Early years In Western Australia, prior to
Federation, it was the custom for the volunteer infantry at major centres to form, within themselves, small bodies of mounted infantry for the purpose of performing certain cavalry duties. By 1900, records indicate that at least four such bodies existed, these being at Perth, Guildford, Geraldton and Bunbury. These units were brought together under a single command and took the title of the Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI). During the
Boer War, Western Australia despatched five contingents to South Africa bearing the name Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI), although these contingents were not part of the part-time Western Australian mounted volunteer who also bore this same name. In 1903, the Commonwealth re-organised the whole framework of the Australian defence forces. Since there was no money for a standing army, the military was organised on a part-time paid militia model while its strategy bore remarkable similarity to their erstwhile enemy's military organisation. By a combination of rifle clubs, infantry regiments and mounted units, the defence of Western Australia was based on the concept of guerrilla war being waged on any potential invader. At that time, although not stated publicly, the big fear was a Japanese invasion. In line with all the changes, the West Australian mounted militia formation was called the 18th Australian Light Horse, with the territorial title remaining as the Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI). For his efforts he became the regiment's
commanding officer on 11 May 1913. On 10 October 1914, "C" Squadron was officially re-designated the 10th Light Horse Regiment. During this move the horses, being walked from Guildford by 150 members of the regiment, stampeded in the night. Several were killed and many more scattered across the sparsely populated region. The regiment was sent to
Egypt as part of the
3rd Light Horse Brigade, embarking from Fremantle on the
Mashobra in two stages, beginning 7 February 1915, arriving on 8 March 1915. From this date, the 25th Australian Light Horse Regiment was renamed the 10th Australia Light Horse Regiment, while retaining the territorial title Western Australia Mounted Infantry (WAMI). One final recognition was given in 1923 when the regiment was finally awarded the right to carry the
battle honours for the
Second Boer War. Initially, these had been granted to the Western Australian infantry regiments but not to the mounted regiment. This oversight was corrected and from this time they bore these battle honours in addition to those granted to the AIF 10th light Horse Regiment. During the
Second World War, the regiment underwent several name changes in order to show its varying roles. In 1943, it was gazetted as an Australian Imperial Force unit, operating
Staghound and Canadian Scout armoured cars. Expanded to a full regiment in 1952, it was again renamed as the 10th Light Horse in 1956 when it was equipped with Staghounds,
Saracens and
Ferrets, before being reduced to a single independent squadron again in 1976. The squadron remained independent until 2001, when it formally became a part of the Army Reserve's
13th Brigade. The regiment was until recently equipped with the
M113 vehicle in the armoured reconnaissance role, and the
Land Rover 6x6 LRPV and Regional Force Surveillance Vehicle, in the light cavalry/reconnaissance role. As a part of the Australian Army's
Plan Beersheba, the squadron received the
Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle to be employed in the dual role of reconnaissance/surveillance and protected lift. Under Plan Beersheba the squadron was task with pairing with Regular and Reserve cavalry units to provide Bushmaster crews in support of the ready multi-role combat brigade. In October 2021, the 10th Light Horse was re-raised from a single squadron to full regimental status. This involves forming a regimental headquarters to command the existing 'A' Squadron and re-raising of 'B' Squadron. The process is expected to be completed over a two-year period, increasing the size of the unit to over 170 personnel. During this time, the regiment took delivery of its first
Hawkei PMVs. Personnel from the squadron have been deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of
RAMSI, Timor Leste, and
Afghanistan, where they have been deployed with Regular Army units. ==Battle honours==