Troopers ride to remember

At the special Anzac Centenary function, 100 riders from the Australian Light Horse Association undertake a commemorative ride through Brisbane on September 27.

The ride will coincide with Brisbane's Riverfire Festival and will be held 100 years and three days after the Queensland contingent of the First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF) departed for a journey that would ultimately take them to Egypt.

"Within weeks of the declaration of war on August 4, 1914, more than 1500 men made up the 9th Infantry Battalion and the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, and joined other units to form the 1st AIF," Minister assisting the premier on Anzac Centenary Glen Elmes said.

"Largely made up of Queenslanders and formed at Enoggera, they were among the first infantry units and mounted formation raised by Australia for the 1st AIF, with the 9th Battalion being first ashore at Gallipoli."

Jack Canning's grandfather, Bertham Canning, was among those who served at Gallipoli.

He was 29 years old when he joined the Fourth Light Horse in Victoria in early 1914. Bertham spent five years at war and, in addition to his time at Gallipoli, also served at the Battle of Beersheba.

Although wounded at some point during the campaign, Bertham returned home and married his sweetheart in 1921, with whom he had corresponded throughout the war.

He was commissioned out of the army in 1919 but re-joined in 1920 and served until 1946 when he held the rank of honourary major.

Bertham's grandson Jack, who now lives at Gatton, hadn't ridden a horse for more than nine years but was determined to get back in the saddle to honour his grandfather's war contribution for the commemorative ride.

"I've been practising every second day for about three hours a day and I think I'll be ready," he said.

One of Jack's prized possessions is the saddle his grandfather used during his time with the Australian Light Horse.

"There has been talk in the family but it's impossible to know if it is the saddle that he used in the war and if he might have had it sent back - we just don't know," he said.

"But I'm very lucky to have it. My aunt sent it up to me about 20 years ago and I've had it restored to its original condition.

"I'm a bit bigger than my grandfather must have been and if I rode in it for the ride I'd end up with some severe blisters."

Also joining Jack on the ride will be fellow Gatton Light Horse troop member Stewart Cook, who initiated the concept of the centenary ride.

Mr Cook has a love of military history that was born out of a childhood spent growing up on London's River Thames within view of Windsor Castle.

"It was very normal for us to see mounted regiments of the royal guard and mounted artillery regiments and I guess I just developed a taste for history coming from such a place," he said.

After immigrating to Australia, Mr Cook spent 31 years serving with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and, being a keen horseman, joined the Australian Light Horse Association in 1885.

In 1996 he moved to Queensland and was instrumental in establishing the Gatton Light Horse Troop in 2006.

In 2010 Mr Cook saw a newspaper advertisement calling for submissions for projects celebrating the Anzac Centenary.

"All four of my projects were accepted, including this ride," he said.

"I think it's very special. These blokes gave their lives and their health 100 years ago and we should remember and commemorate their actions."

The Queensland government has committed $49.3 million over a five-year commemoration period for projects honouring service men and women who have fought and served in all war, conflict and peace operations.

-For more information on the Queensland Anzac Centenary, visit www.qld.gov.au/anzac100.