GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY


After the inconclusive First Battle of Gaza, the Worcestershire Yeomanry were engaged for the Second Battle of Gaza, 17-19 April 1917. Turkish forces had strengthened their defensive positions since the first action, thus making it very difficult for cavalry to properly engage. As a consequence the cavalry was employed protecting the flank of the Allied infantry whilst also carrying out diversionary manoeuvres in an effort to occupy the enemies’ attention. On 19 April the Regimental War Diary recorded that the Worcesters were ‘shelled heavily with shrapnel and high explosive from about 7.20am until 6.30pm.’ During the course of the battle the Regiment suffered casualties of 1 Officer and 1 N.C.O. killed, 2 other ranks killed, 2 Officers and 17 N.C.O.s and other ranks wounded.


Ras el Nagb - Charging up a Mountain


Throughout the next 6 months of 1917 the Regiment was employed in a protective capacity on the British line which ran from the sea near Gaza to Gamli on the Wadi Ghuzze. Williams’ men created a series of observation posts and were ordered to carry out long range reconnaissance. The Regiment was in the reserve for the attack on Beersheba, 31 October 1917, but at the forefront for the attempt to relieve the hard-pressed 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade at Ras el Nagb, 3-4 November 1917. The latter position being some 2,023 feet high, and ‘in order to reach Ras el Nagb it was necessary to advance for two and a half miles up the valley along the front of the enemy position and within 800 yards of it, and then turn half-right up a tributary valley leading to the Australians’ position.


When the whole Brigade set off in column of half-squadrons extended across the enemy’s front, it was felt that it was in for a hot time. The Worcesters led up the valley at a steady canter under a hail of machine-gun and rifle bullets.... The Turk now began to shell the valley, but the slope was too steep for his shells to take much effect... Now came the task of climbing up a thousand feet or so on foot to where the Anzacs were awaiting relief; the horses being left in the shelter of the valley below. Two squadrons, “A” and “D” took over a portion of the line which ran along the rim of a natural crater, leaving “C” Squadron in support.’ (Ibid)


The Brigade reached the Anzacs before nightfall, however, they realised that they too were now hemmed in. It was not until 5 pm of 4 November that the Turks attempted any forward movement, ‘Few of the Regiment will forget that day. Relief had been promised in the early morning, but the sun rose higher and became hotter and no relief came. The horses had now been without water since 8 o’clock on the previous morning and the men were not much better off, especially those who had their water-bottles pierced by bullets. The sun beat down with relentless power upon the bare mountain slopes. Shade there was none and the meagre supply of water was soon exhausted... The 4th November was the longest day ever spent by many of the Regiment, and the long-delayed attack in the afternoon came almost as a relief.’ (Ibid)


Approximately 3,000 Turks attacked, ‘advancing with great rapidity and dash amongst the rocks it was not until their rush had carried them within 80 yards of the position now held by “A” and “C” Squadrons, that they were checked. “D” Squadron which had been back in support during the day was called up at the gallop to reinforce the right flank, which had been temporarily driven in. If anybody in cold blood had suggested galloping up those mountains and over those rocks, he would probably have been certified as a lunatic....’ (Ibid)


The Brigade held on under intense pressure, eventually forcing the Turkish troops to withdraw as their casualties increased and the sun went down. As darkness fell the New Zealand Mounted Rifles arrived to take over the line, and the Brigade finally withdrew at 9pm. Over the course of the two days of fighting the Worcestershire Yeomanry suffered 2 Officers and 21 other ranks killed - the wounded had to be carried by hand down over the rocks for a mile.


Respite was short lived, as the Worcestershire Yeomanry were once again called into action around Tel el Sharia on 7 November. After the 60th Division secured the hill of Tel el Sharia, the Turkish left flank was broken, ‘and every endeavour had to be made to exploit the situation. For that purpose the 5th Mounted Brigade and the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade were ordered to move round the right flank of the 60th Division and make a mounted attack on the retreating enemy, with the special object of capturing his guns.... it was with only two squadrons that the Regiment moved out in the gathering dusk for this night adventure.... Both wings of the Turkish army were now crumpled up; all that their high command could now do was to endeavour to save as much from the wreck as possible, by encouraging their rearguard troops to make a desperate resistance.


Such was the position at dawn on the 8th November, the day on which the cavalry pursuit may be said to have begun. After a very short and cold night’s rest, the Regiment moved off northwards at 6 am, as advanced guard to the Brigade... The retreating enemy took up rearguard positions along every ridge that was capable of being defended... All through the morning, fighting was going on, but the Turkish rearguard troops, not more than 3,000 strong, were steadily driven backwards upon their supporting artillery by the relentless pressure of the infantry and cavalry. ’ (Ibid)


Muntaret was overwhelmed and Kofkhah was carried by the cavalry at mid-day, ‘the Turks had now been driven back some seven miles, every yard of which they had clung to with desperate tenacity; but the defence was beginning to disintegrate, and now for the first time in Palestine, the British troops had the satisfaction of seeing the enemy flying in hundreds for dear life. Now was the time to keep him on the run, to turn his retreat into a rout. The Worcesters and Warwicks, two squadrons of each, mounted and galloped forward in hot pursuit.’ (Ibid)


It was at this point that the Worcesters came to the fore:


‘Once for ten minutes they halted for dismounted action, to open a rapid rifle and Hotchkiss gun fire on the fugitives, then on again towards Huj, until 1.15pm, they were held up a thousand yards short of the enemy gun positions covering Huj from the south-east, and the huge depot of ammunition and stores the Turks had established there. Under the shelter of a low ridge the squadrons dismounted to give the blown horses a breather, and to examine the problem presented by the batteries in front. On the left the 60th Division could be seen, striving to advance across the lower ground under a volume of shell-fire from those same batteries, and suffering considerable loss in the process. Something had to be done and done quickly if the whole advance was not to be held up.’ (Ibid)


The Worcesters and Warwicks charged the position at Huj and despite suffering heavy losses, captured one battery of 5.9 howitzers; one Austrian .77 battery, one mountain battery, four machine guns, about 70 prisoners, with about 80 Turks and Austrians put to the sword.


Williams commanded the Regiment for the remainder of the war, including at Es Salt, and as Brigade Commander when the Worcestershire Yeomanry were briefly brigaded with the Sherwood Rangers. He returned to command the King’s Dragoon Guards in Iraq, 1919-21, during which time he compiled and edited the Regimental History whilst on active service in Baghdad. He retired in 1923, and resided on Lindisfarne in later life. Williams died in April 1935.


Sold with the following original documents: Bestowal Document for the award of the D.S.O., dated 4 June 1917; M.I.D. Certificate, dated 18 March 1917; Commission appointing Henry John Williams, as Second Lieutenant, 1st Dragoon Guards, dated 4 March 1891; Bestowal Document for the award of the Order of the Iron Crown, dated 23 July 1904; Bestowal Document for the award of the Order of Franz Joseph I, dated 20 June 1907; Buckingham Palace Restricted Permission to Wear Document for the Order of Franz Joseph I, dated November 1910, with enclosures.


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