Haifa War Cemetery

[michaeldr]

PLEDGER, ROBERT PORTWAY

Initials: R P

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 26

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 333

Additional information: Son of Leopold and Annie Pledger, of The Willows, Lime Tree Avenue, Peterborough, England

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 56

Robert Portway Pledger – from Peterborough, England; a farmer aged 22¾ years when he enlisted on 31 December 1914; joined the 11th LHR 3 January 1915; arrived on Gallipoli 29 August 1915 and transferred to 5th LHR; sent to hospital on Malta with Dysentery 6 November 1915, then transferred to convalesce in Egypt 12 Jan 1916, but diagnosed with Jaundice 21 Jan 1916; rejoined 11th LHR 22 February 1916; throughout 1916 he suffered from recurring bouts of diarrhoea and was in and out of hospital several times; in February 1917 he was in hospital again, but with influenza this time, and there was one more hospitalization NYD (Not Yet Diagnosed) in April 1917. [Trooper Pledger's record is very similar to my own grandfather's – their health badly affected by the Dysentery they contracted on Gallipoli and their immune system weakened for several years thereafter]

Killed in action at Semakh, 25 September 1918. Buried by Chaplain J Best in Grave No. 6; later transferred to Haifa

[michaeldr]

FRASER, EDWARD CHARLES

Initials: E C

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 20

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 1320A

Additional information: Son of Christina Fraser, of Peach St., Dunellon Est, South Brisbane, and the late David Fraser

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 55

Edward Charles Fraser His record shows a period of service from September 1915 to January 1916, which ended when he was discharged on 30 January 1916 as 'being under military age.' He also did 16 days service with the Citizen Forces, before he again signed-up on 30 September 1916, aged 18 years and 1 month. Embarked at Melbourne 15 December 1916 and landed at Suez 19 January 1917. Served with the 3 LHR Training Regt and picked up 48 hours detention for being in town without a pass; March 1917 transferred to 4 LHR Training Regt., before joining 11 LHR in May 1917. In October 1917 Fraser went awol for 17 hours, was admonished and fined 12 days' pay. March 1918 he was sick, which turned out to be Appendicitis (severe) resulting in an operation. In May the doctors decided to take his tonsils out and in July he was back in hospital again with 'Painful Appendical Scar'. Fraser rejoined 11 LHR 'ex-Sick' on 24 August 1918 and was Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918. He was buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.7 and eventually reinterred at Haifa in 1919.

[michaeldr]

Trooper Fraser's records appear to show that he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, presumably in respect of his earlier "under age" service when he was at the Depot. Have I read this correctly?

Edit: Have I read this correctly? Possibly not, as I now see that there is no ref. number as with the other two medals

[michaeldr]

Group portrait of the 2nd Reinforcements, 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment who embarked from Sydney on troopship HMAT Shropshire on 20 August 1915.

See http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P01361.003

Trooper A Donaldson is the second man from the left in the third row

The AWM's caption to this photograph, like the CWGC, gives Trooper Donaldson's DoD as 23rd September 1918.

DONALDSON

Initials: A

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Date of Death: 23/09/1918 (should read 25/09/1918)

Service No: 835

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 54

However, the 11 LHR's War Diary for 23 September 1918 does not mention any casualty on that day, when they moved from Jenin to Afuleh.

Appendix 'A' gives a 'Nominal Roll of Casualties in 11th Light Horse Regiment on 25th September 1918' in the attack on Semakh and it includes amongst those Killed in Action - 835 Tpr Donaldson A.

His personal record also gives Killed in Action 25 September 1918

Alexander Donaldson when he enlisted on 11 January 1915, he was a 26 year old Labourer from Queensland.

Tpr Donaldson embarked at Sydney on 20 August 1915. On landing at Gallipoli he was attached to 5 LHR from 2 October 1915, though admitted to hospital the next day (enteritis) and transferred to Malta. After hospitalization Tpr Donaldson embarked for Mudros 15 November 1915. Following the evacuation of Gallipoli, Tpr Donaldson landed at Alexandria 4 December 1915 and was again admitted to hospital (Pyrexia). He returned to his unit 12 January 1916 and was transferred back to 11 LHR 22 February 1916.

Tpr Donaldson was Killed in Action on 25 September 1918 at Semakh, and buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No. 8. In 1919 his remains were transferred to Haifa.

[michaeldr]

TAYLOR, HOWARD HEDLEY

Initials: H H

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 49

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 2382

Additional information: Son of Alfred John and Emily Macrae Taylor; husband of Alice Taylor, of Stratton Terrace, Wynnum, Queensland. Born at Birmingham, England

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 53

Howard Hedley Taylor – Born in Birmingham, England, and aged 44½ years when he enlisted on 22 March 1917. A Grazier by occupation, he was also a married man with 1 child. Tpr Taylor got home leave 18-22 April before he embarked at Sydney 9 May 1917 and landed at Suez 20 June 1917; sick from 11 to 18 July 1917, before joining 4 LH Training Regt. 26 July 1917; Transferred to 11 LHR 6 December 1917; admitted to hospital (Pyrexia N Y D) 15 February 1918 and then to Rest Camp on 28 February 1918; back with the 4 LH Training Regt on 21 March 1918, after the Rest Camp, then transferred back again to 11 LHR on 28 March 1918; at the end of May 1918 Tpr Taylor was ill with Diarrhoea & Debility (at one point Malaria was also suspected, but tests proved negative) before being discharged to Rest Camp on 12 July 1918; rejoined 11 LHR 31 July 1918; Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.9; reinterred at Haifa Military Cemetery

[michaeldr]

McKAY, ERNEST

Initials: E

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 23

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 1200

Additional information: Son of Ernest and Hannah McKay, of Earl Terrace, Bowen Bridge Rd., Brisbane

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 52

Ernest McKay – a Carpenter from Brisbane, aged 19 years & 11 months when he enlisted on 13 April 1915; Page 25 of Tpr McKay's record says that "Service reckons from 31 August 1915"; 2nd Lt J K Johnstone commanding 6th Reinforcements 11 LHR at Chermside, approved McKay's papers and appointed him to that regiment on 30 September 1915, but thereafter there is a gap in this man's record covering the remainder of 1915, though he must have reached Egypt (& possibly Gallipoli) for he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star No. 23257 issued 19 Nov 1920. [The Embarkation Roll shows that Tpr McKay boarded HMAT Mashobra at Sydney on 4 October 1915.]

Returning to his records - In Detention Barracks Abbassia 3 January to 22 February 1916 when he rejoined 11 LHR; 'Absent without leave' December 1916 and receives 14 days CB & "forfeits 2 days under R W"; in hospital sick (VDG) from 15 August 1917 to 22 December 1917 when discharged cured – 'Total forfeiture … 130 days 5/- = ₤32-10/-"; joined 4 LH Training Regt., before rejoining 11 LHR 4 January 1918; ill with Malaria and in hospital 8-29 June 1918, then Convalescent Depot to 11 July 1918; rejoined 4 LH Training Regt before rejoining 11 LHR 23 July 1918; detached to Workshops at Ludd, then once again rejoined 11 LHR 8 September 1918; Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No. 10; later transferred to Haifa

A sad note on the penultimate page of Tpr McKay's record indicates "No personal effects in kit"

The epitaph at the foot of the headstone reads:

"True to Country, King and Mates

Leaving a spotless name"

[michaeldr]

DODDS, DARYL JAMES GILCHRIST

Initials: D J G

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Age: 28

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 1175

Awards: Mentioned in Despatches

Additional information: Son of William and Ada Dodds, of Gascoig, Tivola St., Mosman, New South Wales. Born in London

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 51

Daryl James Gilchrist Dodds Born in London, England, he was a 25 year old Policeman with 5 years in the Queensland force when he joined-up in August 1915; from 30 September 1915 he was with the 6th Reinforcements to 11th LHR and embarked at Sydney 4 October 1915 on the transport 'Mashobra'.

From the AWM details of the 11 LHR "…deployed to Gallipoli. The regiment was again split up, to reinforce three light horse regiments already ashore - A Squadron went to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron to the 5th, and C Squadron to the 9th. It was not reunited until 12 February 1916, by which time all of the AIF troops from Gallipoli had returned to Egypt." This may explain why some of the men here have incomplete early records, and such is the case with Tpr Dodds. After the 4 October 1915 the next entry is February 1916

he served with 2 LHR and reverted to 11 LHR 22 February 1916, joining their 'A' Sqdn 2 March 1916; Tpr Dodds was Wounded in Action at Tel el Sheria on 7 November 1917 (GSW to left hand) and sent back from Palestine to hospital in Abbassia; transferred to Convalescent depot 29 December 1917; was drunk in town & absent without leave for a couple of hours on 30 December 1917, for which he was deprived of 5 days' pay; Tpr Dodds was discharged from Conv. Depot 15 January 1918 at which time he joined 4 LH Training Regt., reverting to 11 LHR on 1 February 1918; Tpr Dodds was Mentioned in Depatches by Gen. E H H Allenby ("for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty" - this relates to the Battle of Gaza); he was admitted to the 4 LH Field Ambulance, with Diarrhoea, 11 September and returned to his unit four days' later on 15 September 1918. Ten days' later Tpr Dodds was Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918. He was buried at Semakh by Chaplain J. Best in Grave No. 11 and transferred to Haifa in 1919.

[michaeldr]

BLOOMFIELD, WILLIAM

Initials: W

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 36 (should read 30)

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 96

Additional information: Son of Mr. Bloomfield and his wife Bessie Cotton. Born at Sydney, New South Wales

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 50

William Bloomfield – When he signed-up on 28 December 1914 William Bloomfield was 26½ years old (his age at DoD shown by the CWGC must be wrong) and he had been employed as a Labourer; taken into 'A' Squadron of 11 LHR 24 March 1915; he embarked at Brisbane 2 June 1915 and reached Port Said 17 June 1915; he left Alexandria, Egypt, for Gallipoli 25 August 1915 and transferred to 2 LHR 29 August 1915; Bloomfield returned to Alexandria 26 December 1915; transferred back to 11 LHR 22 February 1916 and becomes a Driver with that regiment 28 March 1916; on 28 June 1916 Driver Bloomfield reverted to Private and was awarded '28 days FP No.2' as punishment for 'Conduct to the prejudice of good order & military discipline' (he disobeyed orders); he was sick from 22 July 1917; this was diagnosed as VDG from 25 July to 5 September 1917 and he forfeited 43 days pay at 5/- per day totaling ₤10-15-0; Bloomfield joined 4 LH Training Regt. 5 September 1917 and was sent to the Imperial School of Instruction from 23 September 1917 to 13 October 1917, when he rejoined the 4 LH Training Regt; on 6 December 1917 he was posted back to 11 LHR and rejoined them in Palestine 21 December 1917; Bloomfield was sick (Pyrexia N Y D) from 11-15 September 1918 and ten days later he was Killed in Action at Semakh; he was buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.12 and later transferred to Haifa in 1919

William Bloomfield had no immediate family, therefore per his will, his trio, scroll, plaque and effects went to his aunt on his mother's side (see also the inscription at the foot of the headstone)

[michaeldr]

RYNNE, JOHN MICHAEL

Initials: J M

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 114A

Additional information: Son of Frank and Johannah Rynne, of Herbert St., Allora, Queensland. Born at Dalby, Queensland

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 49

John Michael Rynne – from Dalby, Queensland; age on enlistment (24 November 1915) 27¾ years old; previously employed as a Labourer; he received home leave 4-9 March 1916 and then Rynne embarked at Sydney 13 May 1916 and arrived at Devonport, England, on 10 July 1916; On 8 July he had contracted Mumps and was in hospital until 28 July 1916; originally on the strength of the 14 LHR, in England he joined the 4th Training Battalion, reaching Estaples from the UK 1 October 1916 and transferring to 15th Battalion; in November 1916 Rynne received 28 days FP No.2 for being absent from 9am parade; on 3 February 1917 he was sick and transferred first to Winneaux, and then in March, to England where he was treated at the County Middlesex Hospital for 'ICT Feet' (ICT = Inflamed Connective Tissue – elsewhere in Rynne's record this is given as 'Frost Bite'); after convalescence Rynne sailed (October 1917) from Southampton for Egypt (via Taranto) to rejoin the Light Horse, landing at Alexandria 1 November 1917; after a spell with the 4 LH Training Regiment, Rynne joined the 11 LHR at Belah 8 March 1918; he was sick with Diarrhoea from 1 May 1918 and after Hospital and Rest Camp he rejoined the 4 LHTR 17 July, and the 11 LHR on 4 September 1918; Rynne was Killed in Action at Semakh on 25 September 1918; he was buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.13 and later reinterred at Haifa War Cemetery

The army could find no personal effects belonging to Trooper Rynne, to return to his family.

[michaeldr]

LEWIS, WALTER JAMES

Initials: W J

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 19

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 56918

Additional information: Son of Walter James and Nancy Lewis, of 30, Bell St., Petrie Terrace, Brisbane

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 63

Don't be distracted by the grave reference; A63 lies in the same line and is next after B49. Only the central aisle of grass lawn, stretching down the cemetery from the base of the Cross, separates the two comrades in arms who fell together in the same action.

Walter James Lewis – born in Brisbane, he said he was '18 years and 10 months' old when he enlisted on 2 November 1915, but he was discharged 11 weeks later as 'underage'; Lewis signed-up again on 6 April 1918, this time giving his correct DoB as 24 January 1899 and his occupation as Stud Groom (still being under 21 years, his parents signed their Consent and confirmed his DoB – it was a letter from Mrs. Lewis which alerted the army to her son's correct age in January 1916); he embarked at Sydney on 10 June 1918 arriving at Suez 17 July 1918; Lewis was at the Central Training Depot, Moascar, on 22 July when he was sick (NYD) and he returned there from Hospital on 31 July 1918; he joined the Australian Training Regiment 2 September 1918 and was taken on the strength of the 11 LHR in Palestine 4 September 1918; Trooper Lewis was Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.14; his remains were later reinterred at Haifa.

[michaeldr]

I believe that earlier I said that two men Died of Wounds the same day; I was mistaken. In fact the second man who succumbed to his wounds, died the next day, 26 September 1918. However, as all of the burials at Semakh were carried out on that day, this man was placed next to his fellows in Grave No. 18.

I am not the only one to slip-up on this; despite the records, the CWGC still give his death as being on the day of the battle; 25 September 1918

Name: DONALDSON

Initials: W

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 11th

Age: 25

Date of Death: 25/09/1918 (should read 26/09/1918)

Service No: 1548

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 62

William Donaldson – by birth, a Scotsman from Stornaway; he was 22 years and 5 months old when he enlisted on 10 August 1915, giving his civilian occupation as an Electrician who had served a 5 year apprenticeship; Donaldson's family had lived in Liverpool for some years and he had 2 years previous military service with the Liverpool Scottish Territorials; Donaldson embarked at Sydney 23 October 1915 and when he left Australia he was part of the 7th Reinforcements to the 11 LHR; (as has been seen in the cases of others above, there is a gap in Donaldson's records, presumably while he was attached to another LHR on Gallipoli); from 11 February 1916 he was attached to the 5th Australian ASC at Heliopolis Aerodrome and he reported back to the 11 LHR from that attachment on 4 April 1916; on 25 April 1918 Donaldson was deprived of 2 days pay (at 5/- p d) for Contravening DMC RO (Desert Mounted Corps, Routine Orders [?]);

at Semakh on 25 September 1918 Trooper Donaldson was wounded in the abdomen and the right arm; he was attended to by the 4 Light Horse Field Ambulance and he died from those wounds the next day, 26 September 1918; Donaldson was buried with his comrades at Semakh by Chaplain J Best; his remains was later reinterred at Haifa

The inscription at the foot of the headstone reads

'In memory of the dearly loved eldest son of Jessie and the late Alexander Donaldson of Liverpool'

[michaeldr]

Trooper William Donaldson was the last of the 11 LHR men to be buried in this row at Haifa. You will have noticed that the graves here do not follow quite the same order as the original ones at Semakh; at Haifa they have been placed right to left according to rank. The next three men in this row, who also died in the attack at Semakh, are also placed in rank order from right to left.

WEST, HUBERT WALKER

Initials: H W

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Sergeant

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 4th

Age: 26

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 1527

Additional information: Son of Henry and Florence Eliza West. Born at Toongabbie, New South Wales.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 61.

Hubert Walker West – from North Sydney, NSW; a Clerk, aged 23 years and 1 month when he signed-up on 13 August 1915; West joined the 7th Reinforcements to the 12 LHR 1 November 1917 and embarked at Sydney 20 November 1915;

Like its brother regiment, when the 12 LHR "deployed to Gallipoli. The regiment was again split up, to reinforce three light horse regiments already ashore - A Squadron went to the 1st Light Horse Regiment, B Squadron to the 7th, and C Squadron to the 6th. It was not reunited until 22 February 1916, by which time all of the AIF troops from Gallipoli had returned to Egypt." (from the AWM)

Thus, when West landed in Egypt his next move is unclear, his regiment being then somewhat in a state of flux. Like others we have already seen above, there is a gap in his early records and the next entry gives

'Absorbed from Details' 30 March 1916 and taken on strength of 12 LHR at Helipololis; West was detached from the 12 LHR to Machine Gun School of Instruction Zeitoun 24 June 1916 and on 24 July 1916 he transferred to 2nd Aust. M G Sqd, EEF; West rejoined the 12 LHR on 23 August 1916 before moving to 4th Brigade MGS on 28 February 1918; West was promoted L/Corporal 13 March 1917 and had a few days in Hospital in June 1917 with a septic knee; West had another spell in Hospital for about a week at the end of August/beginning of September 1917 suffering from debility; on 31 October 1917 he was promoted Corporal but was again hospitalized 4 November 1917 with a boil on his knee; he soon rejoined the 4 MGS, and at the end of March 1918, was sent by them to the Imperial School of Instruction; he rejoined the unit 21 April 1918 and was promoted Temp. Sgt. 30 July 1918; West reverted to Cpl 18 August 1918 and was back as Temp. Sgt. on 31 August 1918; T/Sergeant West was Killed in Action at Semakh on 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best in Grave No.17; later his remains were reinterred at Haifa in 1919

[michaeldr]

The next man, Corporal Wall, also died at Semakh see the 12th LH Regt.'s War Dairy for 25th Sept 1918 with ref to their 'C' Squadron -

"1 o/r killed and 10 o/ranks wounded. 8 horses wounded & 4 killed. … … 1 o/r of the 12th was shot by a German who had put up a white flag [the next is hard to read but looks like the following] this ending in a bloody combat many being killed who would otherwise have been taken prisoner."

[see http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/AWM4/10/AWM4-10-17-18.pdf]

WALL

Initials: J

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 12th

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 1526

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 60

Jack Wall born at Narrabri, NSW, Jack Wall was a 24 year old Farmer when he signed-up on 11 August 1915; he joined the 7th Reinforcements to the 12 LHR (and received the Service Number 1526; one immediately before his comrade in this action, Sgt West see above); like West, Tpr Jack Wall embarked at Sydney on 20 November 1915;

as we have already seen the early records of some of these chaps is incomplete and here also we find that Jack Wall is listed as being with the 7 Reinf. to the 12 LHR right up to 5 April 1916; from 6 April 1916 he was with 2 LH Training R, and from 22 July 1916 with the 12 LHR; however, a couple of days later he was detached to the 2 LH Brigade at Romani and 5 December 1916 he was back at the 2 LH Training R; Wall rejoined the 12 LHR 20 January 1917; He was in hospital for a couple of days (NYD) from 30 December 1917; Trooper Wall was promoted Lance Corporal on 11 September 1918; L/Cpl Jack Wall was Killed in Action at Semakh on 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain Joseph Best in Grave No.16; in 1919 his remains were reinterred at Haifa.

[michaeldr]

The last man of the 19 who were buried at Semakh, and later transferred to Haifa, is the second Machine Gunner casualty

TERRY, ALBERT JAMES

Initials: A J

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 4th

Age: 18

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 2515

Additional information: Son of Albert Charles and Frances Elizabeth Terry, of 48, Tyrrell St., Newcastle, New South Wales.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 59.

Albert James Terry – from Newcastle, NSW, Bert Terry signed-up on 21 April 1917, stating that he was aged 19 years and 2 months and had been employed as a Clerk; also stating that he had served 4 years in the Cadets; being under 21 years of age, Bert Terry had to get his parents' consent, which they duly provided; Recruit Terry joined the 21st Reinforcements to the 12 LHR as a Private, and embarked at Sydney on 3 September 1917; Terry landed at Suez 19 October 1917 and was then with the Machine Gun Training Squadron until 9 December 1917, when he went to the Imperial School of Instruction until 29 December 1917; he then briefly rejoined the MG Training Sqd. before being transferred on to the 4 MGS 3 January 1918; on 1 May 1918 he was wounded but remained on duty; Bert Terry was attached 9 M.V.Sect. from 4 to 20 May 1918 when he rejoined 4 MGS; on 30 May 1918 he was sent to hospital & then rest camp in Jerusalem suffering from Debility, and he returned to 4 MGS 15 June 1918;

Trooper Bert Terry was Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best; his remains were reinterred at Haifa in 1919

[michaeldr]

Other photographs from the AWM collection showing the aftermath of the action at Semakh

can be seen at the following links

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P01474.006

SEMAKH, PALESTINE. 1918-09-25. DEAD BODIES OF MEMBERS OF THE 11TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT FATALLY WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE FOR SEMAKH. (DONOR N. TURNER)

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/P01474.008

SEMAKH, PALESTINE. 1918-09. MEMBERS OF THE 11TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT WITH A GERMAN/TURKISH 75MM M03 GUN CAPTURED AT THE BATTLE FOR SEMAKH. (DONOR N. TURNER)

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/B00284

DEAD HORSES AT SEMAKH, ON SOUTH COAST, SEA OF GALLILEE, AFTER A CHARGE BY THE 11TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H15202

SEMAKH, NORTHERN PALESTINE. SEPTEMBER 1918. THE RAILWAY STATION A FEW MINUTES AFTER BEING CAPTURED BY 11TH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT. (DONOR A.T. ADAMS)

[michaeldr]

Our GWF Pal Ivor Lee and his co-author John Starling chose 'No Labour, No Battle' as the title of their excellent book about Military Labour in the Great War. That catchy name could possibly also be applied to other units in the armed services and there follows a few representatives of the fallen lying in Haifa, each of whom belonged to a branches of the forces who, though not necessaily in the front line, nevertheless did their bit and without whom the battle would have been so much longer and very much harder

In salute to the origins of the idea here is

DAVIES, THOMAS EVAN

Initials: T E

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Welsh Regiment

Unit Text: 4th Bn

Secondary Unit Text: transf. to (360488) 802nd Area Employment Coy. Labour Corps, attd.

NACB (Navy & Army Canteen Board*)

Age: 39

Date of Death: 11/08/1919

Service No: 200636 (2395)

Additional information: Husband of Margaret Davies. of 98, Lammas St., Carmarthen

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

*In this theatre the N & A C B had, in addition to its own officers and other ranks, some 135 attached personnel such as Private Davies, not to mention 800+ civilians, both European and Egyptian. They operated 98 canteens and the one at Haifa opened on 2 October 1918. They ran four mineral water factories and three hotels. There were bakeries in the principle cities including Jerusalem, Jaffa and Beirut, as well as tea tents, or rooms, at various railway stations spread throughout the theatre. It was estimated that annual takings at the canteens amounted to over ₤4,500,000 (sterling)

Details from 'The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force...etc...'

Edited 17 April , 2011 by michaeldr

[michaeldr]

These Royal Engineers served in various Cable Sections, but does anyone know what the initials of these sections stand for A.G; B.Q; K.K; M.HQ?

edit:

AG and BQ appear in the OoB as part of XX Corps' HQ (which was based at Haifa from 29 October 1918)

KK appears in the OoB of the DMC

BAILEY, VERNON WILLIAM HENRY

Initials: V W H

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: A.G. Cable Sect

Age: 22

Date of Death: 17/11/1918

Service No: 221712

Additional information: Son of Elizabeth Bailey, of 90, Mount St., Whitley Reading, and the late William Bailey

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 30

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Name: SMYRK, HENRY ALFRED

Initials: H A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: "A.G." Cable Sect.

Age: 26

Date of Death: 21/05/1919

Service No: 58017

Additional information: Son of Joseph John and Jane Smyrk, of 405, St. John St., Finsbury, London.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 83

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Name: SMITH

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: "B.Q." Cable Sect.

Date of Death: 17/11/1918

Service No: 19595

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 29

Edited 19 April , 2011 by michaeldr

[michaeldr]

Name: WELLING, CHARLES WILLIAM

Initials: C W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Pioneer

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: K.K. Cable Sect.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 16/10/1918

Service No: 142755

Additional information: Son of Charles James and Harriet Welling, of 27, Moorgate St., Sunderland.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 18

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

CUNNIFFE, MICHAEL

Initials: M

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: "M" H.Q. Cable Sect.

Age: 30

Date of Death: 11/10/1918

Service No: 72593

Additional information: Son of John and Honor Cunniffe, of Addergoolemore, Dunmore, Co. Galway.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 6

[michaeldr]

Anyone who can add information here about the work of the Military Police in this theatre, then please do so

The MPs are represented at Haifa by these two chaps

BOWEN

Initials: J H

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment/Service: Military Police Corps

Unit Text: Military Foot Police

Age: 39

Date of Death: 29/09/1920

Service No: 7682155

Additional information: Husband of Rosina Bowen of 15, Starbuck Rd., Milford Haven

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: C. 10

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Name: ROBERTSON

Initials: T

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Military Police Corps

Unit Text: Military Foot Police

Date of Death: 11/11/1918

Service No: P/14937

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 34.

[michaeldr]

From Allenby's despatch of 31 Oct 1918

"The roads leading to Haifa from Tul Keram are only country tracks, which, in the event of rain, might become impassable for motor lorries at any time. Any force, advancing northwards from Haifa along the coast, would have to depend on supplies landed at that port. It was necessary, therefore, to occupy the town without delay, in order that the harbour could be swept for mines, and the landing of stores taken in hand."

Allenby might have added that once stores were landed at the port of Haifa he would use that town as a railhead for their onward distribution, and that for reasons already stated (the deplorable condition of the roads) the rails system would be of the utmost importance.

From 'The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force …etc...'

Following up the successful operations of Sept., 1918, railway construction was again commenced on the 20th. On Sept. 28 the standard gauge alignment swung on to the old Turkish formation north of Ras el Ain, thus enabling construction to be carried out at an increased rate (two kilometres per day). Tul Keram Station was reached on Oct. 15, enabling direct transhipment to take place between the standard gauge and the narrow gauge running towards Haifa and Damascus. Continuing northwards from Tul Keram, by way of Tanturah and the western end of Mount Carmel, the line reached Haifa, and was opened for traffic early in Jan., 1919… … … …

The following figures are of interest in connection with the standard gauge lines :-

Total length of track laid = kilos. 1,009 (includes Haifa Station).

Number of turnouts (sic) laid = 748 (probably means 'points')

Number of stations = 86

Number of locomotives = 169

Number of wagons = 2,573

Number of passenger vehicles = 50

Number of hospital coaches = 98

The Canadians bridge builders (seen at the very beginning of this thread) were specially brought over from F & F, and the Royal Engineers too had a considerable presence in this area looking after various aspects of the EEF's rail network here. Some of the latter are, like their Canadian comrades, buried at Haifa War Cemetery

BARNETT

Initials: T

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: Railway Operating Div

Age: 23

Date of Death: 15/02/1919

Service No: WR/193411

Additional information: Son of Alderman and Leonora Barnett, of 10, Eight Acres, Stamford, Lincs

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 39

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

JONES

Initials: W

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: 98th Light Railway Coy.

Date of Death: 29/10/1918

Service No: WR/194961

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 26

From the LLT; 98th LRC raised at Longmoor & embarked 2 December 1917

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MOUNTAIN

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers

Unit Text: 266th Railway Construction Coy.

Age: 33

Date of Death: 14/03/1919

Service No: WR/290040

Additional information: Son of the late Tom and Eliza Mountain, of South Milford, Yorks; husband of Mary E. Mountain, of 32A, Mount Ephraim, Holgate Rd., York.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 6.

From the LLT; 266th RCC raised Longmoor & embarked 14.9.17 Egypt WO 95/4410 7.17 2.18 Egypt WO 95/4718 3.18 11.19

[Guest BruceBoss]

The last man of the 19 who were buried at Semakh, and later transferred to Haifa, is the second Machine Gunner casualty

TERRY, ALBERT JAMES

Initials: A J

Nationality: Australian

Rank: Trooper

Regiment/Service: Australian Light Horse

Unit Text: 4th

Age: 18

Date of Death: 25/09/1918

Service No: 2515

Additional information: Son of Albert Charles and Frances Elizabeth Terry, of 48, Tyrrell St., Newcastle, New South Wales.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 59.

Albert James Terry – from Newcastle, NSW, Bert Terry signed-up on 21 April 1917, stating that he was aged 19 years and 2 months and had been employed as a Clerk; also stating that he had served 4 years in the Cadets; being under 21 years of age, Bert Terry had to get his parents' consent, which they duly provided; Recruit Terry joined the 21st Reinforcements to the 12 LHR as a Private, and embarked at Sydney on 3 September 1917; Terry landed at Suez 19 October 1917 and was then with the Machine Gun Training Squadron until 9 December 1917, when he went to the Imperial School of Instruction until 29 December 1917; he then briefly rejoined the MG Training Sqd. before being transferred on to the 4 MGS 3 January 1918; on 1 May 1918 he was wounded but remained on duty; Bert Terry was attached 9 M.V.Sect. from 4 to 20 May 1918 when he rejoined 4 MGS; on 30 May 1918 he was sent to hospital & then rest camp in Jerusalem suffering from Debility, and he returned to 4 MGS 15 June 1918;

Trooper Bert Terry was Killed in Action at Semakh 25 September 1918 and buried there by Chaplain J Best; his remains were reinterred at Haifa in 1919

Hi, Thanks for posting this photo. Unfortunately I can't quite make out the inscription on the bottom, can it be read on the original photo?. Are the inscriptions normally supplied by the next of kin?

Albert James Terry was my grandfather's brother. The date of death has family significance as Albert James's grandfather died exactly 51 years to the day before Albert James was killed.

In addition my grandfather, Albert James's brother, was born 25th Sept 1908 and died 25th Sept 1965, and named his eldest son, Bert.

[michaeldr]

Bruce,

Many thanks for letting us have those extra details on Trooper Bert Terry

The inscription at the foot of his headstone reads - 'A Hero Sadly Missed' - and this wording would have been supplied by his Next-of-Kin.

If you require a better definition version of the headstone picture then let me have your e-mail address; this you can do via the forum's PM system which will be open to you after you get a few more posts to your credit.

All the best

Michael

[peterbmillz]

Thanks.....sorry it took so long.

peter

further to post #14 above

from 'Allenby in Palestine - The middle east correspondence of Field Marshal Viscount Allenby'

selected and edited by Matthew Hughes, Army Records Society, 2004 [iSBN 0-7509-3841-2]

from the Introduction

page 3,

quote: "In 1898, Adelaide Mabel gave birth to a son (Horace) Michael, the Allenbys' only child. His death as a subaltern on the Western front in July 1917 shattered the typical marmoreal Allenby who broke down and inconsolable, wept in front of Sir John Shea, one of his divisional commanders in Palestine."

page 44

Allenby to Lady Allenby

"Egyptian State Railways

28th July 1917

I am on the Palestine front in my special train. The pens in this train will only blot the papers - or else make no mark at all - !.................

29th - I have been riding and motoring round again today looking at my preparations. Strong wind hot and dust, till about 8 pm., when it drops.......................................................................

31st July - Reached the canal early this morning. I crossed over, and got into another train for home............................................................................

.....................................................................

Later - This evening, I have just got your wire, through the Eastern Telegraph Company. My darling sweetheart, I wish I could be with you; but I know how brave you are; and you will be strong, to bear this awful blow. You and Michael fill my thoughts, and I feel very near to you both. Every remembrance of him is a joy. From his birth to his death there is not a day that you or I would have wished changed or to have been lived otherwise than he lived it. I am glad that you had him with you so short a time ago; and I too have had much happiness in seeing him often during the war. He was always the same; keen in his work, thoughtful beyond his years, but cheerful and brave. I have never seen a boy of his age who had so mastered self. His self control was complete; and though his quick perception was always awake to the dangers which he faced daily, his well-balanced mind never dwelt on them. This and his real interest in his work, made his life a happy one, even in the days of terrible stress which he has had to face for so many months.

Whenever he came to stay with me, he was always the same; a friend on equal terms; and yet, unaffected, he always kissed me when we met and parted - as he did when a child. He had come safely through so many dangers that I had begun to hope, more confidently. that he would....................."

The end of this letter is missing from the archives,

(perhaps at the insistence of the family?)

page 55

Allenby to Lady Allenby

"26th August 1917

I don't think that Michael could have been more happily placed, than in 'T' Battery; and I like your idea of applying his money for the Battery's benefit. You and I will always feel a connection with it. What a wonderful and beautiful thought your is; that Father Knapp is with our boy, and helping him to enter bravely on his new life.

Oh, my brave Darling, you are the mother of a hero. Your son could have been no other. The letter he wrote to you, on the 28th of July, is a mirror in which his whole character is shown.

Devotion to his work. Humour, dry but never cynical. Joy in all aspects of life. Wide interest in literature, sport, politics. All unaffected and honest. And, through all, beams his love for you. So, too, my own, your wide sympathy and thought for others cheers us all. God bless you my Mabel."

Wavell - "After his son's death Allenby obtained, with some difficulty, permission for Lady Allenby to go to Egypt. She arrived in October, and went to the Villa Heller, at Gezira. Her influence in the English community in Egypt was in its way as great as Allenby's at the front. She took a part in the direction of Red Cross work, in finding occupations and interests for convalescents and for officers and men on leave, and similar activities. Her imperturbable serenity was as effective in inspiring courage as was her husband's dynamic energy. She had in her gentle way as much strength of will and purpose as he had."

The photograph below is from a collection at the Library of Congress (USA)

[peterbmillz]

Frederick Jesse Coster MILLS

.my Grandfather. He Died 30.10.1918 as you know. His death Cert says from Malaria.

He was Born in Twickenham Middlesex 09.11.1889.

Enlisted - Enfield Middlesex -05.03.1915 - 3/8 middlesex Reg.

Transfered to - 2/1 Notts Hus - 15.01.1917

Transfered - ACC - 23.06.1917

Posted EEF 19.09.1917

Embark Southhampton 19.09.1917

Disembark Cherboug 20.09.1917

Posted 54th Cy coy - 30.10.1917

Embark ??.??.1917 - HS Aragon

Disembark 16.10.1917 - Alexandria.

19.10.1917 Join 54th at Shallufa.

He then spent quite a bit of time in Hospitals ( Shallufa,Ismalia,Alexandria an finaly Hailfa) with skin problems, Sand fly fever and eventualy Malaria.

Anything else you need to know?

All the best

I hope this helps place the 54th.

Peter MILLS

Name: MILLS

Initials: F J C

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Army Cyclist Corps

Unit Text: 54th Div.Cyclists Coy

Date of Death: 30/10/1918

Service No: 21469

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

The Long, Long Trail has the following on the 54th Division's page

"Divisional Mounted Troops

East Anglian Divisional Cyclist Company - left February 1917"

And the Order of Battle given in 'The Advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force …etc...' has no mention of a Divisional Cyclists Company either.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[michaeldr]

Quote:

Posted EEF 19.09.1917

Embark Southhampton 19.09.1917

Disembark Cherboug 20.09.1917

Posted 54th Cy coy - 30.10.1917

Embark ??.??.1917 - HS Aragon

Disembark 16.10.1917 - Alexandria.

19.10.1917 Join 54th at Shallufa.

He then spent quite a bit of time in Hospitals ( Shallufa,Ismalia,Alexandria an finaly Hailfa) with skin problems, Sand fly fever and eventualy Malaria

Peter,

That is excellent detail: thank you

However, it still leaves me with the conflicting gen. from The Long, Long Trail:

"Divisional Mounted Troops East Anglian Divisional Cyclist Company - left February 1917" see http://www.1914-1918.net/54div.htm

So, when he was posted to the EEF on 19th September 1917, to which unit was he posted? Or, is The Long, Long Trail mistaken here? Does anyone have more definite information on the 54th Divisional Cyclist Company in 1917-1918?

regards

Michael