10th (Nelson) Mounted Rifles


The 10th Mounted Rifles, previously known as the 1st Regiment, Nelson Mounted Rifles is a military unit based in Nelson, New Zealand. They served in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I and first saw action during the Battle of Gallipoli. As a part of the larger New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade they went on to serve in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

History

Originally formed as the 1st Regiment, Nelson Mounted Rifles on 1 October 1901 with its headquarters in Nelson from the existing volunteer squadrons:
The unit was renamed the 10th Mounted Rifles on 17 March 1911. They were mobilised during World War I as a squadron of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment.

Between the wars

In 1917 they were renamed the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment and in 1921 became The Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles.

Second World War

The regiment began mobilisation for war in 1941 as the cavalry regiment of 11th Brigade Group, 5th Division. On 1 January 1942 it was renamed the 10th Light Armoured Fighting Vehicles Regiment . On 29 March 1944, 10th Light Armoured Fighting Vehicles Regiment was absorbed into the 3rd Armoured Regiment.

Military actions