FAMILY LIFE

Roy Cavanaugh was born 1894 in Alectown, in the Parkes shire, son of George Arthur Cavanaugh & Mary Ross (Kemp) Cavanaugh. He was one of 4 children, with two of his siblings being fraternal twins

APPLICATION

Roy was a bookkeeper, living in Burringbar. He was single, 24 years 1 month old when he enlisted on 17^th April 1916. His next of kin was his mother, Mary, of Hurstville.   He had travelled to Brisbane to complete his application and medical examination. Roy was 5ft 6inches tall (1.68M) and weighed 137lbs (63kgs) with a medium complexion, blue eyes & dark brown hair. His eyesight was good and he had a scar on his left & right shins. He was Church of England and was enlisted as a private in the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 21^st reinforcement with service number 2931.

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

LIVERPOOL TRAINING 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.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

His unit embarked from Sydney on board RMS Mooltan on 19^th August, 1916. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. 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. They disembarked on the Suez 21^st September 1916.

ASSIGNED TO 1^ST LIGHT HORSE INFANTRY

At this time Roy was assigned to the 1^st Light Horse Infantry.

THE 1^ST LIGHT HORSE INFANTRY

Raised in August 1914, the 1st Light Horse Regiment was part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). It primarily drew recruits from New South Wales. As a mounted infantry unit, the regiment used horses for mobility but fought on foot. It was part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.

MOASCAR ISOLATION CAMP

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 a 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.

TRANSFERRED TO 2^ND LIGHT HORSE INFANTRY DECEMBER 1916

He was transferred to the 2^nd Light Horse Infantry and taken on strength at Bir el Arnussi on 1^st December 1916.

THE SECOND 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 in key campaigns such as Gallipoli, Sinai, and Palestine. Roy’s first battle was in January 1917

PALESTINE CAMPAIGN

BATTLE OF RAFA 9 JANUARY 1917

This battle occurred near the border of Sinai and Palestine. Ottoman forces had established a strong defensive position at Rafa. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was part of the assault that overcame the Ottoman defences after a day of fierce combat. The victory at Rafa marked the end of the Sinai Campaign and allowed the Allies to focus on advancing into Palestine. Both battles showcased the regiment's adaptability and effectiveness in desert warfare. Their success in these engagements contributed significantly to the Allied efforts in the Middle East.

FIRST BATTLE OF GAZA (MARCH 26, 1917)

Their next engagement was the First Battle of Gaza. The Allies attempted to capture Gaza but faced strong Ottoman defences. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was involved in the initial assault, but the attack was called off despite early successes, leading to a missed opportunity.

HOSPITALISATION- EPIDIDYMIS APRIL 1917

On 13^th April 1917 Roy was admitted to the 14^th Australian General Hospital, with Epididymitis, which is an inflammation of the epididymis. The epididymis is a tube located at the back of the testicles that stores and carries sperm. When this tube becomes swollen, it can cause pain and further swelling in the testicles.

TRANSFER TO 1^ST LIGHT HORSE and BACK AGAIN

He was discharged on 17^th April and taken on strength with the 1^st Light Horse Regiment on 21^st April 1917. The 2^nd Light Horse were engaged in the Second Battle of Gaza and Roy could not return to the front from hospital. He was retaken on strength with the 2^nd at Shellal on 12^th May 1917. In the next year the 2^nd was engaged in many battles

THIRD BATTLE OF GAZA 31^ST OCTOBER 31 TO 7^TH NOVEMBER 1917

This battle marked a turning point. The regiment was part of the wide outflanking move via Beersheba, which led to the fall of Gaza. The success of this operation opened the way for the Allied advance into Palestine. The regiment's involvement in these battles demonstrated their resilience and adaptability in challenging conditions.

THE BEERSHEBA MANOEUVRE

31^ST OCTOBER TO 7^TH NOVEMBER 1917

The regiment was part of the famous charge at Beersheba, which is considered one of the most iconic moments of the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. The wide outflanking move via Beersheba was a critical maneuverer during the Third Battle of Gaza in late 1917. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment, as part of the ANZAC Mounted Division, played a significant role in this operation.

The plan involved a surprise attack on the Ottoman stronghold at Beersheba, which was heavily fortified and considered a key to breaking the Gaza defensive line. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was part of the mounted forces that executed a daring charge. This charge is often referred to as the "Charge of the Light Horse at Beersheba", one of the most famous cavalry charges in history.

The regiment, along with other units, stormed the Ottoman trenches, capturing the town and its vital water wells. This victory was crucial as it provided the Allies with a foothold to outflank the Ottoman defences at Gaza.

THE ES SALT RAID 30 APRIL TO 3 MAY 1918

They were involved in several Jordan Valley engagements. The Es Salt Raid took place between April 30 and May 3, 1918, during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was part of the raiding force under Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, which included the Australian Mounted Division, ANZAC Mounted Division, British 60th Infantry Division, and the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade

THE FIRST AMMAN RAID 22^ND MARCH TO 30^TH MARCH 1918

The First Amman Raid took place between March 22 and March 30, 1918, during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of World War I. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was part of the raiding force, which included the ANZAC Mounted Division, the British 60th Infantry Division, and the Imperial Camel Brigade.

The raid aimed to disrupt Ottoman railway communications with Damascus and inflict casualties on their forces. The raiding force crossed the Jordan River on March 22 and advanced through challenging terrain to reach Es Salt by March 25. On March 27, the attack on Amman began, with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment and other units engaging in fierce fighting.

Despite initial successes, the raid faced strong Ottoman resistance and difficult weather conditions, including heavy rain that turned the terrain into mud. The raiding force managed to damage the railway but was unable to hold Amman due to the intensity of the counterattacks. By March 30, the decision was made to withdraw, and the force recrossed the Jordan River by April 2.

HOSPITALISATION & REST CAMP- MALARIA OCTOBER 1918

On 8^th October 1918 he was admitted to the 14^th Australian General Hospital with malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes. The parasites invade red blood cells, leading to symptoms like fever, chills, sweating, and anaemia. Severe cases can result in complications such as cerebral malaria, which affects the brain

During World War I, malaria posed a significant challenge, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where soldiers were stationed. The primary treatment at the time was quinine, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine was used both as a treatment and a preventive measure, though its effectiveness was limited against certain strains of malaria

Roy was initially treated in the Field Ambulance. A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was transferred to the 1^st Australian General Hospital in Port Said on 16^th October and on 5^th December, transferred to a rest camp for convalescing.

WAR ENDED & GOING HOME

He rejoined his unit on 14^th December but 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. Roy was to embark on the HR Ulimaroa on 29^th April 1919 for home but was again admitted to hospital on 9^th April, no details. However, he was well enough to board the ship and returned home.

FOR HIS SERVICE

He was discharged 6^th May 1919. For his service, Roy was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. He is listed on the Burringbar War Memorial and St Clement's Church of England of Billinudgel Great War Honour Roll Mullumbimby

AFTER THE WAR

Roy married Eglatine Amy Benson in 1927. He died on 22 June 1980 and is buried at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, North Ryde, PQ Wall, Niche 315

---

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

We do not have any additional documents or pictures related to this individual.