"Waikato Stalwarts"

[wroclaw]

Hi to all

I'm about to finish a field research of the Action of Ayun Kara Nov. the 14th 1917, between the NZ mounted rifles and the Turkish army. The several books describing stages of that battle there are the usual mentions of units such as troops and squads, but the AMR history book ("The story of two campaigns") mentions on a single occasion a unit called "the Waikato Stalwarts" as taking part in the final stage of the battle.

Without getting into the detailed history of military units and formations, I would like to know some brief facts about this unit:

1. Was it an organic part of the AMR, or was it subject to the Brigade, Division ext. headquarter?

2. What size was this unit (squad?)

3. Were they "regular" mounted soldiers or did they have some special tasks?

Thanks in advance

[Robert Dunlop]

I imagine 'Waikato Stalwarts' is refering to the 4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles regiment. Waikato is a geographic area in New Zealand, south of Auckland. The unit was formed in 1911 at Hamilton "by amalgamation of 2nd Regiment, Auckland Mounted Rifles, and 4th Regiment, Auckland Mounted Rifles" (http://www.regiments.org/regiments/newzealand/volmil/cav/04waikat.htm).

Robert

[Captain Dave]

1. 4th (Waikato) Mtd Rifles formed one of three sqns in the AMR during the Palestine Campaign. The NZ Mtd Rifle Bde was formed from the AMR, Canterbury Mtd Rifles Regiment and Wellington Mtd Rifles Regt.

The Bde was part of the ANZAC Mtd Div, comprising 3 Aus Bdes, 1 NZ Bde and 4 TA RHA Batteries.

2. It was of Sqn size.

3. They were Mtd Infantry, I am not aware of any special tasks over and above their normal role.

Robert is also quite correct with his concise information as well.

Regards to the Middle East

Dave.

[Brian Groughan]

My gr uncle Sgt. William. R. Carter joined the 4th Waikato Mounted Rifles about 1911. Enlisted for overseas service at Hamilton on 12/08/1914 with his brother Alfred and it is said they were taken immediately to Auckland for 2 months training, the WMR merged with the Auckland MR. Alf never made it back home. KIA at Ayun Kara. They were in the first expeditionary force, they finally left after being turned back to Auckland and sailed for Suez on 16/10/14 via Tasmania and WA. I think they would have seen the HMAS Sydney break off to encounter the raider  SMS  Emden as they sailed northwards to the middle east.

Brian