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[page 64]
1918
all brigade details which were moved to another billet in Bethlehem, namely, the Carmelite Monastery.
Talat ed Dumm was reached at 0330 after a long and slow march and the Regiment moved on again at 1800 to the Jordan valley. The horses were watered on March 22 at Nebi Musa and we moved on next day with the Brigade to Ain Hajla. That night the Jordan River was crossed for the first time by a pontoon bridge at Makhadet Hajla. The bivouac area was reached at 0200 and the horses were kept saddled, being watered at Wady Nimrin .
The infantry were to advance astride the metalled road to Es Salt, while our Brigade was to protect their left flank; the remainder of the Anzac Division and the Imperial Camel Brigade were to move direct on Amman through Ain es Sir and Naaur.
Next morning Lieut. S.E. Gregory was detailed as liaison officer to the 181st Infantry Brigade. The Regiment remained in camp all day with "B" Squadron holding the day observation line. The following officers were taken on strength from the Imperial School of Instruction, Zeitoun:- 2nd Lieutenants R.C. Fawcett, C.E. Upton, A.S. Goodchild, R.R. Matheson.
On March 26 we relieved 2 L.H. at Um es Shirt, about five miles north down the Jordan from Wady Nimrin. Um es Shirt was held by the enemy in strength, who shelled any troops who exposed themselves. The outpost line was held by "A" Squadron, one troop from "B" Squadron under Lieut. Upton, one troop from "C" Squadron under Lieut. Parbury, and two machine guns under Lieut. Ahearn. Early morning patrols reported enemy holding a line covering our front and "B" Squadron was ordered to get in touch with the XXth Corps Cavalry who were working up the right (west) bank of the Jordan. "B" Squadron experienced considerable opposition near Um es Shirt but after two hours of fighting the enemy was driven off the high ground and the ford was made good; touch was gained with the XXth Corps Cavalry at 1100 but considerable shelling from Red Hill (4 miles north of Um es Shirt) prevented further advance. We were relieved by 2 L.H. later in the day and returned to water in the Wady Nimrin. By 1100 on the following day we had completed a relief of 2 L.H. at Um es Shirt. Ten aeroplanes bombed the surrounding area but only one man of 1 L.E. was wounded.