Topic: AIF - 1B - 1 LHFA
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
El Arish 8 January 1917
1525 Mobile Section proceeded to assembly point of Division. Officers present: commanding Officer Captain Parry, Bateman and Machin.
1630 Marched out from El Risa with Division.
2230 Arrived at point about 2 miles west of Sheikh Zowaiid. Captain Parry reported to Assistant Director Medical Services for orders. Tent subdivision bivouacked.
Sheikh Zowaiid 9 January 1917
0100 Captain Parry with bearer transport moved out with Column.
0630 Tent subdivision with all camel transport proceeded to wells at Sheikh Zowaiid and opened dressing station.
0730 Received 2 EP Tents from 17th Welch Field Ambulance Casualty Convoy.
0845 6 men from 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance reported for duty with 2 EP and 1 Operating Tent from motor patrol cars.
Sent Signal Message to Assistant Director Medical Services notifying position of Dressing Station.
1500 5 Casualties from 5th Mounted Brigade and New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade arrived slightly injured and were evacuated to El Arish on horseback.
1530 Received signal message from Assistant Director Medical Services to send to front line our cacolet camels and No. 1 Convoy Welch Field Ambulance.
1630 This convoy left Sheikh Zowaiid.
1800 Casualties began to arrive and continued all night and following day completely overtaxing our tent accommodation. Could not get into communication with Assistant Director Medical Services.
2230 Sergeant Knox returned with camels and reported that he had been ordered to return by a Staff Officer. Captain Bateson (Welch Field Ambulance) also returned with his convoy not having reached his destination.
Sheikh Zowaiid 10 January 1917
0400 Lieutenant Colonel Powles reported that camel convoy was awaited at Dressing Station at Karm ibn Musleh. Notified Captain Bateson.
0500 Camel Convoy (Welch Field Ambulance) with 28 sitting cases left for El Arish.
0700 General Chetwode (General Officer Commanding Desert Column) visited Receiving Station and gave orders for telephone to be installed and urgent supplies to be obtained by sand cart and aeroplane. Signalled Colonel Trew accordingly.
0930 Camel Convoy (Welch Field Ambulance) with 56 cases left for El Arish. Captain Bateson with convoy left for Karm ibn Musleh.
1030 Assistant Director Medical Services arrived at Receiving Station.
1300 Convoy left for El Arish with 62 Cases.
1400 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance camels left for El Arish with 41 cases.
1430 convoy of Sandcarts and sledges (3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance and Lowlands Field Ambulance) left for El Arish with 101 cases.
1500 Small supply of dressings and medical comforts received by aeroplane.
Lowland Field Ambulance took over the Dressing Tent and dressed Turkish wounded.
1730 Camel convoy left with 23 cases.
1800 Obtained 400 rations but no fodder.
2300 Finished dressing all casualties.
Sheikh Zowaiid 11 January 1917
0730 Drew fodder from Wellington Mounted Rifles.
0800 Started loading cases and striking camp.
1100 Finished loading cases.
1130 Left Sheikh Zowaiid under escort of Wellington Mounted Rifles with 132 cases.
1820 Arrived El Risa.
War Diaries
All War Diaries cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, AIF War Diaries of the Great War, Site Transcription Policy
Further Reading:
1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour
The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917
The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour
The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance, War Diary Account
