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[page 82]
1918
These guns were firing from across the Jordan by direct observation, and we were glad to learn on July 16 that 9 L.H. were to relieve us. Unfortunately, before the move took place the enemy again bombarded us; Captain E.C. Battye and a trooper were killed, and 2/Lieut. D.M.M.0'Connor and 5 men were wounded while endeavouring to remove the horses. In a few minutes 58 horses were killed and another 27 wounded, the latter being evacuated to the M.V.S. It was a great loss to the Regiment, so many of the best horses being killed after the many fights they had been in and the care that had always been taken to put the led horses under cover when we were in action dismounted. The horses were moved south about 400 yards where good cover was available and they remained there during the day.
After dark 9 L.H. relieved us, and we marched all night until we reached Talat ed Dunn where we bivouacked for the day, the men boiling their quart pots with the assistance of shale rock which, no doubt, contained oil which was to be found in the country near Nebi Musa. The transport arrived some hours later, having travelled by the Nebi Musa road.
The Regiment spent two days at this camp and while there was inspected and addressed by Major-General Sir Harry Chauvel. On July 19 we moved at night with the Brigade beyond Jerusalem to a new camp in the vicinity of Wady Arrub. Lieut.-Col. Granville temporarily took over the brigade again. We reached the camp site at 0430 after a long dusty night march. Lieut. Upton and his troop rejoined from escorting German prisoners through Jerusalem. The Regiment supplied two officers picquets for Jerusalem and Bethlehem, respectively under Lieut. Campbell and Lieut. Parbury.
At 0900 on July 22 orders were received to march with the Brigade back to Richon. Men were still going sick with malaria and before leaving camp Lieut. Macfarlane and 7 other ranks were evacuated to the Field Ambulance. After another night march Enab was reached at midnight. The road was clogged by native camel convoys, carrying oranges from Jaffa to Jerusalem, and charcoal from Lebanon. Wood was always scarce in the camps around Jerusalem, and although green olive trees burn well they were protected, the Turks having wiped out plantations of them.
On July 24 the following awards were notified:- 868 Signaller Hastie