As reserve units were not allowed to fight outside Australia, on the outbreak of both WWI and WWII, the Australian Government recruited a special force of volunteers, known respectively as the first and second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) units. In the case of the Lancers their officers and men formed the first ranks of the 1st Light Horse, 1st AIF. At the end of WWI and the disbandment of the AIF units, where possible the AIF units complete with battle honours were effectively folded back into their "parent" Australian Military Force (AMF) unit. After the close of WWI, the Regiment which had been designated the 7th Light Horse (NSW Lancers) prior to WWI, was renamed the 1st Light Horse (NSW Lancers). A few years later, in 1921, the Regiment was designated the 1st Light Horse Regiment (NSW Lancers). The Regiment received the grant of the title "Royal" in 1935 and in the following year Regiment was renamed the 1st Light Horse (Machine Gun) Regiment (Royal NSW Lancers).
