7th A.L.H. Regiment - July-August 1917

[Eran Tearosh]

All,

 

As usual, I'm trying to submit a monthly short article to the website (Hebrew) of The Society for the Heritage of WWI in Israel, for 'This month in the war'. Unlike the common knowledge - the months between Gaza II (April 1917) and Beersheba / Gaza III (End of October 1917) were actually full of small scale operations, almost every night. I wrote a couple of months ago about Infantry operations in the Northern sector of the front line, and this time I want to complete something I wrote about the Cavalry activity in the open areas of the Southern sector. I need some help to 'close gaps'. 

 

I'm concentrating on the activities of the 7th A.L.H. Regiment in August 1917 (maybe I'll also refer to the end of July). An interesting event is mentioned briefly in the British OH (Vol. 2, Part 1, p. 25-6) about a raid, deep behind the Ottoman lines on August 16th. The Australian OH is on one hand much more detailed, yet not very accurate. 

 

 

 

For example - Ottoman Gaza Beersheba line?! No such animal... no date etc. The regiment's War Diary gives a much better picture, but it lacks the personal stories that are in the OH, such as the heroic act of Corporal R. G. Moore. Here is the description in the War Diary:

 

 

 

 

 

I found nothing in Preston's Desert Mounted Corps or in The Marquess of Anglesey's A History of the British Cavalry. 

 

The main source I'm missing is the regimental history: The history of the 7th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. / by Lieut.-Colonel J.D. Richardson.

If anyone can help with this book and scan for me the pages that relate to July & August 1917 that would be great!

 

Thanks in advance

 

Eran 

 

I'll write in a minute another post about another event, which in a way is even more interesting

[Eran Tearosh]

 

Another event mentioned in the Australian OH (without date) is fascinating:

 

 

 

This chase between the Arab Horses (actually, known to be fairly fast...) and the Australian Walers is quite remarkable! However, the details given in the OH simply don't fit the War Diary. Major Bird is mentioned (quite rare to find an Officer's name mentioned this way) a few lines from the bottom, but nothing there is even remotely near this exciting event mentioned in the OH:

 

 

 

But, there is something on July 31st, lines 17-20:

 

 

 

A. The results (only one captured) of the chase are very different than those described in the OH (Why on earth there's no date there?!)

B. Major Bird is not mentioned.

 

So, again, my hopes are that some answers will be in the regimental book. Hope someone has it and can help

 

Eran 

Edited 8 March by kenf48
restored images

[Gareth Davies]

I will ask my ALH contacts.

[Guest]

Mate,

 

Like wise I have little on this;

 

BIRD    Thomas Harold        2/Lt    7 LHR    A Sqn C Troop (in Army lists dated 12-14) shown A Sqn A Troop (unit RO's) 5-15 shown A Sqn 4 Troop (in Army lists dated 7-15) evac to hosp (influ) 8-15 rtn 8-18 shown T/OC A Sqn (from hyman sick) (unit RO's) 9-15 prom T/Capt C Sqn (from Richardson WIA) 9-15 (G) revert 1-16 shown T/OC A Sqn (unit RO's) 1-16 prom Capt 2ic A Sqn 3-16 prom Maj OC A Sqn (from windeyer WIA) 9-16 T/att RHQ 11-16 shown OC A Sqn (unit RO's) 11-16 DSO & MID - for his actions & command including the captured of a Turkish Div officer at 1st Gaza 26-3-17 and good work at 2nd Gaza 19-4-17 war diary reports his A Sqn captured a Troop of Turkish Cav on patrol near Wadi Imleh 23/24-4-17 shown T/att T/CO RHQ (from LtCol Onslow T/Bde CO) 12-17 T/att senior officers school Zeitoun 4-18 shown T/OC C Sqn 4-18 shown T/att T/CO RHQ (from LtCol Onslow T/Bde CO) 5-18 revert 8-18 WIA 23-9-18 R/hip accident thrown from horse near Hajla rtn 11-18 shown OC A Sqn 12-18 early repat born 20-4-88 (Sgt to prov 2/Lt D Troop CSqn/6 LH 14-10-12 CMF 6 years)
 

CARTER    John Markham    713    Pte    7 LHR    2R Tos possibly B Sqn? 5-15 evac to hosp (influ) 8-15 rtn 11-15 to T/Cpl C Sqn (from merchant) 12-15 (G) to T/SQMS B Sqn (from spencer) 4-16 prom 2/Lt A Sqn A Troop (from Waddell WIA) 8-9-16 shown A Sqn C Troop (unit RO's) 11-16 MC - for his patrol with Lt Holland's Troop which captured a Turkish patrol 24/25-4-17 and for his patrol of Abu Irgeig 6-8-17 and for his work at Beersheba 31-10-17 T/att school of Instruction (hotchkiss instructor MG course) Zeitoun 5-17 T/att school of Instruction (Topo course) Zeitoun 9-17 WIA 5/6-11-17 groin shot at Khuweilfeh RTA on medical leave to CTD 9-18 rtn 7 LHR 10-18 shown B Sqn 12-18 shown A/Adjt RHQ while in Turkey 2-19 later WWII  
 

HOLLAND    Clive Edward    569    Pte    7 LHR    C Sqn to L/Cpl 2-15 WIA 22-5-15 R/foot shrapnel when C Sqn att 11Bn on Bolton's ridge evac to hosp Malta 6-15 rtn 9-15 to T/Cpl (from dunn) 10-15 (G) to SQMS 12-15 to RQMS RHQ 12-15 Serbian Cross of Kara George 1st class - reported for his work at Romani Aug 1916 prom 2/Lt A Sqn D Troop (from Ryan B Sqn C Troop WIA) 6-9-16 shown A Sqn D Troop (unit RO's) 11-16 T/att school of Instruction (20th officers general course) Zeitoun 11-16 MID - for his capture of LtCol Serif Bey and staff 53rd Turkish Div at 1st Gaza 26-3-17 and for the action with Lt Carter's Troop which captured a Turk patrol 24/25-4-17 to Adjt RHQ (from Davies) 6-17 T/att school of Instruction (hotchkiss instructor MG course) Zeitoun 10-17 MID - reason not stated shown possibly B Sqn? 12-18 later WWII  
 

These all refer to there actions during the 1st Gaza Battle and after 2nd Gaza, not during July-Aug 1917?

 

I could find little mentioned other then a number of Accidents?

 

DUNN    William Westley    621    A/Cpl    7 LHR    1R tos C Sqn 2-15 WIA 31-7-15 R/thumb poisioned cut accident at Holly Spur (G) to Instructor A/Sgt 2 LHTR 7-16 to T/S/Sgt ATC&DC 3-17 rtn Cpl B Troop? CSqn/7 LHR 4-17 WIA 2-7-17 R/buttock accident by Pte Homersham during Mills bomb throwing instruction at Tel el Marakeb to T/Sgt gas staff Anzac MD HQ 12-17 shown enlisted in Egypt
 

WESTBROOK    Eric Lawrence    2952    Pte    7 LHR    21R Tos 5-17 WIA 17-7-17 face accident kicked by horse brother Alan 1 FA
 

WUOTI    Frederick    1789    Pte    7 LHR    12R Tos C Sqn 12-15 FGCM 29-3-17 stealing senteced 12 months Detn to Citadel Detn Bks 4-17 sentence remitted 29-7-17 rtn Sig 2-18 WIA 27-3-18 L/Foot shot reported C Sqn lost 3 officers and 20 men wounded during advance by A & C Sqn's at Amman to ATC&DC 6-18 rtn 2-19 att 2 LH Bde HQ 2-19 rtn 3-19
 

Aug 1917

 

DOYLE    Leith Dunlop    1238    Pte    7 LHR    9R tos A Sqn A Troop 12-15 L/Cpl 10-16 recom - for is actions on patrol under Lt Carter A Troop at Abu Irgrig 6-8-17 possibly to D Troop dated unknown? WIA 6-11-17 L/leg & R/hand shot reported A Sqn lost 2 killed and 15 wouned suporting the 2 LH MGS at Khuweilfe RTA wounded disch 12-9-18 AKA Keith Dunlop Doyle (4Sqn//6 LH NELH CMF 1 year) brother Eric 7 LHR
 

HOWLEY    Frederick Michael    1317    Pte    7 LHR    10R tos B Sqn? 12-15 WIA 15-4-17 R/Leg accident kicked by horse WIA 16-8-17 R/foot accident trod on by horse at Karm to L/Cpl 11-18 to T/Cpl 1-19 revert 3-19 to T/Cpl 4-19

 

MOORE    Reginald George    985    Pte    7 LHR    5R Tos B Sqn 8-15 (G) to L/Cpl 7-16 shown B Sqn to C Sqn 8-16 to Cpl C Sqn B Troop 10-16 reported killed in the attack on a Turkish patrol while blowning up the rail line around Wadi el Sufi near Bir el Irgeig buried Beersheba War Cemetery Palestine married before emb KIA 17-8-17

 

SALMON    William    113    Pte    7 LHR    A Sqn C Troop? to L/Cpl 5-15 to T/Cpl (from zouch) 6-15 to Cpl (from raymond) 11-15 (G) to T/Sgt C Troop 12-15 to Sgt 3-16 DCM & MM - for his patrol with Lt Williams on the Gaza- Beersheba road 31-8-17 qual unknown course 1-18 WIA 28-3-18 abdoman/chest shot reported 2 killed 2 MIA and 27 wounded during advance by A & C Sqn's at Amman RTA wounded (A Troop CSqn/5 LH CMF 5 years)
 

SPRUCE    William Henry    1269    Pte    7 LHR    9R tos A Sqn A Troop? 12-15 WIA 5-8-16 back shot at Katia recom - for his actions with Lt Carter at Abu Irgeig 6-8-17 att 2 LH Bde Sup Sect 9-17 rtn 11-17 to L/Cpl C Troop? 11-17 to T/Cpl 4-18 revert 6-18 to T/Cpl 10-18 att official photographer 1-19

 

WILLIAMS    Leonard Lisle    506    Sgt    7 LHR    C Sqn D Troop? evac to hosp (kidney) 9-15 rtn 10-15 to T/SSM C Sqn (from Keen) 10-15 prom 2/Lt A Sqn A Troop? (from Lt Holden KIA) 1-12-15 (G) shown A Sqn C Troop (unit RO's) 1-16 shown A Sqn C Troop (unit RO's) 2-16 shown A Sqn C Troop (unit RO's) 2-16 shown A Sqn C Troop (unit RO's) 3-16 shown A Sqn B Troop (unit RO's) 11-16 MC - for his work at Wadi Imleih near Beersheba 1-8-17 recom bar to MC awaded MID - for his actions at 1st Gaza 26-3-17 and MID - for his actions at Amman 28-3-18 T/att school of Instruction (unknown course) Zeitoun 1-18 prom Capt 2ic B Sqn? 21-3-18 shown Lt C Sqn A Troop? 4-18 (at Es Salt) (OC C Sqn Capt Johnson Troop Lt's Williams - Waddell - Walker) 4-18 to hosp (malaria) 5-18 rtn 7-18 shown T/OC B Sqn 9-18 prom Maj 3-19 later WWII father Cmdr VW Williams VD RANR Supt of Explosives
 

These are all the men mentioned during these dates I have on record

 

Cheers

S.B

Edited 5 August , 2020 by stevebecker

[Guest]

Mate,

 

I should have PS

 

But On reading the Unit History I notice I placed a foot note there,

 

I wrote that

 

"31 July 1917

 

A Patrol by the  Regt to Kh Imleih, encountered a Turkish Cavalry patrol of 25 men, during which one was captured.

 

Later reports say that the one man was from the 27th Turkish Cavalry Regt"

 

The Unit History (page 53) gives us;

 

" Nothing beyond the usual patrol and night operation incidents occurred up to the end of the month. Night Enterprises now cheifly consisted in raiding parties toward detached posts known to be held by the Turks during the day, such as the hut near 410 (point 410), on Wadi Imlieh, Bir Ifteis and Point 630, but as the enemy was taking no chances, these were always found empty at night.

 

Practicaly all junior officers and a number of Seniors also took their turn with these operations, purposly designed to make the enemy nervous and to detroy his initiative. An effort was made unsuccessfully to ambush his dawn patrols at point 630. A daring recon by day, by Lt Carter, of an enemy redoubt near Bir Abu Ireig, and a night recon of the Gaza-Beersheba road near point 570, by Lt Williams were particularly good pieces of work, and later were awarded with MC's."

 

The History again fails to give dates other then end of the month?

 

The next date is the next paragraph which starts "On the night pf Aug 3-4, a Brigade operation---"

 

As to the 27th Cav Regt, I have it on that front as Divisional Cav to a number of Units?

 

Allied Intell reports place the regt with the 22nd Corps

 

"shown Jun 1917 Allied reports - Sqn 27th Cav Regt (150 men) 2xCo's 17th Pnr Bn (300 men) -"

 

Allied Intell show for the 16th Div;

 

shown July 1917 Allied reports 2xCos 17th Eng Bn (300 men) 1Sqn/27th Cav Regt (150 cav)

 

Just to add

 

2nd Sqn 27th Cav Regt  was with the 24th Div

 

3rd Sqn 27th Cav Regt was with the 26th Div

 

4th Sqn 27th Cav Regt around this time was with the 6th Corps and later shows up in 1918 with the 60th Div

 

So it was not unusual for a soldier to be transfered into another unit, I have seen this to build up the three Cav Regts of the 3rd Cav Div?

 

But as yet what Cav Units these 25 men were from is unknown other then 27th Cav Regt?

 

Cheers

 

S.B

 

 

Edited 5 August , 2020 by stevebecker

[Guest]

Mate,

 

As to the action by Cpl Moore.

 

The Unit History gives this;

 

"On Aug 14, the Brigade helped to cover an important recon from the South-West of Beersheba by the C in C by extending the left of the NZMR Brigade from point 810 between the wadi Sufi and Hanafish and 630. The Regt had a quiet day, but was ordered to remain out that night and make another attempt to place a bomb on the railway near Irgeig.  The Brigade withdrew at 5 pm and the Regt remained hidden in the orchards at Karm until after dark and then moved as rapidly as possible for Kh Imlieh and point 770, which was reached shortly before midnight.

 

C Sqn under Maj Barton, supported by "B" (B Sqn) was sentforward dismounted. B Sqn remained hiddin in the Wadi El Sufi and C Sqn moved on. The railway was gained and the engineers set to work placing the bomb in position. It was a task which took some time and before it could be completed a Tirkish patrol appeared. Cpl Moore and some men charged gallantly with the bayonet, but the Turks fired and gave the alam. Cpl Moore was killed but the whole enemy patrol was accounted for, four being bayoneted and two taken prisoner"

 

What Ottoman Cav Regt they were from is not found anywhere. Clearly most of the time Cav is mentioned they must be from the 3rd Cav Div, but Turkish Div Cav were at times out and about.and the 27th Cav Regt was in a number of Div's on that front?

 

No confirmed date is given by the Unit history other then some time after the 14 Aug 1917?

 

But needs more research.

 

S.B

[Guest]

Mate,

 

The 6th LHR also has a bit on these actions

 

BARROW    Percival Gilbert    229    Pte    6 LHR    B Sqn C Troop (680) T/att MMP 1 Div HQ 6-15 evac to Imtarfa hosp Malta (dysentry) 7-15 rtn 9-15 to L/Cpl 11-15 to T/Cpl 11-15 (G) to Cpl 12-15 to T/Sgt (from macrae) 5-16 revert 7-16 to L/Sgt (from burlace) 9-16 to T/Sgt B Sqn 9-16 to Sgt (from ross) 12-16 recom - for his actions as A/Troop leader of Flank guard in operation around the Wadi Imleh 30/31-7-17 reported killed by sniper suporting the 5 LHR during retreat of Turkish Army near Sheria buried on battlefield near pumping station and Orchard at Jemwawa or Junnawa by chaplain Maley reburied Gaza War Cemetery Palestine (shown 5 LH not in records? CMF) AKA Pervical Gilbert Barrow sister Lucy AANS
 

BERRIE    George Lachlan    724    Pte    6 LHR    2R tos C Sqn possibly D Troop? 4-15 evac to St Davids hosp Malta (debility) 8-15 to hosp UK 9-15 (G) rtn C Sqn 2-16 to Cpl C Sqn (from Reynolds) 4-16 to Sgt C Sqn D Troop (from Livingston) 12-16 recom - for his actions in OP on Hill 730 in operation around the Wadi Imleh 30/31-7-17 to cadet OCS Zeitoun 12-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn A Troop 3-18 (OC B Sqn Ryrie WIA - A Troop Berrie - B Troop Ridgeway KIA - C Troop possibly Sgt Burlace KIA - D Troop Dickson WIA) recom - for his actions during Lt Ridgway's charge at Amman 28-3-18 T/att CTC 4-18 shown his Troop at Es Salt 5-18 to hosp (pyrexia) 9-18 rtn 12-18 att AIF HQ 2-19 author "Morale a Story of Australian Light Horsemen" 1949 & "Threebrooks" 1932

 

BLACK    Reginald    578    Pte    6 LHR    B Sqn to prov Cpl 7-15 to prov L/Sgt 9-15 revert 9-15 prom 2/Lt C Sqn D Troop 28-9-15 (G) shown C Sqn B Troop 1-16 att school of Instruction (unknown course) Zeitoun 11-16 rtn 12-16 WIA 19-2-17 L/shoulder dislocated accident in football at Kantara rtn C Sqn possibly D Troop? 4-17 MC & MID - for his actions held his post at Hill 730 in operation around the Wadi Imleh 30/31-7-17 WIA 16-8-17 chest shot reported in skirmish at Hill 630 near Wadi Imleh (War diary Anzac MD reports he was shot at long range by a sniper) reported DoW 17-8-17 died at 65 CCS at Rafa buried Kantara War Memorial Cemetery Egypt father Reginald MLC 

 

CROSS    Donald Gordon        2/Lt    6 LHR    A Sqn A Troop (in Army lists dated 12-14) shown A Sqn 3 Troop (in Army lists dated 7-15) shown between WIA 20/30-5-15 in Bde war diary N/R possibly WIA 27-5-15 minor att 2Bn near Lone Pine evac to hosp (bronchitis & dysentry) 8-15 rtn 11-15 MID - for his work on withdrawal at Anzac 19/20-12-15 prom T/Capt 11-15 (G) prom Capt 2ic (from O'brien) 3-16 prom T/Maj OC A Sqn (from O'brien) 7-16 prom Maj 9-16 att school of Instruction (unknown course) Zeitoun 10-16 rtn 11-16 shown A Sqn 4-17 MID - for his work as Sqn commander including Flank guard in operation around the Wadi Imleh 30/31-7-17 and between 1-3-17 to 15-9-17 WIA 28-3-18 L/leg shot reported Regt lost 56 casualties in attack by A & B Sqn's at Amman & DSO - for his actions and command at Amman 28-3-18 rtn 7-18 MID - for his actions at Ein es Sir 23/24-9-18 to hosp (malaria) 10-18 rtn 12-18 T/att 2 LH Bde HQ 12-18 prom Hon/Capt and bervet Maj 1-19 to T/CO RHQ 1-19 to 7-19 (Pte 4Sqn/3 LH Aust Horse (669) 11-10-09 to Sgt 21-3-12 to Prov 2/Lt A Troop CSqn/11 LH 16-3-13 to Lt 1-3-15 CMF 5 years)

 

DALE    Leonard George    2873    Pte    6 LHR    20R tos C Sqn 5-17 reported WIA 18-7-17 face & L/shoulder accident shown WIA 19-7-17 in horse fall in action shelled when crossing the Coz el Basal near Wadi Ghuzze (British The Essex Yeomanry 3 years)

 

FOSTER    Robert James    410    Pte    6 LHR    C Sqn B Troop MID - for his actions carried in Pte's Ronald and Body at Holly Ridge 12-7-15 to Cpl 8-15 to Sgt 11-15 recom - for his good work and was in the last party (C 3) to leave Anzac 19/20-12-15 & Mentioned in Div orders by General Legge (G) WIA 5-8-16 head/face & L/arm shot at Katia recom DCM awarded MM & MID - for his patrol work 18-7-17 WIA 4-11-17 abdomen shot by sniper at Dhaheriyeh hills near Khuweilfe died at Aust Div Rec Station Beersheba buried Beersheba War Cemetery Palestine 
 

HANTON    Samuel John    335    Sgt    6 LHR    C Sqn SHQ To SQMS C Sqn 1-10-14 to RQMS RHQ 6-15 to RSM RHQ 9-15 (G) Serbian Cross of Kara George 2nd class with swords  - reason not stated & Silver Star 2nd class - reason not stated possibly both for Romani WIA 19-7-17 face/broken nose accident horse fall in action reported shelled when crossing the Coz el Basal near Wadi Ghuzze prom Hon/2/Lt QM RHQ 12-17 to UK leave 11-18 prom Hon/Capt 6-19 (British & Boer War King's Own Royal Norfolk Yeomanry Regt 9 years) (not on emb roll) see Samuel John Stanton

 

HARMER    William Henry    1778    Pte    6 LHR    12R tos A Sqn 10-16 WIA 8-7-17 back & L/arm shrapnel reported 2 wounded when A & B Sqn's shelled crossing the wadi Hanafish in operation to Hill 810 to L/Cpl 1-19 Ex 11R/7 LHR (1488) DNE

 

KENNEWELL    George Francis    1490    Pte    6 LHR    11R tos A Sqn 12-17 WIA 19-7-17 minor reported shelled when crossing the Coz el Basal near Wadi Ghuzze (A Troop CSqn/5 LH CMF 1 week later WWII )
 

PORRITT    Jonathan Murgatroyd    2655    Pte    6 LHR    18R tos S/Smith A Sqn 9-16 WIA 19-7-17 R/arm reported shelled when crossing the Coz el Basal near Wadi Ghuzze to Far/Cpl 8-18 AKA John Murgatroyd Porritt

 

RIDGWAY    Francis Leigh    746    Pte    6 LHR    2R tos C Sqn 4-15 evac to hosp (influ) 9-15 (G) rtn 12-15 WIA 15-8-16 abdomen accident shot by bullet from incinerator to Cpl (from Livingstone) 9-16 to L/Sgt 1-17 shown C Sqn 4-17 to T/Sgt C Sqn (from Reynolds) 6-17 revert 8-17 DCM - for his actions at Post on Hill 730 at Irgeig 31-7-17 prom 2/Lt B Sqn B Troop? 4-11-17 att school of Instruction (cavalry course) Zeitoun 1-18 rtn 2-18 (OC B Sqn Ryrie WIA - A Troop Berrie - B Troop Ridgeway - C Troop possibly Sgt Burlace - D Troop Dickson) reported WIA 28-3-18 & MIA reported killed leading three Troops (B C & D Troops) across a ridge at Amman body left on battlefield buried 13-10-18 at Amman Cemetry after remains found reburied Damascus British War Cemetery Syria

 

SHEARER    John David    965    Pte    6 LHR    5R tos A Sqn 10-15 WIA 8-7-17 back & head shrapnel reported 2 wounded when A & B Sqn's shelled crossing the wadi Hanafish in operation to Hill 810 
 

Aug 1917

 

No soldier mention other then Lt Black who died.

 

The 5th ALHR also has a number of mounted actions during this time July-Aug 1917

 

Cheers
 

S.B

Edited 7 August , 2020 by stevebecker

[Eran Tearosh]

Steve,

 

Sorry it took me a few days to return to you - Thank god, hectic days.... (Been a while since I had hectic days...)

Thank you so much for all the info!

 

I guess I have enough to complete the short article, and I can easily add a note about the fact that there are differences between different sources / reports. 

But, I still find the way the Australian Official History (Gullet) exaggerated the descriptions of these events very strange (Especially the description and results of 'the race' described in post #2). It has almost nothing to do with the war diary or the units history. So, it must be based on an individual testimony. But, as it contradicts the mentioned sources, that doesn't sound like a good or serious work of an historian.  

 

Eran 

[Guest]

Mate,

 

I would not disagree there.

 

I also find his lack of cross checking his facts strange of an Historian?

 

Gullet should be used as a reference to cross check with other sources, not as an complete History.

 

It reminds me of the discussions I had about Idriess and his book "Desert Column", and taking it as fact?

 

Any other details just ask

 

S.B