Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHR
Romani
Sinai, 4 - 5 August 1916
1st LHR, AIF, War Diary Account
The transcription:
Tuesday, August 1, 1916 –
Enemy “plane” over again, continual “Stand to Arms”. Wearied the men. Regiment did not get into camp till midnight last night.
Wednesday, August 2, 1916 –
Reconnaissance again – “C” Squadron advanced guard, “B” and “C” Squadrons in firing line. “A” Squadron in support. Three casualties. “C” Squadron one NCO missing and believed captured – viz, Corporal Coutman. Enemy gaining ground slowly and occupied Qatia during night of 2 August 1916 and 3 August 1916.
Thursday, August 3, 1916 –
Enemy “planes” over camp. One case of diphtheria and seven men isolated. General health of troops good but tired. Horses standing work well considering heavy going.
Friday, August 4, 1916 –
On the night of 3rd/4th the Brigade took up a line of outposts from Hod el Enna to No. 1 Post, the Regiment remaining in camp in reserve. About midnight the Regiment was ordered out and at 0130 “A” Squadron reinforced the line held by the 3rd Light Horse Regiment on the southern slopes of Mount Meredith. A quarter of an hour later “B” Squadron went up and took up a line on either side of Mount Meredith. The Regiment less two Squadrons and one troop took up a line covering the two (2) Re-entrants north of Mount Meredith. On (1) Troop, “C” Squadron remaining in camp as escort to Leicester Battery, RHA. The Regiment came under heavy rifle and machinegun fire, also shrapnel from a mountain battery.
The Regiment fell back gradually on to Bir Etmaler about 1000 and remained in Divisional Reserve until 1700 when we moved forward and took up a line on south eastern end of hods at Bir Abu Diyuk. Enemy shelled camp and also dropped bombs, hand grenades and steel darts from aeroplanes, also turned machineguns onto camp. Casualties – Lieutenant William McQuiggin and 9 Other Ranks killed and Captain FV Weir (Adjutant), Captain AL Fitzpatrick (Quartermaster), Captain GHL Harris, Second Lieutenant W Nelson and 26 Other Ranks wounded and 3 missing.
Saturday, August 5, 1916 –
At 0400 the Regiment started to drive towards Hod el Enna with the 6th Light Horse Regiment on our left and tried to get in touch with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade on our right. During the drive we picked up 20 prisoners and on (1) machine gun and 4 boxes of eighteen pounder ammunition, and moved to Bir Abu Gulud. At 1430 commenced an attack on Qatia in conjunction with the 2nd and 3rd Light Horse Brigades and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade with the 5th Mounted Brigade on the extreme left. We dismounted at the western edge of Qatia swamp, my left being the first “A” in Qatia and occupied a frontage of 250 yards.
The line advanced 300 to 600 yards into the swamp the left being in advance owing to the right flank being held up.
At 1830 the line commenced to withdraw owing to the high ground east of Qatia being strongly held by rifle and machinegun fire.
The dismounted strength of the Regiment was 150 all ranks.
The Regiment then withdrew to Romani.
During the day the camp was again bombed and shelled by the enemy.
Casualties. One killed and one wounded in camp and two wounded near Qatia.
Sunday, August 6, 1916 –
Regiment remained in camp to rest, men and horses. Found fatigues to bury the dead. Also sent 20 men under Lieutenant ME Wright to escort laden camels to Brigade Headquarters at Qatia at 1530.
Roll of Honour
Lest we forget
Further Reading:
1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 23 October 2009 9:00 AM EADT
