The History of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles 1914-1919
A Regimental Diary
A Regimental Diary.
1914.
Aug. 18 | The first man reported to the Mobilisation Camp, Addington. |
Sept. 23 | The Regiment embarked on the "Tahiti" and "Athenic' at Lyttelton. |
25 | Went into camp at Lyall Bay and Trentham. |
Oct. 14 | Embarked on transports "Tahiti" and "Athenic." |
15 | Sailed. |
21 | Called at Hobart. |
28 | Joined the Australian transport fleet at Albany. |
Nov. 9 | H.M.A.S. "Sydney," one of the convoy's protecting ships, defeated and destroyed the German cruiser " Emdem." |
16 | Arrival at Colombo. |
24 | Called at Aden. |
Dec. 1 | Arrival at Suez. |
3 | Began disembarkation at Alexandria. |
4 | Arrived at Zeitoun, a suburb of Cairo. |
23 | March through the streets of Cairo. |
30 | Inspection by General Birdwood. |
1915.
Jan. 9 | Parade held for Sir T. Mackenzie, High Commissioner for N.Z. |
28 | First tactical exercise held in desert, vicinity of signal towers. |
Feb. 3 | First Turkish attack on Suez Canal. |
26 | Trek to Bilbeis. |
March 12 | First Khamsim experienced. |
22 | Review by Sir H. McMahon, High Commissioner for Egypt. |
29 | Review by Sir Ian Hamilton. |
April 25 | N.Z. Infantry landed at Anzac. |
May 5 | Orders received to go to Gallipoli as infantry. |
9 | Embarked at Alexandria on " Grantully Castle." |
12 | Landed at Anzac Cove. |
15 | Major Overton's first reconnaisance. Raid on Lala Baba. |
18-19 | Great Turkish attack driven off. |
24 | Armistice for burying the dead. |
25 | H.M.S. "Triumph" torpedoed. |
28 | Capture of "Old No. 3" by 1st Squadron C.M.R, |
June 29-30 | Second great Turkish attack driven off. |
July 1 | C.M.R. takes over trenches, Russell Top. |
Aug. 5 | Regiment moves to No. 2 Outpost. |
6 | At 9 p.m. moved out to attack Walden Point and Bauchop Hill. |
7-8-9-10 | The desperate fighting on Chunuk Bair. |
21 | Attack on Hill 60 (Kaiajik Aghala). |
22-23 | Holding on to Hill 60. |
27 | Second and final attack on Hill 60. |
Sept. 2 | Moved to Cheshire Ridge. |
13 | N.Z.M.R. Brigade goes to Mudros for rest and reorganisation. |
Nov. 10 | Returned to Anzac and camped in Waterfall Gully. |
27 | Relieved Suffolk Yeomanry and a portion of the 162nd Brigade on the Aghyl Dere. |
28 | A cold blizzard swept the lines. |
Dee. 12 | Definite steps began to be taken for the evacuation. |
18 | First portion of Regiment left Anzac. |
19-20 | Evacuation takes place. |
21 | At Mudros. |
22 | Embarked on "Hororata" for Egypt. |
26 | Arrived at Zeitoun and horses again taken over. |
1916.
Jan. 18 | N.Z.M.R, Brigade inspected by Colonel R. H. Rhodes. |
23 | Trek to the Canal begun. 29' Regiment arrived Serapeum. |
March 6 | C.M.R. takes over lines at Ferry Post. |
21 | H.R.H. The Prince of Wales visited the Regiment. |
April 7 | Arrived at Salhia. |
24 | Crossed Suez Canal into Sinai. |
25 | Moved to head of Military Railway at "Canterbury Post." |
May 7-8 | Cutting canal from sea to Sabkhet el Bardawil. |
11 | Moved to Et Maler. |
15-16 | Reconnaissance—heavy Khamsin. |
June 23 | Moved to Hill 70. |
Aug. 4-5 | Battle of Romani. |
6-12 | Actions of Katia, Ogratina, Bir el Abd. Sept. Advance through the desert. |
Sept. | Advance through the desert. |
Oct. | Advance through the desert. |
Nov. | Advance through the desert. |
Dec. 20 | Night march to surround El Arish. |
22-23-24 | Advance on and action of Magdhaba. |
Dec. 27 | Camped at beach Masaiol. |
1917.
1918.
Jan. 20 | Moved to Nalin. |
Feb. 3 | Moved to Ayun Kara (Rishon le Zion). |
17 | Arrived at Bethlehem. |
19-20-21 | Advance on Jericho. |
22 | Reconnaissance of Jordan. |
22-23 | Marched up to Jerusalem. |
26 | Returned to Rishon le Zion. |
Mar. 13-18 | March to Bethlehem. |
20 | Arrived at Talaat ed Dumm (in the Wilderness). |
24 | Crossed the Jordan. |
25-26 | Climbing Mountains of Moab. |
27-30 | Attack upon Amman and capture of Hill 3039. |
31 | Retirement to edge of plateau. |
April 1 | Descent to the Jordan. |
2 | Camped near Jericho. |
30 | Action on east side of the Jordan. |
May 1-6 | Raid on Es Salt. |
16 | Moved to Talaat ed Dumm. |
27 | 8th Squadron goes to Richon. |
28 | Regiment camped near King Solomon's Pools. |
June 3 | Special King's Birthday Parade at Bethlehem. |
14 | Back in Jordan Valley—camping at Ain ed Duk. |
26 | The Turks began long range shelling with "Jericho Jane." |
July 14 | Combined German-Turk attack driven off. |
19 | Camped at Talaat ed Dumm. |
27 | Camped near King Solomon's Pools. |
Aug. 16 | Returned to the Valley of the Auja River. |
Sept. 21 | Advanced up west bank of Jordan. |
22 | Captured Damieh Bridge. |
23 | Capture of Es Salt. |
24 | Regiment moved to Suweile. |
25 | Capture of Amman. |
Oct. 2 | 8th Squadron goes to Madeba. |
3 | Regiment moved to Kissir. |
4 | Return to the Jordan. |
8 | The Regiment rode out of the Valley for the last time. |
14 | Reached Ayun Kara. |
Nov. 13 | The Regiment, without horses, entrained at Ludd. |
14 | Arrived at Kantara. |
27 | Embarked on " Huntscastle." |
Dec. 5 | Disembarked at Maidos, at the Dardanelles. Visits to the old battlefields. |
1919.
Jan. 17 | A party of officers and other ranks visited ancient Troy. |
19 | Embarked on "Norman." |
22 | Arrived Port Said and went to Rafa. |
March 23 | Regiment mounted moved to Tanta. |
April, May, June Patrolling in the Delta. | |
June 17 | Camped at Chevalier Island. |
30 | First portion of Regiment embarked on "Ulimaroa." |
July 23 | Remainder of Regiment embarked for N.Z. on "Ellenga." |