6th LHR, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment

Contents

The 6th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, 2nd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. Recruits went to the Liverpool Training Camp to the west of Sydney, New South Wales, during September 1914. The recruits were drawn from throughout New South Wales.

Structure

The Australian Light Horse – Structural outline

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle

Corps

Desert Mounted Corps (DMC)

Division

Anzac Mounted Division

Brigade

2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade

Regiment

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment

History

Unit History

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, History

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, Under Furred Hats 

 

Romani

6th LHR, AIF account about the Battle of Romani 

6th ALHR, AIF, War Diary, account about the Battle of Romani

Bir el Abd

Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916, 6th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

Beersheba 

6th LHR, AIF account about the fall of Beersheba

6th ALHR, AIF, War Diary, account about the fall of Beersheba

Routine Orders

One of the best sources of information available for understanding the immediate challenges facing a regiment is to be found in the Routine Orders. They are a wealth of detail. The Routine Orders provide an unvarnished history of the Regiment.

6th LHR Routine Order No 47, 17 June 1916

Further Reading:

6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 14 September 2009 12:34 PM EADT

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6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Outline

A troop of the 6th Light Horse at Liverpool Training Camp

[From: The Sydney Mail,  25 November 1914, p. 12.]

Formation

The 6th Light Horse Regiment was formed as part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, 2nd Contingent and attached to the Australian Division. Recruits went to the Liverpool Training Camp to the west of Sydney, New South Wales, during September 1914. The recruits were drawn from throughout New South Wales. Many of the men went from the Light Horse Militia formation into the AIF Light Horse.

"A" Squadron recruited mainly from:

7th Light Horse Regiment (5 men).

11th Light Horse Regiment (6 men).

 

"B" Squadron recruited mainly from:

9th Light Horse Regiment (6 men)

28th Light Horse Regiment (6 men)

"C" Squadron recruited mainly from:

5th Light Horse Regiment (7 men); and,

27th Light Horse Regiment (5 men).

Training 

[Click on page for larger version.]

Training of the 6th Light Horse Regiment occurred at Liverpool Training Camp from September 1914. 

Embarkation

Embarkation of the 6th Light Horse Regiment occurred by the HMAT A34 Suevic from Sydney, New South Wales, on 21 December 1914. 

[See: His Majesty's Australian Transports [HMAT] Ships, A29.] 

Colour Patch

Initially, the only colour separation of the various Australian mounted troops was by use of the pennant. The marker pennants were carried on poles to mark lines troop lines in camps in Egypt. They were not lance pennants as the Australian lancers had red over white pennants on their lances.

While this pennant was useful in distinguishing horse and troop lines, it failed to identify the individual with a unit. The AIF 1st Australian Division Standing Orders issued in December 1914 ordered the Australian Light Horse Regiments to wear a 4 inch wide [10.2cm] blue armband with the regiment name marked on the band in black lettering.

The earlier systems proved to be ineffective so to assist with identification of the men in the various units within the AIF, Divisional Order No 81 (A) Administration was issued at Mena on 8 March 1915 detailing the Colour Patch for the 6th Light Horse Regiment as others received their colours. The colour patch was made of cloth 1¼ inches wide and 2¾ inches long and worn on the sleeve one inch below the shoulder seam. The colour patch for the 6th Light Horse Regiment was green over red.

The 6th Light Horse Regiment carried the red Brigade colour as the lower triangle part of the colour patch, while the green unit colour was on the top. This is illustrated with the above presentation.

Puggaree

The 6th Light Horse Regiment distinguished itself from all other Light Horse Regiments with the use of the wallaby fur puggaree on the felt hat. The puggaree is the band around the felt hat, usually made of pleated cloth.

[See: Emu Plumes]

Gallipoli

Defence of Egypt

After the return to Egypt, the 6th Light Horse Regiment reformed and re-equipped. The reorganisation of the Light Horse led to the formation of the ANZAC Mounted Division to which the 6th Light Horse Regiment became a foundation member.

On 28 February 1916, the 6th Light Horse Regiment moved to join its parent brigade, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, which was taking part in the defence of the Suez Canal. The work was hot and monotonous. They remained here until moved to the Romani region to bolster the defence of that area.

Sinai

The 2nd Light Horse Brigade played an important role in beating back the Turkish invasion of the Suez Canal zone at Romani. Now known as the Battle of Romani which lasted from 4-6 August which was quickly followed by the Battle of Katia and then Bir el Abd on 9 August. All the actions in which the 6th Light Horse Regiment finally led to the defeat of the Ottoman Canal Expeditionary force and its retreat to Bir el Mazar.

Over the next few months, the 6th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Allied advance over the Sinai leading to the fall of Bir el Mazar, then El Arish followed by Bir el Magdhaba and finally Rafa in January 1917. The Ottoman forces were expelled from the Sinai and were poised to be tackled in Palestine.

Palestine

On 27 March 1917, the 6th Light Horse Regiment took an adventurous role during the First Battle of Gaza. While involved in the encirclement of the city as a prelude to its capture, the 6th Light Horse Regiment received the order to withdraw and return to the starting line. Grudgingly they did so but realised the Turks had snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.

The 6th Light Horse Regiment  took part in the Second Battle of Gaza on 19 April 1917 and suffered the heaviest casualties since Gallipoli.

The 6th Light Horse Regiment took part in the Battle of Beersheba and then the follow up actions that lasted until early January 1918. After the fall of Jerusalem the 6th Light Horse Regiment moved to the Jordan Valley and took parts in operations in this region. This included the taking of Jericho, the attack on Amman during 27 March - 2 April 1918 and Es Salt Raid of 30 April – 4 May 1918.

At the opening of the final Allied offensive on 19 September 1918, the 6th Light Horse Regiment took part in the invasion of the Moab hills for the third time. This time Amman was captured with the participation of the 6th Light Horse Regiment. Finally, the Ottomans called for an Armistice on 30 October 1918.

Return to Australia

After the conclusion of hostilities, the 6th Light Horse Regiment was marked to return to Australia. Prior to that action, one of the saddest actions occurred for the Australian Lighthorsemen, they had to farewell their best friends, the horses. All the Light Horse unit horses' health was ascertained with the fit horses being transferred to the Indian Cavalry while those in poor condition were destroyed by the Veterinary units.

On 13 March 1919 the 6th Light Horse Regiment was deployed  to assist in suppressing the Egyptian Uprising. When the revolt collapsed, the 6th Light Horse Regiment embarked on the 28 June 1919 for the long voyage to Australia where the unit was disbanded. 

Commanding Officers

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Frederick Cox
Lieutenant Colonel Colin Dunmore Fuller
Lieutenant Colonel Harold Albert Duckett White
Lieutenant Colonel Donald Gordon Cross

Decorations earned by the 6th Light Horse Regiment

• 7 DSO - Distinguished Service Orders
• 6 MC - Military Crosses
• 7 DCM - Distinguished Conduct Medals
• 15 MM- Military Medals
• 1 MSM - Meritorious Service Medal
• 37 MID - Mentioned in Despatches
• 4 foreign awards 

Campaigns

Gallipoli

• Anzac
• Defence at Anzac
• Suvla
• Sari Bair
• Gallipoli 1915-1916
  

Egypt

• Defence of Egypt

Sinai

• Romani
  
• Magdhaba
• Rafa 

Palestine

• First Battle of Gaza
  
• Third Battle of Gaza
• Beersheba
  
• El Mughar
  
• Nebi Samwill
  
• Jerusalem
  
• Jericho
  
• Amman
• Es Salt
• Megiddo
  
• Nablus
  
• Palestine 1917-1918

Casualties suffered by the 6th Light Horse Regiment

• 111 killed
• 461 wounded
  

War Diary

The Australian War Memorial has put these on line and may be accessed here:

6th Light Horse Regiment War Diaries.

Embarkations:

The following list details all the embarkations in support of the 6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, during the Great War. The list has been constructed from information and links kindly provided by The AIF Project. Each entry details to formation and the ships on which the units embarked with the date and place of embarkation. The detail of the formation is linked to a list of men who embarked upon that ship on the specific date. Each man is then linked to a brief military biography.

See: Troop transport ships for information and photographs about the various ships employed in transporting the troops to Egypt.

Further Reading:

6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 14 September 2009 12:39 PM EADT

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6th LHR, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment

Roll of Honour

Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra

The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men known to have served at one time with the 6th Light Horse Regiment and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 6th Light Horse Regiment or another unit.

Roll of Honour

 

James Daniel ADAMS, Killed in Action, 16 July 1916.

Francis AHERN, Killed in Action, 16 April 1918.

Herbert Haddon ANDERSON, Died of Disease, 4 February 1917.

John ANDERSON, Died of Wounds, 3 March 1917.

Victor Wadsworth ASHWORTH, Killed in Action, 7 November 1917.

 

 

Cyril Hastings BACON, Died of Disease, 24 October 1915.

Ernest John BAKER, Died of Wounds, 29 March 1918.

David William BALDIE, Died of Wounds, 9 June 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Harry Franklin BALDWIN, Died of Wounds, 2 February 1917.

Percival Gilbert BARROW, Killed in Action, 8 November 1917.

Nelson Thomas BAXTER, Killed in Action, 8 August 1918.

Harold Augustine BECK, Killed in Action, 4 December 1916.

Burt BELLINGER, Died of Wounds, 18 June 1915.

James Norman BENNETT, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Reginald BLACK, Died of Wounds, 17 August 1917.

Lewis Gordon BLACKMORE, Killed in Action, 23 July 1916.

Raymond John BLOODWORTH, Killed in Action, 29 November 1917.

William McGregor BONNAR, Died of Wounds, 13 June 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Henry William BOWD, Died of Accident, 25 October 1917.

Edward BOYLE, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Alexander BRADSHAW, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

William Keating BRENNAN, Died of Wounds, 20 April 1917.

Herbert William BROUGH, Died of Wounds, 1 May 1917.

Henry Sangster BROWN, Killed in Action, 28 May 1915.

Arthur BULT, Died of Disease, 15 February 1918.

William Henry BURLACE, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Frank Alexander BUSKIN, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

 

 

William Henry CALLAN, Killed in Action, 1 May 1918.

Norman Harold CAMPBELL, Killed in Action, 30 March 1918.

Stanley John CAMPBELL, Killed in Action, 30 March 1918.

John Oswald CARTER, Died of Wounds, 4 October 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Lyle Joscelin CHASE, Died of Disease, 11 November 1918 .

Henry Joseph CHRISTIE, Killed in Action, 29 November 1917.

Frederick James COLLINS, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

Percival Robert John COLLINS, Killed in Action, 30 March 1918.

Noel McLeod CONRAN, Killed in Action, 28 July 1916.

Wilmot COOKE, Killed in Action, 8 October 1918?.

Frederick James COTTERELL, Killed in Action, 2 September 1918.

Bertram Lindsay CRAWFORD, Died of Disease, 13 February 1917.

Errol Joseph Hart CREER, Died of Wounds, 12 July 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Richard Walter CROZIER, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

Roy Fergus CUNNINGHAM, Killed in Action, 26 October 1917.

Douglas CURRAN, Died of Wounds, 20 April 1918.

 

 

Douglas Pulteney DALZELL, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

Dennett DAVIS, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

Arnold Lorimer DENNY, Died of Wounds, 26 July 1916.

Eric Fanc DeSALIS, Killed in Action, 5 November 1917.

Norman DIGBY, Died of Wounds, 6 August 1916.

Halven Roy DRADY, Killed in Action, 5 August 1916.

William Colburt DUDDLE, Died of Wounds, 28 December 1917.

John Irving DUDLEY, Died of Wounds, 9 November 1917.

John Alexander DUNLOP, Died of Wounds, 28 November 1917.

George DUNN, Died of Disease, 3 June 1915.

 

 

Arthur EARLE, Died of Disease, 2 September 1915.

Frederick George EATON, Killed in Action, 19 April 1917.

Edward Gomer EDDY, Died of Accident, 12 November 1917.

Frederick George ELLIS, Killed in Action, 12 July 1915.

Arthur EMERY, Killed in Action, 19 April 1917.

 

 

James Greer Gould FAIRBAIRN, Killed in Action, 4 December 1917.

Thomas Edward FARLEY, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Arthur Wallace Kemmis FARQUHAR, Killed in Action, 26 June 1918.

Alan Francis FARRAR, Died of Wounds, 23 July 1915.

William Martin FENDER, Died of Wounds, 19 April 1917.

Joshua Paul FIELD, Died of Disease, 17 November 1916.

Charles Patrick FITZPATRICK, Died of Disease, 17 June 1916.

Gordon FLANAGAN, Killed in Action, 3 August 1915.

Robert James FOSTER, Died of Wounds, 6 November 1917 .

Stanley Edgar David FOX, Died of Disease, 25 September 1918.

Sydney Charles FRY, Died of Accident, 24 August 1918.

 

 

Frederick Russell GALBRAITH, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Lawrence Martin GALLAGHER, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

George Lewis GATONBY, Died of Wounds, 8 August 1915.

George Campbell GEAR, Died of Wounds, 29 March 1918.

Arthur GEE, Died of Wounds, 13 September 1915.

Matthew Rae GIBSON, Died of Wounds, 19 July 1915.

Leslie Francis GILES, Died of Disease, 5 June 1915.

George Richard GILL, Died of Disease, 19 September 1918.

Jack GORRICK, Died of Wounds, 9 August 1918.

Reginald GRAHAM, Killed in Action, 5 August 1917.

Sidney Ernest GUNTER, Died of Disease, 15 October 1918.

 

 

Clifford Robert Lang HALLORAN, Died of Wounds, 7 September 1915.

James Jarrett HAMILTON, Killed in Action, 13 November 1917.

William John HARRIS, Died of Wounds, 14 August 1915.

Robert Walter HAWKES, Died of Disease, 3 November 1918.

Richard John HAWKEY, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

Thomas Arthur HAYNE, Killed in Action, 11 April 1917.

John HAYNES, Died of Wounds, 22 May 1918.

Henry HEATH, Killed in Action, 14 July 1918.

Townsend McGregor HILL, Killed in Action, 15 July 1918.

Clifton Henry James HOAD, Killed in Action, 5 November 1917.

Albert Frederick Osborne HOOD, Died of Wounds, 11 June 1917.

Richmond Gordon HOWELL-PRICE, Died of Wounds, 4 May 1917.

 

 

William Bradley INGRAM, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

 

 

Norman Stanley JEFFREY, Killed in Action, 26 May 1915.

Neville Murray JOHNSON, Died of Disease, 16 October 1918.

Leo Keith JOHNSTON, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Major JOHNSTON, Died of Wounds, 18 August 1916.

Charles James JONES, Killed in Action, 11 June 1917.

 

 

John KELLEHER, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

John Andrew Bathurst KERR, Killed in Action, 19 April 1917.

William John Cyril KIDMAN, Killed in Action, 12 July 1915.

Edward KING, Died of Wounds, 15 October 1917.

Thomas Throsby Smyth KING, Killed in Action, 16 September 1918.

Frederick John KLEIN, Died of Wounds, 21 December 1916.

Norman KNEIPP, Died of Wounds, 19 December 1917.

 

 

George LAMBOURNE, Died of Wounds, 25 July 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

William LANG, Died of Wounds, 13 August 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Jack Warren LAWRENCE, Died of Accident, 14 November 1915.

Wallace Douglas LEE, Died of Wounds, 29 October 1917.

Lionel William LOVEBAND, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

 

 

Henry Harold MacCARTHY, Killed in Action, 23 July 1916.

David Rankin MacKAY, Killed in Action, 2 September 1915 .

Lindsay John Robert MacPHERSON, Died of Wounds, 16 April 1917.

Walter Cleveland MAKEIG, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

Frederick MANION, Died of Wounds, 26 November 1915.

Thomas Taylor MARSDEN, Killed in Action, 4 October 1917.

Henry William MARSHALL, Died of Accident, 9 April 1917.

John Andrew MASLEN, Died of Disease, 8 October 1917.

Norman Edgar MATHEWS, Died of Accident, 4 February 1917.

Frank Walter MATTHEWS, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

Francis MATZONAS, Killed in Action, 6 November 1917.

Reginald Clarence MAYBURY, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Rupert Clyde McCARTHY, Died of Disease, 23 February 1919.

John William McDONALD, Died of Wounds, 16 November 1915.

Alexander McLEOD, Died of Disease, 14 July 1915.

Walter George Lowing McMILLAN, Died of Disease, 21 October 1918.

John Laidley MERIVALE, Killed in Action, 6 August 1915.

Walter MEURANT, Died of Wounds, 3 August 1917.

Francis Cornwall MOAD, Died of Wounds, 8 November 1916.

John MOCATTA, Died of Disease, 3 March 1917.

Hayward Hugh MOFFATT, Died of Wounds, 21 September 1918.

George MORRIS, Died of Wounds, 30 July 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

William Benedict MULRONEY, Died of Disease, 6 August 1918.

Thomas MURPHY, Killed in Action, 3 October 1915.

Frank MURRAY, Died of Disease, 7 November 1918.

Vernon William MURRAY, Killed in Action, 22 May 1915.

 

 

Lance Douglas NICOLL, Killed in Action, 24 October 1917.

George Rawdon Ffrench NOBBS, Killed in Action, 9 August 1916.

 

 

Assal John O'BRIEN, Died of Wounds, 29 March 1918.

Dougald O'BRIEN, Died of Disease, 7 November 1918.

William Harold O'BRIEN, Killed in Action, 12 July 1915.

Samuel O'DELL, Died of Wounds, 19 August 1915.

William Francis O'DONNELL, Killed in Action, 27 October 1917.

George Sinclair OLSEN, Killed in Action, 31 July 1916.

Harold Reath OLVER, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

Lyle Hugh Florence O'NEILL, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

 

 

Stanley Ernest PARKES, Killed in Action, 24 May 1915.

Erroll McLeod Nunn PATTRICK, Died of Wounds, 1 June 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Harry PAULIN, Killed in Action, 19 July 1916.

Norman Matthew PEARCE, Killed in Action, 29 July 1916.

Arthur Oswald PETERSEN, Died of Disease, 28 October 1918.

William PLATER, Killed in Action, 4 August 1915.

William Wickford POTTER, Died of Wounds, 3 December 1917.

James POTTS, Died of Wounds, 22 November 1917.

Albert James PRENDERGAST, Killed in Action, 3 November 1917.

Thomas PRESLAND, Killed in Action, 25 September 1918.

Leslie Alfred PRYOR, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

 

 

William Thomas RAYNER, Died of Wounds, 11 November 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Claude Thomas REDMAN, Died of Disease, 18 May 1918.

Rupert Noel RICHARDSON, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

Francis Leigh RIDGWAY, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Kenneth Cory RILEY, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

John RITCHIE, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

William David ROBERTSON, Died of Disease, 29 July 1915.

Ernest Henry Walter ROBINSON, Died of Disease, 16 February 1919.

Henry ROBSON, Killed in Action, 24 July 1915.

Walter Edgar John ROBSON, Died of Wounds, 24 July 1916.

Kenneth McGeorge RONALD, Killed in Action, 12 July 1915.

John Edwin ROSS, Killed in Action, 21 August 1917.

John Wright RUSTEN, Died of Wounds, 10 July 1918.

James Daniel RYAN, Died of Accident, 10 June 1916.

Patrick Francis RYAN, Killed in Action, 18 September 1918.

 

 

Ernest Roderick SADLER, Died of Disease, 18 October 1918.

Alexander Britton SAMUELS, Killed in Action, 11 April 1917.

Gerald Douglas SCHOLEFIELD, Died of Disease, 23 December 1917.

Allen Wylie SCOTT, Killed in Action, 6 September 1917.

Richard Elwyn SHANNON, Killed in Action, 20 November 1916.

Wallace John SHARPE, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Edgar Robert SHERMAN, Died of Wounds, 30 September 1917.

Norman Douglas SHERWIN, Died of Wounds, 29 March 1918.

Charles William SMITH, Died of Disease, 1 October 1918.

George Achilles SMITH, Killed in Action, 9 January 1917.

Sydney Gordon SMITH, Died of Wounds, 19 October 1918.

Eddy Blackwood STEVENS, Killed in Action, 28 September 1915.

Frank Alfred STEWART, Killed in Action, 7 August 1915.

Houston Thomas STEWART, Died of Wounds, 15 November 1917.

Everett Graham SUMMONS, Died of Wounds, 30 September 1918.

 

 

Harold Victor TEBBUTT, Died of Wounds, 20 September 1918.

Alfred Charles THOMPSON, Killed in Action, 2 November 1917.

Walter TIPPING, Died of Wounds, 21 August 1916.

Ferdinand Pearson TOMPSON, Died of Disease, 3 April 1919.

John Leslie TOOTH, Killed in Action, 8 June 1917.

Owen William TOOTH, Killed in Action, 3 December 1917.

Frederick Robertson TRESILIAN, Killed in Action, 21 July 1915.

 

 

Leo Augustus Francis USSHER, Killed in Action, 17 April 1917.

 

 

Thomas Herbert VANCE, Died of Wounds, 27 March 1918.

Arthur VERGE, Died of Disease, 8 September 1915.

 

 

Stephen Lawrence WAKELING, Died of Disease, 10 April 1917.

Geoffrey Hughes WARREN, Killed in Action, 3 November 1917.

Harold William WATTS, Died of Wounds, 17 September 1915, and subsequently buried at sea.

Arthur Edward WAYGOOD, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Edwin James WHITE, Died of Wounds, 25 June 1917.

Frederick Arthur Victor WHITE, Killed in Action, 27 March 1918.

Alan Mcgregor WHYTE, Killed in Action, 8 October 1917.

Charles Henry WILKINS, Killed in Action, 28 March 1918.

Henry Charles WILLIAMS, Died of Wounds, 1 April 1918 .

Frank James WILLIS, Killed in Action, 4 September 1917.

Harry Noel WILSON, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

Raymond WILSON, Died of Wounds, 18 August 1915.

Charles Robert WINDEYER, Killed in Action, 12 October 1917.

Richard Henry WINSLETT, Killed in Action, 19 April 1917.

Edgar Alma Mark WRIGHT, Killed in Action, 4 August 1916.

 

 

Geoffrey Heron YEOMANS, Killed in Action, 22 July 1916.

John Henry YOUNG, Killed in Action, 17 September 1915.

 

Lest We Forget

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.
 

Further Reading:

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 14 September 2009 12:44 PM EADT

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Bir el Abd

Sinai, 9 August 1916

6th LHR, AIF, War Diary Account

The transcription:

8 August

1500 Brigade receiving orders to march out from Et Maler 1530. The 1st & 2nd Light Horse Brigades complete were put in charge of Colonel Royston. Major Whyte acting as GSO1 & Colonel Meldrum taking the 2nd Light Horse Brigade with Major Anderson as Brigade Major. Arrived Qatia 1700 and watered and moved on to BIR-EL-ABD at 2200.

9 August

Riding all night, orders were to make a strong reconnaissance towards BIR-EL-ABD, and not to get seriously engaged, 3rd Light Horse Brigade coming up from South, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade to go in from the West, 2nd Light Horse Brigade, from the North, 1st Light Horse Brigade, to circle round from the North and come in from the East. The action started at 0630. The 2nd Light Horse Brigade approached their position accompanied by the Ayrshire Battery, 3/4.7 high explosives burst from 100 to 500 yards from the column. This was at 0500. The action started to schedule time. Wellington Mounted Rifles Regiment, 7th Light Horse Regiment dismounting and taking up position. Exchanging shots with the enemy at 1400 yards. The 6th Light Horse Regiment being in reserve under Major Bruxner. The Ayrshire Battery took up position about 300 yards North of our position and commenced firing and continuing until the time of withdrawal. The enemy artillery started a heavy bombardment of high explosives and shrapnel in search of our guns. One shell killing 20 of the Ayrshire Battery horses other shells landing in and among our Brigade but doing little damage. At 1100 a general advance was made as it was at that time thought that the enemy were Withdrawing. At 1400 the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade, had been drawn into heavy encounter the 6th Light Horse Regiment was sent in to assist them to retire. The withdrawal commenced at 1540 and was completed by 1600. The 6th Light Horse Regiment casualties were 2 Wounded and 1 slightly wounded. All through the engagement the enemy kept up a heavy artillery fire. The Brigade withdrew to Khirba staying there for 3 hours and then withdrawing to Oghratina Hod bivouacking there and drawing water and forage. The 1st Light Horse Brigade, Division Headquarters and 5th Mounted Brigade also bivouacked there.

Roll of Honour

Further Reading:

6th Light Horse Regiment, AIF

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour

Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916 

Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 14 September 2009 12:37 PM EADT

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6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

"Under Furred Hats"

The 6th Light Horse Regiment Lloyd Lindsay Team displaying their wallaby fur puggarees, 1916.

[From: Berrie, Under Furred Hats, plate facing p. 60.] 

One of the common legends is that all Australian light horsemen wore the emu plume during the Great War. The legend and the actual facts that lie behind this are told in the essay on the site called:

All Light Horsemen wore emu plumes

One Light Horse Regiment that clearly never wore the emu plume was the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, which chose to wear the wallaby fur puggaree to distinguish this regiment from others.

[From: Berrie, Under Furred Hats, plate facing p. 168.] 

The  photograph of Major Donald Gordon Cross demonstrates clearly the correct use of the wallaby fur puggaree upon the felt hat.

[From: Berrie, Under Furred Hats, plate facing p. 162.] 

The 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, never wore the emu plume but remained attached to the wallaby fur puggaree from conception till the unit was disbanded in 1919.

A good book to read on the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF was written by Lieutenant George Lachlan Berrie called, Under Furred Hats (6th ALH Regt), and published in Sydney, 1919. Copies are rather limited and fetch a high price in the second hand market but there are those still available at the metropolitan public libraries.

Further Reading:

6th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF, History 

Australian Light Horse Order of Battle - Outline 

Posted by alh-research at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Tuesday, 7 April 2009 9:58 AM EADT

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