Tully RSL Sub Branch helps honour the Australian Light Horse

In Far North Queensland, the Tully RSL Sub Branch is doing its part by generously supporting the local military community.  

Sub Branch Secretary Karl Adams says the Sub Branch and RSL Far Northern District are proud of their recent $10,000 donation to the nearby rural town of El Arish. The donation has allowed the town to establish two cut-out metal statues at their local war memorial. 

RSL Queensland members from across Far North Queensland attended the unveiling of the memorial

“In 2023 the El Arish Hall Committee contacted the Sub Branch seeking assistance to implement two statues: one depicting an Australian Light Horse, and the other a horse pulling a plough,” Karl says. 

“From war horse to plough horse is the idea; it represents the soldiers and horses who served in the Second Boer War and World War I, but also how some servicemen returned home to Australia and became farmers.” 

A special tie to the military 

The statues are unique and strongly connected to the El Arish community. The small town has had a link to soldiers and horses since it formed in 1921. 

El Arish was named after the city of Arish in Egypt, where the Australian Light Horse saw action in December 1916 during World War I. Part of the Australian Imperial Force, the Australian Light Horse was a formation of soldiers who mostly fought dismounted – riding their horses to and from the battlefield – and sometimes fought mounted, like cavalry.  

Not only does El Arish have a military-related name; some of the light horsemen moved to the small town and were given parcels of land to farm.

The memorial pays tribute to El Arish's historic ties to the Australian Light Horse

“The Sub Branch and District believes it’s important to support local towns where we can, especially ones with a military background,” Karl explains.  

“It’s quite an amazing rural town because some ancestors from the original settlers still reside there. 

“Although El Arish doesn’t have its own Sub Branch, we live close by so we are happy to lend a helping hand when the community needs it. They are always welcome to call on us for assistance.” 

A monument to preserve the legacy  

On 13 November, the official opening of the statues took place at the El Arish War Memorial by the Honourable Bob Katter MP.  

“The El Arish Memorial project was extensive and done in three parts, which included a memorial and flag posts, coat of arms and then the horse statues,” Karl says. 

“We are honoured we had a part in helping this project come together, stepping in to assist at its final phase.” 

According to Karl, attendees and speakers at the statues’ unveiling included family members of the fallen, veterans, Cassowary Coast Reginal Council Mayor Teresa Millwood and representatives from RSL Far Northern District Sub Branches.  

“This memorial will serve as a sacred place for the town to continue to hold commemorations on significant dates like ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day,” Karl says. 

“We are proud to be surrounded by communities like El Arish who support not only the legacy of our service personnel, but also animals of war.”  

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