Topic: AIF - 3B - 9 LHR
9th LHR, AIF
War Diary, 4 August
Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour
Regimental March - Marching Through Georgia
The Diary
1914
Tuesday, August 4, 1914
Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungry.
See 4th Military District, South Australia for militia activities.
1915
Wednesday, August 4, 1915
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Reserve Camp
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 2000 The Regiment ordered up to firing line to participate in attack on Hill "Baby 700", being part of a general attack on Turks in Northern Gallipoli.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - Brig and self visited Pope's to examine trenches and $$ impending attack.
Carew Reynell Diary - Got first definite orders about the attack last night. The attack is to be general and a big left flanking attack to be made in cooperation. Apparently the artillery support for the frontal attack will be good. Our 3rs Light Horse Brigade is to take the trenches on the Nek with good covering fire by rifle, machine gun and artillery fire after a very heavy and prolonged bombardment and so it should present no difficulties. However there will be stacks of scrapping between here and the Narrows four miles away, but from what I can guess of the plan of attack and the numbers we are to have I anticipate a great and glorious victory during the next few days with such a stunning blow to the Turks that it may end the Turkish hash in one hit. I have been very busy all day with preliminary arrangements. The Colonel is away sick at Lemnos. He will be terribly upset if they don't let him back here in time for the attack which is to start on the day after tomorrow either just before or after daylight.
I feel I ought to be writing home sort of good bye letters in case of a wash out but this entry must suffice as letters could, owing to censorship, only make dark hints and cause anxiety as my cables may not be going on for all I know. I am looking forward to the attack very much as I am hopeful that it may result in a glorious stroke. I think I have arranged for every contingency as far as this Regiment is concerned and hope we shall give a good account of ourselves, and in case of accidents - good bye and may it b e a consolation to you to realise that I have been made some use here and Dickaboo must grow up quick and be a comfort to his mother and Grandfather.
1916
Friday, August 4, 1916
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Bally Bunnion
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0800 Received orders from Brigade that the Brigade would move out at 0830.
Everyone to travel as light as possible. The Regiment marched out with 21 Officers, 415 Other Ranks and 459 horses leaving Lieutenant Nelson in charge of camp with 115 Other Ranks and 87 horses.
The Regiment left Bally Bunnion and marched to Hill 70 where a halt was made until 1700 at which time the Brigade moved to Dueidar arriving at 2200.
1917
Saturday, August 4, 1917
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Tel el Marakeb
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Cleaning equipment. Brigade CO, Maygar, Lieutenant Colonel LC, VC DSO, inspected the Regiment in lines.
1918
Sunday, August 4, 1918
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Madhbeh
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0330, standing patrol returned and reports all clear. Very quiet night, No lights or movement of any description seen.
0700 - 0730, Enemy artillery fired a few small calibre shells at watering area without effect. Our artillery kept up harassing fire at intervals during the night on enemy positions.
1700 Revised orders for standing patrol issued.
1919
Monday, August 4, 1919
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - SS Oxfordshire
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0930 Arrived at Fremantle Western Australia. The sirens of all boats in the port welcomed the troops home again.
Temperature of every person on the boat taken.
1430 The 10th Light Horse Regiment completed disembarkation - leave then granted for all ranks [with exception of piquet of one Officer three Sergeants and 30 Other Ranks to go ashore until 2200.
Bower, 233 Corporal AO, who has been seasick for entire voyage was disembarked to proceed overland. Three Other Ranks were repatriated in Western Australia, viz Cole, Trooper MS; Smith, Trooper; and, Lindridge, Trooper WHG.
Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 3 August
Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 5 August
Sources:
See: 9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Contents
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 4 August
