"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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Saturday, 15 August 2009
Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Sergeant-Farrier Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Sergeant-Farrier
The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.
Sergeant-Farrier
(1.) To be a practical farrier, with some veterinary knowledge, so as to afford:
(a) "first aid" in case of an accident to a horse in the field or in Camp;
(b) to apply simple remedies for sore back or girth gall;
(c.) to supervise the shoeing of horses;
(d.) to maintain discipline amongst shoeing-smiths allotted to his charge.
Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Shoeing-smiths Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Shoeing-smiths
The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.
Shoeing-smiths
(1.) To be assistants to the Sergeant Farriers, be practical horse shoers, smart, keen horsemen, and regular at drill.
Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Trumpeters Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Trumpeters
The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.
Trumpeters
(1.) To be well mounted, good riders, a good ear for music, and capable of blowing any call required whether at a gallop in the field or during Camp. He should have a watch timed with that of the Adjutant, Sergeant-Major, and headquarters clock in Camp. All calls to be sounded punctually at the time set down in Regimental Orders.
The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia, Enrolment and Conditions of Service Topic: Militia - LHW - WA
Western Australian Militia
Enrolment and Conditions of Service
The following is an extract from the book written in 1962 by George F. Wieck called The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia 1861-1903, pp. 20 – 21:
Chapter IV - Enrolment and Conditions of Service
In the "Sixties" the enrolment formula was very simple; any apparently able-bodied man could enrol for service in a Volunteer corps and remain a member thereof for the rest of his life or until obviously incapacitated. There was no medical or physical standard. Inefficiency and misconduct were valid reasons for discharge.
The Volunteer was required to attend a recruit training course before being finally accepted. He then, in his own time and at his own expense, attended without pay 10-12 training parades per annum, provided himself with uniform, and endeavoured to acquire a standard of efficiency. Apart from the satisfaction of service well rendered and the thrill of serving in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, the Volunteer's recompense was membership of a form of social club which numbered in its ranks many of the prominent and responsible personages of the community.
There were many difficulties but years passed before ills were cured and weaknesses eliminated.
An Establishment (or permissible maximum for each corps) was not in use until 1875, when the Military Commandant requested the Executive Council to lay down what corps strengths he was expected to observe. From that time it was possible to conduct recruiting on an orderly basis. Lack of knowledge and experience led some corps commanders into the trap of over-recruiting: their first impulse was to enrol every suitable person available without any thought for the future, consequently when the inevitable vacancies occurred recruits were not available to fill them. In such cases either the corps strength fell below the permissible minimum and the Corps was disbanded or the Commander covered-up by retaining misfits and inefficients on the roll. The potential of any District can be calculated and unless results are heeded the corps will die of inanition. One District which enrolled up to 80 men had difficulty 70 years later in maintaining a corps of only 30.
One result of the unwise bursts of recruiting was the great disappointment felt by members at the long delays (up to three years in some cases) in issues of arms and clothing. Provision for these requirements was made by the authorities on what was practically a minimum basis-they could not afford anything else. Corps Commanders knew what they could expect in this direction and were to blame for most of the disappointment felt.
As an inducement to serve, an Amendment to the Land Regulations appeared on 22nd May, 1873, under the Caption "Grants to Volunteers". A Lot of Rural Land not exceeding 50 acres was to be granted to each of the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of the Volunteer Force who shall have served continuously for a period of five years from and after the coming into operation of the Regulation. If the Volunteer was efficient, of good conduct, and approved by the Governor, Fee Simple would be granted if at the end of three years improvements to the value of £25 had been made, otherwise the Land would revert to the Crown. The wood-pile was not without its "nigger" for records state that in many cases the men accepted cash in lieu because neither water supplies nor communications existed in the area containing their Lots.
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - NZMRB - CMR
Bir el Abd
Sinai, 9 August 1916
CMR, War Diary Account
War Diary account of the CMR.
The transcription:
9 August
The Brigade paraded at 0400 and marched out of Debabis towards Bir el Abd. The Telegraph line was followed for on mile east of Debabis and turned slightly to the south east. Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment were the Advance Guard and came in touch with the Turkish outpost at 0515 when they were fired on. The 8th Squadron were then detailed to support the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment on their left which brought us right onto the Main Road. Firing became heavier and then our remaining two squadrons were sent to support the left of the 1st Squadron. The 8th Squadron advanced down a sandy spur and engaged the Turks drawing them off the sand spur towards Bir el Abd. The 1st and 10th Squadrons had in the meantime advanced some 300 or 400 yards on the left and driven the Turks back. The Turkish artillery fire became very heavy in the valley by the road and the 8th Squadron suffered very heavily. Never the less they advanced onto another position north east of sand spur. Here Lieutenant Menzies was killed and Major Hammond and Lieutenant Blackney were badly wounded. The position was held for some time when it became too hot to hold so we had to retire about 500 yards and there hold the enemy in check. The 5th Light horse Regiment came up and supported us on our left and during the afternoon, “A” Squadron of the Warwickshire Yeomanry came up and helped to strengthen our position. Communication was maintained throughout the day by visual and despatch riders. Good work was done by RSM Denton and the Signaller Section. It was the intention of the GOC that the 3rd Light Horse should make a flanking movement and come around in the south side of Bir el Abd and the Light Horse were to proceed round the northern flank and cut off the enemy between Bir el Abd and Salmana but neither of these Regiments accomplished their task. Artillery was brought into action and did useful work. Received order at 1800 to retire to Debabis at dusk. We commenced to retire at 1900, our retirement being covered by the Machine Gun Section under Captain Sharpe. Our casualties for the day were very heavy.
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