Topic: Militia - LH
In the Commonwealth of Australia, Governement Gazette, Number 35 of 25 July 1903 at page 387, Order 912 outlines the peace time establishment structure of the Light Horse in Australia. The table is below.
Commonwealth of Australia, Governement Gazette, Number 35 of 25 July 1903 at page 387
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The most noticable item is the size of the sqadrons and finally, the regiment. Each squadron contained just 72 men, a figure that included both officers and other ranks.
This contrast is made quite stark when compared to war time strength establishment of a light horse regiment. Below is an extract from AIF Order Number 172, 2 July 1916 dealing with the reorganisation of the Australian light horse regiments.
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The contrast stands out very clearly. Each squadron in the reformed regiments of 1916 contain 140 men including officers and other ranks. This is double the peace establishment rate. Since both peace and war establishment squadrons assume a four Troop structure, each peace time Troop was 18 men while the war time troop was 35 men.
Citation: Peace establishment of Australian Light Horse, 1903-14
