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Cobar welcomes special guests for our Anzac Day services Three members of the Riverina Light “That’s what they would go into the field of Kidman (the ‘Cattle King’). Horse Troop had the honour of leading Co- battle with,” Mick Batchelor explained. They chose station-bred Walers and Quarter bar’s Anzac Day march in the main street “The horses, with the rider and all their gear, Horses which were tough and hardy and able yesterday. would need to carry on average about 130 to travel long distances on little water. Former Cobar resident Mick Davies, along kilograms.” “They had to carry a lot of weight, over with Deb Chaney and Mick Batchelor from the Mick, who’s been part of the troop since rough country, sandy country and they had to Riverina Light Horse Troop based in Wagga 2012, said during WWI the Australian Light travel long distances.” Wagga, and their mounts were dressed in repli- Horse Brigade used stock horses from the out- Mick and the other members of the Riverina ca Marching Out Kit according to the Light back, many of which were donated by Austral- Light Horse Troop dressed in replica uniforms, Horse manuals of the World War I period. ian pastoralist and entrepreneur, Sir Sidney travel around the country attending Anzac Day services, rodeos, shows and other events to educate people about the Australian Light Horse Brigade. Some of their gear is original, such as their 1916 saddles and standard issue 1914 WWI 303 rifles, while other items are replicated. Among a Light Horseman’s gear were two bandoliers of 90 rounds of ammunition (one worn by the rider and the other around the horse’s neck), plus another 50 rounds worn on a belt by the rider. Among their items, they would also have a bed roll with a spare blanket (and maybe a spare shirt) and waterproof under sheet (that could double as a body bag), a great coat rolled up at the back, a haversack with a tin cup and cooking gear, spare horseshoes and nails, a curry comb to groom the horse, the horse’s nosebag and canvas waterbag, a water bottle, a change of underwear and sewing kit along with any personal possessions such as tobacco and family photos etc the rider had. Mick said horse maintenance was very important and any soldier found not looking after his horse could be put on a charge. “No horse and you’re walking,” Mick exMick Batchelor, Mick Davies and Deb Chaney and their mounts from the Riverina Light plained. Horse Troop based in Wagga Wagga had the honour of leading the Anzac Day march in “They looked after them well and that’s what helped to create such a good bond.” Cobar yesterday.
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Page 2 The Cobar Weekly Wednesday April 26, 2023
