2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment
(Queensland Mounted Infantry)


caption=Cap Badge of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment
country=Australia
allegiance=
type=Light Horse
branch=Army
dates=1949-
specialization=Armoured Reconnaissance
command_structure=Royal Australian Armoured Corps
size=One regiment
current_commander=
garrison=Enoggera
ceremonial_chief=HRH The Prince of Wales
(Colonel-in-Chief, RAAC)
ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
nickname=
motto="Forward"
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Unit Colour Patch
identification_symbol_4=2/14 QMI
identification_symbol_4_label=Abbreviation
colors=
march=Quick - "Soldiers of the Queen"
Slow - "Duke of York"
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=The 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) is a regiment of the Australian Army and forms part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. The regiment was formed in 1930 and is currently an armoured reconnaissance unit equipped with ASLAVs.

History

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

In March 2005 the regiment became a completely regular unit to meet the Army's increased operational tempo. Since this date elements of the regiment have made a number of operational deployments. 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) have contributed 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.

On the 8th October 2007 Trooper David Pearce was killed while on active service in Orūzgān Province, Afghanistan. [cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/09/2054565.htm |publisher=ABC News (Australia) |title=Family mourns 'popular and respected' soldier |date=2007-10-09 |accessdate=2007-10-28] [cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22553770-661,00.html |publisher=News Limited |title=Digger David Pearce killed by bomb in Afghanistan |date=2007-10-09 |accessdate=2007-10-28] . He was the second Australian to be killed in the War in Afghanistan, [cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22579192-5007133,00.html |publisher=News Limited |title=The body of Trooper David Pearce arrives home |date=2007-10-13 |accessdate=2007-10-28] and the second to be killed since the Vietnam War. [cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/soldier-a-patriotic-australian/2007/10/09/1191695874832.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |title=Soldier 'a patriotic Australian' |date=2007-10-09 |accessdate=2007-10-28]

Alliances

*GBR - The Queen's Royal Hussars (Queen's Own and Royal Irish)
*GBR - The King's Royal Hussars
*NZL - Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles

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

ee also

* Australian Light Horse

References