Garrett War Diary -AUGUST 1916

04/08/1916

August the 4th. Anniversary of declaration of War two years ago. Also the most historic day in 3rd Light Horse opinion.
Instead of going out on the usual 24 hour stunts on alternative days at about 6.00 p.m. we left camp and took up position along ridges and mouths of gullies at foot of chain of sand hills culminating in Kattigannit. Each squadron and Head Quarters had new electric lamps on pack horses. Allan Bigg was on A Squadron with me, Lt. Biggs' troop was over the ridge on Mount Meredith in next road. Lt. Kenyon, Kelly and Scott held from there to next ridge on Romani side. This was the night of August the third. The 2nd Brigade passed up the road next from Mount Meredith We had been and were taking things very gaily laughing and smoking.
The Turks must have been following close behind for it was not long afterwards, about 1.00 a.m., that Major Bourne reported that one of his posts had been rushed.
The 2nd Light Horse were on our right, 1st Regiment in reserve. C Squadron were in reserve, B Squadron were on our left. As soon as Major Lewis had posted his troops, Captain Derrington took the squadron Sergeant Major, three men, us two signallers to find Regimental H.Q. After some trouble we found them at the end of Hod Mt. Meredith.
No camps. Unsafe.
C Squadron were lined up alongside a palm grove. Returning to Major Lewis we joined him leaving our horses about 100 yards behind. Could see Troop horses about 30 yards down on our right.
I was sent down to Colonel Fulton's H.Q to relieve Latimer despatch riding, as he did not know the way to Major Lewis. Put nose-bag on horse and laid down to sleep with helmet as a pillow.
Woke up about 2.00 a.m. to see fellows hurriedly bitting horses and heard shots being exchanged, asked to go back to A Squadron.
C Squadron rode off to reinforce, went back.
Found Squadron Sergeant Major BIGG and 2 others laying out with rifles ready. Things became very willing, bullets humming everywhere and splashing sand all around us. They would explode and throw out sparks like on an anvil each time. Major Lewis wonderfully calm, standing up fully exposed taking his water sheet from his shoulders and folding it. Turks charging, "Allah, Allah, Mohomet", they were crying. Wounded Turks were praying and Officers and NCOs urging them on. Awful row, the most unearthly and nerve racking I have ever heard. The gully was lined with the rifle flashes and bullets hitting the sand. Ammunition getting low. Turks were charging in hundreds and were so close that ones speaking voices could be heard.
We had very little cover, practically none on the hill side. Major sent me back to Colonel Fulton to say we were hard pressed and wanted to retire.
Captain Dick and Major Lawrie were there, Colonel Fulton absent. Major Lewis knew his orders and if he thought he could not hold then retire. 1st Squadron of 1st Light Horse were being sent up Hod and another on the side of Mount Meredith.
Returned to Major Lewis and found him alone in the same place. He said it was too late as far as reinforcements were concerned. He was retiring. The Turks were coming in behind us over Mount Meredith and were already on top and on the slopes as the flashes of fire denoted. Still that awful "Allah, Allah", only much fiercer and stronger. Returned to Colonel Fulton and found him telling Brigade Major on phone that the Turks could be driven off Mount in the morning, and that we would endeavour to hold on. I delivered my message, and he amended his remarks to Brigade. I heard him give H.Q. orders to retire.
I made my way back to Major Lewis and found C Squadron coming up the gully having the time of their lives to hold horses. Turks came up Hod behind. I had told Colonel Fulton we were retiring to the ridge overlooking Hod. By this time it was getting daylight and my horse, an old draughty chestnut mare which once belonged to Sgt. Easther , was knocking up. We lined the ridge and got machine guns into position and started to give it to the Turks as they came up. Major Lewis Adjutant Colonel were riding along the ridge behind the men.

Major Lewis was alone so I joined up with him. Had to ride to one section to tell them not to fire on the figures on opposite side of Hod as they were our own men.
A Squadron, Head Quarters still missing and no ammunition. Major Lewis handed me his horse and went the ridge, I was now just below with the held horses. COXALL was there
and all the Signallers he had with him were PRINCE , MARSHALL and SYMES . He had lost the rest.
04/08/1916 cont…
Machine Guns began to play just over us and shrapnel was bursting all round. Had not heard anything of our guns, though they were in evidence not long after. We had lost a lot of men and horses up till now. A limber came dashing up with wounded and dead crowded into it. Horses were retiring over the ridge on right some with two men up and others riderless, men were dropping everywhere.
Some Light Horsemen on foot could be seen coming forward OVER THE SPOT THE HORSES HAD RETIRED OVER. Colonel ROYSTON was galloping about doing splendid work rallying. Withdrawing from this position we were under heavy shrapnel fire, machine guns and rifles.
I went over with Mr Kelly's troops, We lost more men and horses here. Getting over the ridge we found infantry coming forward in skirmishing order. There was a regiment of horse here and they opened to allow the infantry to pass through. Colonel Royston was here steadying the men and urging the infantry on.
I met Read and some of the H/Q. Signallers. We moved along the bottom of the ridge a little way and met Colonel Fulton and he directed us.
The Brigade rallied, B Squadron was missing. Then we had to move across another ridge under heavy shrapnel. We were moving out to the right flank to prevent the Turks from cutting through the railway line.
The artillery was searching the gullies on our front as we moved. We had quickly taken up a position about three miles south west of Romani. We moved forward again very shortly on finding we got there before the Turks and took up a ridge and were again in touch with the enemy. We held this position for the rest of the day and the enemy's collapse commenced about an hour before sunset. The first intimation we got was Colonel Royston galloping along the lines and through the held horses, shouting,
"Wake up wake up stand to your horses there's a hundred surrendered already and you won't get any more to surrender unless you wake up."
Though we had lost a lot of men and several had been wounded since coming out to this flank. The opposition here was not too strong and there was no enemy artillery worrying us, and the men were knocked up by fighting all night and laying in the hot sun and sand all day.
I reported back to H.Q. that afternoon and had a rest.
Royston and his waddy was first intimation of enemy's collapse. Slept all night.

05/08/1916

Slept all night with gear on self and horses, holding the reins.
Filled water bottles, but no issued of food for men and small amount for horses in morning. At dawn we moved out across enemy's lines to find them unoccupied. Plenty of signs of occupation however, but they have taken their dead and wounded with them. Exceptions, however, were laughable. A white garment in a bush located a telephone station, wounded Turk waved a handkerchief on a stick from underneath, there were three of them.
Another Turk leading a camel caused some amusement, he was escorted in by a Light Horseman flourishing a bayonet. Another slightly wounded prisoner carried a white rag on a stick forlornly over his shoulder. Old boots and slippers everywhere. Saw one regiment round up some hundred batches of prisoners. Everywhere bare foot tracks, abandoned ammunition, and rifles.

I captured a First Aid wallet of considerable dimensions, the Colonel made me throw it down before I had time to go through it.
At about 6.00 a.m. a few horses were watered, but few, and only a little salty stuff at that. Moved on about three miles, out on a caravan track towards Kamasah. Here we struck a good well and commenced to water. Hurriedly imshied out again by sound of near shots but found it was only more prisoners being captured.
Casualties: One Officer, Eight men and Forty Three wounded.
The Division were getting into position for an attack on Katia to where the Turks have retreated.. We moved to within ½ mile of the edge of swamp which lies in front of Katia, and went into action at a swinging trot. Fringe of palms and hillocks at edge afforded some cover, bullets now started to hum around.
Advanced in skirmish order after dismounting. Enemy a good way off. After an hour an attempt was made by us to advance across the swamp but machine gun fire made things too willing. While the enemy were beginning to pelt our horses with shrapnel several men were hit lying there, also horses, but no one killed. Retired at sunset and returned to Romani after an eventual 2½ days.
Lt. STOTT killed, Lt KENYON12 and Captain DERRINGTON wounded. Signallers BIGG8, who was working the dispatch riding with me is missing. Casualties numerous in C Squadron as well as those who came up to support us. Watered going in at new troughs, lots of horses had been right from start without water and scanty food and no sleep for two nights. My horse is thoroughly done.

06/08/1916 and 07/08/1916

In camp today nothing but the usual aeroplane alarms. A big crater and blackened tents denote where shells burst within 4 yards from telephone tent and about 18 yards from dump. Romani was also subjected to a continuous shower of bombs from half a dozen Taubes.

08/08/1916

Left camp 2.00 p.m. 3 troops A Squadron and 1 troop C Squadron under Major LEWIS, attached 2 squadrons of 1st Light Horse under Major GRANVILLE. B Squadron with 2 squadrons of 2nd Light Horse under Major BROWNE. These two regiments comprise the Brigade which along with 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance and Machine Gun Squadron number about 750 men.
Fed up at Katina, which we found occupied by British infantry. Marched all night and dawn found us attacking the Turks at BIR EL ABD. A Squadron advanced about ¼ mile from horses and took up position overlooking a stretch of about 1200 yards of swampy ground. We were extreme left, almost behind the Turks. Behind us was a very high ridge where a battery of Royal Horse Artillery were getting to work.

Everything went quietly until about 3.00 p.m. when we attempted to advance. Retired to original position under shrapnel fire.
Then commenced the most awful experience I've ever been through.
During the day the Turks had thrown a few high explosive shells over our heads at the battery behind us. Now they began to pay attention to us lying on the ridge, also shrapnel. The Turks began to advance towards us and heavy machine gun and rifle fire was directed on us. Shells were awful, I expected every shell to end me, and had we stayed there long enough the Turks would have annihilated us. They were also bursting all around the horses. Marshall was hit in the leg and Major LEWIS carried him out on his saddle when retiring. Its impossible to describe what happened, but men were being killed and wounded all around me and I was hoping for a sudden death like some I saw near by in preference to being left lingering on in the hot desert.

When orders to retire came I hurried to the ridge and the horses were so enveloped in smoke it was impossible to see where ones horse was. It turned out later that the horse holder had let them go. Someone else rode mine off. So I decided to walk but got a ride behind another man, was almost exhausted. Went over the hill at the gallop, shells bursting (8 inch, high explosive I should say) and horses dropping.
I picked up a riderless horse and found it just about on its last legs, but it got me into OGHRARTINA that night after an awful uncomfortable ride. I handed it over to veterinary in the morning as my horse and gear turned up with another rider. Took the opportunity to change saddles.
Regiment formed up and the two Regiments took their turns holding the ridges as the others retired. It appears that the H.E. had done great havoc among the Artillery as dead men and horses testified, this accounted for us withdrawing so late and copping all the concentrated fire. All the Brigades were in action that day and we were the last to fall back owing to the R.H.A. being crippled.
Worse day than August 4th and I never want to see another similar.

10/08/1916

Formed bivouac at HOD ED NEGILIAT about one mile behind OGHRATINA. Most interesting thing here is the track, which the Turks pulled their big guns up to ROMANI, made of twigs. Also a grave of a German Officer. Four corner posts 4 feet high and eighteen inches in diameter palm trunks, nail round a thick 1½ inch rope. At head a giant cross eight feet high and four feet broad, 9" x 2" German cross (iron cross) drawn at top.
LEUTNANT D R ANDERS
1 BTTR FSS ART BTL 60
PASCHA + 1.8.16

All neatly covered with palm leaves. This grave was opened the next day to make sure it was a corpse.

11/08/1916

Still in bivouac. Reported that Turks are still clearing out. Signal Troop wired to ROMANI for me to come out to assist with operating not knowing that I was out here. Lt. SMITH came over and claimed me. Bert BILLINGS the only operator lot of business with DIV H.Q. at OGHRATINA.

12/08/1916

Turks reported now beyond BIE EL ABD and retiring on SALAMANA. Still in bivouac.

13/08/1916

At 10.00 a.m. Brigade moved back to ROMANI, intending that we move back to Canal.

14/08/1916

Owing to out break of cholera spell is postponed indefinitely.

15/08/1916

BIGG's horse came back. BIGGxiii in Cairo shot through lungs, horse issued to me. Brigade formed up at 4.30 p.m. and General CHAVEL gave us an address conveying thanks etc. And promising leave in Port SAID to be arranged.

16/08/1916

Have done nothing since coming in. Regiment resting.

26/08/1916

MARSHALL and BIGG are in No.3 General Hospital. MARSHALL wound in thigh. BIGG bullet wound in foot, not shot through lungs. LOMAX44 gone to Australia, lungs. SCOTT temporary Corporal Vice. A few days ago a movement was noticed on Lake BARDAWEL shore and New Zealand patrol went over and brought in 65 famished Turks and 3 Bedouins, no officers. On August the 20th Sgt. READ was reprimanded on charge of having fought with a private. He was dismissed charge of neglect of duty. Horses have been inoculated for glanders, men inoculated against cholera. General COX has returned to Brigade to take charge.

27/08/1916

Second trip to MAKAMADIYA to swim horses.

28/08/1916

Board of Enquiry. Major LAWRIE, Lt.s KENYON and OBORN. Losses. MARSHALL 2 despatch cases, one heliograph, one telescope. BIGG, one despatch case, one compass, one telescope. TELFORD a telescope. HOPE a compass. Did not have to give evidence.
Gift stores form South Australia, pineapple, sauce, coffee, milk, lollies, peanuts, tinned cake, tongues, nut butter, tinned cheese etc.

29/08/1916

Hostile planes in middle of porridge. Stand to horses and got out. Much anti-aircraft fire and loud explosions meant bombs on KATIA. Equation several mornings now at 5.15 a.m. New sigs. Class.

30/08/1916

AIF opened a canteen, wet and dry, and groceries, on 22nd instant. Beer up signallers HOPE and CHILDS wanted to fight. Took 1,200 pounds, first day. General shickerup. ROMANIA reported to have joined Allies. Cholera quarantine of this side of Canal has not lifted yet and as soon as it does 1.2 Brigade is to go at a time to SIDI BISHR for a spell of 10 days.