"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.
Outline of the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade, AIF
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. This was the only Brigade recruited from a majority of men drawn immediately from the Militia formations within the various states. The Regiments included:
The 1st Signal Troop was composed exclusively from Victorians from the Militia 10th and 21st Signal Troops.
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance
The 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance was formed with two sections: "A" Section recruited in Melbourne which included some 20 students from the Richmond Agricultural College; and, "B" Section recruited in Sydney and composed to a greater extent by Militia members from the 28th Light Horse Field Ambulance.
1st Light Horse Brigade Train
The 1st Light Horse Brigade Train was primarily recruited around Brisbane and trained at Enoggera. After Gallipoli, this unit underwent some name changes from 1st Supply Section in February 1916 to 32nd Australian Army Service Corps Company in February 1917.
6th Mobile Veterinary Section
After the formation of the Anzac Mounted Division, the three individual Regimental Veterinary sections were brigaded to form the 6th Mobile Veterinanry Section.
1st Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron
In July 1916, all Regimental Machine Gun Sections were to be excised and brigaded to form a Machine Gun Squadron. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Machine Gun Sections were combined to form the 1st Machine Gun Squadron under the command of the Brigade.
Artillery
Artillery support was provided for the 1st Light Horse Brigade from British batteries. The first British battery attached to the Brigade was the 3rd (Territorial Force) Horse Artillery Brigade, Leicester Battery. This battery remained until the re-organisation of February 1918 when the Leicester Battery was replaced by the British 18th Royal Horse Artillery Brigade, Somerset Battery
1st Light Horse Training Regiment
Formed in Egypt during March 1916, this unit trained incoming reinforcements while allowing the wounded and sick a place to recover before returning to active service. The Training Regiment contained three squadrons, each duplicating the Regiments within the Brigade to whom it supplied the reinforcements. The Training Regiment was disbanded in July 1918 to be replaced by the Anzac Light Horse Training Regiment when recruits were no longer tied to a Regiment but placed in a general pool of reinforcements called the General Service Reinforcements.
1st Light Horse Double Squadron
Formed Egypt 6 July 1916 from 1st Light Horse Brigade reinforcements. It was officered and administered by the 1st Light Horse Brigade. This Double Squadron was broken up in November 1916 with the men being transferred to the newly formed Imperial Camel Corps Battalions.
Embarkation
The Brigade embarked to Egypt during the months of September and October 1914. In Egypt additional training occurred at the Mena Camp.
See:Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.
Colour Patch
To assist with identification of 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 1st Light Horse Brigade 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 1st Light Horse Brigade was plain white.
1st Light Horse Brigade Colour Patch
The individual units attached to the 1st Light Horse Brigade carried the white colour as a lower triangular part of the colour patch, the unit itself having their colour on the top. This is illustrated with the above description about each individual unit.
Commanders
Brigadier General Henry “Harry” George Chauvel 15 August 1914 to 6 November 1915.
Brigadier General Charles Frederick Cox 6 November 1915 to 13 March 1919.
Attachments
Formed Australia August 1914.
Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division from December 1914 to April 1915. Attachment ceased on the Division's deployment to Gallipoli.
Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division at Gallipoli from May 1915 to February 1916.
Attached to the Anzac Mounted Division March 1916 until March 1919.
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, 1st LH Bde, AIF, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHB
Bir el Abd
Sinai, 9 August 1916
1st LH Bde, AIF, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the 1st LH Bde, AIF.
The transcription:
TO: Anzac Mounted Division. Sender's Number B.M. 528 Day of Month 11th
The 1st A.L.H. Brigade Left ROMANI for QATIA at 1500 on 8/8/16, forming portion of ROYSTON'S COLUMN. On the night 8th/9th August the Brigade moved from QATIA and arrived at HOD HAMADA at 0430. 1st L.H. Regiment of this Brigade formed the Advanced Guard. Prom HOD HAMADA the force moved due East and the Advanced Troops gained touch with the enemy at 0530. G.O.C. Force ordered me to take up a line approximately from the E in DUNES to a point South of the L in El RUAG. 1st L.H. Regiment held this line with "A" Squadron 3rd L.H. Regiment attached. 2nd L.H. Regiment and "B" Squadron 3rd L.H. Regiment in reserve. At 0530 I sent a request that an Artillery Observing Officer to be sent up as targets were visible. About 0715 guns opened on what was considered to be position of enemy's guns. Guns were constantly in action from that hour until 1400 as targets offered. At 0850 I sent a message to G.O.C. Force asking position of troops on my right. The Brigade was under intermittent shall fire almost from hour of arrival in the position, gradually becoming more intense. About 1030 I received orders that a reconnaissance of the enemy's position was to be made at 1100, one Regiment of my Brigade to be pushed forward as far as possible with the intention of assisting in the reconnaissance. At 1215 C.O. 1st L.H. Regiment reported apparently good progress by N.Z.M.R. Brigade on his right, but had no touch with 7th L.H. Regiment. One Squadron 1st L.H. Regt. pushed on in an Easterly direction towards HOD-EL-HISHA, where they were held up. At 1235 there was a decided advance of enemy towards centre of my line. At this time shell fire became very intense, with high explosive, causing casualties amongst the horses. At 1315 I moved a Squadron of 2nd L.H. Regiment and one Machine Gun to support the right of my sector, at this time getting touch with 7th L.H. Regiment, this anticipated an order from G.O.C. Force. The position of my reserves and the Artillery were now being systematically searched by high explosives. At this time there were indications of serious pressure on left and I sent two Machine Guns to that portion of the line. At 1350 it wee reported to me enemy's Machine Guns strongly holding enemy's right, and my advanced Troops on my right and the 7th L.H: Regiment were falling back. About 1400 I ordered the guns to retire to a position further back. I was then informed that the Battery was Immobile owing to loss of horses, and at case despatch ad my Orderly Officer to inform G.O.C. Force, ordering my resorts, on to my extreme left to hold position at all costs until guns were retired. At 1427 I sent following message to G.O.C. Force - “My left is seriously threatened, and I require support". I then organised 2nd position to cover retirement of my left flank, which was now under most estate shell, Machine Gun, and rifle fire, with all available men and Machine Guns at my disposal, and ordered a gradual retirement, which was carried out by 2nd L.H. Regiment in a most gallant manner. I cannot speak too highly of these two squadrons, and "B" of 3rd L.H. Regiment. Many gallant deeds being personally seen of bringing in wounded men under the most trying circumstances. I formed another defensive position just immediately north east of SALT LAKE due South of the last “A” in HOD HAMADA. I reformed the Brigade Immediately West of SALT LAKE, and marched to KHIRBA, arriving there about 1900, then to OGHRATINA, arriving 2330.
From 1st A.L.R.Bde. Place HOD-EN-NEGILIAT (sgd) J.B. MEREDITH, Lt.-Col., C. O., 1st L.H.Bde.
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, Roll of Honour, 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHB
Bir el Abd
Sinai, 9 August 1916
Roll of Honour
1st Australian Light Horse Brigade
Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men from the 1st Light Horse Brigade known to have served and lost their lives during the Battle of Bir el Abd.
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916, Roll of Honour, 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHB
Battle of Romani
Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Roll of Honour
1st Australian Light Horse Brigade
Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men from the 1st Light Horse Brigade known to have served and lost their lives during the Battle of Romani.
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre is a not for profit and non profit group whose sole aim is to write the early history of the Australian Light Horse from 1900
- 1920. It is privately funded and the information is provided by the individuals within the group and while permission for the use of the material has been given for this
site for these items by various donors, the residual and actual copyright for these items, should there be any, resides exclusively with the donors. The information on
this site is freely available for private research use only and if used as such, should be appropriately acknowledged. To assist in this process, each item has a citation
attached at the bottom for referencing purposes.
Please Note: No express or implied permission is given for commercial use of the information contained within this site.
A note to copyright holders
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has made every endeavour to contact copyright holders of material digitised for this blog and website and where
appropriate, permission is still being sought for these items. Where replies were not received, or where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced, or where
the permission is still being sought, the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has decided, in good faith, to proceed with digitisation and publication. Australian Light
Horse Studies Centre would be happy to hear from copyright owners at any time to discuss usage of this item.
