AMR Regiment

Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment

Outline

Auckland Mounted Rifles marching along Upper Symonds Street, Auckland, September 1914.

[From: Auckland Weely News, 1 October 1914, p. 45.]

Formation

The Auckland Mounted Rifles utilised the Volunteer Territorial structure to recruit members into the three squadrons gazetted as establishment in August 1914.  Below is a listing of the three squadrons inclusive of the distinguishing squadron badge.

3rd Auckland Squadron

The 3rd Auckland Squadron was recruited from the Auckland metropolitan area and the immediate surrounding region.

4th Waikato Squadron

The 4th Waikato Squadron was recruited from the region south and east of Auckland.

11th North Auckland Squadron

The 11th North Auckland Squadron was recruited from the region north and west of Auckland.

Machine Gun Section

The Machine Gun Section was drawn from recruits over the entirety of the Auckland Mounted Rifles catchment area.

Embarkation

The original Auckland Mounted Rifles embarked to Egypt on 16 October 1914.

• HMNZT 8 Star of India - Auckland Mounted Rifles
• HMNZT 12 Waimana - Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment 
  

In Egypt additional training occurred at Maadi Camp.

Gallipoli

As mounted troops, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles were considered to be unsuitable for work in Gallipoli. The mounted troops volunteered to operate as infantry and thus were sent to Gallipoli with the Auckland Mounted Rifles landing on 12 May 1915. Only once was this regiment used for offensive activities which occurred during the two attacks on Hill 60 in August 1915. For the balance of the time the Auckland Mounted Rifles remained at Gallipoli, the unit played a defensive role.

Defence of Egypt

In March 1916, the Auckland Mounted Rifles was allotted as a Regiment in the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, or more commonly called the Anzac Mounted Division. As part of the Division the Auckland Mounted Rifles moved to join its parent brigade, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, which was taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. they remained here until moved to the Romani region to bolster the defence of that area.

Sinai

The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade played an important role in beating back the Turkish invasion of the Suez Canal zone at Romani. Now known as the Battle of Romani which lasted from 4-6 August which was quickly followed by the Battle of Katia and then Bir el Abd on 9 August. All the actions in which the Auckland Mounted Rifles finally led to the defeat of the Ottoman Canal Expeditionary force and its retreat to Bir el Mazar.

Over the next few months, the Auckland Mounted Rifles took part in the Allied advance over the Sinai leading to the fall of Bir el Mazar, then El Arish followed by Bir el Magdhaba and finally Rafa in January 1917. The Ottoman forces were expelled from the Sinai and were poised to be tackled in Palestine.

Palestine

On 27 March 1917, the Auckland Mounted Rifles took an adventurous role during the First Battle of Gaza. While involved in the encirclement of the city as a prelude to its capture, the Auckland Mounted Rifles received the order to withdraw and return to the starting line. Grudgingly they did so but realised the Turks had snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.

The Auckland Mounted Rifles took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.

The Auckland Mounted Rifles took part in the Battle of Beersheba and then the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918. This included such actions as the Battle of Ayun Kara and the advance to Jaffa.

After the fall of Jerusalem the Auckland Mounted Rifles moved to the Jordan Valley and took parts in operations in this region. This included the taking of Jericho, the attack on Amman during 27 March - 2 April 1918 and Es Salt Raid of 30 April – 4 May 1918. It's last major action prior to the breakout was to repel the German Asien Corps attack on Abu Telllul, 14 July 1918.

Amman

At the opening of the final Allied offensive on 19 September 1918, the Auckland Mounted Rifles took part in the invasion of the Moab hills for the third time. This time Amman was captured and finally, the Ottomans called for an Armistice on 30 October 1918.

Commanders

Lieutenant Colonel C. E. R. Mackesy

Lieutenant Colonel J. N. McCarroll

 Decorations earned by the Auckland Mounted Rifles

• 2 CMG - Companion in The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George
  
• 4 DSO & 1 Bar - Distinguished Service Orders
• 1 CBE - Commander of the British Empire
  
• 1 OBE - Order of the British Empire
  
• 1 MBE - Member of the British Empire
• 7 MC & 2 Bars - Military Crosses
• 6 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
• 16 MM- Military Medals
• 28 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
• 5 foreign awards 

Attachments

Formed August 1914.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division from December 1914 to April 1915. Attachment ceased on the Division's deployment to Gallipoli.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division at Gallipoli from May 1915 to February 1916.

Attached to the Anzac Mounted Division March 1916 until March 1919.

Campaigns

Gallipoli:

• Anzac
• Defence at Anzac
• Suvla
• Sari Bair
• Gallipoli 1915-1916

Egypt:

• Defence of Egypt.

Sinai:

• Romani;
• Sinai;
• Magdhaba; and,
• Rafa.

Palestine:

• First Battle of Gaza;
• Second Battle of Gaza;
• Third Battle of Gaza;
• Beersheba;
• Jerusalem;
• Jericho;
• First Amman;
• Es Salt;
• Megiddo; and,
• Second Amman.
  

Casualties suffered by the Auckland Mounted Rifles

• 334 killed
• 557 wounded

Disbandment

The Auckland Mounted Rifles returned to New Zealand with the main body of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. With much ceremony at Chevalier Island, the Wellington Mounted Rifles along with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was disbanded on 30 June 1919. On the same day, Auckland Mounted Rifles returned to New Zealand on the SS Ulimaroa.

Acknowledgement: Thanks are extended to Steve Butler and Greg Bradley for the excellent site New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association and their consent to use information and images from that particular site.

Further Reading:

Auckland Mounted Rifles

New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 11 September 2009 10:50 AM EADT

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Falls Account, The Affair of Qatiya Map

[Click on map for larger version.]

The Affair at el Qatiya was a small and very successful action undertaken by the Ottoman forces against the British forces scattered around el Qatiya and Bir el Dueidar on 23 April 1916. The raid created panic in the British command and highlighted the need for a greater commitment to strengthening the defences of Romani, eventually leading to a battle at that place.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 September 2009 10:48 PM EADT

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CMR Regiment

Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment

Contents

Canterbury Mounted Rifles embarking from Lyttelton on the HMNZT 11  Athenic, September 1914.

[From: Auckland Weekly News, 1 October 1914, p. 38.]

Formation

The Canterbury Mounted Rifles utilised the Volunteer Territorial structure to recruit members into the three squadrons gazetted as establishment in August 1914.  Below is a listing of the three squadrons inclusive of the distinguishing squadron badge.

The 8th South Canterbury Regiment as a Territorial Volunteer formation came into being on 17 March 1911 when the New Zealand compulsory military training program commenced. After the outbreak of the Great War the 8th South Canterbury Squadron was recruited from the same Territorial region which included the area south and west of Christchurch.

10th Nelson Squadron

The 10th Nelson Regiment as a Territorial Volunteer formation came into being on 17 March 1911 when the New Zealand compulsory military training program commenced. After the outbreak of the Great War the 10th Nelson Squadron was recruited from the same Territorial region which included the area north and east of Christchurch and centred on the city of Nelson at the extreme north of South Island.

Machine Gun Section

The Machine Gun Section was drawn from recruits over the entirety of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles catchment area.

Embarkation

The original Canterbury Mounted Rifles embarked to Egypt on 16 October 1914.

• HMNZT 4 Tahiti - Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment.
• HMNZT 11  Athenic - Headquarters Mounted Rifles Brigade and Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment. (2 Squadrons) 
  

In Egypt additional training occurred at Maadi Camp.

Gallipoli

As mounted troops, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles were considered to be unsuitable for work in Gallipoli. The mounted troops volunteered to operate as infantry and thus were sent to Gallipoli with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles landing on 12 May 1915. Only once was this regiment used for offensive activities which occurred during the two attacks on Hill 60 in August 1915. For the balance of the time the Canterbury Mounted Rifles remained at Gallipoli, the unit played a defensive role.

Defence of Egypt

In March 1916, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles was allotted as a Regiment in the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, or more commonly called the Anzac Mounted Division. As part of the Division the Canterbury Mounted Rifles moved to join its parent brigade, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, which was taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. they remained here until moved to the Romani region to bolster the defence of that area.

Sinai

The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade played an important role in beating back the Turkish invasion of the Suez Canal zone at Romani. Now known as the Battle of Romani which lasted from 4-6 August which was quickly followed by the Battle of Katia and then Bir el Abd on 9 August. All the actions in which the Canterbury Mounted Rifles finally led to the defeat of the Ottoman Canal Expeditionary force and its retreat to Bir el Mazar.

Over the next few months, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles took part in the Allied advance over the Sinai leading to the fall of Bir el Mazar, then El Arish followed by Bir el Magdhaba and finally Rafa in January 1917. The Ottoman forces were expelled from the Sinai and were poised to be tackled in Palestine.

Palestine

On 27 March 1917, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles took an adventurous role during the First Battle of Gaza. While involved in the encirclement of the city as a prelude to its capture, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles received the order to withdraw and return to the starting line. Grudgingly they did so but realised the Turks had snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.

The Canterbury Mounted Rifles took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.

The Canterbury Mounted Rifles took part in the Battle of Beersheba and then the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918. This included such actions as the Battle of Ayun Kara and the advance to Jaffa.

After the fall of Jerusalem the Canterbury Mounted Rifles moved to the Jordan Valley and took parts in operations in this region. This included the taking of Jericho, the attack on Amman during 27 March - 2 April 1918 and Es Salt Raid of 30 April – 4 May 1918. It's last major action prior to the breakout was to repel the German Asien Corps attack on Abu Telllul, 14 July 1918.

Amman

At the opening of the final Allied offensive on 19 September 1918, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles took part in the invasion of the Moab hills for the third time. This time Amman was captured and finally, the Ottomans called for an Armistice on 30 October 1918.

Commanders

Lieutenant Colonel  John Findaly

Attachments

Formed August 1914.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division from December 1914 to April 1915. Attachment ceased on the Division's deployment to Gallipoli.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division at Gallipoli from May 1915 to February 1916.

Attached to the Anzac Mounted Division March 1916 until March 1919.

Campaigns

Gallipoli:

• Anzac
• Defence at Anzac
• Suvla
• Sari Bair
• Gallipoli 1915-1916

Egypt:

• Defence of Egypt.

Sinai:

• Romani;
• Sinai;
• Magdhaba; and,
• Rafa.

Palestine:

• First Battle of Gaza;
• Second Battle of Gaza;
• Third Battle of Gaza;
• Beersheba;
• Ayun Kara;
• Jerusalem;
• Jericho;
• First Amman;
• Es Salt;
• Megiddo; and,
• Second Amman.
  

Disbandment

The Canterbury Mounted Rifles returned to New Zealand in small numbers from June to July 1919. On 17 June 1919 the main body of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles handed in their horses and moved to Chevalier Island, Ismailia, in anticipation for embarkation to New Zealand. With much ceremony at Chevalier Island, the Canterbury Mounted Rifles along with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was disbanded on 30 June 1919. The last Canterbury Mounted Rifles members embarked from Ismailia on the SS Ellenga and returned to New Zealand on 23 July 1919.

Acknowledgement: Thanks are extended to Steve Butler and Greg Bradley for the excellent site New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association and their consent to use information and images from that particular site. Steve Butler has kinldy provided the artwork for this entry.

Further Reading:

Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment

New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 11 September 2009 2:58 PM EADT

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Turkish Account, el Qatiya Map

[Click on map for larger version.]

The Affair at el Qatiya was a small and very successful action undertaken by the Ottoman forces against the British forces scattered around el Qatiya and Bir el Dueidar on 23 April 1916. The raid created panic in the British command and highlighted the need for a greater commitment to strengthening the defences of Romani, eventually leading to a battle at that place.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 September 2009 10:43 PM EADT

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WMR Regiment

Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment

Outline

Wellington Mounted Rifles marching at Awapuni Camp, Palmerston North, September 1914.

[From: Auckland Weely News, 1 October 1914, p. 45.]

Formation

The Wellington Mounted Rifles utilised the Volunteer Territorial structure to recruit members into the three squadrons gazetted as establishment in August 1914.  Below is a listing of the three squadrons inclusive of the distinguishing squadron badge.

Queen Alexandra's 2nd Wellington West Coast Squadron

The anticedents for the Queen Alexandra's 2nd Wellington West Coast Regiment stretched further back than 1914. The district surrounding Wellington provided a volunteer force for many decades. Men from these formations served during the Boer War while afterwards, during the reorganisation of 1 October 1900, two new Territorial battalions were formed. In 1906, the name battalion was replaced by Regiment. The Queen Alexandra's 2nd Wellington West Coast Regiment as a Territorial Volunteer formation came into being on 17 March 1911 when the New Zealand compulsory military training program commenced. The Queen Alexandra's 2nd Wellington West Coast Squadron was recruited from the same Territorial region which included the Wellington metropolitan area and the region immediately adjacent to the city.

6th Manawatu Squadron

The 6th Manawatu Regiment as a Territorial Volunteer formation came into being on 17 March 1911 when the New Zealand compulsory military training program commenced. After the outbreak of the Great War the 6th Manawatu Squadron was recruited from the same Territorial region region north and west of Wellington.

9th Wellington East Coast Squadron

The 9th Wellington East Coast Regiment as a Territorial Volunteer formation came into being on 17 March 1911 when the New Zealand compulsory military training program commenced. After the outbreak of the Great War the 9th Wellington East Coast Squadron was recruited from the same Territorial region which included the region north and east of Wellington.

Machine Gun Section

The Machine Gun Section was drawn from recruits over the entirety of the Wellington Mounted Rifles catchment area.

Embarkation

The original Wellington Mounted Rifles embarked to Egypt on 16 October 1914.

• HMNZT 10 Arawa - Headquarters Staff, 2nd Squadron (less one troop), and Machine-gun Section.
• HMNZT 4 Tahiti - 6th Squadron (less one troop).
• HMNZT 6 Orari - 9th Squadron (one troop each, 2nd and 6th Squadrons) and all the horses of the Regiment.

In Egypt additional training occurred at Maadi Camp.

Gallipoli

As mounted troops, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles were considered to be unsuitable for work in Gallipoli. The mounted troops volunteered to operate as infantry and thus were sent to Gallipoli with the Wellington Mounted Rifles landing on 12 May 1915. Only once was this regiment used for offensive activities which occurred during the two attacks on Hill 60 in August 1915. For the balance of the time the Wellington Mounted Rifles remained at Gallipoli, the unit played a defensive role.

Defence of Egypt

In March 1916, the Wellington Mounted Rifles was allotted as a Regiment in the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, or more commonly called the Anzac Mounted Division. As part of the Division the Wellington Mounted Rifles moved to join its parent brigade, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, which was taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. they remained here until moved to the Romani region to bolster the defence of that area.

Sinai

The New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade played an important role in beating back the Turkish invasion of the Suez Canal zone at Romani. Now known as the Battle of Romani which lasted from 4-6 August which was quickly followed by the Battle of Katia and then Bir el Abd on 9 August. All the actions in which the Wellington Mounted Rifles finally led to the defeat of the Ottoman Canal Expeditionary force and its retreat to Bir el Mazar.

Over the next few months, the Wellington Mounted Rifles took part in the Allied advance over the Sinai leading to the fall of Bir el Mazar, then El Arish followed by Bir el Magdhaba and finally Rafa in January 1917. The Ottoman forces were expelled from the Sinai and were poised to be tackled in Palestine.

Palestine

On 27 March 1917, the Wellington Mounted Rifles took an adventurous role during the First Battle of Gaza. While involved in the encirclement of the city as a prelude to its capture, the Wellington Mounted Rifles received the order to withdraw and return to the starting line. Grudgingly they did so but realised the Turks had snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.

The Wellington Mounted Rifles took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.

The Wellington Mounted Rifles took part in the Battle of Beersheba and then the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918. This included such actions as the Battle of Ayun Kara and the advance to Jaffa.

After the fall of Jerusalem the Wellington Mounted Rifles moved to the Jordan Valley and took parts in operations in this region. This included the taking of Jericho, the attack on Amman during 27 March - 2 April 1918 and Es Salt Raid of 30 April – 4 May 1918. It's last major action prior to the breakout was to repel the German Asien Corps attack on Abu Telllul, 14 July 1918.

Amman

At the opening of the final Allied offensive on 19 September 1918, the Wellington Mounted Rifles took part in the invasion of the Moab hills for the third time. This time Amman was captured and finally, the Ottomans called for an Armistice on 30 October 1918.

Lieutenant Colonel W. Meldrum, from 8 August 1914 to 23 April 1917.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Whyte, from 12 June 1917 to 31 December 1918.

Major A. F. Batchelor, from 1 January 1919 to 30 June 1919      

Attachments

Formed August 1914.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division from December 1914 to April 1915. Attachment ceased on the Division's deployment to Gallipoli.

Attached to the New Zealand and Australian Division at Gallipoli from May 1915 to February 1916.

Attached to the Anzac Mounted Division March 1916 until March 1919.

Campaigns

Gallipoli:

• Anzac
• Defence at Anzac
• Suvla
• Sari Bair
• Gallipoli 1915-1916

Egypt:

• Defence of Egypt.

Sinai:

• Romani;
• Sinai;
• Magdhaba; and,
• Rafa.

Palestine:

• First Battle of Gaza;
• Second Battle of Gaza;
• Third Battle of Gaza;
• Beersheba;
• Ayun Kara;
• Jerusalem;
• Jericho;
• First Amman;
• Es Salt;
• Megiddo; and,
• Second Amman.
  

Casualties suffered by the Wellington Mounted Rifles

• 328 killed
• 496 wounded

Disbandment

The Wellington Mounted Rifles returned to New Zealand with the main body of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles. With much ceremony at Chevalier Island, the Wellington Mounted Rifles along with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was disbanded on 30 June 1919. On the same day, Wellington Mounted Rifles returned to New Zealand on the SS Ulimaroa.

Acknowledgement: Thanks are extended to Steve Butler and Greg Bradley for the excellent site New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association and their consent to use information and images from that particular site. Steve Butler has kinldy provided the artwork for this entry.

Further Reading:

Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment

New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 11 September 2009 3:03 PM EADT

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