The handwritten manuscript called The 4th Brigade Trek from the Canal to Khan Yunis and the 2nd Gaza Battle was produced by 666 Sergeant David Woodward HARRIS of the 12th Light Horse Regiment.
David Woodward HARRIS was a 24 year old Overseer from Turramurra, New South Wales. He enlisted on 30 December 1914 and was allotted to the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Machine Gun Section, which embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A29 Suevic 13 June 1915.; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 20 July 1919.
For further information, see:
4th Australian Light Horse Brigade, AIF
and:
drought-stricken.
Proceeding north, the Rafa Plains give way to another stretch of Desert which continues until, from the apex of the final dividing sand-ridge, Khanyunus is suddenly unfolded to the eye, as a long, narrow valley filled with miniature orchards and cultivation plots, divided off by high cactus hedges or squat, sun-baked earthen walls. Beyond Khanyunus the undulating Plains rill upwards past Belah - the chief Base of the Palestine, British Force - towards the broad dominating ridges around Gaza.
The next five days the 11th and 12th ALH Regiments - the 4th ALH having been retained for duty south of El Arish - carried out various patrols. Returning to Belah Base, on the night of 16.4.17 after a day on patrol, rations for men and horses were quickly distributed, and we then rode out into the night,