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[page 55]
1917
Lieut. Markwell reconnoitred Safiriyeh and found it occupied. Our casualties were Lieutenants Dowling and McDonald and 5 men wounded. Lieut. C.R.T. Parbury was ordered along the railway line towards el Yehudiyeh with a troop to cover the engineers while they blew up the enemy's railway line. The remainder of the Regiment bivouacked in Ludd. Two troops under Lieutenants C.S. Frost and S.E. Gregory took charge of the prisoners who were next day handed over to the A.P.M. at Ramleh.
About midday on November 16 the Regiment marched out with the Brigade for Safiriyeh, 2 L.H. acting as advanced guard and getting well shelled. One patrol under Lieut. G.E. Campbell was sent to reconnoitre Kerfana, whieh was reported clear. Another patrol under Lieut. W.D. Jarrett found Sakia strongly held. We bivouacked near Safiriyeh, holding an outpost line with the Camel Corps on the right and N.Z.M.R. on the left.
Next morning orders were received to move to Yazur, where Major G.H.L. Harris, M.C., rejoined from the school of instruction and 30 reinforcements arrived. Unfortunately Lieut. E.S. Dowling died of wounds in the Anzac Hospital Clearing Station (November 18).
Patrols were sent out from Yazur and day observation posts placed, rain falling all day. On November 20 the "A" Echelon of limbers under Capt. McKeown moved to Mulebbis and drew forage captured from the enemy. The orchards around Yazur were in full profit and the oranges were fully appreciated by all ranks. An outpost line was taken over that night from 3 L.H. at el Yehudiyeh; touch was kept with the 2nd. Brigade on the right and N.Z.M.R. on the left.
The Regiment was relieved next morning by 2 A.L.H. Brigade and we rejoined our own brigade in Yebna. On November 22 the Regiment moved with the brigade to Sheikh Abu Jahm, where 24 reinforcements marched in, bringing 24 remounts complete with saddlery and others without saddlery. There was good picking around Yebna and the opportunity was taken during a halt of a few days to graze the horses.
On November 25 the Military Medal was awarded to the following for their conduct at Ludd:- 505 Sgt. Mychael D., 288 Cpl. Ashworth R., and 1567 Cpl. Poole J.W. of the A.A.M.C., attached to 1 L.H. On the same day 103 S.S.M. Cundy7 G.H.S., was appointed to commissioned rank.