After training, they landed at Gallipoli on the 20th of May 1915. [40] The British official historian claims "more than half the dismounted troops in the town were captured or killed," while 15 of the 28 guns in the town were captured by the Desert Mounted Corps and XX Corps. [23], In early 1917, the 4th Light Horse Brigade was reconstituted at Ferry Post on 13 February under the command of Brigadier General John Meredith. [71][72] It was still dark when the advancing Australians came under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from German and Ottoman positions near the railway station about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) away. On 28 December, the brigade advanced to the Jurdeh–Kuddis–Nalin line to hold ground that had been captured as part of the advance on Jerusalem, and the 12th established itself at Kuddis. A reorganisation of the rapidly expanding AIF in early October resulted in the 6th being renumbered the 8th, and it became part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment was raised in August 1914, and assigned to the 2nd Light Horse Brigade. Conceived as part of an attack towards the Jerusalem to Jaffa line,[32] the regiment took part in the Battle of Beersheba. [53] In March, the 4th Light Horse Brigade, commanded by William Grant, was inspected by the Duke of Connaught who, according to author Kenneth Hollis, likened the "snap and automatic precision" of their ceremonial drill to "a battalion of Grenadiers". Joined 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment at El Sha'uth 25.5. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Once close enough, the squadron from the 12th dismounted and attacked with their bayonets, which forced most of the defenders out of the village, except the Germans defending the fortified railway station house. [44], The success at Beersheba significantly reduced Ottoman resistance,[15] but heavy fighting continued around Gaza and elsewhere, including the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe, and the regiment remained at Beersheba for four days to receive remounts. The unit became the 2/6th Armoured Regt, part of the 1st Armoured Brigade under the command of Lt Col W. A. Ormiston, with the HQ at Orange. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and, Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, 7 DSO; 6 MC; 7 DCM; 15 MM; 1 MSM; 37 MID; 4 foreign awards. You could also do it yourself at any point in time. Inherited through predecessor units, having been originally awarded in 1908 to the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment (New England Light Horse). AWM photo. [11] The Machine-Gun Section and 'A' Squadron were sent to the 1st Light Horse Regiment around "Walker's Ridge", becoming that regiment's 'B' Squadron; 'B' Squadron went to the 7th Light Horse Regiment at "Ryrie's Post", adopting the designation of 'D' Squadron; and 'C' Squadron went to the 6th Light Horse Regiment around "Holly Spur" and "Lone Pine", becoming their 'D' Squadron.