2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment

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2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)

Cap Badge of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment
Active 1949-
Country Australia
Branch Army
Type Armoured
Role Armoured Reconnaissance
Size One regiment
Part of Royal Australian Armoured Corps
Garrison/HQ Enoggera, Queensland
Motto Forward
March Quick - Soldiers of the Queen
Slow - Duke of York
Commanders
Colonel-in-Chief HRH The Prince of Wales
(Colonel-in-Chief, RAAC)
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch
2/14 LHR ASLAVs in Iraq in 2006
Enlarge
2/14 LHR ASLAVs in Iraq in 2006

The 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) is a regiment of the Australian Army, part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. It was formed in 1930 through the amalgamation of two other regiments:

  • 2nd Moreton Light Horse (QMI)
  • 14th West Moreton Light Horse (QMI)

In 1939, on the outbreak of the Second World War, the 2/14 was made part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, along with the other units of mounted infantry in Queensland. In 1940, the 2/14 was disamalgamated into its antecendent units; the 2nd Moreton Light Horse eventually became the 2nd Australian Cavalry Regiment (AIF) before disbanding in 1943, while the 14th Light Horse was reformed as a machine gun regiment, becoming the 14th Motor Regiment before disbanding in 1942.

In 1949, A Squadron, 2nd/14th Queensland Mounted Infantry was reformed as an armoured car squadron, before being increased to a full regiment in 1950. In 1956, it converted to an anti-tank unit, equipped initially with 6-pounder and 17-pounder guns, before receiving 120mm anti-tank guns and recoilless rifles.

In 1960, A Squadron became part of the regular army, eventually being transferred to become B Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment in 1966. At the same time, 2/14 was redesignated as a cavalry regiment, re-equipping with armoured vehicles. The regiment was reduced to a squadron in 1976, before expanding again to a full regiment in 1980, being renamed the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) in 1981, equipped with the M113 vehicle in the armoured support role. In 1986, the regiment became an integrated unit consisting of regular army and army reserve soldiers. It converted to the reconnaissance role in 1997, and was re-equipped with the ASLAV vehicle between 2001-2004. From 2005, the regiment will be a purely regular army unit. The regiment de-integrated in May 2005 becoming a completely regular force to meet increased operational Tempo. A sad day in the regiment's history saw the regiment completely become regular army with most of the GRes component given short notice to either transfer to another unit or discharge. The regiment has been associated with the Militia/CMF/Army Reserve since before Federation.

2/14th LHR (QMI) has contributed a number SECDET rotations to Iraq. In 2006, A Squadron was deployed to Iraq to serve as part of the third rotation of the Al Muthanna Task Group which became the first rotation of Overwatch Battle Group (West). More recently 2nd/14th LHR (QMI) and 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2 CAV) will contribute forces to the Australian Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan.

Individuals from the Regiment 2/14 LHR (QMI) are also used to round out 2 CAV deployments and vice versa.

2/14th LHR QMI is foster unit to the 12th Army Cadet Unit. Detailed unit history can be found at the Department of Defence Unit website here

[edit] Alliances


[edit] 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment’s battle honours

2nd Light Horse Regiment Moreton Light Horse (QMI)
SOUTH AFRICA 1899 – 1902*
ANZAC
DEFENCE OF ANZAC*
SUVLA
SARI BAIR*
GALLIPOLI
RUMANI*
MAGDHABA-RAFAH*
EGYPT 1915-17
GAZA-BEERSHEBA*
EL-MUGHAR
NEBI SAMWIL
JERUSALEM*
JAFFA*
JERICHO*
JORDAN (ES SALT)
JORDAN (AMMAN)*
MEGIDDO*
NABLUS
PALESTINE 1917-18

14th Light Horse Regiment West Moreton Light Horse (QMI)
SOUTH AFRICA 1899 – 1902*
RUMANI*
MAGDHABA-RAFAH*
EGYPT 1916-17*
GAZA-BEERSHEBA*
EL MUGHAR
NEBI SAMWIL
JERUSALEM*
JORDAN (ES SALT)*
JORDAN (AMMAN)*
MEGIDDO*
NABLUS*
DAMASCUS*
PALESTINE 1917-18

  • denotes that the battle honour is emblazoned on the Guidons