I came across this wonderful pic of the the officer Cadets of the 87th Battalion, B Area (Subiaco) 22nd Brigade, 5th Military District. The 87th Infantry Regiment was raised in outer Perth but during the reforms of 1912 the Regt was downgraded to a Battalion and used by the cadets to train future soldiers for the Milita.

They are so young and fresh with the world to look forward to as they posed for this picture which was taken in October 1914 at Bartletto Studio, Hay Street, Perth and published in the Western Mail, 30 October 1914 at p. 30.

The sitting men from left to right are:

2/Lt TV Taylor

Theodore Vallaney Taylor enlisted as a Lieutenant on 19 February 1915 in the 12th Infantry Battalion and finished service as a Captain in the 16th Infantry Battalion. He was wounded by shrapnell to the thigh on 26 May 1915. He was evacuated with neurasthimia 19 August 1915. Returned to Australia by Karoola, 30 October 1915. He was discharged as medically unfit for active service, 21 May 1916.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=1932530&I=1&SE=1

Capt FH Sherlock;

Lt EH Knight [Area Officer]

Lieutenant ETH Knight was appointed the senior officer on 16 August 1913 who along with Captain WR Annear from the Cottesloe based 87th Battalion, "A" Area, commanded the 87th Battalion. 

Lt G Stroud; 

Walter Gregory Stroud enlisted as a Lieutenant on 24 March 1915 and finished service as a Captain in the 28th Infantry Battalion. He arrived at Gallipoli on 4 September 1915. On 20 October 1915 he was evacuated to the 7th Field Ambulance with tonsolitis which developed into influenza which later was diagnosed as enteric fever. Returned to Australia by Karoola, 19 January 1916. He was discharged as medically unfit for active service, 17 November 1917. Prior to the war, he had been a Second Lieutenant with  "H" Company, 87th Battalion, Cadets, 1913-14; and, Lieutenant with "B" Company, 88th Infantry Regiment 1914-15.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8095429&I=1&SE=1

Lt Kirkpatrick

The standing men from left to right are:

2/Lt G Mann

George Lionel Claude Mann who joined in July 1916 aged 19 and served in France with 4 DAC (35276)

2/Lt AH Jose;

2/Lt AF Gwynne

Andrew Flinders Gwynne joined in Jan 1917 aged 20 and fought in France with 43Bty 11 FAB (31187) and was wounded in April 1918 and DOW 9th April 1918.

2/Lt JW Franklyn;

John William Franklyn Second Lieutenant, enlisted on 10 February 1915 in the 11th Battalion, arriving at Gallipoli on 22 June 1915. He died of wounds on 6 August 1915 suffered during the attack on what would become Leane's Trench, on the spurs to the south of Lone Pine, and died aboard a hospital ship.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=4019807&I=1&SE=1

The extract from the 11th Infantry Battalion War Diary describing the action at Lone Pine led by John William Franklyn.

Additional information may be found at the site: Officers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Died at Gallipoli, 1915; an excellent website produced by Bryn Dolan. Here is the specific address:

http://www.anzacs.org/index_efg.html#FNames

Bryn Dolan has kindly provided the additional information about John William Franklyn at Comment 1:

https://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog/1814823/87th-battalion-b-area-1914/

Lt AT Williams;

2/Lt Seaton;

2/Lt AC Henville;

Archibald Clarence Henville enlisted on 9 September 1915, aged 19, with 1st Field Company Engineers, Service Number 590. He saw service at Anzac, France and Belgium.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=5476285&I=1&SE=1

2/Lt AJ Pate

Alfred James Pate enlisted on 17 February 1916 aged 19 and served with the 27th Infantry Battalion and 50th Infantry Battalion, Service Number 6277. He saw service in France and Belgium. He was wounded in action by shrapnel to his face at Broodeseinde Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. He returned to Australia on the Ascanius, leaving London on 14 January 1919.

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=8009272&I=1&SE=1

Extract from 50th Infantry Battalion War Diary, 11 October 1917.

Regarding the picture, one can clearly see the "87" marked on their hats. The leather leggings are also a keen feature.

This is the last glimpse of the old order for these men. After this photograph was taken, life changed dramatically for all the men. Some never reached the end of the decade. The comfortable re-assurance in this picture was to disappear amidst the carnage and horror of the trenches.

[Thanks to Steve Becker and Bryn Dolan who provided additional information]

Posted by Project Leader at 8:00 PM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 2:08 PM EADT

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9th LHR, AIF

Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour

Regimental March -  Marching Through Georgia

The Diary

1914

Tuesday, May 19, 1914

See 4th Military District, South Australia for militia activities.

Wednesday, May 19, 1915

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Cape Helles

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 1000 Transport arrived and anchored about 1800 yards from the shore.

1700 Transport sailed for Lemnos without having landed any troops. Arrived 2200.

3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - 1300 Arrived at Cape Helles. Left for Lemnos 1800. Mudros Bay 2200.

Carew Reynell Diary - Reached Cape Helles at 1300 and anchored. Watched the cannonading by warships, our own batteries and Turkish batteries all the afternoon.

Aeroplanes making reconnaissance all the afternoon. Turks fire about 40 shells at a British aeroplane which continues its reconnaissance undisturbed. About 1800 ordered back to Lemnos as two submarines have got out of Dardenelles. The Lutsow [carrying our 10th Regiment and the 2nd Brigade] at the same time left in the direction of Kape Tepe. Arrived at Lemnos before midnight a very disappointed crowd.

1916

Friday, May 19, 1916

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Roadhead Serapeum

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Until further notice, the Regiment will not stand to arms.

The undermentioned Officers absented on the strength:

Lieutenant AH Nelson sick, seniority next after Darley dated 16 April 1916.

Lieutenant HS Pender sick, seniority next after Luxmoore dated 16 April 1916.

Second Lieutenant KEH Pascoe sick, seniority next after Robertson dated 16 April 1916.

Second Lieutenant AT Watt sick, seniority next after Pascoe dated 16 April 1916.

Second Lieutenant Hardy sick, seniority next after Watt dated 16 April 1916.

1917

Saturday, May 19, 1917

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - El Fukhari

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - The Regiment undertook routine work for the day.

Five horses - three rides and two light draughts for cart received. The weather was exceptionally bad. Khamsin blowing from the south with clouds of dust commenced early in the morning and continued right through the night.

The watering at Abasan el Kebir broke down and horses could not be watered in the afternoon.

1918

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Auja Bridgehead defences

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 0330 Stood to arms. Regiment mounted reserve.

Sharp, Lieutenant RC, patrolled to 127F14, 15, and 21. He captured two Turkish prisoners with two pack mules and four water fantasis.

1800 All available men in "A", "B", and “C” Squadrons moved up to Defences Line for digging and wiring during night.

1919

Monday, May 19, 1919

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Tel el Kebir

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Hannaford, Lieutenant E; Gibney, Lieutenant BE; and, 54 Other Ranks proceeded to Alexandria as escort to Turkish prisoners of war for repatriation.

Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 18 May

Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 20 May

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 Light Horse Regiment AIF

Bert Schramm Diary

9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour 

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 July 2010 10:28 AM EADT

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Brighton Camp

Here is the AWM commentary:

Brighton is a small town 28 kilometres from the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. Brighton was one of five sites selected for townships in Tasmania by the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, in 1821 and for a while was spoken of as a potential capital. A military post was established on the main Hobart-Launceston road at Brighton in 1826 beginning a military presence there that would last for over 170 years. Troops were prepared at Brighton Camp for service in both the First and Second World Wars, and it was also a site familiar to Tasmania's citizen soldiers throughout the Twentieth Century. In the later years of the Second World War Brighton Camp was also used to house prisoners of war and after the war it became a reception camp for refugees from Europe. From the early 1950s onwards, Brighton's primary use was for the training of members of the Citizens Military Forces and Later the Army Reserve. Such usage declined after 1993, and in 1999 it was one of several military camps across Australia used as a save haven for refugees from the conflict in Kosovo. Brighton Camp was closed and sold off soon after.

http://www.awm.gov.au/units/place_1673.asp

To give an idea as to the nature of Brighton Camp, here is a pic of some horsemen watering their horses at the camp. It was part of a series of pix taken by William Williamson, a respected Hobart photographer, during September 1914. This picture was published in the Tasmanian Mail, 10 September 1914, p. 19.

This was also the camp for the Medical Corps.

Pontville Camp

From the Aussie Heritage site:

Pontville`s involvement in the First World War included volunteers and the establishment of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Tasmania. The Pontville Army Camp was renamed Brighton Army Camp, becoming the focus of military training in Tasmania on 13 August 1914. An ordnance depot was established and volunteers trained as members of the Light Horse, the Field Artillery, Infantry, Engineers and Army Medical Corps. Prior to embarkation South Australian Troops were also in camp at Pontville, and with the Tasmanian Infantry were formed into the 12th Battalion. Historical photographs c.1914 clearly delineate the use of the area by Light Horse Soldiers and it is likely that the name of Rifle Hill, which occupies the centre of the range was named at that time, and that the rifle range was also completed at that time. The rifle range may also incorporate an earlier range used by the Derwent Company of volunteers, since it was usual to retain and develop existing ranges.

http://www.aussieheritage.com.au/listings/tas/Pontville/PontvilleSmallArmsRangeGrasslandSite/13747

Below is a pic of "A" Company drilling at Pontville camp. This picture was published in the Tasmanian Mail, 3 September 1914, p. 18.

Posted by Project Leader at 6:12 PM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 2:00 PM EADT

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Just some thoughts on the Es Salt Raid of 30 April-3 May 1918.

Most people know about the Es Salt Raid and the role played by the 4th LHB. The lads in the Brigade copped a pasting from the Turks. Donald Cameron, CO of the 12th LHR let's us know in no uncertain terms about the role played by Grant during those tense moments. Here are his comments from his 1928 letter:

"General Grant had ceased to exist as far as we were concerned. We couldn't find him, and had to work out our own salvation. Also, there was the vital importance of blocking the enemy progress south. The brigadier had lost his nerve, as we had good reason to know in the days to follow. I regret that loyalty to my leader caused me to withhold information that should have appeared in my report after the operation. I appreciate the difficulty you must have in getting accurate information when reports following operations were often made to read much better from the CO’s point of view than the facts warranted."

This is as close to calling his CO a coward as one could ever get.

There are two conclusions one can draw from the above - the first is that Grant was not all that good as his publicity makes him out to be or Grant has an awful lot of back stabbing enemies.

At Es Salt, Chauvel left it up to Grant to call the shots regarding the holding of the vital roadway. 3rd LHB was made available for part of this holding operation. Grant indicated that he would not need their help. Then things went pear shaped from there for Grant causing almost the loss of a whole division - although through the hard work of General Chaytor who took over from Grant and some courageous defensive work on behalf of the individual regiments and the ICC, the Australian Mounted Division was saved. According to Lieut Col Scott, CO of the 9th LHR, it was a close run thing.

We also know that the raid was predicated upon a joining up with the Arabs under Lawrence who never showed up.

The official story of the Second Es Salt Raid written by Gullett may be read at these locations:

http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/8/chapters/35.pdf
http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/8/chapters/36.pdf

 This is the first of many posts on this subject. There are many documents that will shed light onto this event that were suppressed when the official history was written. The suppression of the documents was for political reasons - Grant was decorated as the hero of Beersheba for political reasons - and thus to actually characterise him as a dud General and a coward would have created immense problems for the AIF in terms of public perception of the legends. So while Gullett's account is reasonably accurate in the description, it is what he didn't add that makes all the difference.

I will aim to develop the unrecorded version of the Es Salt Raid which raises many questions about the official history and the fitness of General Grant to have a command in the first place. Indeed, it raises questions about Chauvel's leadership, the Australian  Government's propaganda campaign and the creation of the Beersheba myth.  It all comes apart at Es Salt.

Posted by Project Leader at 12:03 PM EADT

Updated: Wednesday, 18 June 2008 2:05 PM EADT

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9th LHR, AIF

Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour

Regimental March -  Marching Through Georgia

The Diary

1914

Monday, May 18, 1914

See 4th Military District, South Australia for militia activities.

Tuesday, May 18, 1915

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - At sea

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - General Bridges died at sea en route Alexandria.

3rd Light Horse Brigade Details Routine Orders No. 3

4. Orderly Officer - The Orderly Officer will visit all Guards and Stable Piquets at least once between 'Lights Out' and Reveille.

6. Stable Piquets - A general slackness and in some cases gross carelessness exists in the conduct of NCOs and men in charge of horses. OsC will see that this matter is attended to and that proper supervision is given to ensure these duties being properly carried out.

Carew Reynell Diary - Reached Grecian archipelago and passed by islands all afternoon.

1916

Thursday, May 18, 1916

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Roadhead, Serapeum.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - No entry.

1917

Friday, May 18, 1917

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - El Fukhari

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - The Regiment paraded dismounted at 1000 for gas instruction under the Divisional Gas Officer and was marched through a gas cloud with helmets on.

1918

Saturday, May 18, 1918

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Auja Bridgehead defences

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - In bivouac reorganising horse lines and sanitary arrangements.

Two Officers per squadron proceeded on reconnaissance to 5th Mounted Brigade sector.

1919

Sunday, May 18, 1919

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Tel el Kebir

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 1000 voluntary church service in YMCA conducted by Turner, Captain Chaplain RC.

Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 17 May

Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 19 May

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 Light Horse Regiment AIF

Bert Schramm Diary

9th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour 

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 26 July 2010 10:30 AM EADT

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