"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
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Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Aerial Reconnaissance over Lone Pine, 6 August 1915 Topic: BatzG - Aug 1915
The August Offensive
Gallipoli, August 1915
Aerial Reconnaissance over Lone Pine, 6 August 1915
Signal issued at 0840, 6 August 1915
On the morning, prior to the scheduled battle at Lone Pine, air reconnaissance was ordered by the Australian Division to fly over the proposed battlefield. Direction for assistance in identifying were given to the men in the advanced trenches which included firing flares and other identifying actions. The signal reads:
Australian Division
GHQ are sending aeroplane to reconnoitre Lone Pine and asks begins can you assist reconnaissance asked for by showing flares in firing trenches opposite Lone Pine when aeroplane comes over about 1100 ends will you please comply.
Anzac 0826
By 1246 the results of the reconnaissance and prisoner interrogations were in and made available.
Signal issued at 1246, 6 August 1915
The signal reads:
Australian Division
1246, 6 August 1915
Aeroplane reports that camps round Anzac grown in size. Prisoners captured this morning state five Turkish regiments or roughly 12,000 to 15,000 men opposed our right from Johnsons Gully to sea aaa Ammunition plentiful aaa Had not seen reinforcement but heard they were expected aaa It is possible these are fresh troops opposing No 3 Section as 57th Regiment formerly opposite Quinns now reported by prisoners on Turkish left aaa Aeroplane has located four fresh gun emplacements at 93.N.7 and 2 at 80.P.3 occupied addressed 13th Division reported Aust and NZ and A Div.
Anzac
The Turks had deployed 5 full Infantry Regiments consisting of between 12,000 to 15,000 men in front of the Allied forces. In addition, there were many reserves available. Further bad news is indicated that there are some new artillery works with fresh gun emplacements. The Australians were scheduled to move off in another four hours and this did not auger well for the beginning of the August offesnsive.
Diaries of AIF Servicemen, Bert Schramm, 2 July 1918 Topic: Diary - Schramm
Diaries of AIF Servicemen
Bert Schramm
2 July 1918
Bert Schramm
2823 Private Herbert Leslie SCHRAMM, a 22 year old Farmer from Whites River, South Australia. He enlisted on 17 February 1916; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 10 July 1919.
During part of the course of his military service with the AIF, Bert Schramm kept a diary of his life. Bert was not a man of letters so this diary was produced with great effort on his behalf. Bert made a promise to his sweetheart, Lucy Solley, that he would do so after he received the blank pocket notebook wherein these entries are found. As a Brigade Scout since September 1918, he took a lead part in the September Offensive by the Allied forces in Palestine. Bert's diary entries are placed alongside those of the 9th Light Horse Regiment to which he belonged and to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade to which the 9th LHR was attached. On this basis we can follow Bert in the context of his formation.
The Diaries
The complete diary is now available on the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Site at:
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Two Other Ranks proceeded on short leave to Egypt. Usual training carried out. The cool climate of Solomon's Pools was being much appreciated by all those who had spent a long period in the Jordan Valley. Eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables were to be obtained in advance from the natives. Each Regiment had its own controlled market where the natives had to sell at fixed prices. Water for men and animals was obtained from Solomon's Pools about one mile distant from the bivouac area.
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
War Diaries and Letters
All War Diaries and letters cited on this site should be read in conjunction with the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre, War Diaries and Letters, Site Transcription Policy which may be accessed at:
The following entries are extracted and transcribed from the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, the originals of which are held by the Australian War Memorial. There are 366 entries on this site. Each day has entries as they occurred from 1914 to 1919. In addition to the 9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary, when appropriate, entries from the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary and other regiments with the Brigade will also appear. Entries from the unit history, Darley, TH, With the Ninth Light Horse in the Great War, Adelaide, Hassell Press, 1924 will also appear from time to time. The aim is to give the broadest context to the story and allow the reader to follow the day to day activities of the regiment. If a relative happened to have served in the regiment during the Great War, then this provides a general framework in which the individual story may be told.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - 1100 -1300 The Regiment was relieved by the Auckland Mounted Rifles and moved to rest at Reserve Gully.
During the night 18 more Turkish rifles were recovered - most of them by Privates Pennycuick and Dawkins who searched the ground near the Turkish trenches.
3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary - Colonel Smyth VC reported and took over Commanding Brigade and No. 1 Sub Sector. Assisted him round area.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Routine training and patrol work. Two hours training carried out daily.
1917
Monday, July 2, 1917
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - El Shellal
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - All ranks put through gas helmet drill.
A party of 150 Non Commissioned Officers and men under Luxmoore, Captain EM, left at 1400 and proceeded to points X, Y, and Z for two hours trench digging returning to camp at 1930.
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Two Other Ranks proceeded on short leave to Egypt.
Usual training carried out.
The cool climate of Solomon's Pools was being much appreciated by all those who had spent a long period in the Jordan Valley. Eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables were to be obtained in advance from the natives. Each Regiment had its own controlled market where the natives had to sell at fixed prices. Water for men and animals was obtained from Solomon's Pools about one mile distant from the bivouac area.
1919
Wednesday, July 2, 1919
9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Moascar
9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Preparation for handing in of equipment.
8th Australian Light Horse Regiment, The Merritt family Topic: AIF - 3B - 8 LHR
8th LHR, AIF
8th Australian Light Horse Regiment
The Merritt family
The Merritt family
[From: Melbourne Argus, 19 January 1915 p. 7.]
During the Great War, many families saw all the eligible men enlist for service. This item deals specifically with the Merritt family which was featured within a small piece published in the Melbourne Argus, 19 January 1915 p. 7.
Family of Soldiers
In the camp at Broadmeadows three brothers named Merritt for one of the notable instances of the three boys of a family bound for the war. They are William Crawford, Charles Cecil and Frank Leslie Merritt of Welshpool, Gippsland. The uncle of the lads, Mr David Crawford, who went through the South African War in Bethune's Light Horse, is also a member of the present contingent, and has been placed in command of the scouts. He was mentioned in despatches in South Africa, and received the "DSO". The family is certainly a fighting one, for Mrs Merritt's father was a member of the British legion that fought in Spain from 1834 to 1840.
The following are the military biographies of each man mentioned in the article.
Lieutenant David Crawford, Bethune's Mounted Infantry, Mentioned in Despatches
[From: London Gazette Issue 27459, 29 July 1902, p. 23.]
231 Sergeant David Crawford
Place of birth High Camp, Kilmore, Victoria School High Camp State School, Victoria Religion Protestant Occupation Motor mechanic Address 26 Anderson Street, Yarraville, Victoria Marital status Married Age at embarkation 37 Height 5' 9.75" Weight 175 lbs Next of kin Wife, Mrs Hannah Mabel Crawford, 22 Richardson Street, Essendon, Victoria Previous military service Served in Bethunes Mounted Infantry during Boer War as a Sergeant. Mentioned in despatches. Enlistment date 21 September 1914 Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 21 September 1914 Place of enlistment Melbourne, Victoria Rank on enlistment Sergeant Unit name 8th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/13/1 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915 Rank from Nominal Roll Sergeant Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Light Horse Regiment Fate Killed in Action 23 June 1915 Place of death or wounding Walker's Ridge,Gallipoli, Turkey Age at death 40 Age at death from cemetery records 40 Place of burial Ari Burnu Cemetery (Row C, Grave No. 1), Anzac, Gallipoli Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial 6 Miscellaneous information from cemetery records Parents: William and Jane CRAWFORD; husband of H. Mabel CRAWFORD, Collins Street, Traralgon, Victoria Family/military connections Nephews: 318 Pte Charles Cecil MERRITT, 3rd Machine Gun Squadron, died of wounds, 1 November 1917; 319 Pte Frank Leslie MERRITT, 8th Light Horse Regiment, returned to Australia, 11 April 1916; 28370 Gunner Roy Vernon MERRITT, 14th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 25 March 1919. Other details War service: Egypt, Gallipoli Proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 16 May 1915. Killed in action, Gallipoli, 23 June 1915 (hit by shell); buried, 23 June 1915. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Lest We Forget
318 Private Charles Cecil Merritt
Place of birth Camberwell, Victoria School Welshpool School, Victoria Religion Presbyterian Occupation Labourer Address Welshpool, South Gippsland, Victoria Marital status Single Age at embarkation 21 Height 5' 9" Weight 159 lbs Next of kin Father, Thomas Merritt, Welshpool, South Gippsland, Victoria Previous military service Nil Enlistment date 24 September 1914 Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 24 September 1914 Place of enlistment Toorac, Victoria Rank on enlistment Private Unit name 8th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/13/1 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915 Rank from Nominal Roll Private Unit from Nominal Roll 3rd Machine Gun Squadron Fate Died of wounds 1 November 1917 Place of death or wounding Beersheba, Palestine Age at death 25 Place of burial Beersheba War Cemetery (Row B, Grave No. 49), Palestine Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial 180 Family/military connections Brothers: 319 Pte Frank Leslie MERRITT, 8th Light Horse Regiment, returned to Australia, 11 April 1916; 28370 Gunner Roy Vernon MERRITT, 14th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 25 March 1919. Uncle: 231 Sgt David CRAWFORD, 8th Light Horse Regiment, killed in action, 23 June 1915. Other details
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine
Proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 16 May 1915.
Admitted to New Zealand Field Ambulance, Gallipoli, 28 June 1915 (bomb wounds, both legs); transferred to Hospital Ship, 28 June 1915; admitted to No 2 General Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, 8 July 1915; to No 2 General Hospital, Mena, 4 August 1915; to Anzac Convalescent Camp, Helouan, 5 August 1915; transferred to Zeitoun for duty, 11 August 1915.
Admitted to No 3 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 28 September 1915 (dysentery); transferred to No 4 Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia, 28 September 1915; to Anzac Convalescent Camp, Helouan, 16 October 1915; discharged to duty, 29 March 1916; marched into Convalescent and General Base, Zeitoun, 30 March 1916.
Transferred to 3rd Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Squadron, Moascar, 1 August 1916.
To Imperial School of Instruction, Zeitoun, 27 October 1916; passed as 1st Class Machine Gunner in Lewis Gun Course.
Admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Belah, 31 March 1917 (diphtheria); transferred to 34th Casualty Clearing Station, 31 March 1917; to Convoy Station, 31 March 1917; to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, El-Arish (tonsilitis), 2 April 1917; discharged to duty, 11 April 1917; rejoined unit, 23 April 1917.
Admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Shellal, 17 June 1917 (diarrhoea); transferred to Casualty Clearing Station, 19 June 1917; to Hospital Train, 20 June 1917; to No 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, 20 June 1917; to Base Hospital, 21 June 1917; to 24th Stationary Hospital, 21 June 1917; to Citadel Military Hospital, Cairo, 23 June 1917; to Convalescent Depot, Abbassia, 20 July 1917; discharged, 3 August 1917; taken on strength, 3rd Light Horse Training Regiment, Moascar, 3 August 1917.
Detached to Imperial School of Instruction, Zeitoun, 26 August 1917; passed as 1st Class Machine Gunner; returned to duty, 15 September 1917.
Transferred to Machine Gun Details, 15 September 1917; taken on strength, Machine Gun Training Squadron, 15 September 1917.
Transferred to 3rd Australian Machine Gun Squadron, 19 September 1917; taken on strength, 22 September 1917.
Wounded in action, Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917; admitted to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, 31 October 1917 (bomb wound, chest); transferred to Australian Receiving Station, 1 November 1917 (bomb wounds, thorax and abdomen); died of wounds, 1 November 1917; buried, 1 November 1917. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
In the evening at Tel el Saba, 31 October 1917, while Beersheba was falling, there was an air raid on the men as they moved to their positions. Those killed came from "C" Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment and the 3rd Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron.
499 Private William Irvine HUTCHINSON, 8th Light Horse Regiment
3255 Private James Lowry BODKIN, 9th Light Horse Regiment
1497 Private John Currie CUMMING, 8th Light Horse Regiment
318 Private Charles Cecil MERRITT, 8th Light Horse Regiment
2815 Private Claude Michael LEAHY, 9th Light Horse Regiment
2939 Private Donald James MORRISON, 9th Light Horse Regiment
Lest we forget.
319 Private Frank Leslie Merritt
Date of birth 11 June 1897 Place of birth Buln Buln, Victoria Religion Presbyterian Occupation Hairdresser Address Welshpool, Victoria Marital status Single Age at embarkation 19 Height 5' 8" Weight 140 lbs Next of kin Father, Thomas Merritt, Welshpool, Victoria Previous military service 67th Infantry Enlistment date 15 September 1914 Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 16 September 1914 Place of enlistment Meeniyan, Victoria Rank on enlistment Private Unit name 8th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/13/1 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915 Rank from Nominal Roll Private Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Light Horse Regiment Fate Returned to Australia 11 April 1916 Family/military connections Brothers: 318 Pte Charles Cecil MERRITT, 3rd Machine Gun Squadron, died of wounds, 1 November 1917; 28370 Gunner Roy Vernon MERRITT, 14th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia, 25 March 1919. Uncle: 231 Sgt David CRAWFORD, 8th Light Horse Regiment, killed in action, 23 June 1915. Other details
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli
Proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 16 May 1915.
Admitted to Hospital Ship, 16 August 1915 (shrapnel wound, stomach); disembarked Alexandria, 25 August 1915; admitted to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Cairo, 25 August 1915; transferred to Mena Hospital, 1 September 1915; transferred to Montasah Convalescent Camp, 3 September 1915; to British Red Cross Convalescent Camp, Montasah, 3 September 1915 (enteritis); transferred to Mustapha Base, 25 September 1915.
Admitted to Anzac Convalescent Camp, Helouan, 28 October 1915 (influenza); transferred to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Ghezireh, 5 November 1915 (tonsilitis); to Anzac Convalescent Camp, 12 November 1915; to No 2 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 22 February 1916 (diarrhoea and varicocele); to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 10 March 1916; marched out for return to Australia, 10 April 1916.
Commenced return to Australia from Suez on board HT 'Runic', 11 April 1916; disembarked Melbourne, 12 May 1916; discharged, 7 August 1916.
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal British War Medal and Victory Medal marked returned, 10 May 1923.
320 Private William Crawford Merritt
Religion Presbyterian Occupation Labourer Address Welshpool, South Gippsland, Victoria Marital status Single Age at embarkation 22 Next of kin Mother, Mrs A Merritt, Welshpool, South Gippsland, Victoria Enlistment date 24 September 1914 Rank on enlistment Private Unit name 8th Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/13/1 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 25 February 1915 Rank from Nominal Roll Private Unit from Nominal Roll 8th Light Horse Regiment Fate Returned to Australia 28 April 1915
28370 Gunner Roy Vernon Merritt
Place of birth Black Flat, Victoria Religion Presbyterian Occupation Student Address Welshpool,South Gippsland, Victoria Marital status Single Age at embarkation 18 Height 5' 6.25" Weight 129 lbs Next of kin Father, Thomas Merritt, Welshpool,South Gippsland, Victoria Previous military service 64th Infantry Enlistment date 25 May 1916 Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 25 May 1916 Place of enlistment Melbourne, Victoria Rank on enlistment Gunner Unit name Field Artillery Brigade 12, Reinforcement 7 AWM Embarkation Roll number 13/39/3 Embarkation details Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 25 October 1916 Rank from Nominal Roll Gunner Unit from Nominal Roll 14th Field Artillery Brigade Other details from Roll of Honour Circular Brothers: 318 Pte Charles Cecil MERRITT, 3rd Machine Gun Squadron, died of wounds, 1 November 1917; 319 Pte Frank Leslie MERRITT, 8th Light Horse Regiment, returned to Australia, 11 April 1916. Uncle: 231 Sgt David CRAWFORD, 8th Light Horse Regiment, killed in action, 23 June 1915. Fate Returned to Australia 25 March 1919 Other details
War service: Western Front
Embarked Melbourne, 25 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 28 December 1916.
Proceeded overseas to France, 15 August 1917; marched into Australian General Base Depot, Rouelles, 18 August 1917.
Taken on strength, 14th Field Artillery Brigade, and posted to 53rd Battery, 27 August 1917.
Evacuated, 2 October 1917 (gassed); admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 3 October 1917; transferred to 1st Aouth African General Hospital, Abbeville, 4 October 1917; embarked for England, 11 October 1917; admitted to Reading War Hospital, 12 October 1917 (mustard gas); transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 2 November 1917; discharged, 6 November 1917; marched into No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 13 November 1917; marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 19 January 1918.
Marched out to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery, Heytesbury, 5 February 1918.
Proceeded overseas to France, 13 March 1918; marched into Australian General Base Depot, Rouelles, 14 March 1918; rejoined 14th Field Artillery Brigade, 19 March 1918.
To England on leave, 26 January 1919; reported to Headquarters, 12 February 1919.
Admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Very, 26 February 1919 (sick); discharged, 27 February 1919.
Commenced return to Australia from England on board HT 'Fort Denison', 25 March 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 10 May 1919; discharged, 25 July 1919 (medically unfit).
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Source: Information for this post was extracted from AUSTRALIAN ANZACS IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
Battle of Romani, Sinai, 4 to 5 August 1916, Official British War History Map of Romani, 4 August 1916 Topic: BatzS - Romani
Battle of Romani
Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Official British War History Map of Romani
Romani and the disposition of the various armies, 4 August 1916
[Click on map for larger image]
To put the Battle of Romani into context, below is part of a series of maps which will illustrate the places mentioned in the various texts which appears on this topic.
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