"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.
WARNING: This site contains: names, information and images of deceased people; and, language which may be considered inappropriate today.
Formed in August 1914 as part of the 1st Contingent and attached to the Australian Division, the 1st Light Horse Brigade was made up of Light Horsemen from four different states.
The 9th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. The 9th Light Horse Regiment was a composite regiment with two squadrons made up by recruits from the 4th Military District [South Australia and the Broken Hill region of New South Wales] while the last squadron, "C" Squadron was composed of men from the 3rd Military District [Victoria].
The 10th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. The 10th Light Horse Regiment was made up by recruits entirely drawn from the 5th Military District [Western Australia].
One of the best sources of information available for understanding the immediate challenges facing a regiment is to be found in the Routine Orders. They are a wealth of detail. The Routine Orders provide an unvarnished history of the Regiment.
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, History Topic: AIF - 3B - 9 LHR
9th LHR, AIF
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment
Outline
9th Light Horsemen Receiving the Regimental Standard, Adelaide, 15 November 1914.
[From: The Sydney Mail, 16 December 1914, p. 31.]
Outline of the 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
Formation
The 9th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. The 9th Light Horse Regiment went through two distinct phases during its formation. Initially, it was envisaged that the unit, to later become the 9th Light Horse Regiment, would in actuality be "B" Sqadron, 7th Light Horse Regiment. With the creation of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, "B" Squadron, 7th Light Horse Regiment was renamed "A" Sqadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment. The 9th Light Horse Regiment was a composite regiment with two squadrons made up by recruits from the 4th Military District [South Australia and the Broken Hill region of New South Wales] while the last squadron, "C" Squadron was composed of men from the 3rd Military District [Victoria]. The 9th Light Horse Regiment was established at Morphettville Race Track Training Camp to the west of Adeliade, South Australia, and the Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria.
Training
9th Light Horse Regiment Routine Order No 39, 15 February 1915
[Note: Earliest RO available. Click on page for larger version.]
Training for the 9th Light Horse Regiment occurred originally at Morphettville Race Track Training Camp to the west of Adeliade, South Australia, and the Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria. By late November 1914, the main training occurred at Broadmeadows while reinforcement training still remained at the two original depots.
Embarkation
Embarkation of the 9th Light Horse Regiment was accomplished in two groups using both the HMAT A10 Karroo and HMAT A26 Armadalefrom Melbourne, Victoria.
HMAT A10 Karrooat Port Melbourne, Victoria, 18 September 1916.
The 9th Light Horse Regiment Headquarters, Machine Gun Section, "B" and "C" Squadrons embarked on the HMAT A10 Karroo from Melbourne, Victoria, 11 February 1915.
HMAT A26 Armadale, at Port Melbourne, February 1915
9th Light Horse Regiment "A" Squadron embarked on the HMAT A26 Armadale from Melbourne, Victoria, 12 February 1915.
The 9th Light Horse Regiment sailed to Egypt and disembarked on 14 March 1915.
Colour Patch
Initially, the only colour separation of the various Australian mounted troops was by use of the pennant. The marker pennants were carried on poles to mark lines troop lines in camps in Egypt. They were not lance pennants as the Australian lancers had red over white pennants on their lances.
Pennant of the 9th Light Horse Regiment
While this pennant was useful in distinguishing horse and troop lines, it failed to identify the individual with a unit. The AIF 1st Australian Division Standing Orders issued in December 1914 ordered the Australian Light Horse Regiments to wear a 4 inch wide [10.2cm] blue armband with the regiment name marked on the band in black lettering.
The earlier systems proved to be ineffective so to assist with identification of the men in the various units within the AIF, Divisional Order No 81 (A) Administration was issued at Mena on 8 March 1915 detailing the Colour Patch for the 9th Light Horse Regiment as others received their colours. The colour patch was made of cloth 1¼ inches wide and 2¾ inches long and worn on the sleeve one inch below the shoulder seam. The colour patch for the 9th Light Horse Regiment was green over yellow.
9th Light Horse Regiment Colour Patch
The 9th Light Horse Regiment carried the yellow Brigade colour as the lower triangle part of the colour patch, while the green unit colour was on the top. This is illustrated with the above presentation.
Gallipoli
As mounted troops, the Light Horse was considered to be unsuitable for work in Gallipoli. The mounted troops volunteered to operate as infantry and thus were sent to Gallipoli with the 9th Light Horse Regiment landing on 20 May 1915. The Regiment was deployed on primarily defensive activities at Russel's Top and Rhododendron Spur throughout the stay at Gallipoli. The 9th Light Horse Regiment participated in the ill fated charge at Hill 60 on 27 August 1915 where most of the Regiment was either killed or wounded. The 9th Light Horse Regiment left the peninsula on 20 December 1915.
Defence of Egypt
After the return to Egypt, the 9th Light Horse Regiment reformed and re-equipped. The reorganisation of the Light Horse led to the formation of the ANZAC Mounted Division to which the 9th Light Horse Regiment became a foundation member.
On 28 February 1916, the 9th Light Horse Regiment moved to join its parent brigade, the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, which was taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. They remained here until moved to the Romani region to bolster the defence of that area.
Sinai
The 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade played an important role in beating back the Turkish invasion of the Suez Canal zone at Romani. Now known as the Battle of Romani which lasted from 4-6 August which was quickly followed by the Battle of Katia and then Bir el Abd on 9 August. All the actions in which the 9th Light Horse Regiment finally led to the defeat of the Ottoman Canal Expeditionary force and its retreat to Bir el Mazar.
Over the next few months, the 9th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Allied advance over the Sinai leading to the fall of Bir el Mazar, then El Arish followed by Bir el Magdhaba and finally Rafa in January 1917. The Ottoman forces were expelled from the Sinai and were poised to be tackled in Palestine.
Palestine
On 27 March 1917, the 9th Light Horse Regiment took part in the First Battle of Gaza. While involved in the encirclement of the city as a prelude to its capture, the 9th Light Horse Regiment received the order to withdraw and return to the starting line. Grudgingly they did so but realised the Turks had snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.
The 9th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.
The 9th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Battle of Beersheba and then the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918.
From this time onwards, for the next two months, the 9th Light Horse Regiment remained in continuous combat action until relieved for three months refit and training at Deir el Belah from early January 1918.
In early April 1918, the 9th Light Horse Regiment moved into the Jordan Valley and took part in the invasion of Moab and took Es Salt during the action of 30 April – 4 May 1918. Unfortunately, due to a Turkish attack on the lines of communication, this raid nearly turned into a disaster where the Turkish forces almost cut off the Australian Mounted Division in the hills.
Megiddo
In a move that converted the Light Horse into full cavalry, the Australian Mounted Division was issued with swords during August and early September 1917. The Australian Mounted Division went to work training with swords and undertaking cavalry work.
On 19 September 1918 the Battle of Megiddo began. The infantry over ran the Turkish defensive trenches allowing the cavalry to debouch into the Turkish hinterland. The 9th Light Horse Regiment participated in the breakthrough which moved rapidly through the north of Palestine. At the end of the first week, it was obvious that the way to Damascus was open and so a second push occurred on the heels of the first assault. On 1 October 1918, Damascus was taken. As part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, they marched through the city after its surrender by the Sarai.
After a rest in Damascus, the 9th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October 1918.
Return to Australia
After the conclusion of hostilities, the 9th Light Horse Regiment was marked to return to Australia. Prior to that action, one of the saddest actions occurred for the Australian Lighthorsemen, they had to farewell their best friends, the horses. All the Light Horse unit horses' health was ascertained with the fit horses being transferred to the Indian Cavalry while those in poor condition were destroyed by the Veterinary units.
On 13 March 1919 the 9th Light Horse Regiment was deployed to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 9th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 10 July 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded.
Commanding Officers
Lieutenant Colonel Albert Miell Lieutenant Colonel Carew Reynell Lieutenant Colonel William Grant Lieutenant Colonel John McLean Arnott Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Scott Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Joseph Daly
Decorations earned by the 9th Light Horse Regiment
2 CMG - Companion in The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George
5 DSO & 1 Bar - Distinguished Service Orders
1 OBE - Order of the British Empire
6 MC - Military Crosses
8 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
14 MM- Military Medals
1 MSM - Meritorious Service Medal
44 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
2 foreign awards
Campaigns
Gallipoli
Defence at Anzac
Suvla
Sari Bair
Gallipoli 1915-1916
Egypt
Defence of Egypt
Sinai
Romani
Magdhaba
Rafa
Palestine
First Battle of Gaza
Second Battle of Gaza
Third Battle of Gaza
Beersheba
El Mughar
Nebi Samwill
Jerusalem
Jericho
Es Salt
Megiddo
Sharon
Palestine 1917-1918
Casualties suffered by the 9th Light Horse Regiment
190 killed
481 wounded
War Diary
The Australian War Memorial has put these on line and may be accessed here:
The following list details all the embarkations in support of the 9th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, during the Great War. The list has been constructed from information and links kindly provided by The AIF Project. Each entry details to formation and the ships on which the units embarked with the date and place of embarkation. The detail of the formation is linked to a list of men who embarked upon that ship on the specific date. Each man is then linked to a brief military biography.
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