Transfer of 16 LHR Guidon to AWM DPR/TV/1517

The laid up Guidon of the 16th Light Horse Regiment was transferred this week (Wednesday, 6 September 1972) from Tamworth, NSW, to the War Memorial, Canberra, ACT. The Guidon has been transferred to the Memorial by the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers and 24th Light Horse Regimental Association. It was received for safekeeping by the Director of the War Memorial, Mr W. R. Lancaster, in a brief ceremony. The Honorary Colonel of the CMF 12/16 Hunter River Lancers, Colonel D. A. H. White, handed the Guidon to Mr Lancaster. Also present was the Minister for Primary Industry (Mr Sinclair). The Guidon had been laid up at St Paul's Church of England, since 1960. It had been decided to transfer it to the War Memorial because of its deteriorating condition. The 12/16 Hunter River Lancers was formed in 1948 when the 12 and 16 Light Horse Regiments amalgamated. A Guidon of an armoured unit is a swallow-tailed pennant which has similar significance to the Queen's Colours of an infantry unit. Colours and guidons, when replaced, or when a unit has been disbanded, are 'laid up' in a church or civic building or in a State or Federal War Memorial.