Private Christian Petersen
Service #: 3189
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
Christian Petersen was born c1994 in Murwillumbah, son of Ernest Carl Christian “Christy” Petersen & Clara Jane (Brady) Petersen. His brother, Corporal Charles Godfrey Peterson was killed 18th November 1916 in France. The Petersen family lived in Eungella where Christian was a farmer.
ATTESTATION
He was 22 years 4 months old, single farmer, and eager to do his bit, just like his brother was doing. He travelled to Brisbane on 1st December 1916 to complete his medical examination. Christian had been a member of the Murwillumbah Light Horse for 4 years. He named his mother, Clara Petersen, of Murwillumbah, as his next of the kin.
He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia
PAGE 2
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER
On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”
OATH
He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Christian Petersen, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law
SO, HELP ME, GOD.”
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Christian was 5ft 9 ¼ inches tall (1.75m) and weighed 158lbs (72kgs) with a fair complexion, hazel eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was very good and he had a scar on his left knee. He was dentally fit, with one tooth requiring a plate. Christian was Presbyterian.
CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER
The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -
Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.
He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service
CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER
This is completed during the recruits training. Christian was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 1st December, 1916. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him as a trooper in the 2nd Light Horse, 25th reinforcements with service number 3189.
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was a mounted infantry unit of the Australian Army during World War I. Raised in August 1914; it was part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade. The regiment fought exclusively against the Ottoman Empire. The regiment was composed of mounted infantry, known for their mobility and versatility, and played a significant role in campaigns across Gallipoli, Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine.
They had the reputation of being the most glamorous arm of the Australian Imperial Force. The Light Horse was organised along cavalry lines in regiments of about 600 men. It functioned more like a mounted infantry, with the horses used as transport or, if required, to carry the men swiftly away from the battlefield. The men mostly fought dismounted. The favoured horse was a mixed breed known as the Australian Waler and when fully loaded, they often carried between 130kg and 150kg.
TRAINING LIVERPOOL LIGHT HORSE DEPOT
After his enlistment at the Liverpool Light Horse Depot Christian began his military training amid the dust and bustle of one of New South Wales’ busiest camps. The Light Horse Depot was a lively place — rows of tents and stables stretched across the paddocks, with constant movement as new recruits learned the routines of mounted service.
He would have spent his first weeks learning the fundamentals of soldiering: drill, physical fitness, and discipline, before moving on to the skills that defined the mounted man. He was taught to ride with a military saddle, to control his horse at all paces, and to manoeuvre in close formation. Daily sessions included mounting and dismounting at speed, guiding the horse with knee and rein, and practising extended trots and canters across open ground. The instructors — many veterans of earlier campaigns — were firm but fair, ensuring each man could care for his mount as well as himself.
Horsemanship was only one part of the training. Christian learned the use of the Lee-Enfield rifle both on foot and in the saddle, as well as the sword or bayonet for close work. He was trained to move quickly from mounted to dismounted action — the Light Horse fought on foot, using their horses mainly for mobility. Camp life also included route marches, stable duties, grooming and feeding routines, cleaning tack and gear, and long days of drill under the Australian sun.
INNOCULATIONS
All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.
THE UNIFORM
The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.
SOLDIER’S KIT
Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.
· Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.
· Braces: worn with breeches.
· Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.
· Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.
· Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.
· Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.
· Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.
· Jersey
· Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.
· Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.
· Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.
· Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.
· Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.
· Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.
· Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.
· Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.
· They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.
· No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day
VOYAGE OVERSEAS SYDNEY TO EGYPT 1917
His unit embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Karmala on 3rd February, 1917. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores
Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant.
Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.
EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP
They disembarked on the Suez 11th March 1917. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Egyptian training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.
Training would be for eight hours a day six days a week. All day long, in every valley of the Sahara for miles around the Pyramids of Giza were groups or lines of men advancing, retiring, drilling or squatted near their piled arms listening to their officer. For many of the battalions many miles of desert had to be covered in the morning and evening to and from their allotted training areas. At first, to harden the troops, they wore full kit with heavy packs. Their backs became drenched with perspiration, and the bitter desert wind blew on them as they camped for their midday meal and many deaths from pneumonia were attributed to this cause.
The unit then went to the isolation camp in Moascar. During World War I, this camp provided the final preparation for entrainment to Alexandria and the Western Front. The isolation camps screened soldiers arriving in Egypt as reinforcements for two weeks, checking for any illnesses such as measles which can break out when people are crowded together for long periods. Ismailia is a city in north-eastern Egypt, situated on the west bank of the Suez Canal.
SINAI AND PALESTINE CAMPAIGNS 1917
He was taken on strength on 1 May 1917 at Shellal. The Sinai and Palestine campaign was part of the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I, taking place between January 1915 and October 1918. Christian would have been part of the Stalemate in Southern Palestine was a six-month standoff between the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force and the Ottoman Army. The two hostile forces faced each other along the Gaza to Beersheba line during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, with neither side able to force its opponent to withdraw.
MAY – SEPTEMBER 1917: PREPARATION AND HOLDING OPERATIONS
After the Second Battle of Gaza in April 1917 (which failed to break through the Ottoman lines), the 2nd LHR, as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade were stationed around Shellal, Tel el Fara, and Gaza region: the regiment was involved in holding the line, conducting reconnaissance, patrolling, and fortification of positions. They conducted mounted patrols and raiding missions against Ottoman outposts to probe enemy strength and movements. This included intelligence gathering and occasional skirmishes.
The regiment used this quieter period to retrain, rest, and reorganize after the earlier battles. There was also emphasis on improving logistics, coordination with artillery, and use of new tactics in preparation for a major offensive.
By September 1917, the 2nd LHR and the broader Desert Mounted Corps were preparing for what would become the Battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917. This included long-distance movements, reconnaissance of potential attack routes, and planning for coordinated assaults.
SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION, MARAKEB SEPTEMBER 1917
On 8th September 1917 he attended the School of Instruction at Marakeb, for 2 weeks, which specialised in machine gun instruction. He rejoined his unit in Fukhari, then attended the Hotchkiss Gun Course. The Mle 1914 Hotchkiss machine gun chambered for the 8mm Lebel cartridge became the standard machine gun during the latter half of World War I and on 29th September he qualified as a first-class gunner.
OCTOBER 1917 TO JUNE 1918
Between October 1917 and June 1918, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment (2nd LHR) played an active and critical role in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade, under the Australian Mounted Division. This period included some of the most important operations of the war in the Middle East.
BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA 31 OCTOBER 1917
The 2nd LHR was involved in the broader Battle of Beersheba, although the famous charge was made by the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments of the 4th Brigade. They played a support role, conducting flanking and screening movements, and helping secure the approaches to Beersheba. The successful capture of Beersheba was a turning point, leading to the collapse of the Ottoman defensive line around Gaza.
ADVANCE THROUGH GAZA AND PURSUIT OPERATIONS NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 1917
After Beersheba, the 2nd LHR was involved in the Third Battle of Gaza and the pursuit of retreating Ottoman forces northward through Tel el Sheria, Huj & Junction Station. These actions helped clear the way for the advance on Jerusalem.
OPERATIONS AROUND JERUSALEM LATE 1917 – EARLY 1918
The regiment was tasked with patrolling and securing the flanks during the capture of Jerusalem in December 1917. After the city's fall (9 December 1917), the 2nd LHR was involved in protecting supply lines, reconnaissance, and defensive operations against Ottoman counterattacks in the Judean Hills.
JORDAN VALLEY CAMPAIGN EARLY 1918 – JUNE 1918
In early 1918, the regiment moved to the Jordan Valley, where they remained for much of the spring and summer.
Key roles during this time were defending the Jordan River crossings (particularly at El Auja, Ghoraniyeh, and Makhadet Hajla) & participating in raid operations east of the Jordan, including the first raid on Amman (March 1918) – where terrain, weather, and strong Ottoman resistance led to limited success & the Es Salt raid (April 1918) – another difficult operation marked by rugged terrain and stiff resistance.
The Jordan Valley was extremely challenging due to malaria and disease, extreme heat & poor water supply. The regiment operated in harsh conditions while holding a strategically important line.
JORDAN JULY 1918
In July 1918, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment (2nd LHR) was still stationed in the Jordan Valley, continuing its role in defensive operations, reconnaissance, and patrols, as part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade, within the Australian Mounted Division.
The regiment manned defensive lines in the Jordan Valley, guarding against Ottoman attacks. They held and patrolled the bridgeheads at Ghoraniyeh and El Auja—key river crossings that had strategic importance for future offensives. This included trench work, maintaining fortifications, and rotating outposts
Daily mounted patrols were conducted along both the west bank of the Jordan River and into the foothills to monitor Ottoman troop movements. They engaged in skirmishes with Turkish patrols on occasion.
WOUNDED IN ACTION JULY 1918
On 3rd July 1918 he was wounded in action with a bullet wound to the head, arm, back, & hips at Jericho. ½ gram of morphia was administered to him that day. The body wounds were superficial & Xray of head showed no fracture. There were enlarged glands behind right sternocleidomastoid mastoid (neck muscle). A report stated “since wounded, no persistent headaches. It was recommended he not be declared permanently unfit but return to Australia for 6 months.”
HOSPITALISED
He was admitted to the field ambulance on 4th July, and admitted to the 14th General Hospital in Port Said on 11th July. By 21st August the report stated that the wounds had all healed, has persistent headache dull & apathetic appearance. Ophthalmic examination negative.
WILTSHIRE REST CAMP
From there he was sent on 29th August to Wiltshire, England. Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units
WAR ENDED
At 11 am on 11 November, 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919. Between November 1918 and May 1919, the men of the 2nd Battalion returned to Australia for demobilisation and discharge.
GOING HOME
Christian came home on the Wiltshire and disembarked on 3rd October 1918. He was discharged 13th November 1918
CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION
Badges Hat Badges Collar (2) Bags kit universal
Bags kit sea Braces (pair) Brush, shaving
Brush, tooth Breeches M.S (Military service)
Cap comforter (warm cap) Comb, hair
Disc identity with cord Drawers (2 pairs)
Great Coat Hat, Khaki fur Hat, white
Holdall Housewife (compact sewing kit)
Jackets Cardigan Jackets S.D (service dress)
Leggings 1 pair Laces, leather 1 pair
Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions
Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection for the lower leg)
Razor Shirts, flannel (2) Socks, 3 pairs
Singlets (2)
Strap chin Soap piece Suit, working
Towels, hand (2)
Titles “Australia” (4)-
Australian soldiers and
non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their
shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also
wore unit titles above this which
indicated the units to which they belonged
For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
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Buried Location
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