‘To remember history is tremendously important to understanding what the future may bring’: The light horse troop preserving military history

Troop Commander, Kym Flehr has received a lifetime recognition for his work with the 11th Light Horse Darling Downs Troop, a group vital in preserving Australian military history.

Kym Flehr of 11th Light Horse Darling Downs. Highfields Australia Day Celebrations at the Highfields Pioneer Village. Sunday, 26th Jan, 2020.

A Darling Downs man with a passion for keeping the history of light horse alive has been honoured for his almost two decades of service.

Darling Downs Troop Commander, Kym Flehr was recognised for his service last week being appointed a Life Member of the 11th Light Horse Darling Downs Troop.

Having served in the troop for over 16 years Mr Flerhr has worked as secretary, treasurer, and president before his appointment as troop commander eight years ago.

Mr Flehr recently stepped down as Darling Downs Troop Commander to take on the role of National Director of the Australian Light Horse Association.

Mr Flehr said it was “gratifying” to receive the honour and said he was passionate about keeping Australian military history alive.

“A lot of our people are ex-military and we are doing it to keep the ideal alive.” he said.

“Interestingly we are getting young people coming along, it is a great sport and a tremendous support of an Australian tradition.

“Light horse is a big part of Australia's culture, when the First World War happened most of the guys turned up with their own horse and their own rifle and the first part of the exercise was Gallipoli, sending troops up the cliffs to take on entrenched infrantery.

“The guys who served as light horse men were vital in the war effort and took out eight times their number of Turkish troops.”

Mr Flehr said there were a number of achievements he was most proud of throughout his illustrious career

“Receiving the governor-general’s medal was important and that recognised our troop’s ‘outstanding performance, presentation, and contribution to the Australian military ethos,” he said.

“We have also won a lot of competitions, I’ve got a cupboard full of ribbons at home, but apart from that I’ve enjoyed the companionship and doing the traditional Australian bush thing camping out in the scrub and connecting with the Australian roots.

“In 2016 we started the Queensland Mounted Infantry Challenge and we have ran it biennially since 2016. We get 10 teams from across Queensland and New South Wales and we are running it again in August, the success of that event is something I am proud of.”

Mr Flehr said they were now looking for more members to join the troop to ensure Australia’s history is never forgotten.

“To remember history is tremendously imported to understanding what the future may bring, human beings have an incredible determination to make the same mistakes over and over again if we forget history.”

Originally published as ‘To remember history is tremendously important to understanding what the future may bring’: The light horse troop preserving military history