Primary tabs
Transcription
[page 33]
1916
their hard time in the desert. It was while the Regiment was in this camp that the vote [the referendum] on conscription was taken held.
The equipment was overhauled and on October 22 we received 90 remounts; and additional 31 remounts arrived at the end of the month. Surplus kit was bagged up and sent to the Base Kit Stores in Cairo, as on the 26th orders were received to be prepared to move out at short notice. During this period a Cavalry School was being conducted at GZeitoun, and also a Senior Officers' School as a refresher course for such officers as could be spared.
On November 1 we were ordered to move out on the following day for Ge ' eila, three and a half miles south-east of Bir el Abd. Camel transport was provided. Marching via Duiedar we came to Negeliat at 1530 on November 4. The next day we moved on, as part of the 1st Brigade, and Hod el Ge'eila was reached at 1530. "A" Squadron, under Capt. A.A. White, was sent out one and a half miles south-each to Willegha on outpost duty, and two patrols of 1 N.C.O. and 4 men were sent out at various hours during the day and night to patrol to Hod Unweih el Hilu and connect up with a squadron of the Yeomanry Brigade. Another troop under Lieut. W. Rogers was sent out to gain touch with the N.Z.M.R. at Bir el Kessieba. Fairly good grazing was obtained and the 8th the horses were inspected by General Chaytor. Enemy aeroplanes were active but good anti-aircraft work at Salmana prevented them having all their own way. Occasional enemy patrols were seen and one party of 12 Bedouins, camel mounted, came very close to No. 2 Cossack Post; a troop under Lieut. Moore tried unsuccessfully to cut them off but killed one camel. On November 13, Major Lawry, Capt. Donovan, R.C. padre, 2/Lieut. W.S. Gray and 36 other ranks arrived from Kantara with 63 riding and 5 pack horses. Two days later Major Lawry was seconded to command the 1st Light Horse Training Camp at Moascar.
Grazing parades and patrols were carried on until November 17 when the Regiment moved to Willegha. Next day the strength of the unit was increased by the attachment for training of 2/Lieut. Martin and 21 others from the Anzac M.T. Police. All ranks were again innoculated against cholera. The death from meningitis of Lieut. G.P. Edwards at 14th Australian General Hospital was reported on November 20.