue. As the third regiment in the Brigade the 12th's colour was black. Therefore we end up with the black and blue colour patch as shown below.

While the 16th Light Horse Regiment did not serve overseas during WW I eventually it was awarded a colour patch in 1921. This colour patch is also shown below.


Colour Patch of the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment

Colour Patch of the 16th Australian Light Horse Regiment
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The Regimental Motto

The Regimental Motto is VIRTUTIS FORTUNA COMES

The motto of the New England Light Horse (NELH) was originally that of the Australian Horse - 'Hearth and Homes'.

In 1907 the NELH adopted the motto 'Virtutis Fortuna Comes' which translates to Fortune is the Companion of Valour.

This motto was adopted as the Motto of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers in 1948 when the Regiment was reformed after World War II.

The original motto of the Hunter River Lancers was that of the New South Wales Lancers 'Tenax et Fidelis' which translates to Steadfast and Faithful.

Each motto captures an element of the spirit of the modern Regiment.

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The Regiments Battle Honours

Emblazoned on the Guidon of the 12th (New England) Light Horse Regiment are the Battle Honours:

SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902
GALLIPOLI -1915
RUMANI
EGYPT 1915-1917
GAZA-BEERSHEBA
JERUSALEM
JORDAN (ES SALT)
MEGIDDO
SHARON
DAMASCUS
PALESTINE 1917-18.

In addition the Regiment has received the following Battle Honours, which are not displayed on the Guidon:

SUVLA
SARI-BAIR
EL MUGHAR
NEBI SAMWILL.

Emblazoned on the Guidon of the 16th (Hunter River Lancers) Light Horse Regiment are the battle honours:

SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902
ANZAC
GALLIPOLI - 1915
EGYPT 1915-1917
PALESTINE 1917-18

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The Regiments Guidons

The Regiment has two Guidons - the 12th (New England) Light Horse Guidon and the 16th (Hunter River Lancers) Light Horse Guidon. The term 'Guidon' is derived from the old French guydhomme (which means the guide man) and is the flag carried by the leader of Horse. It has always been swallow-tailed.
In military organisations, the practice of carrying colours or standards, to act both as a rallying point for troops, and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago. In ancient days, rallying signs or standards were introduced to distinguish families, tribes and races and to show the position of the commander amid the confusion of the battlefield. The Roman Legions carried distinctive battle emblems, the Eagles, to which they rallied during the confusion of battle.
This procedure was formalised in the armies of medieval Europe, with standards being emblazoned with the commander's coat of arms. During the 13th Century when knights went into battle most of their body and their horses were covered in armour, making identification difficult. So distinctive badges and crests were placed on equipment. Mounted troops carried smaller battle flags called Guidons and Standards to allow them to be displayed while on horseback.
In the British Army the medieval standards developed into the Colours of the Infantry, the Standards of the Heavy Cavalry, and the Guidons of the Light Cavalry.
As armies became trained and adopted set formations, each regiment's ability to keep its formation was potentially critical to its, and therefore its army's, success. In the chaos of battle, not least due to the amount of dust and smoke on a battlefield, soldiers needed to be able to determine where their regiment was.
Colours were used in the British Army originally as a means of identifying the location of the headquarters of regiments in battle. In time the Colours became a focal point of regimental esprit de corps and there are many stories of exploits of great heroism by soldiers defending the colours from loss. Wellington, the architect of the British Regimental system upon which our traditions are based, engendered great pride and spirit in his Regiments and focused this spirit in the battle flag of the each Regiment.
As time passed, Regiments were awarded battle honours, which they emblazoned on their Colours, Standards and Guidons. They therefore became a link to the Regiment's past and a memorial to the fallen, and thus took on a more mystical significance than as mere identifying markers on the battlefield: they became the heart of the regiment, in which all of its history was woven. Such became the significance in this context that, for a regiment to lose its colours was (and still is) a major disgrace, with the capture of an enemy's colours (or equivalent) being seen as a great honour. This is why that, whenever the colours are paraded, they are always escorted by armed guards and paid the highest compliments by all soldiers and officers, second only to those paid to the sovereign.
When battle honours were added to Colours they became a record of the military achievements of a regiment and were held in even higher esteem by members of the regiment. The consecration of Colours was seen to add religious significance to them and, through the Colours, to the Regiment and its duties. Because colours are consecrated, they can serve as an altar for a drumhead service. They are never capriciously destroyed - when too old to use they are replaced and then laid-up in a regimental chapel to moulder unto dust. Many cathedrals carry old Colours. However, in most modern armies, standing orders now call for the Colours to be intentionally destroyed if they are ever in jeopardy of being captured by the enemy.
After 1881 Colours were no longer carried in battle because of the improving technology of weapons and the greater distances involved in warfare. However they remained a strong focal point for a regiment and continued to be held in great esteem and accorded great respect.
The current 12th Light Horse Guidon was presented to the Regiment by General Peter Gration AO, OBE, the then Chief of the Defence Force, on 31 Oct 1987 at TAMWORTH.
The current 16th Light Horse Guidon was presented to the Regiment by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, on 1st Nov 2003 at MUSWELLBROOK.

Guidon of the 12th (New England) Light Horse Regiment
Guidon of the 16th (Hunter River Lancers) Light Horse Regiment

The Guidons of the RAAC are patterned on those of the British Army and are only carried by an RAAC Squadron Sergeant Major with an escort of two Senior Non Commissioned Officers. The Sovereign personally approves the design of the Guidon and either presents it, or is represented, at the presentation.
The Guidon is rectangular with rounded swallowtails, is made of crimson silk damask and bears the Regimental crest, title and motto. These are surrounded by a wreath of wattle leaves under an Edwardian Crown. The regimental number is in the corner. The pike is a single length of Ashwood and is topped with a gilt crest.
The Guidons commemorate the Regiment's history.

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The Charge at Beersheba

It is the 31st October 1917, it is late in the day and Beersheba has still not fallen. The Commander of the Desert Mounted Column, Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel, choses the 4th Light Horse Brigade under Brigadier William Grant to make one final attempt to take the town, "Put Grant straight at it", he tells Major General Hodgson, commander of the Australian Mounted Division.

The 4th Light Horse Brigade consists of the 4th (Victorian), 11th (Q'land & Sth Aust) & 12th (New South Wales) Light Horse (LH) Regiments. Lieutenant Colonel Donald Cameron (formally 1st Australian Horse), is in command of the 12th LH Regiment. Major Eric Hyman, a Tamworth grazier, will lead A Squadron first into the tumult of the battle, while B Squadron will be led by Major Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh, a Boer War veteran and a grazier from Coonamble.

The 4th & 12th Regiments form up with their A & B Squadrons in squadron line extended with 300-500 yards between successive squadrons, while the C Squadrons, as the reserve to both Regiments, are in line of troop column. Missing is the 11th LH Regiment who is unable to muster and get to the assembly area in time. They form the brigade reserve and will follow the charge at the trot. Despite all the secrecy of the battle plans all the men know that Beersheba is the key to Gaza and has to be taken today.

Its now 4.30 pm, sunset is in about 30 minutes and the shadows are lengthening. The 12th, on the left, and the 4th, on the right, move off at the trot. Four lone horsemen 70 yards in front of the front squadrons are acting as ground scouts and indicate direction and terrain features for the following squadrons. As the Regiments trots out of the assembly area towards the open, two German aircraft swoop in dropping bombs and strafing them with machine gun fire.

Once in motion the Regiments gradually fan out until there is five to ten yards between each horseman. The country the troops are riding into is broken by dry gullies (or wadis) that have been gouged out by winter rains. The first gully they come to is just over one metre deep with straight sides. Some horses take the jump in their stride but others hesitated and partly fall, partly jump, to the bottom. A little distance down the gully a way is found out and the gallop is on again. This puts an end to any idea of a straight line for the squadrons but the troops keep themselves together fairly well. There are five or six more gullies to cross but none are as bad as the first one.

With five miles to go Grant and his Brigade Major, McKenzie after leading the charge to the crest of the hill, to give the Brigade its direction, fall back into the reserve line where they can control the brigade reserve.

'Speed and surprise were their one chance', writes official historian H. S. Gullett later, 'and almost at once the pace is quickened to a gallop' - or maybe the Turkish shrapnel has something to do with it.

Cameron surveys the land in front through binoculars and issues orders. "Pass the word to Major Fetherstonhaugh to look out for the little hill on the left." Fetherstonhaugh acknowledges the message when he receives it but there is no change in the pace.

The Turkish trenches are now 4 miles to the front, many cleverly concealed and are supported on nearby hills by machine gun and artillery positions. The Turks quickly acquire the charging regiments and engage with shrapnel, but the range is long and as the men and horses are well dispersed very few casualties are inflicted.

Bourchier and Cameron are still at the head of their Regiments. The vanguard of the 12th led by Hyman sweeps past Cameron. After travelling a further two miles machine gun fire engages the lead squadron of the 12th from a hill to the left. This may well cause serious damage to the charging squadrons but two batterys of Royal Horse Artillery quickly put the machine guns out of action with their second shot. All this intensifying enemy fire only speeds up the gallop.

By now the lead squadrons are within range of the riflemen in the forward Turkish trenches. An erratic opening volley quickly settles into sustained rapid fire, felling many horses in the lead squadrons. But the charge is now an unstoppable force, the fire has served only to urge the riders on, they are now low on the horses necks and spurring the horses on. One trooper is annoyed with his horse as the lower he gets the further the horse lowers its head. Then after a final fusillade from the artillery the Australians are under the Turkish guns as they cannot be depressed any further.

As the charging squadrons come to within half a mile of the trenches, which are now clearly visible, casualties virtually cease, despite an increase in the firing. The Turks, dazed by the sheer audacity, thunder and speed of the charge forget to adjust their sights as the charge draws nearer. As a result the last few hundred yards to the trenches area are covered untouched with the Turks firing harmlessly over the heads of the approaching charge. The light horsemen themselves regard the Turkish soldier as a well-disciplined and dangerous foe, not likely to make so basic a mistake. The clouds of dust generated by the charge make picking a target nearly impossible. Even so many rifles inspected later still have their sights set at 1600 yards.

The first trench is consumed by the charge without check. After jumping the second line of trenches, ten feet deep, four feet wide and crammed with Turks most of the 4th reins in and dismounts. Some have their mounts shot from under them. Dazed or not they "go to work with the bayonet". They are quickly joined by the right hand troop of the 12th (most likely 1 Troop, A Sqn). A terrible disorder soon reigns with some light horsemen using their rifles as clubs. Mostly the Turks seem anxious to surrender, but scattered units exchange fire with the light horsemen, some bitterly refuse to give up until large numbers are shot or bayoneted.

On the left the progress of the 12th will be described as "brilliant and decisive". Major Hyman dismounts with about a dozen men and engages a small redoubt at the centre of the squadron frontage. The Turks here put up a bitter fight. Hyman and his men kill sixty of them with bullet and bayonet before the post surrenders. Hyman (recommended for the Victoria Cross) will be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions. Meanwhile most of A Squadron continue through a gap they have found and they gallop straight for Beersheba. Lieutenant Rodney Robey, an estate manager from Ulmurra, who was born in Tamworth, takes the lead (these days Robey's sword is presented annually to the most outstanding junior officer in the Regiment).

As the second wave reaches the trenches Major Fetherstonhaugh's horse is mortally wounded. Dismounting, he shoots his favourite charger and then turns on the Turks. He charges the remaining thirty yards to the trenches on foot, shooting Turks with his revolver as he goes, when he stops to reload he falls, shot through both legs. Like Hyman, Fetherstonhaugh (also recommended for the Victoria Cross) will be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his efforts. Most of B Squadron, now led by the Squadron second-in-command, Captain Jack Davies, a grazier from Scone, (Davies will command the Regiment from 1928 to 1933), go around to the left and then follow Robey towards Beersheba at the gallop.

Robey rides hard, pushing around the western side of the town to envelop it from the north. Davies on the other hand rides straight up the main street. In the time between the first wave smashing into the trenches and Robey and Davies arriving in downtown Beersheba the Turks go from organised resistance to a state of chaos. Officers and men alike panic are heading for the hills to the north and northwest, the engineers, who have wired the wells and buildings of importance to be blown up, join them and leave the switches to the detonators open.

Lieutenant Robey, will be awarded the Military Cross as will Captain Davies. Between Robey, Davies and the men with them, they are responsible for the capture of the town and the taking of over 700 prisoners, including 38 officers, 9 guns, 3 machine guns and a large quantity of war material.

At this point the greater part of the enemy immediately surrenders. Beersheba, with its precious wells intact is taken by the 12th at a cost of 22 killed and 17 wounded. The 4th, who do most of their fighting in the trenches capture another 300-350 prisoners and more weapons and equipment. The 4th lose two officers and nine other ranks killed and 4 officers and thirteen other ranks wounded. In total about 70 horses are killed.

Squadron Sergeant Major Daniel Mason, Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant Alfred Townsend and SGT Harry Peard will be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Townsend is a baker by trade and is originally from Cheltenham, England. Peard is a labourer by trade and is from Albury. SGTs Arthur Adams & John Dowley, CPL Verney Chilcott and TPR Earnest Hyland will all be awarded the Military Medal. Dowley is a horse breaker from Forbes.

Private "Tibby" Cotter, from Sydney, who played Test cricket for Australia before the war, followed the charge as a mounted stretcher bearer. He is shot dead as he tends the wounded at the trenches.

Less than an hour has passed from the time the troopers are ordered to saddle up to when Davies gallops down the main street of Beersheba. The attack achieves more than simply the capture of Beersheba, it unlocks the desert, and it sets a shining precedent for every man amongst the three mounted Divisions. Additionally an intercepted wireless message reveals that the Turks are now "terrified of the Australian cavalry".
Lieutenant Colonel Cameron will receive the Distinguished Service Order for the conspicuously able and determined manner in which he directs the attack by the Regiment.

In remembering that the Regiment, with their rifles slung over their backs, and armed only with bayonets in their hands, attacked an entrenched, fortified position guarded by hundreds of rifles, backed up by sighted machine guns, artillery and aeroplanes it is little wonder that a captured German staff officer commented, "We did not believe that the charge would be pushed home. That seemed an impossible intention. I have heard a great deal of the fighting quality of Australian soldiers. They are not soldiers at all; they are madmen."

The success of the Charge and the taking of Beersheba resulted in the following:
1. With the capture of the wells (Beersheba means Well of Seven) the allied forces had a secure and plentiful water supply which would be used in support of future operations.
2. With Beersheba taken the Turkish defences along the line Gaza-Beersheba became unstable. While the Turks held the line for another week, after a sustained attack that started on 6th November the Turks abandoned Gaza and started to withdraw to the north.
3. This withdrawal did not stop until the Turks surrendered one year later on 30th October 1918
4. The charge demonstrated the incalculable effect of shock tactics.
5. An intercepted radio message stated that the troops at Beersheba had broken because they were "terrified of the Australian cavalry".
6. From then to the end of the war the Turks never forgot Beersheba; their cavalry, shy of the light horseman before Beersheba, from that moment practically faded out of the war. Therefore the charge had dealt a heavy blow to the morale of the entire Turkish force from which it never recovered.