FAMILY LIFE

Alfred William George Simonson was born c1891 in Merimbula, son of John Peter & Phoebe (Berry) Simonson. According to NSWBDM he had 5 siblings and two of his brothers enlisted, Peter John Simonson & Charley Simonson. The Simonsons have lived in the Tweed since 1920, Peter holding the position of master of the tug boat till 1930 when he retired.

ATTESTATION

Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when Britain and Germany went to war on 4 August 1914, and both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher pledged full support for Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted in Australia, as in many other places, with great enthusiasm.

Alfred enlisted just 6 days later, on the 10^th August, 1914. He was a 21year old carter, eager to do his bit. He lived in Tweed Heads and travelled to Brisbane to enlist. His next of kin was his mother Mrs. P Simonson, of Tweed Heads. 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

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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, Alfred Wiliam George Simonson, 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

Alfred was 5ft 2 inches tall (1.57M), weighed 123lbs (55kgs), with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes & dark brown hair. His eyesight was very good and he had a tattoo on his right forearm. Alfred 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

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 private in the 5^th Light Horse regiments, 11^th reinforcements with service number 1473

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.

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 five shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS SYDNEY TO EGYPT OCTOBER 1915

His unit embarked the HMAT Mashobra on 4^th October 1915. 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 had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the Training Camp in Egypt, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:

ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic

ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton

ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp

ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open. The formal training began

Over many tough months, in the Egyptian training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began an intensive period of training in preparation for deployment to the front. These camps were shared by other Australian and New Zealand forces, creating a large and active training environment.

Daily life followed a strict military routine. Reveille was sounded around 5:30 am, followed by physical training, which included route marches and endurance work in the desert conditions. After breakfast, the men began structured morning sessions focusing on drill, bayonet practice, and rifle handling. Training resumed after lunch, often with practical field exercises such as digging trenches, constructing defences, and simulating attacks on mock enemy positions. The day ended with roll call, personal time, and lights out around 9:00 pm.

The training itself covered a wide range of military skills. Soldiers learned close-order drill, musketry (rifle shooting), bayonet fighting, and basic tactics. Musketry was particularly important: the men practised with their Lee-Enfield rifles on firing ranges, learning how to load, aim, fire rapidly, and judge distances accurately. Bayonet training was also emphasized, with troops practising thrusts, parries, and charges on straw-filled dummies to build aggression and confidence.

Physical fitness was a high priority. Route marches of 10 to 15 kilometres in full kit were a regular part of the schedule to build stamina and discipline. Troops also received instruction in field engineering—learning how to dig trenches, build parapets and revetments, and position barbed wire obstacles effectively.

Other important areas of training included basic first aid, battlefield communication (such as flag and lamp signalling), and map reading.

Sanitation and hygiene were stressed throughout the training period. Soldiers were taught how to prevent disease by maintaining clean clothing and equipment, constructing latrines, and purifying drinking water. This was crucial in the Egyptian climate, where illness could spread rapidly.

Although the training was demanding, there were occasional opportunities for leave. Many soldiers visited the bazaars, cafés, and sights of Cairo, or made trips to the pyramids near Mena. Morale was generally high, though the men understood active service was approaching.

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.

SERAPEUM FEBRUARY 1916

On the 23rd February, the Regiment moved from Maadi to Serapeum on the Suez Canal. On arriving at Serapeum, part of the Regiment was engaged in occupying the Suez Canal Defences. Their role was to patrol and protect the canal zone from potential attacks by the Ottoman Turks or their Bedouin allies, who had previously tried to cross the canal in early 1915.

DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

·      Mounted patrols across the desert to monitor for enemy movement.

·      Training in desert navigation, horsemanship, and rifle/machine gun use.

·      Improving defensive positions such as trenches and outposts along the canal.

·      Maintaining communications lines and supporting infrastructure

The Suez Canal was a vital supply and shipping route for the British Empire, linking Europe to India and Australia. Ottoman attacks on the canal were considered a serious threat, so mounted troops like the 5th Light Horse were crucial for mobile desert defence.

HOSPITALISED TONSILITIS MARCH 1916

He was admitted to hospital on 5^th March with tonsilitis & rejoined his unit 22^nd March.

MARCH & APRIL 1916

The 5th Light Horse Regiment was:

·      Based in the Suez Canal defensive zone

·      Conducting long-range mounted patrols and reconnaissance

·      Training for extended desert operations

·      Supporting the formation of the Anzac Mounted Division

·      Preparing for the upcoming Sinai campaign, which would begin in earnest by mid-1916

In April reports had lately been received by the authorities that signs of movements on the part of the Turks had been noticed in the Abd and Bayoud Districts, and it was to act as supports and reinforcements to the 5th Mounted Brigade that the 5th Regiment was moving out to Katia. The Regiment accordingly marched from Salhia on the 22nd April, 1916 and arrived at Kantara at 1 p.m. Our orders were to move next day to Dueidar, an oasis twelve miles out on the Darb Sultani, or the Royal Road to Syria.

The normal life at Dueidar during their first stay there, apart from special reconnaissance or special patrols, included horse pickets, observation posts, night patrols, stables, water horses and musketry.

The unit engaged in fighting the Turks and in a series of patrols of 8 miles (12kms) as the Sinai Desert was undulating and it was easy for the enemy to remain hidden. There was also systematic sinking of wells to ensure there was enough drinkable water. All Bedouins seen by the patrols were sent to the rear as we had good reason to believe that they were acting as intelligence personnel for the Turks.

MAY–JULY 1916: DESERT PATROLS AND ADVANCE TO KATIA

Based at Dueidar, the 5th Light Horse continued desert patrols, reconnaissance, and outpost duty along the Suez Canal. In response to the Ottoman raid on Katia (April 23), the British began pushing further east to secure key water sources and stop another Ottoman thrust. The 5th moved into forward positions at Hill 70, Hod el Enna, and near Romani, often rotating between outposts and the main camp.

Daily life included:

·      Scouting and observation patrols deep into the desert

·      Coping with extreme heat, flies, thirst, and sandstorms

·      Skirmishes with Bedouin scouts and enemy patrols

AUGUST 1916: BATTLE OF ROMANI (4–5 AUGUST)

The 5th Light Horse Regiment took part in its first major battle of the war in the Sinai.

Pre-dawn 4 August:

Ottoman and German forces launched a major attack on the British forward line near Mount Royston, west of Katia and near Romani.

The 5th was deployed in the southern section of the battlefield near Wellington Ridge, part of the right flank of the Anzac Mounted Division.

5th Light Horse Role:

Engaged in fierce defensive fighting as the Turks attacked from the east. Then took part in a mounted counterattack, helping push the Ottomans back toward Katia and eventually into full retreat.

The terrain was sandy and difficult, with extreme heat and dust affecting visibility and endurance. The regiment suffered losses, but contributed significantly to what was the first major Allied victory in the desert war

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 1916: PURSUIT ACROSS THE SINAI

Following Romani, the 5th Light Horse joined the British advance across the Sinai, pursuing retreating Ottoman forces. They fought in actions at Katia and Bir el Abd (9–12 August): These were smaller but intense rearguard skirmishes. The Ottomans conducted delaying actions as they fell back toward El Arish.

Their duties included:

·      Harassment of retreating enemy columns

·      Scouting water sources and tracks

·      Clearing Turkish stragglers and capturing outposts

HOSPITALISED NO DETAILS SEPTEMBER 1916

Alfred was again admitted to hospital on 8th September 1916, no details given, and rejoined unit 18^th September.

OCTOBER 1916

In October 1916, the 5th Light Horse Regiment continued its role in the Sinai Campaign, conducting patrols, reconnaissance, and desert operations as the British forces pressed their advance eastward toward El Arish. While there were no major battles that month, the regiment was actively engaged in mobile warfare, pursuing the retreating Ottoman forces and helping secure territory across the Sinai Peninsula.

LATE 1916: ADVANCE TO EL ARISH

The 5^th was patrolling, advancing across Sinai, securing water points and tracks heading for the town on El Arish. El Arish, on the coast of the Sinai Peninsula, was considered in the war the key position for the defence of Egypt. Its reoccupation by the British late in 1916 and early in 1917 was a significant event. The Turks, who fled upon the approach of the Anzac cavalry and the Imperial Camel Corps, were overcome in subsequent engagements. When General Sir Philip Chetwode later to distinguish himself under Lord Allenby in Palestine, came back to El Arish from the pursuit, he brought with him many prisoners, machine guns, rifles, ammunition, camels and mules. In a few weeks General Murray, in command of the English Expeditionary Forces, was able to send word home that Sinai was cleared of the enemy.

BATTLE OF MAGHABA DECEMBER 1916

Magdhaba, a village located in the northern Sinai desert, was the scene of an action fought on 23 December 1916 when Turkish forces blocking the route to Palestine were attacked by Major General Harry Chauvel's ANZAC Mounted Division, which had the Imperial Camel Corps attached. Success in this hard fought action was secured through a resolute assault with the bayonet by the 1st Light Horse Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Charles Cox, just as Chauvel ordered his force to withdraw. A mounted charge by the 10th Light Horse to secure vital water supplies nearby was also a vital contributory factor in the victory. This action, combined with the success at Rafa on 9 January 1917, opened the way for the final expulsion of the Turks from Sinai.

BATTLE OF RAFA JANUARY 1917

Rafa, a former police post on the Egypt-Palestine border, was the scene of action between the Desert Column and Turkish forces on 9 January 1917. Rafa was one of two Turkish outposts guarding the Palestine frontier and when the other, Magdhaba, fell on 23 December 1916 it became the focus of British and dominion operations. The main Turkish defences were located on a bare hill about one and a half kilometres south of the town, and consisted of a strong network of trenches sited around a central redoubt. The attacking force consisting of the ANZAC Mounted Division, the Imperial Camel Corps, and the 5th Yeomanry surrounded Rafa before dawn but the subsequent attack made slow progress. By mid-afternoon the commander of the Desert Column, Lieutenant General Sir Phillip Chetwode, considered calling the operation off as reserves, ammunition and water were getting short; a definite decision to break-off was precipitated by the approach of two strong groups of Turkish reinforcements. The orders to the assaulting brigades were, however, ignored at unit level and both the cameleers and troopers of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade succeeded in overrunning the redoubts to their front. The Turkish defence then rapidly

THE FIRST BATTLE OF GAZA MARCH 1917

The coastal city of Gaza was the heart of the main Turkish defensive position in southern Palestine. Three major battles were launched in 1917 by British and dominion forces to capture Gaza - only the third succeeded in this object.
The first battle of Gaza took place on 26 March 1917. Two British infantry divisions were to attack it from the south while the mounted troops of the Desert Column would attack from the flanks and north. When the attack was launched the infantry made slow progress but the mounted troops succeeded in capturing high ground to the north of the city and advancing into it. Concerned by the lack of progress made by the infantry, and fearing the water supplies vital for the mounted troops would not be captured that night, Lieutenant General Dobell, the British officer commanding the operation, ordered a withdrawal at dusk. The next morning, after realising his mistake, Dobell attempted to resume the battle with the infantry, but with the troops exhausted and the Turks having received reinforcements, the attack floundered.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF GAZA APRIL 1917

The second battle of Gaza took place three weeks later, beginning on 17 April 1917. In the interim the Turks had extended and improved their defences. Dobell launched another frontal assault on the Turkish defences, which was supported by six tanks and gas shells. The tanks and the gas were both dismal failures and the attacking forces could make little headway against well-sited Turkish redoubts. After three days of fighting the attack was called off, having not gained any significant ground.

BETWEEN BATTLES

Between battles, battalions engaged in a variety of critical activities to recover, prepare, and maintain their effectiveness. Some of the key activities included rest & recovery, continuing their training, maintaining their weapons & uniforms, building & reinforcing the trenches & dugouts & barbed wire defences

They also conducted patrols and reconnaissance to gather intelligence on enemy movements and maintain control over no-man's-land & engaged in activities like writing letters, playing games, and sharing stories to bond as a unit and maintain their spirits. This downtime between battles was essential for ensuring that battalions could perform effectively when called back into action.

BEERSHEBA NOVEMBER 1917

Alfred and his comrades took part in the operations around Beersheba, where the mounted divisions executed one of the most daring manoeuvres of the war. While it was the 4th and 12th Light Horse who charged across the open plain to seize the wells, the 5th Light Horse pressed forward on the flank, helping secure the town and driving back the retreating Turks.

The advance continued through November as the regiment rode hard towards Tel el Khuweilfe and Sheria, often spending eighteen hours a day in the saddle. It was relentless, dusty work, but decisive: the Turkish defensive line finally cracked, and the mounted troops swept northwards.

THE BATTLE OF TEL EL KHUWEILFE OCT- NOV 1917

Following the Egyptian Expeditionary Force's victory at the Battle of Beersheba on 31 October 1917, British Empire forces launched a series of coordinated attacks to break the Ottoman-German Yildirim Army Group's front line stretching from Gaza to Beersheba. Capturing Tel el Khuweilfe was critical to severing the road north toward Hebron and Jerusalem, threatening the Seventh Army headquarters and the southern flank of Ottoman defensive positions in the Judean Hills.

Ottoman defenders at Tel el Khuweilfe began withdrawing on 7 November after losing Hareira, the evacuation of Gaza, and the weakening of the Sheria position threatened to outflank them. Although the EEF failed to storm the position directly, sustained pressure had drawn Ottoman reserves away from other sectors, contributing to the broader collapse of the Gaza–Beersheba line and advancing the Palestine Campaign.

THE BATLE OF HAREIRA AND SHERIA NOVEMBER 1917

The Battle of Hareira and Sheria was a pivotal engagement fought on 6–7 November 1917 during the Sinai and Palestine campaign of the First World War, in which the British Empire's Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), commanded by General Sir Edmund Allenby, successfully assaulted and captured entrenched Ottoman positions at Hareira and Tel el Sheria in southern Palestine, breaking the central defences of the Gaza–Beersheba line and enabling a broader advance toward Jerusalem.

 This battle formed the climactic phase of the Third Battle of Gaza (27 October–7 November 1917), following the EEF's capture of Beersheba on 31 October, and targeted the Ottoman Eighth Army's strongest remaining fortifications, which included extensive trench networks, redoubts, barbed wire entanglements, and machine-gun positions supported by artillery.

The EEF deployed its XX Corps—comprising the 10th, 60th, and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions under Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Chetwode—for the main infantry assault from the west, with the 53rd Division conducting a diversion at Tel el Khuweilfeh, preceded by a heavy artillery barrage, while Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Chauvel's Desert Mounted Corps, including the ANZAC Mounted Division, Imperial Mounted Division, and Yeomanry Mounted Division, manoeuvred to encircle the positions from the east and north, aiming to cut off Ottoman retreat routes and exploit captured water sources. Opposing them were elements of the Ottoman Yildirim Army Group, primarily from the Eighth Army under Djevad Pasha, numbering around 4,000–5,000 troops in well-prepared defences at Hareira (a redoubt west of Sheria) and Tel el Sheria (the logistical hub), part of the broader Gaza–Beersheba line, reinforced by reserves from Gaza but weakened by prior diversions to other fronts. The assault began at dawn on 6 November with the XX Corps overrunning the Kauwukah (or Outpost Hill) trenches after intense fighting, marked by bayonet charges and hand-to-hand combat, resulting in the capture of Hareira by the 180th Brigade of the 60th Division; by evening, the 10th and 60th Divisions had breached the main Sheria defenses despite heavy Ottoman counterattacks and enfilading fire.

On 7 November, mounted troops, including the 4th and 5th Light Horse Brigades, completed the encirclement and seized Tel el Sheria, compelling the Ottoman forces to withdraw northward in disorder, abandoning Gaza and the entire fortified line held for over seven months. EEF casualties totalled approximately 1,250 (killed, wounded, and missing), while Ottoman losses were around 3,600, including over 1,600 prisoners, with significant captures of artillery, supplies, and locomotives at Sheria's vital rail junction.

The victory's significance lay in shattering Ottoman cohesion in southern Palestine, transitioning the campaign from static trench warfare to mobile pursuit and opening the route to Jerusalem, captured a month later on 9 December 1917; however, water shortages, cavalry fatigue, and coordination delays prevented the complete destruction of retreating Ottoman units, allowing them to regroup for future resistance.

DECEMBER 1918

Alfred was fortunate in one respect: by December 1917 the great mounted operations that had culminated in the capture of Jerusalem had been successful, and the 5th Light Horse Regiment entered a period of consolidation rather than the costly assaults that had characterised much of the year.

In early December 1917, the regiment was operating in the hill country north and west of Jerusalem as the British Empire forces sought to secure the city and push the Ottoman Army away from its approaches. Although Jerusalem was surrendered on 9 December, fighting did not cease immediately. Ottoman forces launched a series of counter-attacks in the rugged Judean Hills, and the Light Horse regiments were employed in screening movements, reconnaissance patrols, protecting the flanks of advancing infantry, carrying dispatches, escorting prisoners and maintaining communications across difficult country. Unlike the sweeping cavalry actions seen in the open deserts of Sinai and southern Palestine, this was often dismounted work in steep, rocky terrain where horses were as much a burden as an advantage.

The weeks after Jerusalem's capture were occupied with securing the newly won territory. Alfred and his comrades would have spent much of their time on patrol, outpost duty and reconnaissance. The regiment's horses required constant care, and this was no small task. Every day involved watering, feeding, grooming and maintaining saddlery. In many ways the welfare of a Light Horseman depended as much upon his horse as upon his rifle. The winter weather added to the difficulties. Rain transformed roads and tracks into quagmires, streams flooded, and the cold conditions in the hills were a marked contrast to the heat normally associated with the Palestine campaign.

1918

During the first months of 1918 the regiment remained engaged in operations designed to secure the Jordan Valley and protect the British right flank. The strategic focus shifted eastward toward the Jordan River. In February and March, mounted units were increasingly employed in reconnaissance and preparations for raids across the river. The Ottoman Army still occupied strong positions beyond the Jordan, and the British command sought opportunities to disrupt enemy communications and encourage the Arab Revolt further north. They faced heat, malaria and raids

MARCH 1918 FIRST TRANS-JORDAN RAID

In March 1918 the 5th Light Horse Regiment took part in the First Trans-Jordan Raid, one of the most ambitious mounted operations of the campaign. The objective was the important railway junction at Amman, part of the Hejaz Railway system that linked Ottoman forces throughout the region. To reach their objective, the mounted troops crossed the Jordan River under difficult conditions and advanced through rough country that was wholly unsuited to cavalry operations. Heavy rain, mud and mountainous terrain slowed progress considerably.

The advance toward Amman proved far more difficult than expected. Ottoman resistance stiffened as the Australians approached the town. The Light Horsemen often fought dismounted, leaving one man in every four to hold the horses while the others advanced on foot. The attack failed to achieve its objectives, and the force was compelled to withdraw across the Jordan. Although disappointing, the operation demonstrated the determination and endurance of the mounted troops, who had covered long distances in exhausting conditions while under enemy fire.

APRIL MAY 1918 SECOND TRANS JORDAN RAID

Barely a month later, in April and May 1918, Alfred and the regiment were involved in the Second Trans-Jordan Raid, directed against Ottoman positions around Es Salt and Shunet Nimrin. Once again, the mounted troops crossed the Jordan and advanced into difficult country. Initially there were successes, with Australian and New Zealand mounted units capturing Es Salt. However, strong Ottoman counter-attacks threatened to cut off the force. The fighting became intense, with Light Horse regiments repeatedly called upon to hold defensive positions against determined attacks.

APRIL MAY 1918 ES SALT

The withdrawal from Es Salt was one of the most dramatic episodes of the campaign. Mounted troops fought a series of rearguard actions while extricating themselves and their horses from a precarious position. Despite heavy pressure, the force managed to recross the Jordan and avoid encirclement. Alfred would have witnessed some of the most demanding service of the Palestine campaign during these operations. The combination of steep terrain, shortages of water, long marches and persistent enemy attacks tested even the most experienced soldiers.

SUMMER 1918 JORDAN VALLEY

Following these raids, the summer of 1918 settled into a period of harsh but important service in the Jordan Valley. While the Western Front was experiencing the climactic battles that would end the war, the Light Horsemen endured a very different struggle. The Jordan Valley was notoriously unhealthy during the hot months. Temperatures soared, dust was omnipresent and disease was a constant threat. Malaria, in particular, became a serious problem. Soldiers spent long periods manning outposts, conducting patrols, observing enemy positions and maintaining pressure on Ottoman forces across a broad front.

Although there were no great cavalry charges during these months, the work was far from easy. Patrols frequently clashed with Ottoman outposts. Sniping, artillery fire and raids continued. The regiment also participated in deception operations designed to convince the enemy that the main British effort would again be directed across the Jordan. These measures were part of a larger plan being developed by General Allenby.

SEPTEMBER 1918 BATTLE OF MEGIDDO

By September 1918 the long months of preparation were complete. The British command launched the great offensive known as the Battle of Megiddo, one of the decisive campaigns of the entire war in the Middle East. The infantry broke through the Ottoman front near the Mediterranean coast, creating an opportunity for the mounted troops to exploit the breakthrough.

The Australian Mounted Division, including the 5th Light Horse Regiment, surged north through the gap and began a rapid advance that became one of the most successful cavalry operations in modern military history. Ottoman armies were thrown into retreat, and mounted troops advanced with remarkable speed through Palestine. The regiment covered long distances, captured prisoners and disrupted enemy lines of communication. Unlike the attritional warfare of the Western Front, this was a war of movement, and the Light Horsemen excelled in it.

SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 1918

During September and into October 1918, Alfred would have participated in the relentless pursuit of the retreating Ottoman forces through northern Palestine and into Syria. The mounted troops captured thousands of prisoners, enormous quantities of equipment and numerous strategic positions. Towns and villages that had been under Ottoman control for centuries fell in rapid succession.

OCTOBER 1918

By October the advance had carried Allied forces deep into Syria. The Ottoman military position was collapsing. The capture of Damascus by mounted and Arab forces was one of the great achievements of the campaign. As the pursuit continued northward, it became increasingly clear that the Ottoman Empire could not continue the war.

Therefore, between December 1917 and October 1918, Alfred and the 5th Light Horse Regiment were involved in some of the most significant operations of the Middle Eastern theatre: the securing of Jerusalem, the First and Second Trans-Jordan Raids, the arduous service in the Jordan Valley, and finally the spectacular advance during the Battle of Megiddo and the pursuit into Syria that helped bring about the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. It was a period that showcased every aspect of Light Horse service—reconnaissance, dismounted combat, long-distance marching, mounted pursuit and the constant care of horses under some of the most demanding conditions encountered by Australian troops during the war.

HOSPITALISATION NO DETAILS OCTOBER 1918

Alfred was hospitalised, no details, on 11th October 1918, was transferred to a hospital in Boulac, Cairo. Alfred's hospitalisation on 11 October 1918 came at a particularly interesting time. The 5th Light Horse Regiment had just participated in the extraordinary advance that followed the Battle of Megiddo in September. During those weeks the regiment had covered immense distances in pursuit of the retreating Ottoman armies, often riding for long hours with limited rest while coping with dust, heat, poor water supplies and the physical strain placed upon both men and horses.

By October 1918, disease was almost as dangerous as enemy action. Throughout the Palestine and Syrian campaigns, large numbers of Australian Light Horsemen were struck down by malaria, influenza, dysentery and other illnesses. In fact, during the final months of the campaign many units lost more men to sickness than to enemy fire. It is therefore quite possible that Alfred's admission to hospital was due to illness rather than a wound, although without the medical records we cannot be certain.

When Alfred was evacuated from his regiment on 11 October, he would first have passed through the army's medical chain. A regimental medical officer would have assessed him before he was transferred to a field ambulance and then to a casualty clearing facility or stationary hospital. Once it became clear that his condition required longer treatment, he was sent south to Egypt.

His transfer to hospital at Boulac (Bulaq), Cairo, removed him completely from the fighting front. Boulac was a district of Cairo that contained major military medical facilities used by the British Empire forces throughout the war. By this stage of the campaign, hospitals in Egypt were receiving a steady stream of sick and wounded men from Palestine and Syria. For many Australians, arrival in Cairo represented the first real opportunity for prolonged rest after years of campaigning.

While Alfred was recovering in Egypt, dramatic events were unfolding in the Middle East. On 30 October 1918 the Ottoman Empire signed the Armistice of Mudros, effectively ending hostilities in that theatre. The war that had carried the Light Horse from Gallipoli to Sinai, Gaza, Beersheba, Jerusalem and Damascus was finally over. Had Alfred remained with his regiment he would have witnessed the occupation duties that followed, but instead he was watching events from a hospital bed hundreds of kilometres away.

Recovery could be a slow process. Military hospitals in Cairo were large and often crowded, but they were generally far more comfortable than the field hospitals nearer the front. Patients received regular meals, nursing care and medical treatment. Men who were sufficiently recovered might spend time in convalescent depots, gradually regaining strength before a decision was made about their future service.

By late 1918 and early 1919 the Australian authorities were faced with the enormous task of returning tens of thousands of soldiers home. Repatriation was a complex undertaking. Priority often went to men who were sick, wounded or medically unfit for further service. Alfred's continued stay in Egypt until February 1919 suggests that either his recovery required considerable time or that he was awaiting a suitable transport home.

Those months in Cairo were likely very different from the active service he had known. The tension of combat had ended, but there was still uncertainty. Many soldiers spent their days attending medical examinations, undergoing treatment, writing letters home and eagerly scanning newspapers for news of shipping arrangements. Thoughts increasingly turned away from military life and toward family, friends and the prospect of returning to Australia.

GOING HOME

Finally, on 5 February 1919, Alfred embarked for Australia. The voyage home was a long one, often taking several weeks and involving passage through the Suez Canal, across the Indian Ocean and south toward Australia. For many returned soldiers, the journey provided the first real opportunity to reflect upon the extraordinary experiences of the previous four years. Alfred had served through the Sinai and Palestine campaigns, witnessed the capture of Jerusalem, endured the difficult Trans-Jordan operations, survived the unhealthy Jordan Valley and seen the spectacular advance that shattered the Ottoman armies in 1918.

As the transport steamed southward toward Australia, the war was finally behind him. Like thousands of other Light Horsemen, he was leaving the Middle East not as part of a victorious mounted regiment racing across the Syrian plains, but as a veteran whose service had ended in a Cairo hospital before the long-awaited voyage home. The years of campaigning, hardship, disease and danger were over, and ahead lay the challenge of returning to civilian life after one of the most remarkable military campaigns in Australian history.

FOR HIS SERVICE

Alfred was discharged 16^th May 1919. For his service, Alfred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

DEATH

Alfred died 9^th August 1961 in Queensland

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