Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour

The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918

Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Headquarters, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 31 January 2011 12:46 PM EAST

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The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Headquarters, Imperial Camel Corps, Battle Account
Topic: AIF - 5B - ICC

The Battle of Rafa

Sinai, 9 January 1917

Headquarters, Imperial Camel Corps, Battle Account

The following is a transcription of the Headquarters, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.

Imperial Camel Brigade, January 1917

Headquarters, Desert Column through Anzac Mounted Division.

Attached is a report upon the part played by the 1st Imperial Camel Brigade, in the action at Magruntein.

0915 On receiving orders for attack on "B" Group in conjunction with the 1st Light Horse Brigade, on our right, who were attacking "C3", "C2", and "C1", I moved the Brigade up at 0915 to a position west of the Somerset Royal Horse Artillery Battery who were in action.

0925 Dismounted and deployed 1 Company facing south east behind ridge, and in line with Divisional Artillery.

Immediately after this Company had deployed, the camels were shelled, and had to be moved back ½ a mile south east in rear of the garden at Karm ibn Muslet.

1000 I sent in the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery up to the position selected to support infantry advance and ordered the 1st Battalion (Major Langly) to develop attack on B4 (plan drawn from aeroplane sketch. See: Map of Turkish Trench Works). This attack was ordered forward on a front of 1 Company, which was to advance at 1130, under further instruction received from General Officer Commanding Anzac Mounted Division, in conjunction with attack on "C" Group by 3rd Light Horse Brigade.

1130 The range was found to be 4,500 which is not an effective range with the Mountain Battery. I therefore asked the Commander Royal Artillery to support infantry advance on "B" Group 1130.

The attack was sent forward with 1 Company firing line, 1 Company support, 1 Company reserve, with the 2nd Battalion (less 1 Company detached as escort to prisoners, and escort to Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery, as general reserve).

1200 The firing line, No. 15 Company (Captain McCallum) advanced to within 800 yards of "B4" Group without opposition, but came under heavy fire from "C" Group, then about 1,400 yards from them 1215. The line was stiffened up by the supports and reserves, and pushed forward slightly when it was found that the works in "B2" were strongly held and was in reality, a formidable Reduit.

1230 2 Companies 2nd Battalion (under Major Bassett) was sent to prolong our left and engage "2" works from south east and this attack was carried out, advancing with our left front slightly forward within 700, when it appeared that a junction could be made with the 5th Mounted Brigade. A company of 2nd Battalion was sent into the left centre to reinforce the line.

1300 I asked Division to request 5th Mounted Brigade to cooperate with my left.

1415 As progress was slow, and the Brigade had not joined up with 5th Mounted Brigade, I ordered 1 Company of 3rd Battalion (Major Huddleston) forward to the left of the position to envelope "B2" if possible, and effect the junction, which seemed necessary before a general advance could be made, but little progress could be made beyond "B2" (which was found to be unoccupied) owing to lack of cover and heavy machine gun fire.

1430 The 5th Mounted Brigade, which at this time had effected a junction with out left, was withdrawn. I therefore sent Major Huddleston forward with remaining Companies of his Battalion, to the left centre, to fill the gap which was becoming greater owing to the movement of sections, which were being closed in to the left.

1530 But before his arrival, he met Major Langly (whose Battalion was not in a position to move until "C" works were so engaged as to cease enfilading him) who advised elongation and strengthening on the left of the line, against "C4" Reduit, and he was moved there accordingly, joining No. 11 Company with his Battalion 1530 which was about 600 yards from the centre C4 and held up by machine gun position with 2 guns in centre of the Reduit.

1600 At this time I sent the Light Machine Gun Section of this Company on escort duty forward to assist the left in carrying out the "B" works. Advance in the meantime continued slowly.

1630 The Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery having kept the Reduit under continual shrapnel fire, at 1630, the advance of 2 Companies, 3rd Battalion with 1 Company 2nd Battalion, supported by machine gun fire, became very rapid, and at 1630 they assaulted the position and carried it, capturing 5 Officers 214 Other Ranks, 2 machine guns.

The Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery advanced with each advance to the firing line, and at the scene of the action, was within 1,500 yards, and kept up a continuos fire throughout the day both on "B4" and (at the request of Officer Commanding 1st Battalion) "C1", in order to assist his advance, which was enfiladed by these works.

Again, as at Magdhaba, the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery, supporting Light Machine Gun fire, mad an advance for open ground against well sited trenches possible, with comparatively small casualties.

Signals

Communication with Desert Column was opened up at 0814 by helio and wireless telephone, but no messages other than signal service messages were received.

With Anzac Mounted Division, from 0745 until dark by helio and to 1700 by lamp and by occasional despatch riders through the day. Was unable to establish communication with 5th Mounted Brigade, except through Desert Column, until 1400, when 1st Battalion got Worcester Yeomanry by flag.

Telephone communications with firing line was maintained throughout the day, and proved to the greatest of assistance.

CL Smith, Brigadier General
Commanding Imperial Camel Brigade
El Arish, 12 January 1917

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:

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour

The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918

Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Headquarters, Imperial Camel Corps, Battle Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 31 January 2011 12:26 PM EAST

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The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, 3rd Anzac Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account
Topic: AIF - 5B - ICC

The Battle of Rafa

Sinai, 9 January 1917

3rd Anzac Battalion, ICC, War Diary Account

3rd Anzac Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account

The following is a transcription of the 3rd Anzac Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.

El Arish 8 January 1917

Battalion paraded at 1400 with remainder of Brigade( less No. 14 Company on outpost) joined Division (Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division) and marched fro Rafa at 1600. Strength 316. 368 Camels.

Rafa 9 January 1917

Reached position near Rafa 0530. Observed Turks manning trenches. Gun fire began 0840. This Battalion, Brigade Reserve, 1st Battalion deployed 1030, 2nd Battalion 1130. Enemy found in well sighted trenches on rising ground above flat place. No 11 Company moved out to reinforce left flank and prolong line 1315. Came under very heavy rifle and machine gun flanking fire as left flank still held up and enemy holding up our whole line by flanking fire from his right. No. 12 Company ordered to reinforce left flank further after gaining fire superiority. Assault carried out at 1632 and position occupied about 1700. Turks firing till our troops close to trenches. Positions captured by other Battalions immediately after. Captured 5 Officers and 219 Other Ranks. General retirement ordered and marched back 1830. Left large quantities of ammunition and rifles behind. Casualties - 1 Officer (Captain GA Smith) and 7 Other Ranks killed or died of wounds. 13 Other Ranks wounded.

El Arish 10 January 1917

Arrived back in El Arish 1430.

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:

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917

The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, Roll of Honour

The Palestine Campaign, 1917 - 1918

Citation: The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, 3rd Anzac Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 31 January 2011 12:48 PM EAST

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Sunday, 23 December 2007

Imperial Camel Corps, Roll of Honour, Norman Farquhar Bruce Huon
Topic: AIF - 5B - ICC

ICC, AIF

Imperial Camel Corps

Roll of Honour

Norman Farquhar Bruce Huon

Norman Farquhar Bruce Huon's name on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial

Norman Farquhar Bruce Huon

A brief military biography of Norman Farquhar Bruce Huon:

Address: 28 Coleridge Street, East Kew, Victoria

Conflict: 1914-1918

Embarkation Age: 25

Embarkation details: Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Mongolia on 11 July 1916.

Embarkation Unit name: 8th Light Horse Regiment, 18th Reinforcement.

Embarkation Roll number: 10/13/4

Enlistment date: 17 November 1915

Family connections: Cousins: 274 Pte John Huon HOOKE, 6th Battalion, died of wounds, 25 April 1915; Captain Brian Moore O'SULLIVAN, 5th Battalion, died of wounds, 23 August 1918.

Fate: Killed in Action, 23 December 1916.

Marital status: Single.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Florence Huon, 28 Coleridge Street, East Kew, Victoria.

Occupation: Bank clerk.

Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial: 10.

Place of birth: Wodonga, Victoria.

Place of burial: No Known Grave.

Place of death or wounding: Magdhaba, Sinai Peninsular, Egypt.

Rank on enlistment: Private.

Rank at death: Lance Corporal [L Cpl].

Regimental number: 2592.

Religion: Church of England.

School: Albury Grammar School, New South Wales.

Unit on Nominal Roll: 14th Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps.

War Grave Register notes: 2592 Lance Corporal Norman Farquhar Bruce HUON, 8th Australian Light Horse. 23rd December 1916. Age 26. Son of William and Florence Huon, of 13, Chelsea Street, Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia. Native of Wodonga, Victoria.

Lest we forget

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.
Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
Roll of Honour, AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army.
CWGC files, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Debt of Honour Register.
Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Further Reading:

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, Roll of Honour, Australia and New Zealand

The Battle of Magdhaba

Citation: Imperial Camel Corps, Roll of Honour, Norman Farquhar Bruce HUON

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Saturday, 21 November 2009 4:17 PM EAST

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Imperial Camel Corps, Roll of Honour, Percy Butcher
Topic: AIF - 5B - ICC

ICC, AIF

Imperial Camel Corps

Roll of Honour

Percy Butcher

Percy Butcher's name on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial

Percy Butcher's grave at Magdhaba

A brief military biography of Percy Butcher

Address: Rockhampton, Queensland.

Conflict: 1914-1918.

Embarkation details: Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 28 March 1916.

Embarkation Unit name: 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 15th Reinforcement.

Embarkation Roll number: 10/7/4.

Enlistment date: 1 November 1915.

Fate: Died of wounds 23 December 1916.

Marital status: Single.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Fanny Butcher, Baree, Mount Morgan, Queensland.

Occupation: Miner.

Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial: 10.

Place of birth: Moonmera, Queensland.

Place of death or wounding: Magdhaba, Sinai Peninsular, Egypt.

Place of burial: Kantara War Memorial Cemetery (Row F, Grave No. 100), Egypt.

Rank on enlistment: Private.

Rank at death: Trooper [Tpr].

Regimental number: 2154.

Religion: Church of England.

Unit from Nominal Roll: Imperial Camel Corps.

War Grave Register notes: 2154 Trooper Percy BUTCHER, 14th Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps. Died of wounds 23 December 1916. F. 100.

Lest we forget

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.
Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.
Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.
Roll of Honour, AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army.
CWGC files, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Debt of Honour Register.
Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Further Reading:

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, Roll of Honour, Australia and New Zealand

The Battle of Magdhaba

Citation: Imperial Camel Corps, Roll of Honour, Percy Butcher

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Saturday, 21 November 2009 4:21 PM EAST