The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Set of leather and metal horse hobbles, consisting of a pair of thick leather bands, each formed from two thickness of leather. The bands are fitted with a metal link at each end which interlock and are held captive by one end of the leather, which then passes through a third link. The bands are joined by a four-link chain, 190 mm long, with one link having a swivelling joint. The leather, buckles and chain hardware are held by copper rivets. Both leather bands are impressed 'MADE BY / C.E. BOWDEN & SON LTD / D^D 1944' and impressed with an inspector's stamp '^ H8'.
During the Second World War horses and pack horses were used by large patrol units such as Norforce, in difficult and remote areas of northern Australia, where up to 1,000 horses were employed. Horses were also used in New Guinea by the Australian Independent Light Horse Troop; while pack mules and horses were employed for supply hauling up the Kokoda Trail and during the Lae campaign. The use of hobbles would have been a necessity for picketing and occasionally shoeing these animals. From the date on the leather bands, production was maintained for this purpose throughout the war.
Study of a bay troop horse wearing a 1902 pattern bridle, 1912 Universal Pattern saddle, and brown saddle blanket. Attached to the saddle is a pair of saddle wallets, greatcoat, rolled grey blanket, a
Pair of black leather three quarter length German jackboots (Marschstiefel) as worn by other ranks. The boots are of a treated suede finish. They have no toe-caps, and each has a pair of black webbing
Heavy gauge steel link tethering chain with T bar and two oval sections with a voided cross piece in the centre so that the chain can be adjusted to a suitable length. In Australian light horse unit
Pair of red-brown leather box ammunition pouches, lined with leather, made in the Turkish Empire during WW1, made to hold rifle ammunition clips or lose-rounds. These are each equipped with a strap an
Pair of brown leather Australian issue leggings. The leggings are formed from a single panel of shaped leather. The panel is shaped to fit the contour of the lower leg and overlaps at the centre back.
Pair of pannels for the General Service Mark V pack saddle. Each pannel consists of a leather back, with a tan dowlas lining stuffed with horsehair. The pannels are attached to the side bars of the a
