Embarkation and training lengths [AIF]

[tankengine888]

Odd question in my opinion, but never hurts to ask.
I see I had a distant 1st cousin 4 removed, who enlisted into the 10th Battalion, AIF on September 10th 1914, and embarked on December 22nd, 1914. 
Then I have my other relative, who I have spoke of before here. He enlisted on December 9th, 1914 with the 11th Light Horse, embarking on June 2nd (and June 16th??) 1915.

Although one was infantry and the other light horse, how come it took this long for him to get to the Gallipoli Campaign? Was it because it was being formed or? 

And my second question! How long did training take (after embarking, in Eygpt)? I assume it was just shooting and lobbing Mills [bombs] and tactics, but I wouldn't know.

Any light shed on this topic is greatly appreciated!

[Guest]

Mate,

The 11 LHR was ordered to be formed around Feb 1915, before that date all soldiers were to be reinforcements to other Regts.

It took time to form the Regt and those from other States and it was ready around May 1915

Most if not all soldiers untook some basic training before starting Regt training as Cavalry 

Time is like a piece of string 

The Regt (A & B Sqns) was drawn from the 3rd Dowling Downs LH Regt (Milita) while C Sqn was drawn from South Australia.

Again the Regt embarked at different dates and places, due to transport problems with the 2nd Aust Div also embarking.

But as a former cavalrymen, I can say it takes longer to train a Horsemen then a foot soldier (grunt). But I maybe basis.

S.B

 

[tankengine888]

5 hours ago, stevebecker said:

Mate,

The 11 LHR was ordered to be formed around Feb 1915, before that date all soldiers were to be reinforcements to other Regts.

It took time to form the Regt and those from other States and it was ready around May 1915

Most if not all soldiers untook some basic training before starting Regt training as Cavalry 

Time is like a piece of string 

The Regt (A & B Sqns) was drawn from the 3rd Dowling Downs LH Regt (Milita) while C Sqn was drawn from South Australia.

Again the Regt embarked at different dates and places, due to transport problems with the 2nd Aust Div also embarking.

But as a former cavalrymen, I can say it takes longer to train a Horsemen then a foot soldier (grunt). But I maybe basis.

S.B

 

So they were still training to be Infantry? or Light horse? before the 11th was formed ofcourse. I take it this photo attached would've been taken around March 1915 then.
All makes sense. Thanks mate!

Small note, I remember someone commented on the section where your foot goes into some metal, stirrup I think? I can't remember the comment though.

[Guest]

Mate,

What I mean is all soldiers are trained a basic soldiers first, that is they lean to move and operate as such, Drill, uniforms and living and the S's (sh-t shower shave shampoo)?

Then they start Regt training, in the Infantry its how to move and operate as such, while the cavalry its horses and looking after them and horse drill.

You then have to lean to move and operate, the roles like cavalry and how that works,

Tactics and SOP's

Most soldiers don;t get taught most of these, as they will lean them once they arrive at there units, but new units are instructed in these before hand, that includes Infantry and cavalry.

Its easier and quicker to train soldier to look after your self, like the Infantry, but takes longer to train cavalry, due to the animals, which you also have to train to be cavalry horses.

S.B

 

[UKAIF]

A study I did of several hundred men from Qld showed that the time between enlisting and then embarking for overseas varied from just a few days to well over one year. No specific pattern emerged but those with specific skills or previous service could easily have departed quickly especially if transport was available.