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The Australian Army’s 10th Light Horse Regiment has conducted a Freedom of Entry parade through Perth streets, the first in its 108-year history.
The Western Australian mounted infantry regiment was bestowed the high honour by the City of Perth and lord mayor Basil Zempilas, who presented the unit with an ornate scroll at Cathedral Square.
Tenth Light Horse Regiment Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Wright, said granting Freedom of Entry was the highest honour a city could bestow on the Australian Defence Force, a tradition which dates back to medieval times.
“We express our appreciation to the local community, in which our soldiers live, work, and train, for granting this privilege for the first time in our 108-year history,” LTCOL Wright said.
“With Australian Army armoured vehicles front and rear, horses leading the troops, swords drawn, guidon flying, and band playing, the parade was a celebration of our enduring friendship with the city of Perth.
“Army has been supported by the community in Western Australia since before World War I; that support is essential for us to do what we do, and continues still today — we are so proud to call this city our home.”
The regiment was disbanded in 1976, however it’s history stretches back to the colonial militia of Western Australia. It was re-raised in 2021 as part of Army’s modernisation program.
Under Operation Flood Assist 2023, 10th Light Horse Regiment soldiers provided assistance to the Western Australian government in the Kimberley region following heavy rainfall from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie.
LTCOL Wright said that the regiment has grown in size and capability to form a highly capable and modern cavalry regiment.
“While 10th Light Horse has a distinguished history, we are also at the forward edge of broader transformation underway within Army and as part of an enhanced 13th Brigade.
“Our re-raising, continued growth, and being equipped with cutting-edge platforms demonstrates the strategic importance of Western Australia as Army transforms to be future ready.”
“Tenth Light Horse Regiment is a warfighting cavalry regiment focused on finding and targeting the adversary in the contemporary operating environment, but it also has flexibility as demonstrated recently in support of Western Australia communities through the recent floods.”
