1891 - Royal New South Wales Lancers
- Sydney Light Horse Troop - Captain M.M. MacDonald - Parramatta - Governor, Lachlan Macquarie - Boer War - First World War - Gallipoli - Palestine - World War II - New Guinea - Borneo - 7th Division - Balikpapan -
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The beginning of this regiment was the formation of the Sydney Light Horse Troop, as Volunteers, in January 1885.
This was followed during the next few months by the raising of light horse troops at a number of country centres, all under the command of Captain M.M. MacDonald (later Colonel). All these units were administered as independent bodies initially, but in 1889 they were united into the New South Wales Cavalry Regiment, under Lt-Col Macdonald. The name was then changed to the New South Wales Lancers in 1894.
Lancer Barracks were built in Parramatta, now a suburb of Sydney between 1818 and 1820 to house the British troops who garrisoned the then colony of New South Wales. The Governor, Lachlan Macquarie recognised he was building the infrastructure for a future nation and had them built to last, eventually they were occupied by the New South Wales Lancers, becoming an integral part of Australia's Military history, and the history of the Parramatta Community.
In 1897, Colonel Bums succeeded to command of the Regiment and regimental headquarters was transferred from Sydney to Parramatta.
The Regiment sent a squadron to fight as mounted lancers in the Boer War, takes the traditions of the 1st Light Horse formed from its peacetime members to fight in the First World War at Gallipoli and Palestine, and fought as a Tank Regiment in World War II in New Guinea and Borneo. The Regiment with 21 Honours is Australia's most decorated unit, it is currently a Light Cavalry Regiment in the Australian Army Reserve.
The Regiment was granted the title “Royal” in 1935. It was horsed until 1936, when it was motorised as a mechanised machine gun regiment.
In 1942, it was incorporated into the AIF as an armoured regiment. Equipped with Matilda Infantry Support Tanks, it pioneered the use of tanks in the New Guinea jungle.
Later in the seaborne assault by the 7th Division on Balikpapan in Borneo, the Regiment made the heaviest Australian tank attack of the war. It was the only armoured regiment of militia origin to go overseas, and the only Australian Armoured Regiment to be sent overseas twice.
After the war, the regiment was equipped first with Matilda then Centurion tanks until 1971, when it was converted to a Reconnaissance Regiment, and equipped with the M113 family of tracked light armoured fighting vehicles.
The Regiment with 21 battle honours, is the most highly decorated unit in the Australian Army. It celebrated its centenary in 1985, and looks forward to serving the nation in the 21st Century.
