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"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

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre site holds over 12,000 entries and is growing daily.

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WARNING: This site contains: names, information and images of deceased people; and, language which may be considered inappropriate today.

Saturday, 17 October 2009
3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Contents
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA

3rd LHFA, AIF

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

Contents

 

3rd LHFA Colour Patch

 

 

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

Originally recruited at Melbourne in October 1914 to form part of the 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance, when Military Order 575 of 1914 created the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and the unit became the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance.

 

Structure

The Australian Light Horse – Structural outline

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle

 

Corps

Desert Mounted Corps (DMC)

 

Division

Anzac Mounted Division

Australian Mounted Division 

 

Brigade

3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade

 

Field Ambulance

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

 

History

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account 

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account 

The Jifjafa Raid, Sinai, April 10 to 14, 1916, White Account 

 

Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916

Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account

 

Bir el Abd

No Diary Entry

 

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916

Bir el Mazar, Sinai, 17 September 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account

 

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account 

The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916,  3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account 

 

The Belah Bombing Raid, 4 May 1917 

The Belah Bombing Raid, 4 May 1917

The Belah Bombing Raid, 4 May 1917, Map 

The Belah Bombing Raid, 4 May 1917, The 3rd LHFA Tent 

 

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account 

 

 

Embarkations

Full Roll
3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF, Embarkation Roll, Roll: A - Z
Individual Rolls

"A" Squadron

1st Reinforcement

2nd & 3rd Reinforcement

4th Reinforcement

5th Reinforcement

6th Reinforcement

7th Reinforcement

8th Reinforcement

9th Reinforcement

10th Reinforcement

11th Reinforcement

12th Reinforcement

13th Reinforcement

14th Reinforcement

15th Reinforcement

16th Reinforcement

19th Reinforcement

20th Reinforcement

21st Reinforcement

22nd Reinforcement

23rd Reinforcement

24th Reinforcement

25th Reinforcement

26th Reinforcement

 

Roll of Honour

3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour 

Lest We Forget

 

Further Reading:

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour 

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Contents

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Friday, 23 July 2010 11:41 AM EADT
Friday, 16 October 2009
3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA

3rd LHFA, AIF

3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance

Roll of Honour


Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra

 

The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men known to have served at one time with the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance or another unit.

 

Roll of Honour

 

William Arden Egerton ARNOLD, Died of Wounds, 17 September 1915, and was subsequently buried at sea.

 

George Herbert BARR, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

Harold Knowles BEAN, Died of Disease, 25 September 1916.

 

Alick Atkinson CHAPMAN, Died of Wounds, 27 January 1917.

Henry Rupert COCKS, Killed in Action, 28 July 1916.

 

Charles Beauchamp DAVINET, Died of Disease, 31 May 1919.

Ernest DOYLE, Killed in Action, 11 April 1917.

Percival William DYER, Killed in Action, 4 May 1917.

 

Henry FULLARD, Died of Disease, 5 November 1918.

 

John Thomas GOUGH, Died of Accident, 31 December 1914

 

Rasmus Robinson HANSEN, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

Harold Walter HORNBY, Died of Wounds, 15 May 1917.

Arthur George HUNT, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

 

John Malcolm JAMIESON, Killed in Action, 21 May 1918.

Kenneth Crossley JONES, Died of Disease, 30 October 1915.

 

Arthur Joseph LOVETT, Killed in Action, 8 January 1917.

 

Sydney Walter McMULLEN, Killed in Action, 25 July 1916.

 

Abraham Reginald ROBERTS, Killed in Action, 24 August 1915.

Richard Louis Stanford ROGERS, Killed in Action, 2 November 1917.

 

John Mercer WALKER, Killed in Action, 22 August 1918.

William WALLACE, Killed in Action, 4 May 1917.

Frank Bernard Martin WOODNUTT, Died of Wounds, 6 February 1918.

 

Lest We Forget

 

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

 

Further Reading:

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: 3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Tuesday, 30 March 2010 8:48 AM EADT
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA

The Battle of Magdhaba

Sinai, 23 December 1916

3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account

 

 

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart produced a unit history of the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF, in which included a section specifically related to the Battle of Magdhaba and extracted below.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart, 3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance from Formation to March 1919,  pp. 29 - 33:

 

MAGDHABA, DECEMBER 1916

Prior to the occupation of EL ARISH the Mobile Section of the Ambulance was camped with the Brigade at MALHAR, situated about two and a half miles South East of MAZAR. From this camp several reconnaissances were made and further, in order to prepare us for a quick move out. On a given signal the whole Brigade had to assemble at a fixed point within a given time. These alarms were plentiful consequently life at MALHAR was very unsettled. Moreover as the camp was in fairly close proximity to the enemy no lights were allowed after 1900 which fact did not tend to increase our comfort. In view of these alarms it was quite an understood thing that, when we did move out, no time was to be lost and very little warning would be given. This did happen and about 0900 the morning of 20th. DECEMBER 1916 orders were received to be ready to move out in half an hour’s time. Only just prior to this all the Christmas parcels, billies etc. had been received and it caused many heart burnings when practically all of these had to be dumped.

From MALHAR we travelled very light, carrying only one blanket and as little personal gear as possible. Rations for man and beast for 48 hours were also carried. We were given to understand that the stunt was to be of a very arduous nature consequently, in order to save our horses as much as possible, only absolutely essential things were taken.

About 1000 on the 20th. December we finally left MALHAR and rode all that day with the regulation halts until about 1800. Then we halted, watered and fed horses and rested for a couple of hours. Somewhere about 2030 we were on the move again, our objective being EL ARISH, We rode throughout the night till somewhere about 0300 next morning when a further halt was called. No definite instructions were received and all thought it to be only a regulation stop. However time sped on and at dawn the morning of the 21st we were still in the same position.

Throughout the night, although opposition was expected, none was encountered and it looked as though EL ARISH was to be taken without a shot being fired. This proved to be the case. Soon after dawn we were once more on the move and very shortly EL ARISH came in sight. We travelled as far as MASAID, arriving there about 1100, where the Brigade commenced watering the horses.

The supply of water there at the time was very meagre consequently it was decided to move on along the beach to a position about mid-way between MASAID and EL ARISH. We reached this spot about 1630 and orders were received to water our horses after the regiments. It was 0200 the next morning before all our horses were watered.

About this time (0200) word was received that we would be moving on again at daybreak with the consequence that the majority had little or no sleep that night. Further we were camped right on the beach and as the night was bitterly cold one blanket was hardly sufficient to entice sleep.

At dawn the morning of the 22nd. we pushed on and proceeded to a spot on the outskirts of EL ARISH on the S.E. side. Horse lines were at once put down and a good night's rest that evening looked forward to. Whilst we were watering the horses in the afternoon word was received to prepare to move at once so all hopes of a night’s rest were knocked on the head. Our objective this time was MAGDHABA which lies about 20 miles to the East of EL ARISH. We moved out about 1800 the party proceeding with the Brigade being composed roughly as follows:- Officers, Lt. Col. FRASER, Capt. EVANS about 20 bearers, 8 sand carts, 10 lying and 13 sitting cacolets, 2 sledges. In addition the Unit had to form a Receiving Station (Note that this Receiving Stn was formed from the Mobile Section) at EL ARISH and MAJOR WHITE with Capt. BASSETT and about 6 Other Ranks was left behind for this purpose. This party proceeded to a site near the beach taking with them all baggage camels carrying equipment, medical stores etc. They experienced a very trying time indeed which will be dealt with later on.

As stated before the party with the Brigade moved out at 1800 and proceeded along the bed of the WADI EL ARISH. After going about 3 to 4 miles we halted and rations were drawn and issued. Here we remained for some little time finally pushing on about midnight. We continued along the wadi bed in the direction of MAGDHABA. Owing to the loss of sleep the two previous nights all found it very hard to remain awake and, almost without exception, everyone at some time or other that night found themselves dozing in the saddle. Repeatedly men would shoot out in front of the unit and wake up with a start to find themselves among strangers. Only those who have experienced this can fully realize what a mighty unpleasant thing it is»to fight against sleep on a night ride. To add to the discomfort we were being initiated into our first experience of dust which arose in dense clouds the whole night through.

About dawn we reached the precincts of MAGDHABA and very soon our artillery got into action. Our planes were also very active and, as events proved after, their spotting for the artillery was excellent, many direct hits on the redoubts being obtained. At this time the Brigade was still in the wadi and continued to move forward slowly. Soon, however, more movement appeared and the Brigade pushed on at a smart trot which gradually increased to a gallop, the object being to surround MAGDHABA as far as possible. In all we galloped a distance of from 3 to 4 miles, finally halting on the low lying hills to the N.E. of MAGDHABA. The Brigade was soon in action and rifle fire was very heavy indeed. Whilst galloping into this position the Brigade was shelled but no casualties occurred.

The defences of MAGDHABA consisted of a series of redoubts and these lay in a basin surrounded by low lying hills. Our attack was so sudden and unexpected that no opposition was encountered until within range of these redoubts. Lt. Col. FRASER with the ambulance took up his position in a small valley and from on top of the high ground near by the whole of the operation could be seen. Several stray bullets commenced to fly about and here one of our horses was hit All the personnel were ordered to lie low and though several bullets passed through the sand carts fortunately no men were hit.

The led horses of the 8th. L.H. Regt. were also in this valley on our immediate right but they were not so lucky, several casualties occurred and LT. COL. MAYGAR'S groom was killed. The fighting still was severe and a few slightly wounded men came into the ambulance. Word of further casualties was received and Lt. Col. FRASER despatched sand carts to collect them. This proved most hazardous as it was necessary to take the carts down on to the front where cover was conspicuous only by its absence. Capt. EVANS proceeded with a sand cart to the 10th. Regt. and experienced a very rough journey and though all came through without any mishap it could only be put down to very good fortune.

At this time 6 horses constituted a sand cart team and it looked next door to an impossibility to take one down on to the flat without incurring casualties. Another cart went out to the 9th. Regt. and, in order to get there, the drivers had to cross an open space of from 6 to 800 yards. Right throughout this particular journey the bullets were licking the dust up on all sides (the cart went across the front of the redoubts) and it was miraculous that a safe trip was accomplished. The drivers of the cart (DVRS. CARLING, WALES & JANES) deserve great praise and were extremely fortunate that their lucky star was in the ascendency that day. Whilst loading this cart the bullets caused the team to play up and great difficulty was experienced getting the patients into the cart.

About 1500 the wounded still continued to flock in and they were despatched as quickly as possible to a Receiving Station established in the WADI EL ARISH about 3 miles from MAGDHABA by the N.Z.F.AMB.

The fighting now was going well in our favour and the C.O. decided to push on with the sledges to a more forward position. At a gallop the bearers and sledges went down the rise into the flat beneath and were greeted with a fair quantity of rifle fire. Simultaneously with this some of the Turkish redoubts commenced to surrender and in a very short time the whole garrison and MAGDHABA were ours. It was now about 1600. The C.O. learnt that there was a fair hospital building at the rear of the redoubts so he decided to make use of it. The casualties were fairly heavy and it was obvious that night would set in long before all the wounded could be collected and conveyed to the N.Z. Dressing Station.

From 1600 until about 0200 the morning of the 24th. our sand carts collected the wounded and took them to the hospital building at MAGDHABA. As all the medical equipments of the unit was left with MAJOR WHITE also the complete tent sub-division many difficulties now presented themselves. In all we had about 100 wounded men, many serious, with practically no equipment. The bearers had to turn to and act as orderlies and excellent work was done by them. Utensils of all descriptions had to be improvised and the place searched for coverings for the wounded. The night was bitterly cold and as all had had little or nothing to eat that day the outlook was far from pleasant. However all worked with a will and in good spirit and everything possible was done for the comfort of the patients.

About 0300 the morning of the 24th. MAJOR HERCUS, D.A.D.M.S of the Division arrived with a camel convoy on which were medical comforts. This enabled us to give all the patients a good hot meal in the morning.

An enemy plane appeared on the scene about 0900, dropping several bombs but no casualties occurred.

Throughout the night our camel cacolets arrived at MAGDHABA and these, with the sand carts etc., commenced to take the patients back to EL ARISH. The ride back to EL ARISH was tedious and long and it was not until the morning of the 25th. at 0200 that the last patient arrived. In all the unit had five consecutive nights in which practically no sleep was available.

Whilst the major portion of the unit was at MAGDHABA the party left with MAJOR WHITE at EL ARISH to form the Receiving Station had a very rough time. About 20 patients were admitted while the tents were being erected and of these one died before this initial job was completed.. Once, with their very small personnel, over 270 patients were in hospital and as a large number of these were seriously wounded the difficulties they were working under are obvious. Moreover their equipment was very limited, being only that of a mobile section, hence all manner of things had to be improvised in short order to carry on. The staff worked day and night almost continuously and are to be congratulated in the way in which they stuck to their job.

Although this period was of a most strenuous type for all the general health of the personnel was excellent and in a very short time none were any the worse for the loss of sleep and the many other privations undergone. After completion of this operation the unit camped at MASAID. It was not until the afternoon of the 25th. that the Immobile Section reached EL ARISH, the officers with them being Capts. CAVE & YUILLE. This section joined up MAJOR WHITE'S party and formed the Receiving Station at EL ARISH.

 

Further Reading:

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour 

The Battle of Magdhaba

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

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916,  3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Monday, 30 November 2009 8:30 AM EAST
The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA

The Battle of Magdhaba

Sinai, 23 December 1916

3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account

 

War Diary account of the 3rd LHFA, AIF.

 

The transcription:

 

22 December 1916

2 Officers, 59 Other Ranks and transport moved out with Brigade en route for Magdhaba. 2 Officers and 20 Other Ranks of Mobile Section moved to beach at El Arish and opened Dressing Station.


23 December 1916

Mobile Section at Magdhaba. Cleared field after battle and stayed there all night.


24 December 1916

Mobile Section left Magdhaba at 1200 and Dressing Station of New Zealand Mounted Rifles Field Ambulance at 1630. Dressing station on beach at El Arish receiving wounded.


25 December 1916

Mobile Section reached El Arish at 0200 bringing in 44 British and 62 wounded Turks and handed them over to 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance Dressing Station on beach. Mobile Section rejoined Brigade at Masa'id.


26 December 1916

Receiving Station (3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance) arrived at El Arish (2 Officers, 31 Other Ranks).


31 December 1916

Last wounded patients evacuated from Dressing Station (3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance) on beach. Total wounded were 112 British and 68 Turkish wounded.

 

Roll of Honour

 
Lest We Forget

 

Further Reading:

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance, Roll of Honour 

The Battle of Magdhaba

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

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

 


Citation: The Battle of Magdhaba, Sinai, December 23, 1916, 3rd LHFA, AIF, War Diary Account

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST
Updated: Sunday, 22 November 2009 12:45 PM EAST
Saturday, 11 October 2008
The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account
Topic: AIF - 3B - 3 LHFA

The Battle of Beersheba

Palestine, 31 October 1917

3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account 

 

3rd LHFA camp in Wadi Saba, 1 November 1917

 

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart produced a unit history of the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, AIF, in which included a section specifically related to the battle of Beersheba and extracted below.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Eugene Macdonald Stuart, 3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance from Formation to March 1919,  pp. 48 - 50:

 

Chapter 11 - BEERSHEBA.

BEERSHEBA OPERATIONS.


[48] On October 27th. 1917 the cacolet camel detachment consisting of 12 sitting and 8 lying cacolets (making a total carrying capacity of 40) moved out from SHELLAL to join a similar detachment from the 4th. L.H.F. Amb. The O.C. 73rd. Austn. Dental Unit took charge of the column which moved to ESANI, reaching there at 0300 on the 28th. The camels were camped during the hotter portion of the day and a further move was made to KHALASSA at 1600 which was reached at 0200 on the 29th. Although very little experience of camel transport work was possessed by the officer and 2 N.C.OS, in charge, they had learnt during the SINAI campaign that camels invariably travel freer at and after sundown so this method was adopted as soon as possible in order that the strength of the none too fit camels should be preserved.

On the 28th. the unit moved out from SHELLAL with the 3rd. Bde. at 1530. The bearers, ambulance sandcarts and tent division on riding camels with three natives on donkeys moved with the main column. The Q.M.S. with one limber and two assistants reported to B. ECHELON for supply purposes. An account of the doings of this part appear in the appendix "SUPPLIES". The maltese cart, limber and water cart reported to and travelled with A. Echelon.

A halt was ordered at 1700 near GAMLI where the horses were fed up and the men partook of a snack. Nearly all the men had provided themselves with small bundles of deal and billycans made from preserved fruit tins. In a few minutes hundreds of tiny fires were going in order to make tea. At 1730 and order was passed down to get ready to move and only fifteen mins. would be allowed before all fires, pipes and cigarettes must be extinguished. It might be here said that native drivers were not used on the transport as their behaviour under fire had yet to be proved hence all the sandcarts were driven by white drivers.

At 2130 ESANI was reached where the Brigade bivouaced for the night. Several patients were evacuated from here by sandcarts to the Anzac Rec. Stn. situated at RASHID BEK. On the 29th. the unit moved to KHALASSA arriving there at 2100. These night moves were tiring to the men for very little rest was obtained in the day time owing to evacuations &c. The weather was very hot, flies extremely troublesome and water for ablution purposes hard to obtain.

On arrival at KHALASSA horse lines had to be put down and a stable picquet posted for the night. On the 30th. the Brigade moved out about 1800 in the direction ofASLUJ. Prior to moving off the C.O. addressed the parade telling them that a strenuous night and day was to follow. The column pushed on towards ASLUJ, the night was very cold and very little dust was caused. ASLUJ was reached at 2200 where the horses were watered. Watering two thousand horses in the darkness at unknown troughs usually leads to confusion but the job was finished in good time and the column moved off again along the road designated N.N. on [49] the military maps. A short halt was ordered at midnight and all ranks availed themselves of this opportunity for a short sleep. At 0200 the unit was again on the move and EL SHEGEIB was reached about 0800.
The camel cacolet section had pushed on from KHALASSA to ASLUJ on the night of the 29th., bivouacking there all day and moving on again at nightfall. The O.C. of this party was anxious to keep ahead as long as possible in order to keep in touch with the faster moving horse units. By adopting this method the camels arrived at EL SHEGEIB almost simultaneously with the Brigade. During the short stay at EL SHEGEIB horsemen seized the opportunity of collecting tibbin from heaps in the vicinity. Poles of carts were dropped but horses remained harnessed and in position. Some of the riding camels were showing signs of fatigue as the pace right through from SHELLAL had been a little too warm for them. This brought trouble to the riders as they were in unknown country and it was necessary at all costs to keep in touch with the main column.

On the 31st October the unit left EL SHEGEIB at 1030 and proceeded over very heavy ground and up steep ascents over the hills near KASHIN ZANNA. A halt was made at mid-day and the horses fed up, and several patients (sick) were transferred to the 4th. L.H.F.Amb. Several short moves were made to keep in touch with the Brigade which was manoeuvring prior to supporting the Anzac Div. When moving over the sky line at KASHIN ZANNA the brigade drew shell fire from a battery of .77s causing casualties 4 in number (1 officer, fatal and 3 0/Ranks).

Three sand carts with four bearers to act as guides were posted with each R.M.O. while 3 carts were held in reserve. The tent division reported to the N.Z. F.Amb. Dressing Station. During these movements the area was bombed by hostile aircraft, one bearer had a very narrow escape and had to be admitted to hospital the following day suffering from shell shock.
Several tent division camels now definitely knocked up and on crossing some high ground were shelled by the enemy. The camels refused to increase their pace but luckily no damage was done.

Sandcarts collected wounded from the Brigade and conveyed them to the Anzac Dressing Stn. Later the sandcarts but not the bearers concentrated at WADI EL SABA. Certain of the sandcarts were busy throughout the night collecting casualties the result of the bombing of the 3rd. Bde. and transport at 1800 which caused 30 casualties.

The tent division moved on to the 1st. L.H.F.A. dressing station one mile East of BEERSHEBA at 1700. Orders to rest and proceed at dawn to BEERSHEBA and take over the Turkish hospital were received. This party reported'to the D.A.D.M.S. AUSDIV. at the town hall building, BEERSHEBA but owing to the personnel of the Ausdiv Rec. Stn. arriving by motors from ASLUJ their services were not required. They then rejoined the unit which was camped just on the outskirts of town. Here the camels and horses were watered and a supply of tibbin was obtained from an abandoned Turkish dump. From here all the transport for the conveyance of wounded, including camel cacolets, was sent back to KASHIN ZANNA to collect the wounded from the hills. Portion of the camel section brought in the bodies of those [50] who had been killed or had died from wounds the previous day. All the wounded brought in were evacuated to the Ausdiv Rec. Station.

November 1st. was exceedingly windy, dusty and hot and the men improvised small shelters and seized the opportunity of washing in water obtained from WADI EL SABA. All endeavoured to cook a hot meal but the wind and dust made this difficult. Bully beef, onions etc. were in most cases turned into a palatable meal. Several days on cold or sun heated bully causes one to appreciate a hot meal of any kind.

Towards evening the wind abated and all ranks obtained water and indulged in cooling baths. About this time a hostile plane bombed the 4th. L.H.F.A. camped only a few chain away from us. Some of our personnel narrowly escaped being wounded but the 4th. were not so fortunate, several casualties occurred among them.

 

Further Reading:

3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance

The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917

Australian and New Zealand Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920



Citation: The Battle of Beersheba, Palestine, 31 October 1917, 3rd LHFA, AIF, Unit History Account

Posted by Project Leader at 5:29 PM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 4 October 2009 9:15 AM EADT

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