CHARGE IS JUST PART OF THE LIGHT HORSE STORY

As part of commemorations later this month for the 100th anniversary of the Light Horse charge at Beersheba a new collection is being released to share more of the story and legend that is the Australian Light Horse.

The special Light Horse collection features three base themes; the mounted infantry during the charge; fighting on foot; and the incredible bond between man and horse. The series of limited edition figurines; medallions and simple pins and pennies piece is the work of one of Australia’s most prolific and highly regarded designers of military related commemorative memorabilia, Steve Rainey.

To capture the movement of men and horses Rainey enlisted the help of the 7th Light Horse Gundagai troop, a historical re-enactment group dedicated to maintaining the history and traditions of the Australian Light Horse. The resulting designs provide an unprecedented level of detail and insight into the heart of the light horse.

“One of the greatest challenges in creating historic military pieces is ensuring that every detail is exact. The people who treasure military memories and history are sticklers for detail,” Rainey said.

“We were extremely fortunate in that light horse reenactor Luke Dowell was so authentic in his manner, dress and horsemanship that you could be forgiven for thinking it was 1917. The images we took of Luke really captured the essence of the light horse.”

Tragically, Luke was killed in a car accident just weeks after the shoot, before he could see the first models of the figurines and medallions that would feature his image.

“This collection now has a special significance in that it is not only about sharing the memory of the Australian Light Horse, it is also honouring a young man whose passion for the light horse saw him give his time freely so that hundreds, if not thousands of people could appreciate the magnificence of our mounted infantry.”

Luke’s family will receive the first limited editions from the collection that they can keep in memory of a much loved, husband, father, brother and son.