The sights and sounds of a World War I French battlefield were recreated in spectacular fashion when the 7th Light Horse Gundagai Troop presented Gundagai Remembers over two action-packed days at the weekend.
Joining with fellow re-enactors from the Australian Great War Association and 18th Battalion Living History Group, the troop brought history to life at the Gundagai Showground to give spectators a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers fighting on the Western Front. 7th Light Horse Gundagai Troop President and Jugiong local Wes Leseberg said Saturday’s inclement weather did little to put a dampner on proceedings. “It certainly made for a proper Western Front feel – fighting in the rain and the mud,” Wes said. In picture perfect Spring weather on Sunday, the action continued in the mammoth event that was a successful follow on from last year’s inaugural Gundagai Remembers.
“It’s been a great weekend. All the guys who’ve come here to re-enact have had a ball and that’s a big part of why we do this along with putting on a great show for everyone,” Wes said. “We do this so people can get an insight into what it was like for our diggers. It’s easy to look at history behind glass or read about it in a book or online, but to actually see the equipment being used, see the men in action, it brings a whole new dimension to it.”
On Friday, the troop invited local schools to take a look at Gundagai Remembers, offering a unique, hands-on opportunity for students who toured the trenches in what was a very special history lesson. “We were really happy the schools took advantage of our offer to see what we put on in these shows, what we’re all about and what we do,” Wes said. “We do these shows all over New South Wales, but a lot of local people don’t get to see us outside of ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day parading. They don’t see the other side of what we do and the traditions of the Light Horse, which is not just parading, it’s going into action as well.”
