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NARRATIVE OF 1st LIGHT HOURSE REGIMENT, A.I.F.,
1914 - 19.
Compiled from Records in the Regiment during its return to Australia.
CHAPTER 1
Formation of the unit and the voyage to Egypt.
The 1st LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT of the Australian Imperial Forces was formed at Rosebery Park, Sydney, New South Wales, from selected men of the active strength of Light Horse militia regiments together with men from the country districts who could ride. Major George M. MacArthur Onslow was appointed to command, the administrative work being done at this time by Major. R.C.Holman of the A and I. Staff.
Unfortunately, in the middle of organizing the Regiment, Major Onslow had to relinquish command and undergo an operation for appendicitis, the command being taken over temporarily on August 26, 1914, by Major H.V.Vernon of 7 L.H. (N.S.W.Lancers).
On August 28 Lieut-Col J.B.Meredith of 6 L.H. (Hunter River Lancers) was appointed to command of the Regiment. Although the personnel was now nearly complete there was little equipment suitable for active service. Every effort was made to train the men in mounted work but saddlery was short, especially as regards stirrup-irons, and the Remount Department at this time was only in the early stages of organisation.
On September 2 the surplus men from the regiment were formed into a Depot Squadron under Lieutenant M.Russell, from which the 1st Reinforcements were to be drawn. Lieut F.V.Weir was selected to command the Reinforcements. Training and field firing were carried on until September 25, 1914, when the advanced party of the Regiment, consisting of 1 Sergeant and 11 other ranks embarked on the 'Clan McCorquodale' at Wooloomooloo [Woolloomooloo]. Three days later these men and 66 horses were disembarked and the 'Clan McCorquodale' now known as 'A6', was not loaded again until October 18 when Lieut Butler and 26 other ranks embarked and 102 horses were loaded.
On October 19 the Regiment, numbering 24 Officers and 484 other ranks with 461 horses, embarked on the "Star of Victoria (A16)' at Woolloomooloo for active service abroad. The regimental