Primary tabs
Transcription
reduced to 24 officers, 327 other ranks. The next week was spent in digging a sap to join up Monash Valley with Hill Outpost and Walker's Ridge, and which was known as No.4 Section. Through personal reconnaissance, Major Vernon suspected the existence of a Turkish post near us, and in consequence the Regiment found each night a voluntary, party under an officer, to try and capture it. On the 23rd we took over the front line trenches again from 2 L.H. The Turks had been busy for some time improving their defence with overhead covers, and other devices. Out casualities were now averaging one or two per day. The 2 L.H. had gone into local reserve in the valley recently occupied by us, and at about midnight, June 29/30, the Turks in conjunction with a general attack on Walker's Ridge, fired on and bombed 2 L.H., until we were able to get our rifles and manchine guns to bear on them from Pope's. Few of the enemy returned and no prisoners were taken. Our next relief was on June 30 when 3 L.H. took over from us; we returned to the "Inner Line" defences in Monash Valley, and "B" Squadron joined the other local reserves there. There were working parties day and night, and casualties continued owing to the constant enemy sniping. "B" Squadron under Major Irwin was posted on the right of Pope's on July 7.
Lieut Edmunds returned from Egypt on July 14 with 115 other ranks, including 8 original members of the Regiment who had been wounded. Our strength was then 20 officers and 417 other ranks. On the same date, 1 L.H. took over the front line of Pope's Post from 3 L.H.
All this time the balance of the 1st A.L.H.Brigade, under Lieut-Col Meredith, was continuing its training at the Aerodrome Camp, Heliopolis, the horses keeping their condition despite the treatment received from the Egyptian syces, the worst of horsemasters. Drafts from Australia were received, innoculated, drilled and despatched to the Peninsula as opportunity occured.
On July 25 Lieut Sutton and 20 other ranks were wounded and one was killed in the Reserve valley whither the Regiment had been