“I HAVE always considered that the substitution of the internal combustion engine for the horse marked a very gloomy milestone in the progress of mankind.” – Winston Churchill, The House of Commons, June 24, 1952.
Residents and staff at the Coleraine and District Health Service gathered on Monday morning to celebrate the 100th birthday of resident, Walter James Kettle.
Mr Kettle, a member of the 4/19th Light Horse Militia is believed to be either the last or one of the last remaining Light Horsemen from the Second World War.
Jim and Jack Mellington from the Hamilton Light Horse paid Mr Kettle a special visit on the day, dressed in full Light Horse Brigade regalia alongside horses, Sunny and Bandit who stole the show on the momentous occasion.
Mr Kettle, who has spent much of his life riding, lit up when he spotted Sunny and Bandit rounding the corner and Wal’s daughter, Elizabeth Jordan said her father would be keen to ride if he could.
Mr Kettle’s father William also served in the mounted infantry of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the First World War and fought in Gallipoli, Palestine and throughout the Middle East.
Born in Colac on February 20, 1922 and raised on a dairy and chook farm in nearby Yeo, it was in 1939, at 17 years old, that Mr Kettle put his age up to be eligible and voluntarily enlisted in the 4/19th Light Horse Militia.
Ms Jordan said her father rode throughout the state during his time in the militia, training and preparing to go overseas when required.
“He went on and rode all through Victoria and along the coast and finally in 1941, they decided the 4th Light Horse wasn’t going to war anymore as there was no place for them overseas,” she said.
Following the final dismount of the Light Horse, Mr Kettle was sent to the Pacific Islands to clean up in 1943.
On September 26, 1956, Mr Kettle married Wendy Bell, also from Colac and the couple worked on clearing land for soldier settlements before being allocated one of the last settlement dairy farms in Muntham in 1957.
The Kettle’s shared the settlement with around 16 other families and enjoyed the benefits of living in an incredible community.
“The soldier settlers, you just can’t speak highly enough of what a wonderful community they were,” Ms Jordan said.
“They stood by each other; they’d help with harvest – everyone did everything for nothing it was just an incredible community – you just don’t see it anymore.
“If anyone was in need the others stepped in immediately and helped.”
In his youth, Mr Kettle also enjoyed hunting and shooting in the bush with his brother-in-law and close friend, Frank Bell.
As for the secret to longevity, Mr Kettle said the key was to be kind and not worry.
Ms Jordan said her father had always been big risktaker throughout his life but that was because he never let anything worry him.
“Dad has lived a long and healthy life and his secret is don’t die and he’s also never worried about anything,” she said.
