Topic: AIF - 3B - 8 LHR
8th LHR, AIF
8th Australian Light Horse Regiment
Outline
8th Light Horsemen Marching Along Collins Street, Melbourne, 20 Janaury 1915.
8th Light Horse Regiment Band leading the March Past in Melbourne
[Click here or on picture for movie - 3mb clip.]
Formation
The 8th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade, 3rd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. Made up of men darwn from the 3rd Military District [Victoria], the 8th Light Horse Regiment was established at the Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria.
Training
[Note: Earliest RO available. Click on page for larger version.]
Training of the 8th Light Horse Regiment occurred at Broadmeadows Training Camp to the north of Melbourne, Victoria, from October 1914.
Embarkation
Embarkation of the 8th Light Horse Regiment was accomplished in two groups using both the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria and HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian from Melbourne, Victoria.
[See: His Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships, A16.]
8th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria from Melbourne, Victoria, 25 February 1915.
[See: His Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships, A25.]
8th Light Horse Regiment advanced party embarked on the HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian from Melbourne, Victoria, 12 February 1915.
The 8th 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.
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 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment was light blue over yellow.
The 8th Light Horse Regiment carried the yellow 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 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment participated in the ill fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 where most of the Regiment was either killed or wounded. The 8th Light Horse Regiment left the peninsula on 20 December 1915.
Defence of Egypt
After the return to Egypt, the 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment became a foundation member.
On 28 February 1916, the 8th 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 8th 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 8th 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 8th 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 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.
The 8th 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 8th 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 8th 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.
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 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October 1918.
Return to Australia
After the conclusion of hostilities, the 8th 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 8th Light Horse Regiment was deployed to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 8th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 3 July 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded.
Commanding Officers
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Henry White
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Vivian Deeble
Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Cecil Maygar
Lieutenant Colonel Archibald McGibbon McLaurin
Lieutenant Colonel Herbert James Shannon
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Joseph Daly
Decorations earned by the 8th Light Horse Regiment
- 3 DSO - Distinguished Service Orders
- 8 MC - Military Crosses
- 10 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
- 13 MM- Military Medals
- 36 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
- 3 foreign awards
Campaigns
Gallipoli
Egypt
Sinai
- Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916.
- Bir el Abd, Sinai, August 9, 1916.
- El Mazar, Sinai, September 17, 1916.
- El Arish, Sinai, December 20, 1916.
- Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916.
- Rafa, Sinai, January 9, 1917.
Palestine
- First Gaza, Palestine, March 26 to 27, 1917.
- Second Gaza, Palestine, April 19, 1917.
- El Auja, Palestine, May 23, 1917.
- Third Battle of Gaza
- Beersheba, Palestine, October 31, 1917.
- Tel es Sheria, Palestine, November 7, 1917.
- Huj, Palestine, November 8, 1917.
- Jerusalem
- Jericho
- Es Salt, Palestine, April 30 to May 3, 1918.
- Megiddo, Palestine, September 19 to 21, 1918.
- Sharon
- Kaukab, Palestine, September 30, 1918.
Egypt
Casualties suffered by the 8th Light Horse Regiment
- 302 killed
- 675 wounded
War Diary
The Australian War Memorial has put these on line and may be accessed here:
Embarkations:
The following list details all the embarkations in support of the 8th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, during the Great War. 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.
| Regimental Headquarters Section | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria 25 February 1915 |
| "A" Squadron | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT Star of Victoria 25 February 1915 |
| "B" Squadron | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria 25 February 1915 |
| "C" Squadron | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A16 Star of Victoria 25 February 1915 |
| Machine Gun Section | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria 25 February 1915 |
| 1st Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A54 Runic 25 February 1915 |
| 2nd Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A26 Armadale 12 February 1915 |
| 3rd Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A4 Pera 8 February 1915 |
| 4th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire 13 April 1915 |
| 5th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A56 Palermo 7 May 1915 |
| 6th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A66 Uganda 21 June 1915 |
| 7th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A57 Malakuta 23 September 1915 |
| 8th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 20 August 1915 |
| 9th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A20 Hororata 27 September 1915 |
| 10th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A70 Ballarat 9 September 1915 |
| Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A6 Clan Mccorquodale 13 November 1915 Melbourne, Victoria on board SS Hawkes Bay 21 October 1915 | |
| Melbourne, Victoria on board SS Hawkes Bay 21 October 1915 Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A11 Ascanius 10 November 1915 | |
| 13th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 18 January 1916 |
| 14th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A1 Hymettus 27 January 1916 |
| 15th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A43 Barunga 7 April 1916 |
| 16th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A66 Uganda 2 May 1916 |
| 17th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A6 Clan Maccorquodale 6 May 1916 |
| 18th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board RMS Mongolia 11 July 1916 |
| 19th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board RMS Mongolia 11 July 1916 |
| 20th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A1 Hymettus 12 September 1916 |
| 21st Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A1 Hymettus 12 September 1916 |
| 22nd Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A6 Clan Maccorquodale 19 September 1916 |
| 23rd Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian 31 January 1917 |
| 24th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian 31 January 1917 |
| 25th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board RMS Karmala 6 February 1917 |
| 26th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board RMS Morea 20 February 1917 |
| 27th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A42 Boorara 10 May 1917 |
| 28th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln 22 June 1917 |
| 29th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 7 September 1917 |
| 30th Reinforcement | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth 2 November 1917 |
| 31st Reinforcement | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire 2 February 1918 |
See: Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.
Further Reading:
8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Outline
