"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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1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron, AIF, Roll of Honour Topic: AIF - DMC - 1 Sig Sqn
1st LH Sig Sqn, AIF
1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron
Roll of Honour
Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men enrolled within the 1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron, AIF known to have served and lost their lives during the Great War.
Roll of Honour
Edward Hastings CUNNINGHAM, Died of Disease, 29 October 1918, 1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron.
Harold William STEWART, Died of Disease, 18 June 1918, 1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron.
William Henry THOMPSON, Died of Disease, 9 March 1919, 1st Australian Light Horse Signal Squadron.
The First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917, 1st Light Horse Signal Squadron, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - DMC - 1 Sig Sqn
The First Battle of Gaza
Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917
1st Light Horse Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
1st Light Horse Signal Squadron, War Diary Account.
The following is a transcription of the Account from the War Diary of the 51st Light Horse Signal Squadron detailing its role at the First Battle of Gaza, Palestine, 26 to 27 March 1917.
25 March 1917, Bir abu Shunnar
All horses and mules shod in readiness for travelling over hard ground. Squadron with Divisional Headquarters and three Brigades marched out at 0230 - arriving at bivouac, Deir el Belah at 1015. Brigades established their headquarters close to Divisional Headquarters and were connected for the night be telephone. Orders received at 2200 to move out with Divisional Headquarters and Column at 0230 and all preparations made.
26 March 1917, Gaza
Marched out in accordance with orders, intention being to circumvent Gaza and prevent escape of prisoners. Instructions issued for all enemy telegraph lines to be out. Cable detachment laying line from Desert Column marched in rear of column to minimise danger of damage to cable by artillery and transport. Motor cyclists joined column at 0730. Heavy mist prevented all attempts at visual communication until 0815 when a station was detached from column at El Howadi, ½ mile west of Gaza - Beersheba Road. This station gained touch with Imperial Mounted Division, Imperial Camel Corps Brigade and 158th Brigade. The latter subsequently moved on behind high ground and lost touch.
Divisional Headquarters established at Beit Durdis at 1015. Station moved on to a suitable position and acted as transmitting station between Imperial Mounted Division and Divisional Headquarters. The former subsequently moved to a position enabling direct communication to be established. Line laid by cable detachment to 2nd Light Horse Brigade on right flank and detachment remained with Brigade to extend line when they moved forward. Line was also laid to Imperial Mounted Division. Visual communication was opened and maintained all day with Imperial Camel Corps Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, 22nd Mounted Brigade and the outpost line to east and south east. At 1430 Divisional Headquarters moved to new position two miles near Gaza lines extended or diverted to new position and visual communications re-opened. Telephone and visual stations kept touch with all stations from old position until new posts were established. Wireless station erected at Divisional Headquarters worked all day jamming enemy signals from station in Gaza and from aeroplanes. New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and 22 Mounted Brigade moved forward to attack Gaza and were kept in visual communication continuously a line was laid giving telephone communication as soon as their Brigade Headquarters took up position.
Lines were laid from Commander Royal Artillery to the supporting batteries. Orders for withdrawal received at dusk and helios were replaced by lamps and communications maintained until troops moved back to point of assembly for march home.
27 March 1917, Deir el Belah
Telephone and visual communication closed at 0100 on 27th and coolumn marched back to Belah. Divisional Headquarters and Signal Squadron established temporary bivouac on position occupied previous day. Two subsequent moves were made during afternoon and Headquarters finally settled on hill about 2 miles south of Belah. Two Brigade took over outpost line and communication by visual and cable was established between Divisional Headquarters and outpost commanders.
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:
Information: Enemy is holding entrenches position near El Magruntein.
Intention of General Officer Commanding: To attack him with the mounted Troops of the Desert Column at dawn on January 9th.
Communications: Communications will be by wireless, cable and visual.
Cable: A cable is being laid from Column Headquarters to Divisional Headquarters.
The Officer Commanding "B" Troop will lay the following cable:-
(a) Line from Commander Royal Artillery to batteries.
(b) Line from New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade after they rejoin the Division upon completion of special duty detailed in Operation Order 69 Paragraph 1.
(c) When 3rd Light Horse Brigade moves into position for attack a line will be laid to Headquarters of Brigade General Commander.
(d) The 1st Light Horse Brigade will be in communication with Division by telephone laid from pack set by Brigade Signal Troop.
Visual: The Officer Commanding "D" Troop will detail the following visual stations:-
(a) From Divisional Headquarters to Column Headquarters at Point 250.
(b) From Divisional Headquarters to Camel Brigade.
(c) From Divisional Headquarters to Headquarters of 1st, 3rd, and New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigades.
Wireless: The Officer Commanding "C" Troop will erect station W2 at Divisional Headquarters. Send Trench Wireless set to accompany the Brigade detailed for the Right attack. This trench set will work to W2 at Divisional Headquarters.
Rations and Forage: Every man will carry unconsumed portion of day’s rations, iron rations and another clear day's ration in haversack. Nose bags to be filled before starting - two days' hard feed to be carried in sand bag and strapped across pommel.
Great coats and sweaters will be carried on cantle of saddle.
Blankets, water etc.: In anticipation of Troops remaining in the Field some days, each man will be allowed to pack a waterproof sheet and two blankets, which will be carried on Pack-camels, but unloaded at Sheikh Zowaiid.
The Quartermaster Sergeant will make the necessary arrangements for this Convoy. He will accompany it to its destination, and will be responsible for the due safety of all kits etc. A suitable escort from the Squadron will be provided.
This Convoy will carry half a gallon of water for each man, to be issued when the Squadron joins up with the Convoy if necessary. Otherwise it should be held as a reserve.
One day's feed for horses to be carried in reserve.
Major Commanding 1st Signal Squadron
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:
The Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917, 1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account Topic: AIF - DMC - 1 Sig Sqn
The Battle of Rafa
Sinai, 9 January 1917
1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account
The following is a transcription of the 1st Signal Squadron, War Diary Account detailing their role at the Battle of Rafa, Sinai, 9 January 1917.
El Arish 8 January 1917
Marched out with Divisional Headquarters to attack on Rafa. Halted Sheikh Zowaiid.
Rafa 9 January 1917
Moved on at 0130 on 9th, arrived Karm ibn Musleh at dawn. Action opened. Divisional Headquarters moved to El Gubba 0900. Action continued to 1700. Position taken with bayonet. Communications established as detailed in Signal Order No 23 Attached. The extreme ??? of the additional pack telephone equipment was manifest. Visual Signalling was used in the early stages of the fight quite a lot. Cable ??? employed from 1300 to 1645 transporting Small Arms Ammunition from Divisional Ammunition Column forward dump to Brigades. Two trench wireless sets employed in the fight did not prove satisfactory owing to faulty accumulators since remedied. Upon occupation of Rafa portion of our Troops marched back to Sheikh Zowaiid, Necessary arrangements made for maintaining touch during night with Rear Guard.
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:
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