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[page 94]
1919
On January 12 Major T.E.W. Irvin was left in command of the Regiment and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, to date from October 25.
When the horses of the unit were paraded before the Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, Lieut.-Col. Kendall, on January 25, there were 36 of our original horses still with us. The oldest of the horses were shot; later more were shot and the remainder sold locally.
Football, boxing and horseracing were indulged in as much as circumstances permitted during February and March. Valuable cups were presented by senior officers and prizes were subscribed for by units. Also a regimental polo team took part in matches twice a week, whilst a divisional team was sent to Cairo to compete against other units there. Our successful football team also visited Cairo, but were prevented from playing in the finals there by the departure of the Regiment for Australia. Mrs. Chisholm and Miss McPillamy had transferred the Jerusalem branch of the Soldiers' Club to Rafa, where it was run under the direct supervision of Miss McPhillamy.
On March 12 we entrained for Kantara where we embarked next day for Australia on the S.S. "Ulimaroa", our muster being 21 officers, 486 other ranks, with also 16 other ranks from Moascar. The steamer had been well fitted up for troops and in addition to 1 L.H. it carried Brigadier-General C.F. Cox, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., V.D., Brigade H.Q., 2 L.H. and a medical detail.
The Comforts Fund people had placed on board a considerable quantity of extras, and a proportion of the regimental funds was spent for the amusement ana comfort of the men on their way home. A band of nineteen players under Sgt. B. Peterson helped to entertain those on board. Mr. Jones of the Y.M.C.A. brought books, cards, games, boxing gloves, and other things, and helped to arrange sports and concerts. Physical and educational classes were carried out daily, and twice a week all ranks were put through a disinfectant steam bath. The health of the troops was good, recurrent malaria and colds being the worst trouble. The weather was extremely hot. Then we reached Colombo on March 25, 1919, all ranks were grateful for the day allowed to go ashore.
Very few of the officers and men who had formed the 1st Light Horse were on board the "Ulimaroa"; many had 'gone west',