The Doloi light Horse
Men in Pith helmets
Defending Avia since 1864
The colours
Nunc est bibendum
In the latter part of the Nineteenth century when Great Britain ceded the Ionian islands to the newly independent Kingdom a very small portion of the Southern Peloponnese under British control was unfortunately left out of the formal agreement.
Unaware that they about to be left behind were colonial administrators, soldiers, merchants and also a small collection of mountebanks and ne-er do wells.
Thus the area of Avia became permanent home to these displaced officials.
Under the New Greek government, the Mani area of Greece became a hot bed of political intrigue. The idea was born to form a local militia to protect the interest of both the native Greeks and the new arrivals.
The Doloi Light Horse came into being. However the government back in Great Britain saw the Doloi light horse as useful in the forefront of any major conflict and mobilised them to be used abroad whenever the need arose.
The Doloi light horse first saw action in the Ashanti wars, the Zulu wars, notably when they ran from the battle of Rorkes drift, the Sudan and in the Boer war where they made a marvellous last stand at the battle of Malteser hill. They were in several of the theatres of war in 1914-18, on the western front and at Gallipoli. After the first war they saw service in Mesopotamia. Since that time the Doloi light horse has reverted to a local militia and have been largely forgotten.
The members of the Doloi Light Horse are drawn from former regiments of the British and Colonial Empire armies.
They are of company strength. The positions held by all ranks are unpaid; in addition they have to supply their own uniforms, weapons and horses.
The CO
The Adjutant
The old CSM now an officer (retd)
The new CSM
The liason officer
In charge of the officers mess
The colour Sgt
The pin up
Ready to play 300 a side polo
Its been a long patrol
On parade with the Doloi Light Horse see them in action now
Dare to join the Greek foreign legion ?
contact us on thelighthorsemencometh@hotmail.co.uk
