FAMILY LIFE

Robert Anthony Bruce was born in 1895 in Sutton Forest, son of William & Mary Jane (Hayman) Bruce. He was brother to 8 siblings, including William, who enlisted in 1915 & John who enlisted in 1916. Their parents had brought the family to the Byron/Tweed area of the North Coast when the region was being opened in the late 1890s and early 1900s. William leased the property known as Fernhill in South Murwillumbah in 1913 and successfully farmed it for 20 years. The family lived in Church St Murwillumbah

BROTHERS IN ARMS

The first of this Bruce family to go to war was William who enlisted in July 1915 aged 21. He was a school teacher and was attached to the 9th Infantry Battalion. He served in Egypt and France. John, a labourer, enlisted in November 1915 aged 24 and joined the 9th Infantry Battalion. He was later transferred to the 49th Battalion and served in Egypt and France.

ATTESTATION

Robert travelled to Brisbane on 13^th November 1916 to complete his application. He answered several questions on the document, and we find out he was born in Sutton Forest, was 21 years old and a single man. He gave his occupation as farmer. His next of kin was his mother, Mary, of Murwillumbah and he had spent 3 years with the Citizen Forces Light Horse.

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, Robert Anthony Bruce, 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

Robert was 5ft 10inches tall (1.78M) and weighed 162lbs (73kgs) with a fresh complexion, blue eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good and he had a scar on the palm of his right hand and another on his right leg. He required dental treatment. Robert was Roman Catholic

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.

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 to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment with service number 3196

2^ND LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT

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.

LIVERPOOL MILITARY CAMP

His training began soon after enlistment. Liverpool Military Camp was the main centre in New South Wales to provide basic military training. Conditions at the camp were generally poor throughout the war. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together.

Firstly, a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months.

Australians 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 FROM SYDNEY TO EGYPT

On the 1^st February 1917 his unit caught the troop train from Brisbane to Sydney and on 3^rd February they embarked on the HMAT Karmala. Alongside his comrades, Robert marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

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 the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

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. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. To keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The 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

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes.

APPROACHING EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the sandy training grounds of Egypt, preparing for what lay ahead.

MOASCAR ISOLATION CAMP

They disembarked on the Suez 11^th March 1917. 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. 

They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the 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.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more. Training would normally last 3 months.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH MAY 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. Robert 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

SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION MARAKEB SEPTEMBER 1917

On 8^th 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.

THE THIRD BATTLE OF GAZA OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 1917

The 2nd Light Horse Regiment played a supporting but important role in the Third Battle of Gaza, a major Allied offensive during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in October–November 1917. The battle was part of a broader strategy to break the Ottoman defensive line that had stalled British and Commonwealth forces earlier in the year. The 2nd Light Horse was heavily involved in the fighting to the east and southeast of Beersheba, particularly in the rugged high ground. Their task was slow and gruelling, involving dismounted assaults under heavy fire in rocky, open terrain. After Beersheba fell, the regiment moved northward, participating in actions designed to harass retreating Ottoman forces, secure strategic points, and support advancing infantry. While the main assault on Gaza was led by British infantry and artillery, the Light Horse units — including the 2nd LHR — helped maintain pressure on flanks and cut off escape routes

WOUNDED IN ACTION 3^RD NOVEMBER 1917

14^th AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL CAIRO 4^TH NOVEMBER 1917

Robert's service in the Middle East took a difficult turn when he was wounded on the 3^rd November and admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Cairo on 4 November 1917 suffering from a gunshot wound to his right foot. Although not as immediately life-threatening as wounds to the head or body, foot wounds were often painful, debilitating injuries that could keep a soldier away from his unit for weeks or even months. The rough terrain, risk of infection and the constant need for mobility in mounted operations made such wounds particularly troublesome.

Before reaching Cairo, Robert would have received initial treatment at a field ambulance or casualty clearing station near the front. Medical personnel would have cleaned and dressed the wound, removed any obvious foreign material and assessed whether the injury involved fractures, damaged tendons or infection. Once stabilised, he was evacuated through the military medical system to Egypt, where the 14th Australian General Hospital provided more comprehensive treatment.

Located in Cairo, the hospital was one of the principal medical facilities serving Australian troops in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Here Robert came under the care of specialist doctors and nurses who monitored his recovery, changed dressings, treated pain and watched closely for infection, a constant concern with gunshot wounds. The hospital's staff had extensive experience dealing with battlefield casualties, and their goal was to restore wounded soldiers to health and, where possible, return them to duty.

REST CAMP NOVEMBER 1917

Robert's stay in hospital lasted less than two weeks, suggesting that although his wound was serious enough to require evacuation from the front, it responded well to treatment. By 17 November 1917 his condition had improved sufficiently for him to be transferred to a rest camp. Such camps served as intermediate recovery centres where soldiers could regain their strength, continue recuperating and undertake light duties while awaiting a decision on their fitness for further service.

For Robert, the move to a rest camp marked an important stage in his recovery. He had progressed beyond the need for hospital care but was not yet ready to return to the demands of active operations. The period allowed him time to heal, rebuild his strength and prepare for eventual rejoining of his unit. Like many wounded soldiers of the campaign, Robert's journey from battlefield casualty to recovering serviceman was made possible by the extensive medical and convalescent system established to care for Australian troops serving overseas.

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. This ensured they did not lose their sharpness for battle and that a unit’s cohesiveness was retrained.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH JANUARY 1918

On 12^TH January 1918 he was taken on strength. Between January and May 1918, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment was actively involved in the advance through Palestine following the successful Third Battle of Gaza. This period included a mix of front-line holding duties, patrolling, minor engagements, and preparation for further operations as Allied forces pushed toward the Jordan Valley and Amman.

Having recovered sufficiently from his wound, Robert was taken on strength of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment on 12 January 1918, rejoining his comrades in Palestine after more than two months away from the unit. During his absence, the regiment had participated in the successful Third Battle of Gaza, a major Allied victory that broke the Ottoman defensive line in southern Palestine and opened the way for the capture of Jerusalem.

On returning to the regiment, Robert found a very different situation from that which had existed before his wounding. The Turkish forces had been pushed back from Gaza and Beersheba, and the British-led Egyptian Expeditionary Force had advanced deep into Palestine. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was now engaged in patrols, reconnaissance duties and maintaining pressure on the retreating enemy while holding positions north of Jerusalem.

Life remained demanding despite the success of the campaign. The regiment spent long periods in the field, often operating in rugged country and enduring extremes of weather. During the winter months the men faced cold temperatures, rain and muddy conditions very different from the desert fighting of earlier years. Horses required constant care, while patrols and outpost duties continued day and night.

Robert's return would have involved rebuilding his fitness and becoming reacquainted with the routines of mounted service. Having recovered from a gunshot wound to his foot, he once again took his place among the troopers of the 2nd Light Horse, sharing in the regiment's ongoing operations as the Allied advance continued further into Palestine during 1918. The victories achieved at Gaza and Jerusalem had shifted the momentum of the campaign decisively in favour of the Allies, and Robert rejoined the regiment at a time when final victory in the Middle East was beginning to appear within reach.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 1918: HOLDING THE LINE

They were stationed in the Jordan Valley and around Jericho (captured in February 1918) and conducted reconnaissance patrols, protected lines of communication, and dealt with harsh environmental conditions (malaria, extreme heat, poor water).

MARCH 1918: FIRST TRANSJORDAN RAID

The 2nd Light Horse took part in the First Raid on Amman (21 March – 2 April 1918). The objective was to destroy the Hejaz Railway and sever Turkish logistics. They advanced across the Jordan River and fought heavy engagements at Es Salt and Amman. Despite brave efforts, the raid failed; terrain, supply issues, and stiff resistance forced withdrawal.

APRIL 1918

In April 1918, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment was engaged in operations in the Jordan Valley, near Es Salt in modern-day Jordan. This period was part of the lead-up to the Second Transjordan Raid, which commenced later that month. The regiment's activities included reconnaissance, securing supply lines, and preparing for the forthcoming offensive against Ottoman forces.

WOUNDED IN ACTION APRIL 1918

Robert's service with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment was interrupted once again when he was wounded in action on 11 April 1918, suffering a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. Unfortunately, as is often the case with service records, few details survive regarding the exact circumstances in which the wound was received. However, at the time the 2nd Light Horse Regiment was operating in the Jordan Valley, east of Jerusalem, where Australian mounted troops were engaged in a series of difficult operations against Ottoman forces.

The Jordan Valley campaign was fought under extremely harsh conditions. In addition to the constant threat posed by enemy rifle, machine-gun and artillery fire, the men endured intense heat, dust, disease and swarms of insects. The Light Horse regiments were heavily involved in reconnaissance patrols, outpost duties and raids against Turkish positions, all of which exposed the troopers to sudden enemy fire. It was during this period of active operations that Robert received his shoulder wound.

EVACUATED TO 14^TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL

After receiving first aid near the front, Robert was evacuated through the military medical system and admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital in Egypt. A gunshot wound to the shoulder could vary greatly in severity, ranging from a flesh wound to damage involving bone, muscles, tendons or nerves. The fact that Robert remained under medical care for several months suggests that his injury required a considerable period of treatment and recovery before he was fit to return to duty.

During his time in hospital, medical staff would have cleaned and dressed the wound, monitored him for infection and supervised his gradual rehabilitation. Even when the wound itself had healed, restoring strength and movement to an injured shoulder could take many weeks, particularly for a mounted soldier who relied on full use of his arms to handle horses, equipment and weapons.

MOASCAR REST CAMP JULY 1918

On 6 July 1918, after nearly three months of treatment and convalescence, Robert was transferred to the Moascar Rest Camp near Ismailia in Egypt. Moascar served as one of the principal reinforcement and recovery centres for troops in the Middle East. Here soldiers who had left hospital but were not yet ready for active service continued their recuperation, undertook light duties and rebuilt their physical fitness.

The move to Moascar indicated that Robert's condition had improved significantly. Away from the pressures of the front line, he was able to regain strength and prepare for a return to operational service.

REJOINED UNIT JULY 1918

Following a period of convalescence and medical assessment, he was declared fit to rejoin his regiment and, on 20 July 1918, returned to the 2nd Light Horse Regiment.

Robert's return demonstrated both his resilience and determination. Having already recovered from a gunshot wound to his foot in late 1917, he had now overcome a second battlefield injury. Rejoining his comrades in July 1918, he resumed service during the final months of the Palestine campaign, as the Allied forces prepared the operations that would eventually bring about the collapse of Ottoman resistance and victory in the Middle East.

BETWEEN JULY AND OCTOBER 1918

Between July and October 1918, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment was actively involved in the final and decisive phase of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. This period saw the regiment transition from static operations in the Jordan Valley to high-speed offensive action during the Battle of Megiddo — one of the most significant and successful mounted operations of World War I.

JULY–AUGUST 1918: JORDAN VALLEY GARRISON & PATROLS

The 2^nd was stationed in the Jordan Valley and was tasked with:

·      Holding the front line

·      Conducting patrols and raids across the Jordan River

·      Managing harsh conditions, including extreme heat and malaria outbreaks

The unit operated in coordination with Arab irregulars under T.E. Lawrence to monitor Turkish activity east of the river. This period was relatively quiet militarily but physically demanding due to the terrain and disease.

SEPTEMBER 1918: BATTLE OF MEGIDDO (19–25 SEPTEMBER)

By September 1918, Robert and the men of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment had spent many months campaigning across the deserts, valleys and hills of Palestine. The Allied forces under General Sir Edmund Allenby were preparing a major offensive designed to destroy the Ottoman armies defending Palestine and bring the campaign to a decisive conclusion. The resulting operation, known as the Battle of Megiddo, commenced on 19 September 1918 and would become one of the greatest victories achieved by Australian mounted troops during the war.

Allenby's plan relied upon a powerful infantry assault along the Mediterranean coast to break through the Turkish front line. Once a gap had been created, the Desert Mounted Corps, including the Australian Light Horse, would ride through the breach and advance deep into enemy territory. Their objective was not merely to capture ground but to cut roads, seize communication centres and trap entire Ottoman armies before they could retreat.

Following the successful breakthrough, the 2nd Light Horse Regiment advanced rapidly northward as part of the Australian Mounted Division. The pace of the advance was remarkable. After years of trench warfare on other fronts, the mounted troops suddenly found themselves engaged in a highly mobile campaign, covering great distances across Palestine. Riding for long hours in heat and dust, the troopers pressed forward through territory that had been under Ottoman control for centuries.

One of the regiment's most important tasks was to help cut off the retreat of Turkish forces attempting to escape from the Judean Hills and the Jordan Valley. The speed of the mounted advance prevented the enemy from establishing new defensive positions. Thousands of Turkish soldiers were captured, along with large quantities of guns, ammunition and transport. The offensive effectively shattered Ottoman military resistance in Palestine.

For Robert, the battle would have involved long days in the saddle, rapid movement across difficult terrain and the constant possibility of encountering enemy rear guards. Although the Light Horse were trained to fight mounted and dismounted, their greatest weapon during Megiddo was mobility. Their ability to move quickly and exploit breakthroughs allowed them to penetrate far beyond the battlefield and disrupt the enemy's entire system of command and supply.

Following the initial success, the advance continued relentlessly northwards. The Turkish armies, already weakened by years of war, began to collapse. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment participated in the pursuit of the retreating enemy, helping to secure towns, road junctions and strategic positions as the Allied forces advanced through Palestine and into Syria.

The Battle of Megiddo proved decisive. Within weeks the Ottoman armies in Palestine had been destroyed as effective fighting forces, Damascus had fallen and the Allies were advancing further into Syria. Historians often regard the campaign as one of the most successful examples of mobile warfare of the First World War. For Robert and the men of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, it marked the culmination of years of hard campaigning in the Middle East and played a major role in bringing the war against the Ottoman Empire to a victorious conclusion.

OCTOBER 1918: PURSUIT TO DAMASCUS

The regiment continued pursuing retreating Ottoman forces into Syria. They reached and participated in the entry into Damascus on 1^st October 1918. The 2nd Light Horse helped round up thousands of prisoners and secure key roads and communication points.

HOSPITALISATION MALARIA OCTOBER 1918

On 12th October Robert was admitted to 31st General Hospital with malaria. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes. Australian troops, including the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, suffered many cases while serving in the Jordan Valley, which was a notorious malarial zone. Poor sanitation, standing water, and lack of mosquito control made military camps breeding grounds for disease.

At the time, malaria treatment was limited, but several methods were in use:

·       Quinine- the primary treatment available during WWI.

Extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree, quinine helped reduce fever and kill the parasite. Given orally, or by injection in more severe cases. Side effects included nausea, tinnitus (ringing in ears), and vision disturbances.

·      Rest and Hospitalization- infected soldiers were often sent to convalescent hospitals or malaria wards to recover

REST CAMP AND DISCHARGE

Robert went to the rest camp at Boulac and was discharged to duty on 28^th December 1918

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.  HOSPITALISATION MALARIA FEBRUARY 1919

He was admitted to hospital again on 1st February 1919 with a recurrence of malaria.

GOING HOME- HOSPITALISED AT SEA

He embarked on 13^th March on the Ulimaroa bound for home, but again was hospitalised at sea on 28^th March but discharged 5^th April.  He disembarked on 15^th April 1919 and was discharged 29^th May 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Arthur was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial

AFTER THE WAR

All the brothers were lucky enough to return to Australia although John was invalided back in 1917 after having one of his legs amputated. He spent the rest of his life in Murwillumbah. After the war most of the family remained in the Mullumbimby or Murwillumbah area but Robert and a younger brother became cane-cutters in Queensland.

Robert was a selector in the Malanda area after he returned from the war. He never married and drowned in the flooded Johnstone River on 29^th February, 1936, aged 41. He and his younger brother Harold had been working as cane-cutters and when the harvesting was finished, they had gone gold prospecting at Deep Creek. To get to their claim they had to cross the river. Both brothers were strong swimmers but the river was running fast and Robert was swept away. He is buried at Innisfail Cemetery, Plot Sec 4 L 11 R 10

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.