Topic: AIF - 4B - 12 LHR
12th LHR, AIF
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment
12th Light Horsemen parading through MacQuarrie St, Sydney, April 1915.
Formation
The 12th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, 1915, 4th Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. Recruits went to the Liverpool Training Camp to the west of Sydney, New South Wales, from 1 March 1915. The recruits were drawn from throughout New South Wales. Many of the men went from the Light Horse Militia formation into the AIF Light Horse.
Training
12th Light Horse Regiment Routine Order No 1, 23 February 1916
[Note: Earlier Routine Orders were destroyed. Click on page for larger version.]
Training for the 12th Light Horse Regiment commenced at the Liverpool Training Camp to the west of Sydney, New South Wales, from 1 March 1915. In addition to this depot, training also occurred at the Holdsworthy Training Camp to the south of Sydney.
Embarkation
Embarkation of the 12th Light Horse Regiment was accomplished in two groups using both the HMAT A29 Suevic and HMAT A44 Vestalia from Sydney, New South Wales.
The 12th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the HMAT A29 Suevic from Sydney, New South Wales, 13 June 1915.
An assortment of men from the 12th Light Horse Regiment took part in a second embarkation on the HMAT A44 Vestalia from Sydney, New South Wales, 22 June 1915.
The 12th Light Horse Regiment sailed to Egypt and disembarked on 23 July 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 12th 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 reformed 12th Light Horse Regiment as part of the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, Australian Mounted Division, carried the blue Brigade colour as the lower triangle part of the colour patch, while the black unit colour was on the top. This is illustrated with the above presentation.
Aden
During the voyage to Egypt, the part of the 12th Light Horse Regiment travelling on the HMAT A29 Suevic was diverted to Aden and landed on 12 July 1916 to bolster the defences of the British garrison which was under pressure from Yemeni tribesmen who were threatening an attack. By 18 July no attack had occurred and the threat diminished allowing the Regiment re-embarked to Egypt.
Gallipoli
As mounted troops, the Light Horse was considered to be unsuitable for work in Gallipoli. The mounted troops volunteered to operate as infantry. Because of the level of casualties at Gallipoli, the 12th Light Horse Regiment was broken up on 26 August 1915 with squadrons being allotted to other Regiments as reinforcements.
"A" Squadron became "D" Squadron, 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment.
"B" Squadron became "D" Squadron, 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment.
"C" Squadron became "D" Squadron, 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment.
The various squadrons of the Regiment were deployed on primarily defensive activities throughout the stay at Gallipoli. The various squadrons of the 12th Light Horse Regiment left the peninsula during December 1915.
Defence of Egypt
After the return to Egypt, on 19 February 1916, the 12th Light Horse Regiment reformed and re-equipped. On 28 February 1916, the 12th Light Horse Regiment moved to the Suez Canal taking part in its defence. The work was hot and monotonous.
Sinai
After many months service in the Sinai, during September 1916 the 12th Light Horse Regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Camel Regiment. The Regiment continued to see further service in the Sinai.
Palestine
During the reorganisation of the Light Horse Divisions, the Regiment resumed its old identity as the 12th Light Horse Regiment in February 1917. The 12th Light Horse Regiment became part of the 4th Light Horse Brigade in the Imperial Mounted Division and then Australian Mounted Division.
The 12th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.
The 12th Light Horse Regiment, the Regiment took part in the Battle of Beersheba. Fame for the Regiment was achieved when, in conjunction with the 4th Light Horse Regiment, charged and took Beersheba, thereby sealing victory on that day for the Allied forces.
See: Men who possibly charged at Beersheba - 12th LHRThe 12th Light Horse Regiment then took part in the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918.
From this time onwards, for the next two months, the 12th 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 12th 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 which was being defended by 4th Light Horse Brigade, 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 12th 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.
After a rest in Damascus, the 12th Light Horse Regiment moved towards Homs when the Turks surrendered on 30 October 1918.
Return to Australia
After the conclusion of hostilities, the 12th 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 12th Light Horse Regiment was deployed to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 12th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 17 July 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded.
Commanding Officers
Lieutenant Colonel Percy Phipps Abbott
Lieutenant Colonel John Robinson Royston
Lieutenant Colonel Harold McIntosh
Lieutenant Colonel Donald Cameron
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Arthur Chambers
Decorations earned by the 12th Light Horse Regiment
- 3 DSO - Distinguished Service Orders
- 5 MC & 1 Bar - Military Crosses
- 9 DCM & 1 Bar - Distinguished Conduct Medals
- 14 MM- Military Medals
- 17 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
Campaigns
Gallipoli
- Sari Bair
- Gallipoli 1915-1916
Egypt
- Defence of Egypt
Palestine
- 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 12th Light Horse Regiment
- 53 killed
- 401 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 12th 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.
| Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 22 June 1915 | |
| Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 22 June 1915 | |
| Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 22 June 1915 | |
| Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A44 Vestalia 22 June 1915 | |
| Machine Gun Section | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915 |
| 1st Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A40 Ceramic 25 June 1915 |
| 2nd Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A51 Chilka 7 June 1915 |
| 3rd Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A54 Runic 9 August 1915 |
| 4th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire 30 September 1915 |
| 5th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A32 Themistocles 5 October 1915 |
| Sydney, New South Wales on board RMS Moldavia 2 October 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board SS Hawkes Bay 21 October 1915 | |
| Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A66 Uganda 20 November 1915 Sydney, New South Wales on board SS Hawkes Bay 21 October 1915 | |
| 8th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A10 Karroo 5 May 1916 |
| 9th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A20 Hororata 2 May 1916 |
| 10th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board RMS Mongolia 8 July 1916 |
| 11th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A25 Anglo-Egyptian 19 September 1916 |
| 12th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A58 Kabinga 12 September 1916 |
| 13th Reinforcements | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A6 Clan Mccorquodale 19 September 1916 |
| 18th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A15 Port Sydney 9 May 1917 |
19th Reinforcements Port Lincoln Group | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln 11 June 1917 Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 7 September 1917 Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth 2 November 1917 |
| 20th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 3 September 1917 |
| 21st Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A55 Kyarra 3 September 1917 |
| 22nd Reinforcements | Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth 2 November 1917 |
| 23rd Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board SS Canberra 16 November 1917 |
| 14th Light Horse Regiment, 33rd Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board SS Canberra 16 November 1917 |
| 14th Light Horse Regiment, 34th Reinforcements | Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A38 Ulysses 19 December 1917 |
Note: Since the 14th Light Horse Regiment had been disbanded in Britain during September 1916, the Reinforcement cohorts were absorbed directly into the 12th Light Horse Regiment.
See: Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.
Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who has provided much useful assistance in the construction of this page.
Further Reading:
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Outline
