4th LHR, AIF

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment

4th Light Horse taking the salute in Melbourne, September 1914

[From: The Australasian,  3 October 1914, p. 5.]

Formation

The 4th Light Horse Regiment was formed as Divisional Cavalry for the Australian Division. It was part of the 1st Contingent and raised at Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria, on 11 August 1914. The recruits were drawn in large part from the Melbourne metropolitan area although the balance of men came from all seven Militia Regiments within the 3rd Military District which incorporated all of Victoria and part of Southern New South Wales. The men from New South Wales found themselves mainly in "C" Squadron. Many of the men went from the Light Horse Militia formation into the AIF Light Horse.

"A" Squadron recruited mainly from:

13th Light Horse Regiment (6 men).
20th Light Horse Regiment (13 men).
29th Light Horse Regiment (7 men).

 

"B" Squadron recruited mainly from:

15th Light Horse Regiment (5 men).
16th Light Horse Regiment (7 men).

 

"C" Squadron recruited mainly from:

17th Light Horse Regiment (10 men).
19th Light Horse Regiment (5 men).

Training 

[Note: This is the earliest surviving 4th LHR RO. Click on page for larger version.]

Training of the 4th Light Horse Regiment occurred at Broadmeadows Training Camp from August until October 1914. 

Embarkation

Embarkation of the 4th Light Horse Regiment occurred by both the HMAT A18 Wiltshire and the HMAT A25 Anglo Egyptian, departing from Melbourne, Victoria, 19 October 1914.

 [See: His Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships, A18.]

The bulk of the 4th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the HMAT A18 Wiltshire.

 [See: His Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships, A25.]

Twelve men from "C" Squadron were allotted to embark on the HMAT A25 Anglo Egyptian. On board the Anglo Egyptian was the Divisional Ammunition Column and the 2nd Light Horse Regiment which had embarked from Brisbane about a month before.

The 4th Light Horse Regiment sailed by convoy from Albany and passed by the action against the Emden at the Cocos Islands. The Wiltshire and Anglo Egyptian disembarked the 4th Light Horse Regiment in Egypt on 10 December 1914.

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.

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 4th 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 4th Light Horse Regiment wore two different colour patches during the Great War.

The first colour patch for the 4th Light Horse Regiment reflected their role as Divisional Cavalry which was white over red with the triangles obverse to the brigaded regiments.

4th Light Horse Regiment Shoulder Patch for Divisional Cavalry and 3rd Camel Regiment.

After Gallipoli, the 4th Light Horse Regiment was split with "B" and "D" Squadrons going to France. These two squadrons retained the colour patch and became known as the II Anzac Corps Mounted Regiment. The  4th Light Horse Regiment remained as Divisional Cavalry until it was renamed as the 3rd Camel Regiment on 24 December 1916. It retained the colour patch as it was first awarded until allotted to the 4th Light Horse Brigade in February 1917.

The 4th Light Horse Regiment carried the dark blue Brigade colour as the lower triangle part of the colour patch, while the light blue 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 4th Light Horse Regiment landing on 22 and 24 May. Initially the 4th Light Horse Regiment was broken up into its component squadrons which were distributed as reinforcements to the depleted infantry battalions. After 11 June 1915 the 4th Light Horse Regiment was reformed and was mainly deployed on defensive activities around Ryrie's Post. The 4th Light Horse Regiment  left the peninsula on 11 December 1915.

Defence of Egypt

After the return to Egypt, the 4th Light Horse Regiment was reformed to include a forth squadron known as "D" Squadron.

Two squadrons from the 4th Light Horse Regiment, "B" and "D" Squadrons, were detailed to act as Divisional Cavalry 1st and 3rd Australian Divisions respectively and to embark with the Divisions to serve in France on the Western Front. Added to these two squadrons was a squadron from the New Zealand Regiment, the Otago Mounted Rifles. These three squadrons formed the composite regiment known as the II Anzac Corps Mounted Regiment. [See: Aus Units - 22nd Corps]

The two remaining squadrons, "A" and "C" Squadrons formed the nucleus of the 4th Light Horse Regiment which rebuilt itself with a new "B" Squadron. The 4th Light Horse Regiment moved to take part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. The Regiment remained in the area until after the Battle of Romani where it was involved in work related to securing the lines of communication.

On 24 December 1916, the 4th Light Horse Regiment was brigaded with the Imperial Camel Corps and received the new name of the 3rd Camel Regiment. It served in this role until the break up of the Anzac Mounted Division in February 1917. A new division was created called the Imperial Mounted Division. Included in this Division were two Australian mounted brigades, the 3rd and 4th Light Horse Brigades. The latter Brigade, the 4th Light Horse Brigade was formed with the 3rd Camel Regiment, renamed the 4th Light Horse Regiment and the 11th and 12th Light Horse Regiments. The Imperial Mounted Division was renamed the Australian Mounted Division soon after.

Palestine

The 4th Light Horse Brigade was assigned to protect the rail line and lines of communications for the first months of 1917. They missed the First Battle of Gaza but were back at the front by 6 April 1917 and took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917. The 4th Light Horse Regiment took no part in this battle as they were the Brigade reserve.

In its first major battle as the 4th Light Horse Regiment, the Regiment took part in the Battle of Beersheba. Fame for the Regiment was achieved when, in conjunction with the 12th Light Horse Regiment, charged and took Beersheba, thereby sealing victory on that day for the Allied forces. 

See: Men who possibly charged at Beersheba - 4th LHR

From this time onwards, for the next two months, the 4th 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 4th Light Horse Regiment moved into the Jordan Valley and took part in the Es Salt Raid of 30 April – 4 May 1918 guarding the routes into Moab. This was a near disastrous situation where the Turkish forces almost cut off the Australian Mounted Division in the hills.

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 4th 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. There is contention as to whom was the first to reach inside the city. A 4th Light Horse Regiment patrol led by Sergeant Frank Organ claimed to be amongst the first allied troops to enter Damascus. However, while this patrol was entering, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade was receiving the surrender of the city at the Sarai.

After a rest in Damascus, the 4th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October 1918.

Return to Australia

After the conclusion of hostilities, the 4th Light Horse Regiment was awaited their return to Australia. During their wait, 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 8 March 1919 the 4th Light Horse Regiment embarked to Egypt. Here they remained to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 4th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 15 June 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded. 

Commanding Officers

Lieutenant Colonel John Kealty Forsyth
Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Long
Lieutenant Colonel SMurray William James Bourchier
Lieutenant Colonel George James Rankin

 Decorations earned by the 4th Light Horse Regiment

• 4 DSO and 1 Bar - Distinguished Service Orders
• 1 OBE - Order of the British Empire
  
• 6 MC and 1 Bar - Military Crosses
• 14 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
• 46 MM and 1 Bar - Military Medals
• 1 MSM - Meritorious Service Medal
• 31 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
• 4 foreign awards 
  

Campaigns

Gallipoli

• Anzac
• Defence at Anzac
• Suvla
• Sari Bair
• Gallipoli 1915-1916
  

Egypt

• Defence of Egypt 1915-1917
  

Palestine

• Third Battle of Gaza
• Beersheba
  
• El Mughar
  
• Nebi Samwill
  
• Jerusalem
  
• Es Salt
• Abu Tellul
• Megiddo
  
• Nablus
  
• Palestine 1917-1918

France

• Messines 1917
• Ypres 1917
  
• Broodseinde
  
• Passchendaele
  
• Lys
  
• Kemmel
  
• Marne 1918
  
• Tardenois
  
• France and Flanders 1916-1918

Casualties suffered by the 4th Light Horse Regiment

[Note: Gallipoli, Egypt, Sinai and Palestine only.]

• 105 killed
• 332 wounded
  

War Diary

The Australian War Memorial has put these on line and may be accessed here:

4th Light Horse Regiment War Diaries.

Embarkations:

The following list details all the embarkations in support of the 4th 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.

See: Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.

Acknowledgment: Many thanks to Steve Becker who has provided the raw material for the page Men who possibly charged at Beersheba - 4th LHR.

Further Reading:

4th Light Horse Regiment

Men who possibly charged at Beersheba - 4th LHR

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle - Outline 

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 8:42 PM EADT

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4th LHR, AIF

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment

Contents

The 4th Light Horse Regiment was formed as Divisional Cavalry for the Australian Division. The recruits were drawn in large part from the Melbourne metropolitan area although the balance of men came from all seven Militia Regiments within the 3rd Military District which incorporated all of Victoria and part of Southern New South Wales.

Structure

The Australian Light Horse – Structural outline

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle

Corps

Desert Mounted Corps (DMC)

Division

Australian Mounted Division

Brigade

Imperial Camel Corps - units

4th Light Horse Brigade

Regiment

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment

History

Beersheba

Men who possibly charged at Beersheba - 4th LHR

Bourchier, CO 4th ALHR, account about the fall of Beersheba

4th LHR, AIF account about the fall of Beersheba

2639 Tpr Arthur Wilson Beatty account of Beersheba

 

Routine Orders

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.

4th LHR Routine Order No 171, 17 June 1915

Roll of Honour

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour 

Lest We Forget

Further Reading:

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 October 2009 8:37 PM EADT

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4th LHR, AIF

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment

Roll of Honour

Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra

The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men known to have served at one time with the 4th Light Horse Regiment and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 4th Light Horse Regiment or another unit.

Roll of Honour

 

Arthur John ADAMS, Killed in Action, 20 September 1917.

Thomas AGNEW, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1915.

George ALEXANDER, Killed in Action, 25 March 1917.

Jack ALLEN, Killed in Action, 4 May 1918.

William Robert ALLEN, Killed in Action, 1 February 1917.

Frederick Clifford ALLINGHAM, Killed in Action, 20 July 1916.

John Clyde ALLISON, Killed in Action, 24 April 1918.

Francis David AMIET, Killed in Action, 7 June 1917.

Alexander ANDERSON, Killed in Action, 12 April 1919.

Arthur James ANDERSON, Died of Wounds, 3 June 1918.

William Walter ASH, Killed in Action, 2 May 1918.

Clarence Etheridge ATKINSON, Killed in Action, 28 June 1915.

Ernest Edward AUSTIN, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

 

 

Alfred BAILES, Died of Wounds, 8 August 1915.

Ralph BARNFATHER, Killed in Action, 19 July 1916.

Edward Victor BARROW, Killed in Action, 17 June 1917.

Norman James BARTLETT, Died of Wounds, 24 May 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Harry Cyril BASTOW, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Harold Thomas BELL, Died of Wounds, 1 November 1917.

William Robert BELL, Killed in Action, 27 July 1918.

Frederick Rubon BENHAM, Killed in Action, 27 April 1918.

Lewis Richard BERRYMAN, Killed in Action, 25 June 1917.

Henry BIGGS, Killed in Action, 2 May 1918.

Reginald Allan BIRCHENOUGH, Died of Wounds, 15 April 1918.

Frederick Arthur BIRD, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1915.

Lancelot Charles BLACKALL, Killed in Action, 4 May 1918.

Martin Petrie BLUNDELL, Killed in Action, 18 April 1918.

Gilbert John BLYTHMAN, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Henry Joseph BOWERS, Killed in Action, 6 April 1917.

Wesley Stanley BRIDESON, Killed in Action, 22 August 1915.

Frederick Charles Lionel BRIDGELAND, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

Reginald William BRINSMEAD, Killed in Action, 17 December 1917.

Harold Osborne BROWNING, Killed in Action, 16 October 1915.

Frederick James BUCHAN, Killed in Action, 1 May 1918.

Archibald Edward BULLER, Died of Wounds, 18 April 1918.

George Walter BURNETT, Killed in Action, 22 August 1917.

Albert BURROWS, Killed in Action, 1 May 1918.

Francis James BURTON, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.

 

 

Edwin George Rutherford CAIRNS, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Edward CALLANAN, Killed in Action, 18 April 1918 .

Dugald CAMPBELL, Died of Disease, 16 November 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

John Murray CAMPIGLI, Died of Disease, 21 November 1918.

Joseph CAREY, Killed in Action, 8 November 1915.

John Ernest CHAPMAN, Killed in Action, 8 August 1918.

Allan Patrick CHRISTENSEN, Killed in Action, 28 September 1918.

Edward Randolph CLEAVER, Died of Wounds, 31 October 1917.

William Crellin CLOVER, Died of Disease, 23 June 1917.

Josiah John COATES, Died of Disease, 17 January 1918.

Harry (Izod) COLDICOTT, Died of Wounds, 7 June 1917.

John CONNORS, Died of Disease, 14 October 1918.

Albert Edward COOPER, Killed in Action, 29 March 1917.

Albert John Benjamin COOPER, Killed in Action, 17 April 1918.

Arthur Lindsay COPE, Killed in Action, 1 September 1918.

Robert James COULTER, Died of Disease, 7 November 1915.

Joseph CROWLEY, Died of Disease, 12 February 1919.

Reginald Jesse CUSSINS, Died of Disease, 7 December 1918.

 

 

Charles Malcolm DALTON, Died of Wounds, 12 August 1915.

James Edward DALY, Killed in Action, 29 August 1918.

Allan Vincent DARGAVEL, Killed in Action, 7 November 1917.

Robert DELANEY, Killed in Action, 31 May 1918.

Colin Langston DOUGLAS, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

Lachlan James DOWNEY, Died of Disease, 16 October 1918.

Leo DUCKMANTON, Killed in Action, 5 May 1917.

John James DYER, Killed in Action, 29 September 1917.

 

 

Francis Thomas EACOTT, Killed in Action, 4 January 1917.

Leicester George ELLIS, Died of Wounds, 23 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

 

 

James FAHEY, Killed in Action, 31 July 1915.

Frederick Roland FAULKNER, Died of Wounds, 10 May 1917.

Ronald John FLETCHER, Killed in Action, 29 September 1918.

Robert Bartholomew FONTANA, Killed in Action, 1 September 1918.

Alexander Gibson FORSYTH, Died of Disease, 2 April 1917.

John Walter FRANCIS, Killed in Action, 26 September 1917.

 

 

William John GARDNER, Died of Wounds, 9 May 1917.

Hugh GILLIES, Killed in Action, 3 May 1918.

Lionel Leonard GORDON, Died of Disease, 24 July 1917.

Edward GORMAN, Killed in Action, 9 October 1915.

James GORRIE, Died of Wounds, 10 August 1915.

Walton Robert GRAYSON, Killed in Action, 26 April 1918.

Edward GREEN, Killed in Action, 3 May 1918.

Charles Edward GUPPY, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1916.

 

 

William James HALL, Killed in Action, 14 November 1915.

Gordon Robin HARPER, Killed in Action, 31 October 1916.

Keith HARRINGTON, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1915.

Reginald HARRINGTON, Died of Wounds, 10 June 1918.

Edward Todd HARRISON, Killed in Action, 14 July 1918.

Bernard HERMANN, Died of Wounds, 26 August 1916.

Stanley HICK, Killed in Action, 16 September 1915.

Edward Francis Patrick HILLIEAR, Died of Wounds, 5 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

 

 

Charles Hugh IBBS, Killed in Action, 16 July 1918.

Thomas Gordon INGLIS, Killed in Action, 3 August 1915.

 

 

Arthur Lethero JAMES, Died of Wounds, 2 February 1917.

John JOPE, Killed in Action, 16 October 1918.

Alfred James JURY, Died of Wounds, 22 April 1918.

Henry William JURY, Killed in Action, 28 November 1915.

 

 

Daniel KELLY, Killed in Action, 18 April 1918.

John Joseph KENNEDY, Killed in Action, 15 April 1918.

John Michael KENNEDY, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Sylvester Daniel KENNEDY, Died of Wounds, 26 August 1918.

Robert KIDD, Killed in Action, 25 October 1917.

Charles David KING, Killed in Action, 1 December 1917.

Walter Rodney KINGHORN, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.

John KISSICK, Died of Wounds, 25 June 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Mervyn Digby KNIGHT, Killed in Action, 6 July 1918.

 

 

Leslie Reed LANGTRY, Killed in Action, 4 December 1917.

John Francis LATTA, Died of Disease, 12 November 1918.

William James LEE, Died of Wounds, 19 August 1918.

Nicholas LENAGHAN, Died of Disease, 8 May 1916.

Clifton LESLIE, Died of Wounds, 30 October 1916.

George LETTS, Died of Accident, 13 November 1916.

Leslie Cecil LEWIS, Killed in Action, 13 October 1918.

Joseph Herbert LINDSAY, Died of Wounds, 30 June 1915.

John Edward LOWE, Killed in Action, 13 August 1915.

Cecil Flinders LUCAS, Killed in Action, 23 August 1918.

 

 

Charles Albert Ernest MacKAY, Killed in Action, 20 June 1918.

Ernest MATTHEWS, Killed in Action, 22 August 1918.

Allan MAY., Died of Wounds, 31 July 1915.

Leslie Cecil MAYGAR VC, Died of Wounds, 1 November 1917.

James Joseph McCAGUE, Died of Wounds, 3 November 1917.

John Elmer McCANCE, Died of Wounds, 9 August 1915.

William Alexander McCAREY, Killed in Action, 4 May 1918.

James McCRAE, Died of Accident, 15 June 1916.

Frederick Alexander McDONALD, Died of Wounds, 17 October 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Frank McDONNELL, Killed in Action, 19 April 1917.

Duncan Campbell McDOUGALL, Killed in Action, 6 November 1917.

Herbert McGILL, Killed in Action, 30 April 1918.

Francis Edmund McGRATH, Died of Wounds, 31 October 1917.

William Hodge McGREGOR, Killed in Action, 5 June 1915.

Harry Athol McINTOSH, Died of Wounds, 22 October 1917.

William Hutchison McINTOSH, Died of Wounds, 1 December 1917.

James Greer McKAY, Killed in Action, 19 August 1916.

Norman Joseph McKAY, Killed in Action, 11 November 1917.

William Fraser McKERROW, Killed in Action, 4 May 1918.

Archibald McKINNON, Died of Accident, 18 June 1916.

William Carlyle McLEISH, Died of Disease, 6 April 1915.

Angus McLEOD, Died of Wounds, 7 October 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

John McLEOD, Died of Wounds, 18 April 1918.

Oswald Samuel McLEOD, Killed in Action, 18 April 1918.

Horace Joseph McMAHON, Killed in Action, 8 November 1915.

Malcom Wade McPHERSON, Died of Wounds, 17 November 1915.

Harry George MENZIES, Killed in Action, 9 August 1918.

Benjamin Peter George MEREDITH, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.

Hassef Lees MILLINGTON, Killed in Action, 27 November 1915.

Sydney Newman MITCHELL, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.

Alfred Norman MOORE, Killed in Action, 6 November 1916.

Robert Herbert MORLEY, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917.

Hugh MORTON, Died of Disease, 1 January 1915.

Humphrey Osborne MOULE, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

Albert Herbert MULLER, Killed in Action, 2 August 1915.

Joseph Albert MURPHY, Died of Disease, 17 October 1918.

Joshua Grant MURPHY, Killed in Action, 22 October 1917.

Albert Gordon MURRAY, Died of Disease, 19 November 1918.

Albert John MURRAY, Killed in Action, 10 July 1918.

 

 

Arthur William NAGLE, Died of Wounds, 5 February 1917.

James NASH, Killed in Action, 7 June 1917.

Ernest Henry NETHERBY, Killed in Action, 2 May 1918.

William David NIVEN, Died of Wounds, 5 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Percy Henry NORMAN, Died of Accident, 17 October 1918.

 

 

Ronald Ewan O'BRIEN, Killed in Action, 20 September 1917.

Thomas Stephen O'BRIEN, Died of Disease, 14 May 1919.

William John O'LEARY, Died of Wounds, 15 June 1915.

Charles OWENS, Died of Wounds, 30 September 1918.

 

 

Harry Beckett PATERSON, Killed in Action, 23 August 1918.

Arthur Forbes PAULET, Killed in Action, 5 June 1915.

Roger Henry PAY, Killed in Action, 27 July 1918.

Walter George PEEL, Died of Wounds, 5 September 1915.

Charles Raymond PHILLIPS, Died of Wounds, 19 June 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Clifford Oswald PHILLIPS, Died of Wounds, 23 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Frederick POND, Killed in Action, 4 February 1917.

Michael Lewis POWELL, Died of Wounds, 19 July 1918.

Joseph James POWER, Died of Accident, 18 March 1915.

Robert Henry Werribee PRATT, Died of Wounds, 12 April 1917.

William George PURVIS, Killed in Action, 12 October 1917.

 

 

Alexander Leslie RAY, Killed in Action, 16 September 1915.

John REINEKE, Died of Wounds, 1 November 1917.

John Lewis RENNICK, Died of Wounds, 21 September 1918.

Edwin REYNOLDS, Killed in Action, 25 October 1916.

Rupert REYNOLDS, Died of Wounds, 4 January 1917.

Ormond Francis RICHARDSON, Died of Disease, 12 June 1917.

Frederick Rowland RIGBY, Killed in Action, 18 April 1918.

Herbert Charles RIGBY, Died of Accident, 30 December 1915.

Joseph Arthur ROBERTS, Died of Disease, 25 June 1915.

James ROSS, Killed in Action, 30 April 1918.

Charles RUSSELL, Died of Disease, 12 October 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

 

 

Ernest James SAMMONS, Died of Wounds, 24 April 1918.

Alan Robertson SCOTT, Died of Wounds, 29 April 1918.

Alexander Charles SCOTT, Killed in Action, 25 April 1918.

William Royal SELKIRK, Died of Wounds, 17 November 1917.

Patrick SEXTON, Killed in Action, 17 April 1918.

Richard SEXTON, Died of Accident, 5 October 1916.

John SLATTERY, Died of Wounds, 23 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Alexander Sydney SMITH, Died of Wounds, 7 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Duncan SMITH, Died of Disease, 18 October 1918.

Frederick Joseph SMITH, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915 .

Robert Frederick SMITH, Died of Wounds, 2 October 1916.

Walter SMITH, Died of Wounds, 18 October 1918.

William John SMITH, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

Clifford STEPHENSON, Died of Wounds, 9 November 1916.

John STEWART, Killed in Action, 30 July 1915.

Sydney John STEWART, Killed in Action, 17 April 1918.

Gerald Cunliffe STONES, Killed in Action, 30 May 1917 .

Murray Charles STORRER, Died of Wounds, 5 June 1915.

Alfred Thomas STUCHBERY, Killed in Action, 2 August 1918.

Richard SWALE, Died of Wounds, 29 September 1917.

 

 

Norman Thomas TALBETT, Killed in Action, 5 August 1915.

James Raymond TAYLOR, Died of Wounds, 8 June 1917.

Stanley TAYLOR, Died of Disease, 25 October 1918.

Thomas Henry TAYLOR, Killed in Action, 2 May 1918.

Smedley Joseph John TERRY, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

Albert Ernest Victor THOMAS, Died of Disease, 21 October 1918.

Charles Vivian THOMAS, Killed in Action, 29 April 1918.

Reuben Montague THOMAS, Died of Disease, 22 June 1915.

John Hunter THOMSON, Killed in Action, 13 August 1916.

Rupert James TILLY, Died of Wounds, 30 November 1915.

Herbert Stanley TUCKFIELD, Killed in Action, 15 April 1917.

Miles Neil TURNER, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

 

 

Frank VENDY, Died of Wounds, 31 July 1915.

 

 

Walter Arthur WALLER, Died of Wounds, 10 January 1917.

Christopher Norman WARD, Killed in Action, 30 September 1918.

James Edward WAUGH, Killed in Action, 26 August 1916.

Ernest Walter WESTON, Died of Wounds, 5 December 1917.

Clifford Knapsey WHEELINS, Died of Wounds, 4 November 1917.

Patrick WHELAN, Died of Wounds, 9 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Patrick WHELAN, Died of Wounds, 9 August 1915 , and subsequently buried at sea. .

Harold Thomas WICKHAM, Died of Wounds, 1 November 1917.

Reginald WILLIAMS, Killed in Action, 3 August 1915.

Alexander WILSON, Killed in Action, 31 October 1917 .

Francis Ernest WILSON, Killed in Action, 3 January 1917.

Edward WOMERSLEY, Died of Wounds, 2 November 1917.

William John WOODS, Killed in Action, 1 May 1918.

 

 

Herbert YOUNG, Died of Wounds, 8 June 1917.

 

Lest We Forget

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.
 

Further Reading:

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 31 July 2009 11:29 PM EADT

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The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

4th LHR, AIF, Charge at Beersheeba

4th Light Horse Regiment men who charged at Beersheba

The following list comprises the men from the 4th Light Horse Regiment who were possibly at Beersheba on 31 October 1917 and may have been available to have taken part in the famous Charge at Beersheba.

The problems

The reason for the uncertainty, except for those wounded or killed in action arises from the situation that no roll was ever taken of the men who did charge. The historian is then left to search through the individual service records to ascertain if the man was likely to have been at Beersheba on the appropriate date. The exercise required examining many hundreds of records from potential candidates and narrowing down to the likely candidates whose files show no reason not to be at Beersheba.

The absence of a reason in itself does not mean that the person actually charged. A person may have reported sick in the morning and spent a couple days at the Field Ambulance. If the stay at the Field Ambulance was less than 14 days, generally it would not be recorded on the service record unless it was a reportable illness. Thus, the absence of a reaqson not to be at Beersheba is not evidence that a person was at Beersheba but it is more than likely that the person was at Beersheba.

The List

The following list was researched and constructed by Steve Becker and is reproduced with his permission.

4th Light Horse Regiment

 

Regimental Headquarters

Murray William James BOURCHIER

George James RANKIN

Norman Gordon RAE

James Iver CHIRNSIDE

Leslie Albert AUSTIN

Harry Clifford Arlington McCANN

Alexander WILSON

Frederick Osmond SMITH

Sydney VIALLS

Arthur John COX

Frederick GILL

Ephraim Edward McHUGH

John Barstow KELLEHER

Harold Howard WALLACE

David Stanley WALKER

Joshua Joseph Talbot DIAL

Kenneth Watson FULLER

Edward MOORE

Charles SELL

Walter Errold SYDENHAM

Henry Thomas WALTER

George WHYTE

William SCOTT

John Albert CASHMORE

 

A Squadron

 

James LAWSON

John Bernard PAYTE

Francis James BURTON

Benjamin Peter George MEREDITH

Nelson Joseph HEMMONS

James Daniel HICKEY

Thomas Forrester MURRAY

Harold PURNELL

James Dawson McDONALD

Francis John WHITE

Walter Frank ASHTON

Alexander BACKMAN

Martin John BALSARINI

Clarence Roy BEAL

Harold Thomas BELL

George Edison BINGHAM

William John BIRKETT-VIPONT

Vincent Francis BLACK

Sloan BOLTON

Basil James BOOTH

Albert BOTTOMLEY

William Herman BRIX

Alfred Leslie BRUCE

Sidney BURKE

John Frederick BURLEY

Francis BURNS

Albert BURROWS

Michael BYRNE

Archibald Hugh CAMERON

John William CANTWELL

Montague CARR

William Giles CHIPPINDALL

Edward Randolph CLEAVER

Vincent Sinclair CONNOLLY

Lionel CORNELL

Aloysius James COTTER

John Edward CUMMINGS

William Thomas DAVIES

Thomas DICKSON

Ernest William DONALD

Fred DUNWELL

James Thomas FRANCIS

George Walter FRENCH

James GARTLY

Leslie Stuart GEDDES

Angus John GILLIES

Hugh GILLIES

William GOLDSON

Robert William GOODEAR

John GOWLING

Robert John GRAY

William Henderson HALLIDAY

Charles Vivian HARDIE

Hubert Leslie HARRIS

Edward Todd HARRISON

Alfred Ernest HEALEY

Thomas Eugene HEALY

Simon HENNESSY

William Jacob HINDHAUGH

Francis George HOLTON

Robert Leslie HOPE

Frank HORSBURGH

Herbert John HUTCHINSON

James Thomas HYDER

Andrew William JACKSON

William Claude JENNER

Ernest William JOHNSON

Lauriston James JOHNSON

Arthur Need JOHNSTONE

Arthur Need JOHNSTONE

Dennis KERLIN

William Edward KERRIGAN

Allan Edward KIMBERLEY

Walter Rodney KINGHORN

Rupert LARKING

John Francis LATTA

Reuben LEE

Edward Lawrence LEEHANE

Stephen Edward LOUGHNAN

John Charles Gordon LYON

Stuart Lothian MacDONALD

Joseph Edward MANNION

Reginald George Prior MARKWELL

Jack MASON

John Alexander MATHESON

John McALPINE

John Hamilton McARTHUR

John Coll McDONALD

Malcolm Donald McDONALD

Francis Edmund McGRATH

Joseph James McGRATH

Thomas Francis McKEOGH

William Fraser McKERROW

James Alexander McLEAN

James McMILLAN

Patrick McNAMARA

John Joseph McNIFF

Neil McPHEE

Edward MINNS

Sydney Newman MITCHELL

William MOORFOOT

Charles Victor Clyde MORLEY

Robert Herbert MORLEY

Walter George MORRISON

Alfred Wilson MORTON

Bickley MURDOCH

George Alexander MURDOCH

Thomas MURPHY

Charles Reginald MURRAY

Francis Bernard NEEDHAM

Thomas James NESBITT

Arthur Ignatius NUGENT

John William O'KEEFE

Frank David ORGAN

Dennis Francis O'ROURKE

Alfred PAGE

Clifford Francis PAGET

James PAYNE

Thomas Walter PEARCE

Stanley George PERRETT

William PLUNKET

George Frederick PUNTON

John REARDON

John REINEKE

Frederick Dawson ROBINSON

Edward RODDY

James Cue RYAN

John Edward SAYERS

Edward Clarendon SEAGER

Albert Edward SHAW

Richard Bradshaw SLATER

George Benjamin SMYTH

Henry STEPHENS

George Leonard STEPNELL

Reginald John SWAIN

John TACKABERRY

Frank Stanley Archer TAGGART

Noble Johnson TANNER

Frank Lindsay TAYLOR

James Robert TAYLOR

William Leonard THOMAS

Frederick Gladman TILLEY

William TODD

Edward George TOMKINS

Arthur Randolph TRIMNELL

Richard William Leslie URAND

Charles Edward WALSH

James Arthur WALTERS

Albert Stanley WALTON

William Charles WATKINS

Clifford Knapsey WHEELINS

Harold Thomas WICKHAM

Charles David WILKINSON

Donald Matthew WILLIAMS

Walter James WILLIAMS

Harry WILSON

Peter WILSON

Charles Percy WITHERS

Trevor WOMBWELL

Stanley George WOODS

Arthur Thomas WOOLLARD

Frank WYND

 

 

B Squadron

Albert David REID

Lewis BIRCH

William STEWART

Leonard GOODING

Arthur Thomas CLARKE

Ewan Paul CAMERON

Percy ATKINS

Arthur Easton BOND

Robert Stanley BRUMBY

Sydney CHRISTIAN

Percy William Burnett CLARK

Spencer Osborne CLARKE

James Ignatius CONNOR

Ernest Edward CORK

Allan Gladstone CORRIE

Ernest Henry Thomas CROSS

Gilbert DELLAR

Walter Leslie DENNIS

Charles Herbert DUSTING

Charles Albert FECHNER

Albert William FROST

John Joel Allan GALE

John Percy Lemon GAYLARD

Ronald GREGGERY

Ronald GREGGERY

Joseph Patrick HEHIR

Arthur Edward HENRY

William Bernard HEPPNER

Albert HIPGRAVE

Kenneth Charles HUDSON

Bertie Allan LANGTIP

Ernest Walter LANGTIP

Henry LANGTIP

Leslie Oliver LANGTIP

James Edward LEVER

Albert Charles LEWIS

Robert Andrew McCANN

Duncan Campbell McDOUGALL

Duncan McKAY

William Daniel McNAB

Roland Leonard McNEE

Thomas Rainsford MILLS

William MOORE

Herbert George MORGAN

Francis Patrick MORONEY

Hugh MUNRO

Lewis Peter NELSON

Douglas James NEWMAN

Thomas Stephen O'BRIEN

Arthur PICKFORD

George ROBERTSON

Oscar Ernest ROZYNSKI

Alfred SAUNDERS

Leslie Ernest SCOTT

William Royal SELKIRK

Leslie Thomas SMITH

George Shaw STEWART

William Patrick SWEENEY

Sydney Thomas THOMPSON

Lawrence Edward THORPE

John Laidlow TODD

William John WOODS

 

 

C Squadron

John Capt PARKIN

Frank Hardy PHILLIPS

Lesley Alexander WILKIE

John Thomas MOODIE

Ashley Vernon McCANN

Richard Frederick SWANELL

Richard HAMPTON

Hilbert Kebbel Trenwith CHANCELLOR

John Comber ROBERTSON

William James ALLAN

James ANDERSON

Robert BANKS

Arthur Wilson BEATTY

Sydney John BENEY

Albany Roy BENTLEY

Henry BIGGS

Bert BODDISON

Lawrence Joseph BOLAND

Arthur Victor BOND

John Bruce BREESE

Jack Vincent BRODIE

Edward John BURKE

Bertram CANNING

Arthur CASHMORE

Wallace Hugh CHALMERS

James CLANCY

Ralph Robert CLARK

John CLINCH

Carl Raymond COGGER

Charles Henry CONNELL

Herbert Stephen CONNOR

James Edward COOPER

Hugh Frances CREGAN

Hugh Frances CREGAN

Arthur DANIELS

Thomas Anthony DARCY

Jason Henry DAVIES

Albert Charles DIBB

William John DIBBS

Lachlan James DOWNEY

Thomas John Francis DOWNEY

Raymond DOWNING

Alexander Raymond DOYLE

Joseph James DRANE

James George DUNLOP

Bruce West DURANT

Hugh Robert ELLIOTT

Andrew James ERICKSON

Louis Conrad EZZY

Thomas Smart FAIRBAIRN

Wallace Stanley FINDLAY

Laurie FORD

Clive FRASER

Henry Augustus FROMHOLD

Edward Augustus GALE

Joseph GILLESPIE

Alexander Thomas GRAINGER

Robert William GREGSON

John Thomas Rowe GRENFELL

Frederick GULLIFORD

Henry James HALL

Keith Booth HALLORAN

George Connolly HAZLETT

Charles William HEYWOOD

Ernest George HILL

Charles Frederick HUGGINS

Albert Edward ILLINGWORTH

Albert JAMIESON

Clarence Andrew KENSLEY

David KENT

Edmund Edward KEOGH

William Henry KIFT

Ernest Henry KOPKE

Frederick LAWRY

William LENNON

Horace Samuel LONG

Percy Wilfred LOOMES

John Alexander MacKINTOSH

William Alexander McCAREY

John Thomas McCARTNEY

Harold Robert McINNES

Alexander McINTYRE

James Alexander McINTYRE

William Allan McKECHNIE

John Flemming McKEE

William McKENZIE

William Samuel Alexander McKENZIE

John James McPHERSON

Sydney MILLS

Edward Herbert Hector MISSEN

Henry Alexander MOODIE

James Alfoncis MOODIE

Donald Richard MORGAN

Edison MOUNSEY

Arthur Bowden MUSGROVE

Ernest Henry NETHERBY

Albert Henry NEWELL

Ronald William NICHOLAS

John NORMAN

John Gladstone O'DONNELL

James William OFFORD

Roland Valentine PRICE

Phillip QUINN

Thomas QUINN

Frank RAINES

Paston Hubert REDE

William Alfred REID

Rupert RICE

George Cecil RICHARDS

Joseph RILEN

Herbert Charles ROBERTSON

Thomas McKnight ROBERTSON

Andrew George ROSS

David ROSS

John Francis RYAN

Michael Augustus RYAN

Clarence Mitchell SARGEANT

Harold John SAUNDERS

Frederick Beecher SCOTT

William George SINCLAIR

George SMITH

John Russell SPEECHLEY

Hugh SPENCER

Charles Ernest SPONG

Henry James STEEL

George STOCKDALE

Thomas SUTHERLAND

Herbert James TEATHER

Leslie Peter TEITZEL

Boyd John THURBON

Harry TRIGG

Hugh Alexander WALES

Edward George WALKEDEN

William Albert WATKINS

Oswald WATT

Walter William WEBSTER

Frederick Hargrave WHITE

John Leslie WHITFIELD

Samuel James WILLIAMS

William Wallace WILSON

Stephen WRIGHT

 

 

Squadron Unknown

Charles ALDERTON

Ernest Charles ALTMANN

William Walter ASH

Charles James Henry BARRY

Albert James BARTER

Kenneth Maie BATTERSBY

Thomas John BENNETTS

Ernest BINION

Reginald Francis BROWNE

Thomas Charles BUNSTON

Alexander Morton CALDWELL

Hugh Robert CAMPBELL

Henry Percival COAD

Joseph Eyra COOK

Francis CURTIN

Walter Edwin DALLIMORE

David Hogg DAVIDSON

Frank Thomas DAVIES

Horace James Stephens DUFF

Charles ELDRIDGE

Wallace Edward Vance ELLIS

John EVANS

Charles Ernest FARNAN

Michael John FARQUER

John Thomas FISHER

Leslie Robert GALLARD

Thomas D'arcy GALLOP

Colin Campbell GORDON

Rupert Francis GOW

James Vincent GRANT

William John GRIGG

Leonard William HANCOCK

Alexander Christian HANSEN

Edward Phillip HARRINGTON

James William HEATON

James Alexander HENDERSON

Leslie George HERTEL

John Campbell HUNTER

Daniel William HUSSEY

Jubo Werner JOKINEN

David Lewis JONES

William JONES

Alexander LAMB

George LANG

Donald Manson LINTON

Chrisopher Patrick MAHONY

William Brockley McCLUSKY

Colin Richard McLEAN

Lachlan Edwin Nichols McLEAN

Allan McTAVISH

Hugh Francis MISKIN

Alan Arthur MOODIE

James Joseph MOORE

George MORRAH

Thomas Matthew MOYES

Thomas James NOONAN

Griffith Henry OWEN

William Ernest PENNINGTON

Herbert Albert Alan PHILLIPS

John PITCEATHLY

John Daniel REIDY

Henry George RICHARDS

George James Samuel RILETT

Rowland George ROBERTS

Robert James ROBERTSON

Thomas George ROSE

Morgan SCANNELL

Charles Alexander SCHIMMELBUSCH

Gavin William Reginald SCOTT

Albert James Parker SIDLOW

Herbert STANTON

Louis STEVENS

John STUBBS

Percival Hubert TISELL

Thomas WARD

John Robert WILLS

Edward WOMERSLEY

Those whom are believed to have charged at Beersheba, 31 October 1917: 

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 4th LH Bde, AIF, Charge at Beersheeba

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 4th LHR, AIF, Charge at Beersheeba 

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 12th LHR, AIF, Charge at Beersheeba

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material for this entry.

Posted by alh-research at 1:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 5 October 2009 4:06 PM EADT

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The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

Bourchier Account

4th ALHR Beersheba Post Battle Report, 1 November 1917.

After the victory at Beersheba on 31 October 1917, the Commanding Officer of the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Murray William James Bourchier wrote his post battle summary which is transcribed below.

Report of Operations and Attack on Beersheba on evening of 31st October 1917

Shortly after 1600 on 31st October 1917, Brigadier-General William Grant, D.S.O., commanding 4th A.L.H .Brigade, ordered the 4th L.H. Regiment, in conjunction with the 12th L.H. Regiment to attack and take Beersheba.

The left flank allotted to the 4th L.H. Regiment rested on the black track “W” with its right flank to operate in conjunction with the Anzacs, who were dismounted, with their left flank about “B” in Wadi el Saba.

The regiment attacked mounted, by squadrons extended, two squadrons in rear of, and supporting the leading squadron, with about 500 yards distance between squadrons.

Major James Lawson was in command of the leading squadron and led his squadron magnificently, first at the trot, then at the gallop, right up to within a few yards of the Turkish trenches under a terrific machine gun and rifle fire. He then dismounted his squadron, bayoneting and capturing all the Turkish infantry in the first and second line trenches. This officer then advances his squadron, taking every trench in front of our front, and eventually with the assistance of “B” Squadron, very ably commanded by Captain Reid, captured the main Turkish trench, over 8 feet deep and very strongly held by the enemy, with numerous machine guns. Over sixty of the enemy were killed and captured in this trench alone. From this position up to the main viaduct and resistance against our troops slackened. Just before the main viaduct was reached No. 83 Armourer Staff Sgt Arthur John Cox single handed captured a Turkish machine gun, 5 Machine Gunners, and 35 Other Ranks.

“A” and “B” Squadrons then linked up with 12th L.H. Regiment and occupied the town of Beersheba.

I consider that the great success of the operation was due to the rapid movement of our mounted troops, as I noticed machine guns firing at our mounted men about 1,000 yards distant, but the Turkish machine gunners appeared to be wildly excited, firing in the wildest manner possible. After the main positions were captured the enemy seemed to give in with much less resistance, as we captured batches of fifty and sixty prisoners at a time.

In reviewing the above operation I would very much like to recommend Major James Lawson for the Victoria Cross, for the magnificent and most daring manner in which he personally led his troops right up to the enemy's trenches which almost appeared certain death. I would like to single out many more officers and men of the Regiment for their conspicuous bravery during last nights operation and will submit my recommendations in due course.

The following is a list of the prisoners, guns, rolling stock, animals etc., captured by the Regiment in conjunction with the 12th L.H. Regiment: -

33 Officers and 700 Other Ranks
9 field guns
3 machine guns
Transport vehicles, animals etc.

The number of casualties during operation was as follows: -

Killed - 2 Officers 5 Other Ranks
Died of Wounds - 4 Other Ranks
Wounded – 13 Other Ranks
Total casualties - 2 Officers 32 Other Ranks

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

4th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour  

Citation: The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, Bourchier Account

Posted by alh-research at 1:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 9 October 2009 2:14 PM EADT

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