Trooper Richard James Hatton
Service #: 3658
Summary
PERSONAL LIFE
Richard James Hatton was born on 24th October, 1898 in Byangum, son of Harry & Lucy (Noonan) Hatton. He had 2 brothers & 3 sisters. Many members of the Hatton family are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district as well as being buried in Murwillumbah cemetery
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
OATH
On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Richard James Hatton, 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
This was held at Victoria Barracks, Sydney on 19th October 1916. He declared his age as being 18. He was a farmer. Richard was 5ft 7 ¼ inches (170cm) and he weighed 132lbs (60kgs). His physical development and pulse rate were good, he had no vaccination marks and his eyesight was good. He had a mole on the right side of his neck, a scar on his right shin & another on his left shin.
He had slight defects but not sufficient to cause rejection- his bad teeth were listed as the defects. He was given an oral examination on 24th October 1916 at the Menangle Showground Military Camp which showed he needed extractions of N C 3, 12, 14 & 19 and they were completed on the day
He declared he did not suffer from fits, insanity, or consumption. In the next weeks he was vaccinated
CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER
He certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He accordingly approves, and appointed him as a private into the 6th Light Horse Regiment with service No 3658
UNDERAGE
There is a minute (not held) advising Richard was underage and on 2nd December 1916 Menangle camp advised HQ that Richard had produced a birth certificate showing he did not reach the age of 19 (the minimum age to recruit) until 24th October 1917. Kindly take necessary steps to detain his embarkation until that date
MENANGLE TRAINING CAMP OCTOBER 1916 TO OCTOBER 1917
Because Richard was underage, he could not undertake full active service training, but the Army did not waste idle hands. He would have likely been assigned to a range of duties such as:
· Stable hand or groom work: feeding, watering, grooming, and exercising horses — vital to Light Horse camps.
· Camp orderly or stores assistant: helping maintain saddlery, cleaning tack, or distributing feed and supplies.
· Messenger and general duties: carrying written orders or helping the administrative staff in small ways.
· Basic drill and horsemanship: though not yet in a reinforcement group, he probably participated in parade drills, musketry practice, and riding instruction alongside older trainees.
By the time he reached legal age, he would have been very comfortable in a military routine, with practical horse-handling experience that made him a natural fit when he was formally taken on for overseas service.
“REAL” TRAINING BEGINS
Around September or October 1917, once cleared for embarkation, Richard would have undertaken full training. He would have been issued with his uniform and kit — rough khaki wool attire, boots, puttees, webbing, mess tins, and the slouch hat that became the iconic image of the Australian Digger.
Routine and Structure
Training was rigorous and disciplined, designed to transform civilians into soldiers quickly and effectively.
Daily Routine & Training
· Early morning reveille – A bugle call, around 5:30–6:00am to get the men out of their bell tents.
· Physical training – Running, marching, and calisthenics to build stamina.
· Drill practice – Hours of learning to march in step, change formation, and handle rifles with precision. The aim was to turn raw civilians into disciplined soldiers.
· Musketry training – Practising loading and firing the Lee–Enfield .303 rifle, first with dummy rounds, then at the camp rifle range. Accuracy was essential.
· Bayonet fighting – Fierce practice with sandbags or dummies, using the short stabbing thrusts that trench warfare demanded.
· Field manoeuvres – Learning how to advance, take cover, dig shallow trenches, and work as a section in open field exercises.
Living Conditions
· Tents in rows – Bell tents housed up to 8–10 men each, with simple stretchers or palliasses (straw mattresses).
· Mess tents – Soldiers queued for meals, which were basic but plentiful: bread, meat, potatoes, tea, and the occasional stew.
· Washing – Done in cold water at outdoor troughs. Mud in winter and dust in summer were constant irritants.
· Inspections – Daily checks of uniforms, kit, and rifles. Any deficiencies meant extra duties.
Discipline & Military Etiquette
· Learning how to salute, obey orders instantly, and respect rank.
· Roll calls, guard duties, and night pickets around the camp perimeter.
· Punishments for lateness, untidy kit, or breaking camp rules—anything from extra drill to “confined to barracks.”
RECREATION
Boxing matches, singalongs, and competitive sports like football or tug-of-war helped maintain spirits. A sense of anticipation—and perhaps anxiety—hung over the men, knowing that after Broadmeadows, they would be heading to Egypt, and then to the war in Gallipoli
Routine and Structure
Training at Broadmeadow was rigorous and disciplined, designed to transform civilians into soldiers quickly and effectively.
Daily Routine & Training
· Early morning reveille – A bugle call, around 5:30–6:00am to get the men out of their bell tents.
· Physical training – Running, marching, and calisthenics to build stamina.
· Drill practice – Hours of learning to march in step, change formation, and handle rifles with precision. The aim was to turn raw civilians into disciplined soldiers.
· Musketry training – Practising loading and firing the Lee–Enfield .303 rifle, first with dummy rounds, then at the camp rifle range. Accuracy was essential.
· Bayonet fighting – Fierce practice with sandbags or dummies, using the short stabbing thrusts that trench warfare demanded.
· Field manoeuvres – Learning how to advance, take cover, dig shallow trenches, and work as a section in open field exercises.
Living Conditions
· Tents in rows – Bell tents housed up to 8–10 men each, with simple stretchers or palliasses (straw mattresses).
· Mess tents – Soldiers queued for meals, which were basic but plentiful: bread, meat, potatoes, tea, and the occasional stew.
· Washing – Done in cold water at outdoor troughs. Mud in winter and dust in summer were constant irritants.
· Inspections – Daily checks of uniforms, kit, and rifles. Any deficiencies meant extra duties.
Discipline & Military Etiquette
· Learning how to salute, obey orders instantly, and respect rank.
· Roll calls, guard duties, and night pickets around the camp perimeter.
· Punishments for lateness, untidy kit, or breaking camp rules—anything from extra drill to “confined to barracks.”
RECREATION
Boxing matches, singalongs, and competitive sports like football or tug-of-war helped maintain spirits. A sense of anticipation—and perhaps anxiety—hung over the men, knowing that after Broadmeadows, they would be heading to Egypt, and then to the war in Gallipoli
VOYAGE OVERSEAS FROM SYDNEY TO EGYPT
On the 16TH November 1917 the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Canberra. The ship carried a mix of reinforcements for various units — including Light Horse, Infantry, and Engineers.
Alongside his comrades, Richard 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.
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.
DISCIPLINED 27TH NOVEMBER
On 27th November 1917 Richard committed the offence of disobeying an order by a superior officer by making a noise on deck B after “Lights Out”. He was admonished & forfeited 20 day’s pay
ARRIVAL EGYPT DECEMBER 1917
On 21st December 1917 they disembarked at Suez and marched into reinforcement camp at Moascar.
MOASCAR TRAINING CAMP
Moascar was one of the most significant Allied military camps in Egypt during the First World War. Situated near the town of Ismailia, on the western side of the Suez Canal, it became a vast training and transit centre for British and Dominion troops, including thousands of Australians. The camp’s location was chosen for its strategic importance — close to the canal, which was vital to maintaining the Empire’s supply routes, and within easy reach of both the desert front and the ports of embarkation at Suez and Alexandria.
By 1916–1917, Moascar had grown into a sprawling complex of tents, huts, parade grounds, hospitals, and stables. It was the main base for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in Egypt after the evacuation from Gallipoli. Soldiers who had fought on the peninsula were sent here to rest, recover, and reorganise before being posted to new theatres of war — either the Western Front in France or the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Reinforcements arriving from Australia were also sent to Moascar to undergo final training before joining their battalions or regiments at the front.
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.
The conditions could be harsh — scorching days, cool nights, swirling dust, and limited comforts. Yet for many men, this period of preparation built the discipline and endurance that would carry them through later campaigns. Units stationed there also conducted desert manoeuvres, learning to cope with the terrain and the logistics of operating far from reliable water sources.
However, the camp was also known for its strict discipline and, at times, tensions between soldiers and local authorities. Incidents of misconduct, desertion, and clashes with Egyptian civilians were not uncommon, leading to courts martial and increased policing of the area. Despite these difficulties, Moascar remained a key operational base throughout the war, symbolising both the order and chaos of wartime military life.
For many, it was their first experience of Egypt: the pyramids in the distance, the glare of the desert, and the endless drills that marked the transition from civilian to soldier.
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.
TRAINING FOR LIGHT HORSE REGIMENTS
The Australian Light Horse regiments played a prominent role at Moascar, and their training there was distinct from that of the infantry. The wide desert terrain surrounding the camp made it ideal for mounted work, and Moascar became one of the key centres where Light Horsemen honed their skills before heading into the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. Daily routines included horsemanship, care and grooming of the horses, extended patrols, and tactical exercises designed to prepare them for reconnaissance and mobile warfare in the desert. Troopers practised dismounted fighting, signalling, and coordinated advances under the watchful eyes of experienced instructors who had already seen action at Gallipoli or in the early desert campaigns.
Life for the Light Horsemen at Moascar was a mixture of hard training and long periods of waiting. Their horses — often brought from Australia — required constant attention, particularly in the dry, sandy conditions that caused sores and cracked hooves. Yet these men developed a strong bond with their mounts, which became their constant companions in the months ahead
TAKEN ON STRENGTH 2ND LIGHT HORSE MARCH 1918
He was taken on strength with the 2nd Light Horse on 16th March 1918. Richard would have joined his new regiment in the Palestine theatre, where the Australian Mounted Division was operating along the Jordan Valley and around Jericho. The Light Horse at that stage were not fighting continuous battles but were carrying out patrols, reconnaissance missions, and defensive outpost duties in preparation for the Allied push across the Jordan River. Conditions were extremely trying — intense heat, limited water, swarms of flies, and the ever-present risk of disease.
The 2nd Light Horse Regiment, part of the 1st Light Horse Brigade, was responsible for screening movements, maintaining patrols along the front, and keeping contact with enemy positions. These patrols could be long and tedious but were crucial for monitoring Turkish and German troop movements. The men were often in the saddle for hours, riding across rocky ground and dry wadis under a relentless sun. At night, they stood sentry duty in exposed outposts where malaria and fevers were common.
TRANSFER TO 6TH LIGHT HORSE APRIL 1918
On 10th April he was transferred to the 6th Light Horse. Richard’s transfer to the 6th Light Horse on 10 April may have been for reinforcement purposes — units were constantly being shuffled to replace casualties or strengthen under-strength squadrons.
HOSPITALISED PUO APRIL 1918
He likely had little time to settle into the new regiment before falling ill only two days later, on 12 April, suggesting he was already feeling the effects of exposure, fatigue, or infection during that transition. On 12th Richard was hospitalised at the Anzac Rest Station at Jericho.
“PUO” was one of the most common medical entries in the AIF records from Egypt and Palestine. It literally means “fever of unknown origin,” a diagnosis used when a soldier had a high temperature but the exact cause could not be immediately determined. In the Middle Eastern climate, PUO often masked a range of tropical and infectious diseases — malaria, sandfly fever, dysentery, enteric (typhoid), or heat exhaustion were all common culprits.
In the Jordan Valley and around Moascar, these fevers spread easily due to mosquitoes, poor sanitation, contaminated water, and close living conditions. Soldiers frequently suffered relapses, and although many recovered, others were hospitalised for weeks or months. In Richard’s case, his illness so soon after joining the 6th Light Horse fits this broader pattern — after weeks of strenuous riding, long patrols, and exposure to desert heat, his immune system would have been vulnerable.
ANZAC REST STATION
The Anzac Rest Station was a medical staging and convalescent facility established by the Australian and New Zealand forces in the Middle East. It was not a front-line dressing station, but rather a temporary rest and recovery post for soldiers who were sick, mildly wounded, or suffering from exhaustion — not ill enough to be sent to a full hospital, but too unwell to remain with their unit in the field.
It was run by medical personnel from the Australian Army Medical Corps and functioned as a halfway point: soldiers could be treated for fevers, diarrhoea, dehydration, or mild infections, given decent food, and rest, and then returned to duty if they improved. If their condition worsened or showed no improvement after a few days, they were evacuated onward to a stationary hospital or a general hospital in Cairo or Alexandria.
65TH CLEARING STATION 14th APRIL 1918
When Richard was first admitted to the Anzac Rest Station on 12 April, his condition was assessed as mild — likely a fever or signs of heat exhaustion. However, when his symptoms persisted or worsened, he was quickly moved up the medical evacuation system. On 14 April, he was admitted to the 65th Casualty Clearing Station (CCS). These units were mobile field hospitals positioned close behind the front lines. Their purpose was to provide emergency medical treatment, triage, and short-term care before patients were either returned to their units or sent to more permanent hospitals. The 65th CCS was operating in the Sinai–Palestine area at that time, handling a heavy flow of fever cases. His stay there — only a day — suggests he was stabilised but still quite unwell.
76TH CASUALTY CLEARING STATION 15TH APRIL 1918
On 15 April, he was transferred to the 76th Casualty Clearing Station, which handled cases in transit toward the canal hospitals. Again, his short stay (one day) indicates rapid evacuation rather than lengthy treatment — a common procedure when a soldier’s fever was worsening or the cause uncertain.
43RD STATIONARY HOSPITAL 16TH APRIL 1918
By 16 April, Richard reached the 43rd Stationary Hospital, which was a more established facility with laboratory capacity and wards for ongoing observation. Stationary hospitals were located further back from the front, often near railheads or the Suez Canal. His overnight stay here likely involved diagnostic work and preparation for further transfer.
44TH STATIONARY HOSPITAL 17TH APRIL 1918
On 17 April, he was moved to the 44th Stationary Hospital at Kantara, a key medical hub on the canal line. Kantara had several hospitals and convalescent depots, as well as a major base depot for the AIF. The 44th treated hundreds of PUO and malaria cases during this period. Richard’s stay there (17–19 April) suggests his fever persisted and required continuous monitoring.
14TH AUSTRALIAN GENERAL HOSPITAL PORT SAID 19TH APRIL 1918
Finally, on 19 April, he was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Port Said. This was one of the major AIF hospitals in Egypt, well-equipped for long-term treatment of tropical diseases, fevers, and enteric cases. By the time a soldier reached a General Hospital, his illness was usually considered serious enough to require extended medical care. The 14th AGH treated Australians from both the Sinai–Palestine and Egyptian camps, with large wards, trained nursing staff, and proper diagnostic facilities.
When Richard was admitted on 19 April 1918, his diagnosis was “Debility after Pyrexia N.Y.D.” — meaning he was weak and exhausted after suffering a fever of not yet diagnosed origin. In other words, he had recovered from the worst of a fever but was still physically run down and under observation. The doctor noted that he had experienced fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite beginning on 12 April, but there was no history of malaria or dysentery, suggesting they still didn’t know what had caused it.
At admission, Richard was described as “feeling well except for a slight headache,” with a “clean tongue, little appetite, fair bowels, chest and heart normal.” That means that by the time he reached the hospital, his vital signs were stable and the fever had passed, but he was still weak, tired, and not eating properly — a typical case of post-fever debility. The note “M.T. good and bright” shows that he was alert, cheerful, and mentally sound.
By 22 April, he was moved into a convalescent ward, meaning his recovery was progressing well. The doctor commented on his “good colour,” though still “off food by day,” and noted he was “keeping to his bed half the day.” This suggests he was regaining strength but not yet fully up and about.
On 23 April, the notes record “no further vomiting, feeling well,” showing continued improvement. By 26 April, he was “feeling very well” and marked for discharge from the ward — a full recovery from his bout of fever and weakness.
PORT SAID REST CAMP 3RD MAY 1918
Finally, on 3 May 1918, Richard was officially sent to the Rest Camp at Port Said — the final step before returning to his unit. This was common practice for soldiers who had been hospitalised for fever: they spent a short period resting, eating well, and regaining fitness before being declared fit for duty.
RETURNED TO DUTY- JUNE 1918 AT SOLOMON POOLS
After a long period of service in Egypt and Palestine, Richard came out of rest camp on 6 June 1918 and, four days later, was transferred to his unit at Solomon’s Pools, near Bethlehem. At this time the regiment was holding defensive positions and carrying out local patrols in the Judean Hills south of Jerusalem. The 6th Light Horse formed part of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, Australian Mounted Division, which was maintaining the front line and protecting communications in that sector.
During the northern summer of 1918, the Light Horse units trained intensively for the next major offensive, while still contending with the difficult terrain, heat, and the ever-present threat of disease. Hatton would have taken part in routine mounted patrols, reconnaissance, and the care of horses—arduous work under desert conditions.
BATTLE OF MEGIDDO – SEPTEMBER 1918
By early September, the Allied forces under General Allenby began their final offensive against the Ottoman Army. The Battle of Megiddo, fought between 19 and 25 September 1918, became one of the most decisive victories of the war in the Middle East. The Light Horse played a crucial role, breaking through enemy lines and pursuing the retreating Turkish columns north through Samaria and into the Jordan Valley.
HOSPITALISED NOT YET
DIAGNOSED FEVER SEPTEMBER 1918
At the very moment this advance
began, Hatton fell ill and was admitted to the ANZAC Receiving Station on 18
September suffering from “NYD Fever”—Not Yet Diagnosed Fever, a term that often
meant malaria or sandfly fever. The timing suggests he had been part of the
build-up to the offensive but was struck down before the main action began.
He was transferred the following day to the 66th Casualty Clearing Station near Ludd (Lydda), and on 26 September evacuated to the Scottish Women’s Hospital in Alexandria, often recorded as “Scot House.” After recovering, he was sent to the great Australian base at Moascar, near Ismailia, to convalesce before being returned to duty.
RETURN TO THE REGIMENT – OCTOBER 1918
Hatton marched out from Moascar on 5 October 1918 to rejoin the 6th Light Horse Regiment, which he did on 16 October at Wadi Hassein. By this time, the war in the Middle East was effectively over. The Turkish armies had collapsed after Megiddo, Damascus had fallen, and the Armistice with Turkey was signed on 31 October 1918.
For the men of the 6th Light Horse, this brought no immediate return home. Instead, they found themselves on occupation and policing duties, first in Palestine and later in Egypt. Their tasks included supervising surrendered Ottoman troops, maintaining order along key routes, and caring for the horses that had carried them through the campaign.
POST-WAR SERVICE – EGYPT, 1918–1919
Throughout late 1918 and the first half of 1919, the regiment was stationed in the Canal Zone, mainly around Moascar and Kantara, awaiting shipping back to Australia. During this time, tensions within Egypt flared into the Egyptian nationalist uprising of March–April 1919, and many Australian mounted units were used to help restore order. Although there is no specific record of Hatton’s participation, the 6th Light Horse was actively engaged in patrolling railway lines, guarding camps, and controlling unrest in towns such as Ismailia and Zagazig.
Life at Moascar was monotonous and hot, the men impatient to return home. They continued routine drill, horse care, and camp maintenance while the government organised repatriation transports and decided the fate of the horses—many of which, sadly, could not be brought back to Australia.
RETURN TO AUSTRALIA JUNE 1919
HOSPITALISED ON SHIP- MALARIA
At last, Trooper Hatton embarked from Kantara on 27 June 1919 aboard H.T. Madras, one of the final transports carrying Australian Light Horsemen home from the Middle East. But his journey was far from easy. On 20 June, just before the ship departed, he was admitted to the ship’s hospital suffering from malaria, the same illness that had likely first struck him the previous September. He remained there until 11 July.
Malaria was one of the great scourges of the Palestine campaign. The mosquitoes breeding in the swamps of the Jordan Valley infected thousands of soldiers, and relapses were common for months afterward. Treatment aboard the Madras would have been rudimentary but earnest: quinine was the standard medication, administered in large doses that often caused nausea, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. The ship’s hospital would have been a converted section of the lower deck—rows of narrow iron beds or stretchers, screened with canvas, attended by a small staff of medical orderlies and a ship’s doctor. Ventilation was poor, and the tropical heat of the Red Sea made recovery slow and exhausting. Still, most men, like Hatton, pulled through, though many never completely shook off the effects of malaria. He arrived in Australia on 3rd August 1919, ending nearly four years of service that had taken him from the sands of Egypt through the long campaign in Palestine and into the final days of the war.
After reaching Australia in August 1919, Richard James Hatton’s long journey as a Light Horseman came to an end. On 4th August he underwent his final medical where he signed a document stating “ I am not suffering from any disability due to ro aggravated by war service and feel fit and well.”
On 27 August 1919, he was discharged from the A.I.F.—his Termination of Period of Enlistment (T.P.E.)—after nearly four years of service across Egypt and Palestine. Like so many of his comrades, he returned quietly to civilian life, carrying with him the memories of desert marches, comrades lost to battle and disease, and the enduring bond of the horsemen who had ridden beside him. His war was over, but his story remained part of that vast tapestry of Australians who served far from home and helped bring the Great War to its end. For his service Richard was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
HOME LIFE
Richard married Mary Ann Barnes in Murwillumbah in 1922. He died 23rd April 1963 in Murwillumbah and is buried in Murwillumbah Catholic Cemetery
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
We do not know the memorial location of this individual
Buried Location
Murwillumbah Catholic Cemetery
