New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Collection
Location	Linden House, 2 Smith Street, Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Collection
Type	state heritage (movable / collection)
Designated	14 May 2010
Reference no.	1824
Type	Defence Objects (movable)
Category	Defence
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The New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum is a special military museum. It is located in Parramatta, Sydney, Australia, at Linden House, 2 Smith Street. The amazing collection of items at this museum is so important that it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since May 14, 2010.

Discover the Lancers Museum

The 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers Museum first opened in 1958. It is located at the historic Parramatta Lancer Barracks. The main goal of the museum is to collect and protect items and records. These items tell the exciting story of the Royal NSW Lancers. They also cover the history of their earlier groups and other Light Horse Regiments. The museum also collects items from the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

Explore the Museum's Collection

The museum has over 7,000 items in its collection. Many of these items are very important to Australia and even the world. It is the only official military museum in New South Wales or the ACT. It is dedicated to fixing and keeping its old military vehicles in working order.

Amazing Vehicles at the Museum

One cool vehicle is a working Bren Gun Carrier. This was the first armoured fighting vehicle used by the regiment in World War II. Many young Australian volunteers trained on these carriers. They used them while waiting for bigger Matilda Tanks to arrive from England.

The museum also has the famous Matilda Tank named ACE. This tank was the first to land during Australia's biggest armoured attack. This happened in July 1945 at Balikpapan, Borneo. ACE was left in a field for over 50 years. Everyone thought it could never be fixed. But, museum volunteers spent six years and over $100,000 to restore it. They put in more than 30,000 hours of work! Now, ACE looks just like it did during the war. You can see it at Lancer Barracks. Sometimes, you can even hear its engines start and see it drive around! It has won a special award for its restoration. It is the only British or Commonwealth armoured vehicle from WWII that has been fully restored and returned to its original fighting unit.

The Lancers' Special Role

Before 1948, the regiment was the Vice-Regal Escort. This meant they provided a mounted escort for important people. These included the Governors of NSW and later the Governors-General of Australia. They were part of big public events. For example, they were at the opening of the first Parliament of Australia. They also attended the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The museum's collection shows the regiment's history. It covers their active service, ceremonies, and peacetime duties. This includes their story from 1885 until today. The 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers is Australia's oldest and most decorated regiment.

The Lancers' Journey Through History

How the Regiment Began

The regiment started in 1885. The Governor allowed a group of volunteer cavalry to form in Sydney. They were called the Sydney Light Horse Volunteers. Later that year, they became the Sydney Lancers. More light horse groups formed across NSW. By 1886, there were eight such groups. In 1889, these groups became one regiment. It was known as the NSW Cavalry Regiment.

Home at Parramatta Barracks

Historic Parramatta Barracks became the main base for the NSW Lancers in 1897. The Lancers have been at these Barracks ever since. This is why they are sometimes called the "Parramatta Lancers." In 1935, the regiment was given the special title "Royal."

From Horses to Heavy Tanks

Before World War II, cavalry units changed to motorised machine gun regiments. The NSW Lancers were one of the first to stop using horses. They used Vickers machine guns mounted on small trucks. This idea was very new. It was believed to be the first unit of its kind in the British Empire.

Fighting in World War II

During World War II, the regiment became part of the 3rd Army Tank Brigade. They were called the 1st Australian Army Tank Battalion. Later, they were renamed the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment. This regiment was a pioneer in using Matilda infantry tanks in jungle warfare. They were part of Australia's largest armoured attack ever. This happened at Balikpapan, Borneo, in 1945.

The Lancers Today

Today, the regiment works as light cavalry scouts. They use light scout vehicles. Their job is to support the 51st Battalion, the Far North Queensland Regiment. The 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers Regiment Headquarters is still at the Lancer Barracks in Parramatta.

The Lancers' Important Roles

Ceremonial Duties

In 1885, the Sydney Lancers became the NSW Vice Regal escort. They continued this role until World War II. Their first public appearance was in 1885. They escorted the Governor to say goodbye to the NSW group going to Sudan.

Famous Ceremonial Events

The regiment also attended other important events. These included the opening of State and Federal Parliaments. They were at the opening of the first Federal Parliament. They also attended the dedication of the site for the new Australian Capital, Canberra. They were present at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In 1908, they paraded for the visit of the Great White Fleet to Australia. Their band and the regiment led the parade in Centennial Park.

The Lancers also performed duties overseas. In 1893, some Lancers went to England. They were part of Queen Victoria's escort for the opening of the Imperial Institute. More Lancers joined the Queen's escort for her Diamond Jubilee in England in 1897.

Active Service in Wars

The regiment was the first Colonial and Australian troops to fight in the Boer War (1889-1902). In World War I, they fought at Gallipoli as the famous 1st Light Horse. They also served in Sinai and Palestine. This was as part of the Desert Mounted Corps.

During World War II, the regiment saw action in many places. These included the Western Desert, Greece, Crete, New Guinea, and Tarakan. They were known as the 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion. In New Guinea and Borneo, they were the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment.

How the Regiment Got Its Name

The "1st" and "Royal" Titles

During World War I and World War II, special volunteer forces were created. These were called the first and second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) units. This was because reserve units could not fight outside Australia. For the Lancers, their soldiers formed the first ranks of the 1st Light Horse, 1st AIF.

After World War I, AIF units were often brought back into their "parent" Australian Military Force (AMF) unit. The Lancers, who were the 7th Light Horse (NSW Lancers) before WWI, became the 1st Light Horse (NSW Lancers). In 1921, they were named the 1st Light Horse Regiment (NSW Lancers). The regiment received the title "Royal" in 1935. The next year, they were renamed the 1st Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment (Royal NSW Lancers).

At the start of World War II, Lancers volunteers formed the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 2nd AIF. After the war, this AIF unit, now the 1st Australian Armoured Tank Battalion (AIF) (Royal NSW Lancers), rejoined its "parent" unit. This was the 1st Australian Motor Regiment (Royal NSW Lancers), a name they got in 1942. After WWII, the regiment was called the 1st Armoured Regiment (Royal NSW Lancers) in 1948. Then, in 1949, they became the 1st Royal NSW Lancers.

The "15th" Designation

In 1956, the 15th Light Horse (Northern River Lancers) unit was closed down. This regiment had started as one of the original NSW Cavalry Reserves groups. So, military leaders decided to combine it with the Lancers. This is similar to what happened with the 1st Light Horse, 1st AIF. This is how the Lancers got their current name: 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers.

Museum Location and Collection Details

The Museum is located within the Lancer Barracks area. This is mainland Australia's oldest military barracks. It was built between 1818 and 1820. The items on display, except for the armoured vehicles, are in "Linden House." This is an old Georgian sandstone building from the 1820s. It was first built as a school for women. Later, it was used as officers' quarters. Linden House was moved to the Lancer Barracks in 1963 to house the Museum's collection.

What You Can See at the Museum

The Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Collection covers the regiment's entire 125-year history. This history started in 1885. The collection includes many items from World War I and World War II. It also has one of the best Boer War collections in Australia.

The collection has over 6,000 items. These include:

• Uniforms, weapons, and equipment
• Flags and banners
• Photos, photo albums, and scrapbooks
• Films and videos
• Maps and aerial reconnaissance photos
• Personal and unit war diaries
• Records of soldiers, letters, and accounts
• A wide range of war and peacetime souvenirs

The museum also has rare photos and items from the regiment's ceremonial role. This includes their visits to England in 1893 and 1897. They were part of Queen Victoria's escort on both trips. In NSW, as the original Vice Regal escort, the Museum has rare photos and items from events like:

• The visit of the American Great White Fleet in 1908
• The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• The opening of early Parliaments
• The dedication of the site of modern-day Canberra

Special Items in the Collection

Here are just a few of the important items you can find:

• A complete World War I 1st Light Horse uniform. It shows the owner was an Anzac veteran who was wounded and served for four years.
• A very rare captured Bergman MP 18.1 sub-machine gun (around 1981). This model was the first of its kind.
• Lt Col McArthur-Onslow's drinking mug. He called it his "bath" when he was at Gallipoli.
• A complete Light Horse saddle with all weapons and equipment. Also, a pack saddle used in Palestine.
• Early aerial photos of Palestine. These include notes on the camera and methods used by Lt Wikner.
• The original 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion flag.
• The official photo album of all the first officers of 2/2nd Machine Gun Battalion.
• World War II medals, including the MC, awarded to Sgt Longhurst.
• One of only 3 surviving Balikpapan Matilda Tanks. It will be the only one that can move when fully restored.
• One of only 3 Covenanter Bridge Layer tanks left in the world. It is the only one used at Balikpapan that still exists.
• A copy of the orders for Operation Oboe 2, the landing at Balikpapan.
• Major GL Lee's personal Boer War diary. It covers his sea trip to South Africa and daily accounts of the Lancers' campaign. This diary has the first known versions of five Banjo Paterson Poems. Two of these are proven to be in his own handwriting. Paterson went with the Lancers as a war reporter.
• The personal photo albums of Captain "Fighting Charlie" Cox and Major GL Lee. These have rare Boer War photos.
• A Boer flag captured at Bloemfontein.
• The payroll records for the Lancers fighting in South Africa.
• Major GL Lee's personal notes. They list every Lancer who fought in the Boer War.
• A collection of rare Boer War medals. One has six clasps.
• The personal scrapbooks of Lt Timothy and Captain Walter Liberty Vernon from the 1897 Jubilee.
• A tassel from Queen Victoria's personal coach.
• The only mobile forge used in the NSW/Australian military.
• The 1886 NSW Cavalry Reserve Headquarters correspondence ledger.

Why the Museum is Special

The 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Collection is very important. It shows the full history of Australia's oldest and most decorated regiment. This history goes from 1885 to today. The collection helps us understand big parts of Australia's history. This includes the role of Australian troops in the Boer War and both World Wars.

The collection is also important because of its link to the historic Parramatta Barracks. These Barracks are the oldest military barracks still standing in mainland Australia. The collection helps explain the Barracks' history. It makes the place even more significant.

The Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Collection has over 50 items that are important to Australia. Some are even important to the world. It includes key items about:

• How a colonial military unit was formed and grew.
• The regiment's role in Sydney society.
• How the regiment and its weapons changed. They went from horse-mounted lancers to modern armoured vehicles.
• The regiment's part in important state, national, and international events. This includes World War I and World War II.
• The connection between important people in NSW and the regiment's development.

The collection also has the first versions of five poems by Banjo Paterson. He was a famous Australian Poet. He wrote these poems while he was a war reporter in South Africa. These poems are different from later published versions. They help us understand how this famous poet created his work.

The collection is unique because no other collection covers the entire 125-year history of Australia's oldest surviving regiment. There are also no other Light Horse or cavalry museums in Australia with such a complete collection. This is true for both its size and the time periods it covers.