Beersheba
In light of the 100 year anniversary of the battle at Beersheba, I thought I’d post a couple of pics of my Great Uncle’s diary. It’s a very small French made diary about two inches square. I’ve scanned it and been able to decipher most of his handwriting, so I’ll post the text from it. It runs through to 29th. December, 1917, so I might split bit into two or three posts.
He was in the 5th. Light Horse Regiment, which was part of the campaign on the East side of Beersheba.
Cheers, Willie.
I’ve also attached notes as edits. The diary starts on the 21st. October, 1917 when the Regiment was leaving Kazar (in the present day Gaza Strip) to move south to Esani.
21/10/1917.
Escort to Engineers. Left at 2 pm. & went till 1 am. 22nd. & camped for three hours.
22/10.1917.
Started at 4 am.. Travelled until 6.30 & observation till 8am. & then on patrol, got back & horses fed up about 8pm.. Jacko had a few shots but did not do any damage.
23/10.1917.
Fixing lines during day. Outpost at night.
24/10.1917.
Patrol during day, chased some Turks, did not get any. Outpost at night.
25/10.1917.
A day in the lines, outpost at night.
26/10.1917.
Patrol during day, sitting on observation post & Jacko got a few shots very close. Went out to hunt, Jackos back at 11 pm..
27/10.1917.
Went across to Camel Corps outpost. outpost bombed, six camels killed. Dug in on 970 at night. Left Esani at daylight, got to Kalassa 4 pm..
28/10.1917.
Left Kalassa to go to Asluj.
29/10.1917.
Arrived at Asluj.
*[ Note: Up until the arrival at Asluj, dates, times and movements differ from the Regiment's movements as per the history of the 5th. Light horse Regiment as written by Captain H. Wetherell. The only explanation I can think of is that my Great Uncle may have been part of a detachment following behind for some reason.]
30/10.1917.
On patrol in the mountains & left for the scrap at 5.30 pm.
*[Note: the 'scrap' referred to is the battle at Beersheba.]
31/10.1917. * [ the day of the battle and charge at Beersheba ]
Came round the back of Beersheba, pushed the Turks back, got under shrapnel and machine gun fire in the afternoon.
1/11/1917.
Under fire from taubes in the morning. Patrol at 4 am.. In the afternoon advanced into the hills & had a bit of a fight at close range. Retreated to the flat at night.
2/11/1917.
Advanced into hills & held the line at night.
3/11/1917.
Advanced still further into the hills.
4/11/1917.
Morning patrol at 4 am.. Taube fired on us with machine guns.
5/11/1917.
Under shrapnel fire all day. Casualties fairly heavy.
[* Note: 9 men wounded, 14 horses killed, 17 horses wounded.]
6/11/1917.
Retired at 3 am. & went back to Beersheba. Left Beersheba at 5 pm. & arrived at El Sheria at 3 am.. Infantry fighting & we came along and kept them going.
7/11/1917.
Made attempt to take two guns in afternoon. Heavy shrapnel fire all day. Lt. Webster killed.
*[Note: Lieutenant Tom Webster wounded 7.11.17., died of wounds 8.11.17.
8/11/1917.
Fight at Sheria lasted all day. Ted Davis badly wounded. Also Mac and Lt. Morley.
*[Note: Private Edward Davis wounded 8.11.17, died of wounds 9.11.17
'Mac' - Private George MacKenzie wounded 8.11.17
Lieutenant Charles Morley wounded 8.11.17, died of wounds 8.11.17. ]
9/11/1917.
Pushed on at daylight & overtook retreating Turks. No tucker since day before.
10/11/1917.
Turks made another stand & held us up again. Heavy artillery fire all day.
11/11/1917.
Under shell fire all morning. Standing to in afternoon. Horse slightly wounded.
12/11/1917.
Horses tired, retired to beach.
