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Transcription
[page 56]
1917
55
The Regiment marched to Ayun Kara on November 27, watering our horses in the village, from which two thousand oranges were bought for the men out of regimental funds. Fatigue parties were told off daily to collect tibbin and at midnight on December 4 the Regiment moved to Jaffa, and bivouacked, moving again on the following night to another camp site and coming directly under the orders of the Anzac Mounted Division, which orders were to be in readiness to reinforce the line at certain points if the enemy attacked. With this object in view Lieutenants Drummond, Parbury, Jarrett, James and Cundy were sent along the different roads to reconnoitre and to be able to act as guides if necessary. However, the enemy contented themselves with shelling only, and on December 7 the Regiment received orders to rejoin 1 A.L.H. Brigade at Ayun Kara.
Heavy rain fell for several days while we were at Arun Kara, but the health of the men was good and the inhabitants around Richon le Zion treated the men as friends and seemed glad that the Turks had gone, although no doubt many of them were Turkish sympathisers and acted as spies. It was while the Regiment was at Richon that word came through that Jerusalem had fallen.
Waggons were sent to Ludd for wood and others to Sakia for tibbin which the Turks had stored there.
On December 14 was held a referendum regarding conscription for service and all ranks in the Regiment voted. We were under strength and only enough reinforcements arrived to equalise the evacuations of sick, the new men apparently not being able to stand the wet and night marches as well as the older soldiers. Wine was purchased from the local winery for issue to the men, and a wet canteen was opened. The enemy had not had time to destroy the winery or any buildings around Richon, but contented themselves by blowing up a few small bridges and culverts on the main road.
The Regiment was still able to act as infantry when necessary and orders were received to be in readiness to take over the trenches east of Jaffa at short notice. With this object in view, Lieut-Col. Granville D.S.O., Major Harris, M.C., Captains Mack and Battye visited the front line held by the King's Own Scottish Borderers of the 155th Infantry Brigade.