9th LHR, AIF

Pro Gloria et Honore - For Glory and Honour

Regimental March -  Marching Through Georgia

The Diary

1914

Friday, April 24, 1914

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

Saturday, April 24, 1915

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Mena Camp, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  No entry.

Carew Reynell Diary - No entry.

1916

Monday, April 24, 1916

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Serapeum, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - No entry.

1917

Tuesday, April 24, 1917

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Abasan el Kebir

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - The Regiment paraded at 0600 and went down to Deir el Belah camp where the men changed clothes and swam. Returned to Abasan el Kebir at 1800.

Seventy five reinforcements marched in from Moascar and were allotted.

1918

Wednesday, April 24, 1918

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Talaat ed Dumm, Jericho

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - The Regiment with Regimental transport moved from Talaat ed Dumm, watered and proceeded by the old Jericho Road towards Jericho. The transport experienced great difficulty in negotiating the exceptionally steep decline leading down onto the plains of Jericho. The last steep decline leading down onto the plain of Jericho near Wadi Kelt presented the worst difficulties. Here the 8th Light Horse Regiment wagon collapsed and the items bolting into Wadi Kelt. B Squadron of the 9th Light Horse Regiment was dismounted and given orders to stand by and assist the 9th Light Horse Regiment Transport down this last decline. This was completed with the exception of the Maltese cart which was in the rear of the Regimental Transport and unfortunately when crossing a rut at the bottom of the hill the shaft broke throwing the driver, Learmonth, 2816 Trooper WJ onto the road, the cart passing over him and dragging him down until it collided with a limbered wagon in front. Trooper Learmonth died a few minutes afterwards.

The Regiment arrived at a point 11/2 miles north west of Jericho near Wadi Nueiameh. This completed a 61 mile trek from Selmieh and is up to date the most interesting trek undertaken by the Regiment.

The first two days of the march were down and across the fertile coastal plain, thence up into the well watered Judean hills between Latron and Jerusalem at an altitude of 2,920 feet above sea level, thence across the barren hills east of Jerusalem down onto the Plain of Jericho which is 800 feet below sea level.

An Officers' reconnaissance went to Auja Ford; El Mundessa Ford; and, El Ghoraniyeh Bridgehead.

Wastell, Lieutenant MF; and Lane, Lieutenant BGB; and, two Other Ranks proceeded to School of Instruction El Arish.

Three Other Ranks to Zeitoun.

1919

Thursday, April 24, 1919

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Zagazig

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - Remainder of A and B Squadrons less A Squadron mounted troop at El Abbasa and B Squadron personnel at Belbeis Station exchanged positions.

Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 23 April

Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 25 April

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: Thursday, 22 July 2010 6:26 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

Thursday, April 23, 1914

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

Friday, April 23, 1915

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Mena Camp, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary -  No entry.

Carew Reynell Diary - No entry.

1916

Sunday, April 23, 1916

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Serapeum, Egypt.

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - No entry.

1917

Monday, April 23, 1917

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Abasan el Kebir

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - The Regiment sentry posts left at 1100 for Tel el Jemmi on digging fatigue but were not required and returned at 1400.

Temporary promotions made for Non Commissioned Officers evacuated and reorganisation of Hotchkiss Rifle teams were carried out.

Wheaton, 648 Trooper RA, Died of wounds

1918

Tuesday, April 23, 1918

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Talaat ed Dumm

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - In bivouac at Talaat ed Dumm. Owing to the arrival of 4th Light Horse Brigade we experienced great difficulty in watering the horses.

1919

Wednesday, April 23, 1919

9th Light Horse Regiment Location - Zagazig

9th Light Horse Regiment War Diary - A Squadron proceeded mounted to 1, 2, 3 Posts Belbeis Railway Line and took over these Posts from B Squadron personnel. B Squadron personnel took over horses and proceeded to Brigade Headquarters.

Lieutenant HH Stephen evacuated to hospital.

Anzac Memorial Acquaintance Rolls for £23/12/ - forwarded to staff paymaster Cairo.

Two rifles were stolen from Aikman, Lieutenant GE, at his post, Zagazig railway station.

Previous: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 22 April

Next: 9th LHR AIF War Diary, 24 April

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: Thursday, 22 July 2010 6:28 PM EADT

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Fuller Account

The Transcription:

To: General Officer Commanding, 2nd Light Horse Brigade

Reference map Qatia Sheet C18

In accordance with instructions received I reconnoitred the country east as far as Ogratina, north east to marshy ground in centre of D3, and south east to Bir el Hamisah.

My reconnaissance was made as follows:-

"A" and "C" Squadrons moved off simultaneously at 0430 the former travelling north east to marshy ground in centre of D3 returning south west via El Rabah to Qatia.

"C" Squadron marched due east via Bir abu Hamra, Hod er Reshafat, Hod er Negiliat to Ogratina returning via Telegram Line to Qatia.

"B" Squadron, less one troop, left camp at 0545 and marched south east to Qatia.

Reports

"A" Squadron

The going for the first five miles was very heavy, afterwards the going was good across the marshy country, and on the return to Qatia found the going very heavy. No sign of Enemy, only Bedouin Camps, in one of three Bedouin Camps clothing, equipment, and a little ammunition was found which was collected and brought in. 20 Bedouins and 6 camels were also brought in, "A" Squadron arriving at Qatia at 1100, the advance party being in touch with Qatia at 1005.

"C" Squadron

The going was heavy throughout except through the Hods. Going through Abu Hamra found one dead mule at intersection of Longitude 45 and Latitude 31. Found empty Turkish cartridge shells behind several small sand hummocks, also one shell case. A considerable number of Bedouins were here and from one I gathered there was a wounded Englishman at Er Rabah. I sent the Medical Officer with a patrol guided by a native and found the body apparently only dead 48 hours. This man was hopelessly wounded and had been cared for by Bedouin women . Continuing I found body of a Turk at eastern end of Hod er Reshafat and another dead Turk and 2 dead camels at Hod en Negiliat. my patrols entered Ogratina camp at 1030 for the south west and northern ends. I found every evidence of a severe fight and tracks of a considerable enemy's force that had come by the Bir el Abd and Qatia road. This force evidently surprised the outpost on all sides of the camp and the outpost appeared to have fought stubbornly, gradually being forced back into the centre of the camp, where signs of a final melee had taken place.

I estimate the English dead at about 70 mainly on the eastern and western end of the camp and in the camp itself. I estimate the Turkish dead at about 30, signs of some having been buried. A great proportion of the English dead were stripped and in every case were the boots removed and the whole camp looted. The only things of value left were three pumps and some piping. I found two wounded Englishmen, Sergeant Pratt of the Worcester yeomanry and Sapper MacCoughley of the Royal Engineers and one wounded Turk who came into the camp after I arrived from a southerly direction. The wounded were in a bad state and I was obliged to man handle the Sergeant all the way to Qatia where "A" Squadron took him over and brought him in to Romani Camp. While there, I buried 12 Englishmen but only found two identification discs. All the dead were in an advanced state of decomposition.

I searched the Hods all round the camp and on the way back to Qatia my patrols searched the ground on either side of the Telegraph Line but found nothing.

Ammunition

I found no enemys' shell cases but a number of bombs. I brought in one Bedouin who had refused to give the wounded water. I left Ogratina at 1245 arriving at Qatia 1600.

Regimental Headquarters and "B" Squadron less one Troop

I found the going rather heavy and reached Qatia at 0830 which I mad my Headquarters. I immediately put patrols all round the camp. I instructed the Officer Commanding "B" Squadron to sent one Troop to Bir el Hamisah.

Copy of Troop Leader's report

I left "B" Squadron at Qatia at 0840. I marched on bearing 210 to Well 12 at Bir el Hamisah. At 0930 I reached the well, I found here the remains of a military camp, there were several tents rolled in bundles and lying on the ground. There were three saddles stripped of girths and stirrup lying on the ground. There were half a dozen bales of tibben, some shovels and rakes. There was also three lengths of canvas troughs, there were intact. There were two pumps with rubber hosing connected. There were three dead horses, one of which was haltered and leg roped to a line. There were seven wells, water rather salty and brackish. There was a system of trenches on the rising ground east of the camp. My patrol went about 500 yards beyond the camp and could not find anything, and finding no wounded or dead, I made no further search, I left well 12 at 1000 and reached Qatia at 1045.

At Qatia camp I found everything looted and evidence of a severe fight having taken place some days previous. The Turks evidently had attacked in a south easterly direction. There were a large number of empty shell cases, 12 pounders, and also a large number of empty small arms (Turkish) cases about. I found 70 dead horses and 48 dead camels, also 3 wounded horses which I destroyed. These were mostly killed by shell fire. The dead bodies were nearly all stripped and were in an advanced stage of decomposition. I buried 33 Englishmen, 6 Turks and one camel driver. The Turks had also buried some bodies before leaving. The trenches at or about the camp was very bad. Evidence of a number of English aeroplane bombs dropped outside the camp, but evidently these bombs had not done any damage, and where they had dropped, no sign whatever of any damage could be traced.

I searched all over the camp but could find no papers of any value. I found two cases of Mark VII ammunition 400 yards west of the camp which I brought in.

Signed: CD Fuller, Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding 6th Light Horse Regiment.

Further Reading:

6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour  

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 6:35 PM EAST

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Snow Account

The Transcription:

Qatia Patrol Report, 25 April 1915.

As instructed, I proceeded to Qatia at 0430, which was reached without opposition. I found 6 wounded men, 2 of whom have since died, there are 23 dead. The whole Camp is gutted and 60 horses and 30 camels are dead also, several of the Native Camel Transport drivers are dead, I could only find (1) Identification Disc, the bodies had all been stripped of clothing and Identity Discs (the Soldiers I brought in, state that it was the Bedouins and NOT the Turks who stripped the bodies.) I left Qatia at 0910 and reached the Brigade Bivouac at 1145 without seeing any Enemy.

Notes:

Enemy

When leaving Qatia a Bedouin that had just come in from north east of Qatia states that he had seen Turks in that direction, I could not find out how many or how far away they were.

Soldiers' information

The wounded soldiers state that they had expected an attack, and had stood to arms all night of 22/23 inst., they were shelled for an hour and attacked about 0900 on 23rd inst., the Turks had 4 or 5 Machine Guns and were about (800) Eight Hundred strong, they seem to think that (2) Officers and a number of men and also some wounded were taken prisoner.

Aerial

They state that our own Aeroplanes bombed the Qatia Camp on Monday morning when unoccupied by the Enemy.

Water

There are (2) two wells, 1 of which is quite good drinking water and the other Brackish, supply good.

Soldiers' Information (later)

Colonel Coventry and Lieutenant Gooch of the Worcestershire Yeomanry and another officer of same Regiment surrendered to Enemy. Lord Elcko of Gloucester Yeomanry also surrendered, he was wounded, also Lieutenant Strickland.

The Officer in Command of Enemy was German, there were also Turkish Officers, the force marched away about 350 Infantry and 100 mounted men strong, seemingly regular Troops, they were very keen to get the boots from our dead and wounded.

I hand Identification Disc labelled Lt GH Fox, RFA.

Bir Etmaler

George Snow, Lieutenant, 7th Light Horse Regiment.

Further Reading:

7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour 

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour  

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 2:27 PM EAST

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el Qatiya

Sinai, 23 April 1916

Ryrie Account

The Transcription:

To: Anzac Mounted Division, Romani, April 26th 1916.

Report of Lieutenant Snow, Officer Commanding Quatia Patrol.

Report of Lieutenant Snow who took the patrol out to Qatia this morning attached.

It would appear from this that the Enemy had artillery, from a sample of a shell brought in I should say they were using twelve pounders.

He explained that he had not much opportunity of seeing what dead the Enemy had left as he did not get beyond our position and the Turkish dead would probably be 500 yards out. The Medical Officer, Captain O'Hara informs me that he examined two enemy dead and said they were typical Turkish soldiers similar to those at Gallipoli.

There would be no chance of occupying the camp or anywhere near it for a long time as the stench from the dead horses and camels is very bad.

Another patrol of a Squadron went out at midday under Major Sutton in accordance with your G486 with orders to do as much as possible but to return by dusk, another patrol of a Squadron will leave at dawn tomorrow morning to make a more extensive reconnaissance.

Granville Ryrie, Brigadier General, Commanding 2nd Light horse Brigade, Anzac Mounted Division.

Three pay books enclosed herewith, viz:

No. 2931 Private Richard Scholes, "B" Company, 4th Battalion Royal Scots,

No. 92 Private Sidney Corbett, Army Veterinary Corps, Army Mobile Veterinary Section,

No. 2214 Osmund Scorgie, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Yeomanry.

Identity disc of:

Lieutenant GH Fox, Royal Field Artillery.

Editors Note: Scholes, Corbett, Scorgie appear to have survived their ordeal although sadly Fox is listed in the Roll of Honour.

Further Reading:

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916

el Qatiya, Sinai, 23 April 1916, Roll of Honour  

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 2:27 PM EAST

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