VERY RARE WW1 AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE DOUBLE GALLANTRY MEDAL KILLED IN ACTION

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VERY RARE WW1 AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE DOUBLE GALLANTRY MEDAL KILLED IN ACTION:
$6882.03

SUPERB ANDRARE MM AND MID TO NCO IN 2ndAUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE, WOUNDED AT GALLIPOLI AND KIA DURING A GALLANT STAND ATABU TELLUL, JULY 1918

155 Sergeant James RobinsonGeddes, originally from Scotland,immigrated to Australia inyouth and attended public School in New South Wales. At the age of 15 he enlisted in 2nd SouthAfrica Light Horse during the Boer War and served nearly 2 years (medals and 5clasps). At the outbreak of WW1, he was noted as a 31 year old sailor andenlisted into the A Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment on 31st August 1914. Hisnext of Kin is given was his Aunt, Mrs Gibb, 99 Regent Street, Sydney, NewSouth Wales

Promoted Corporal 8th May1915, he landed in Gallipoli on 12th May 1915 and was wounded in action‘Gunshot Wound R thigh’ 7th August 1915, during the costly attacks from Quinn’sPost. Returning to duty 29th Sept 1915, the Regiment left the peninsular inDecember 1915. Promoted Sergeant 1st Jan 1916, the 2nd Light Horse joined the ANZAC MountedDivision in Egypt and wenton to serve with distinction during the Sinai and Palestine campaigns, as did Sergeant Geddeswho was twice decorated for gallantry:

Mention in Despatches,recommendation 17th June 1917

‘For conspicuous gallantry near COZ EL GELEIB on23/4/17 when in command of a half troop on an advance post to the Brigadeoutpost line (HISERIA to SHELLAL), a troop of enemy cavalry threatened toattack, but Sgt Geddes, taking one section with him galloped boldly at them towithin close range and opened rapid fire. He displayed great dash and courage.Later, on 18th May 1917 when on patrol near HILL 410 a scout wasshot close to a concealed enemy position, Sgt Geddes galloped forward to rescuehim but found him dead. He removed personal effects and endeavoured to bringbody back but was prevented by heavy enemy fire- a bullet passing through hisbandolier.’

Military Medal recommendationdate: 5 May 1918. Awarded, and gazetted, \'London Gazette\', second Supplement,No. 30474(12 January 1918); \'Commonwealth Gazette\' No. 76 (23 May 1918).

\'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in thefield. On the night of 1st May, 1918, he was in charge of 10 men whoaccompanied Lt King in the raid on enemy posts near ES SALT. He had to coverthe most difficult ground in the dark and led his party in the assault withgreat coolness and daring. The raidyielded 5 enemy killed and 5 prisoners (including two wounded), 7horses, one machine gun , 4,000 rounds of bullets and 10 rifles captured. Theenemy squadron supporting the post fled in disorder. The conduct anddetermination of Sergt Geddes inspired the party and were largely responsible for the completesuccess of the raid. This NCO has done excellent work from GALLIPOLI onwards.He was Mentioned in General +++ Despatches for conspicuously good patrol worknear SHELLAL 28/6/17’

Sergeant Geddes was Killed inAction during a major German attack at ABU TELLUL on 14 July 1918. Here the 2ndLight Horse fought off a determined attack on their positions but with significantloss. Geddes’s troop under Lieutenant King was all but wiped out, gallantlydefending their post, indeed every manwas either killed or wounded. The 14th July attack cost the enemy atleast 105 dead and 45 wounded (these being found within the Australian-heldground), and as well 425 prisoners were taken; 358 of the latter were Germans.This was, in fact, the only time in which the Asia Corps was known to havecarried the primary role in an attack, or - as the Official History puts it –the German infantry was used as \'stormtroops\' in Palestine. As well, 41machine-guns were taken from the enemy as a result of the action. Australian lossesamounted to 31 killed and 46 wounded.

Sergeant Geddes is buriedJerusalem War Cemetery Palestine and interestingly his grave is featured in anAustralian documentary ‘Beyond Beersheba’

During WW1 members of the 2ndLight Horse was Awarded 14 MM’s and 27 MID’s,3 men (including Geddes) were awarded both MM and MID.

Condition GVF, some contactwear. A superb and rare Award. The whereabouts of his other medal is unknown,they were sent to his Aunt in the early 1920’s and the MM turned up in withrelatives Scotlandsome years ago.

NOTE: medal is pictured with original damaged ribbon it came with and replacement

More details of the raid for which Geddeswas MID’s can be found from the recommendation for his troop commander,Lieutenant Kenneth King:

JordanValley May 3, 1918
From O.C.A.Sqn.2 LH
To C.O. 2 LH RegtSir,
I wish to bring to your notice the splendid work carried out by Lieut. K. Kingof A Squadron 2 L.H. Regt. during the recent operations in the Es Saltdistrict. While the Squadron were on outpost duty guarding the junction of No.6 & 7 roads. Shortly after taking over the outpost line it was found thatthe Turks had occupied two commanding-points on the left front of the outpostposition. From these points the enemy were able to snipe on to a portion of No6 & 7 roads, also to enfilade one of our neighbouring posts with MachineGun fire. On the afternoon of May 2nd it was decided to raid both posts as soonas it became dark. Lieut. King was selected to do the raiding and although hehad to go over 1200 yards of very difficult ground and had only twenty men at hisdisposal he carried both points in a most dashing manner. After creeping up andbombing his first objective he then rushed it with the bayonet killing 5,capturing 3 And wounding 2 of the enemy. He also captured 7 cavalry horses 1Machine gun 10 Rifles and 4000 round MG ammunition. It was ascertainedafterwards that this position was held by a Squadron of Turkish Cavalry andthose that got away fled in wild disorder. It was found that the Turks on thesecond point to alarm and left hurriedly and the position taken withoutopposition. I consider the success of this raiding \"stunt\" was due tothe way Lieut. King handled his raiding party and the dashing way in which heattacked his objective.Sgd WJ Brown Major
OC A Squadron 2LH

2ND LIGHT HORSE REGIMENT

The 2nd Light Horse Regiment was raised atEnoggera in Queenslandon 18 August 1914. Its recruits came mainly from Queensland but some hailed from the northernrivers district of New South Wales. The 2nd was one of three regiments of the1st Light Horse Brigade - the first Australian mounted formation raised by Australiaduring the First World War. The regiment sailed from Brisbaneon 25 September and disembarked in Egypt on 9 December.

The 2nd Light Horse Regiment deployed toGallipoli without its horses and landed there on 12 May 1915, joining the New Zealand andAustralian Division. It played a defensive role for most of the campaign butdid attack the Turkish trenches opposite Quinn’s Post, one of the mostcontested positions along the ANZAC Line. The first assault wave was mown downand fortunately the officer commanding the attack had the wisdom and courage tocall it off. The 2nd was withdrawn from the front line in September and leftthe peninsula on 18 December.

Back in Egypt, the 2nd Light Horse joinedthe ANZAC Mounted Division. Between January and May 1916, the regiment wasdeployed to protect the Nile valley from bandsof pro-Turkish Senussi Arabs. On 18 May, as part of its parent brigade, itjoined the forces defending the Suez Canal.The 1st Light Horse Brigade played a significant role in turning back theTurkish advance on the canal at the battle of Romani on 4 August. In ensuingdays the regiments of the brigade participated in the immediate follow-up ofthe defeated Turks, but were soon withdrawn to rest.

The 2nd Light Horse Regiment rejoined theAllied advance across the Sinai in November and was subsequently involved inthe fighting to secure the Turkish outposts on the Palestine frontier - Maghdaba on 23 December1916 and Rafa on 9 January 1917. A stint of protective duty along the line ofcommunications through the Sinai followed. The 2nd’s next major engagement wasthe abortive second battle of Gazaon 19 April. Gaza finally fell on 7 November,after a wide outflanking move via Beersheba,in which the 1st Light Horse Brigade played a part.

With the capture of Gaza,the Turkish position in southern Palestinecollapsed. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment participated in the advance to Jaffa that followed, and was then committed to operationsto clear and occupy the west bank of the Jordan River.It was involved in the Amman(24-27 February) and Es Salt (30 April-4 May) raids and the repulse of a majorGerman and Turkish attack on 14 July 1918.

The final British offensive of the campaignwas launched along the Mediterranean coast on 19 September 1918, with the ANZACMounted Division taking part in a subsidiary effort east of the Jordan aimed at Amman. Turkey surrendered on 30 October1918. The 2nd Light Horse Regiment sailed for Australia on 13 March 1919 withouttheir horses, which were either shot or transferred to Indian cavalry units.

Battles of Gaza

The coastal city of Gazawas the heart of the main Turkish defensive position in southern Palestine. Three majorbattles were launched in 1917 by British and dominion forces to capture Gaza - only the thirdsucceeded in this object. The first battle of Gazatook place on 26 March 1917. Two British infantry divisions were to attack itfrom the south while the mounted troops of the Desert Column would attack fromthe flanks and north. When the attack was launched the infantry made slowprogress but the mounted troops succeeded in capturing high ground to the northof the city and advancing into it. Concerned by the lack of progress made bythe infantry, and fearing the water supplies vital for the mounted troops wouldnot be captured that night, Lieutenant General Dobell, the British officercommanding the operation, ordered a withdrawal at dusk. The next morning, afterrealising his mistake, Dobell attempted to resume the battle with the infantry,but with the troops exhausted and the Turks having received reinforcements, theattack floundered.The second battle of Gazatook place three weeks later, beginning on 17 April 1917. In the interim theTurks had extended and improved their defences. Dobell launched another frontalassault on the Turkish defences, which was supported by six tanks and gasshells. The tanks and the gas were both dismal failures and the attackingforces could make little headway against well-sited Turkish redoubts. Afterthree days of fighting the attack was called off, having not gained anysignificant ground. The third battle of Gaza was begun as a feint todivert enemy forces to Gaza.The garrison was bombarded for six days, and three divisions deployed, to foolthe Turks into believing that another frontal attack was imminent. The realeffort, however was to be made at Beersheba,the Eastern extremity of the Turkish defensive line. Beersheba fell on 31 October 1917, allowingthe British and dominion forces to outflank and roll-up the Turkish defensiveline. This undermined the security of Gaza,which fell to the British on 7 November 1917 after little resistance fromTurkish forces.

First AmmanRaid22 March 1918 - 30 March 1918

The first \"raid\" on Amman was mounted between 22 and 30 March 1918 by theBritish 60th Infantry Division, the ANZAC Mounted Division and the ImperialCamel Brigade with the intention of inflicting casualties on Turkish forces andsevering railway communications with Damascus.The force crossed the Jordan River on 22 March and, despite difficultconditions, the village of Es Salt was occupiedby the evening of the 25 March. The attack on Amman itself commenced on the morning of 27March with the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles and thecameleers providing the attacking force. Fierce fighting continued for twodays. The force effected serious damage on the railway but Turkish resistancewas so strong that British forces withdrew on 30 March. All elements of theraiding force had recrossed the Jordanby 2 April.

Es Salt Raid30 April 1918 - 03 May 1918

Es Salt, a village in Palestine23 km west of Amman,was the scene of heavy fighting between 30 April and 3 May 1918. The fightingoccurred as part of the second \"raid\" mounted east of the Jordan River by General Sir Edmund Allenby\'s EgyptianExpeditionary Force. The actual raiding troops - the Australian Mounted, ANZACMounted, and British 60th Infantry Divisions, and the Imperial Camel CorpsBrigade - were commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel and their aimwas to secure a launching point for operations against the key railway junctionat Deraa. The operation progressed well initially with Es Salt being seized bythe evening of 30 April. Increasingly determined Turkish resistance, includingcounter-attacks that threatened the flanks and rear of the advanced elements ofthe raiding force, eventually forced a withdrawal back to the Jordan on 3 May1918. The raid failed in its objectives but did serve a purpose in that itencouraged Turkish commanders to believe Allenby\'s next major effort would belaunched across the Jordan,when in fact it would be launched along the coastal plain.

ABUTELLUL 14th JULY 1918 FROM BEAN

As the attack developed,Bourne, fearing Vale would be overrun, prepared to shift his headquarters. Atthe same time he sent one of his three reserve troops. under Lieutenant W. KKing, to occupy a post on the east of Abu Tellul, with orders to co-operatewith the post on The Bluff in delaying the advance if the enemy should breakthrough. Immediately afterwards the enemy swarmed through Vale and up theravines on either side, swept over Bourne’s headquarters. and swung eastwardsdown the valley between the line of posts and the slopes of Abu Tellul. Bourne,with his staff and regimental details. withdrew to Abu Tellul, firing brisklyas they went at the enemy close behind. At the same time a heavy assault wasmade on the garrison at Musallabeh. Cutting the entanglements in the darkness,the Germans bombed the light horsemen off one of the posts ; but a spirited

counter-attack, led bySergeant J. E. Carlyon: at once drove them out, and, although they many timesadvanced resolutely against the four posts on the position, the Australianssteadily held their ground. Vyse, to which the bombing party on Vane hadretired, gallantly withstood the heavy frontal attack, but was soon completelysurrounded.

At daylight the garrisons atMusallaLeh and all the posts were isolated and under vigorous assault; but thelight

horsemen, not at allflustered and having good cover, were able to direct a very effective fire atclose range on the enemy massed in their rear. The Germans, who were nowclimbing the slopes to the northern side of Abu Tellul and The Bluff, weredirectly behind and exposed to the machine-gun, Hotchkiss, and rifle fire ofthe garrisons at Vyse and Musallabeh, and were at the same time being enfiladedby Bell’s menfrom View and Vaux. These two latter garrisons had poured heavy fire into theforce which overran Vale in the darkness and had been largely responsible forits swing to the east. The posts were furiously attacked, but their garrisonscould not be broken and they shot down and beat off wave after wave of the Germaninfantry.

The post on Maslcerah was nowattacked from the rear, and Captain Evans rushed his men to an alternativeposition, already prepared, where they could hold their ground and at the sametime bring fire to bear on a movement developing against The Bluff. The attackhad unfolded very rapidly, and the situation was yet too obscure for Cox tocommit Granville’s reserve regiment. But when the Germans, despite the gallingfire on their right flank and rear, began to climb the slopes of Abu Tellul andThe Bluff, the position was becoming critical. Had they gained completepossession of Tellul, they might easily have withstood the counter-stroke ofGranville’s weak squadrons and seized the batteries immediately on the southernside; while if they received reinforcements, they might, even without capturingTellul. still overcome the heroic resistance of the posts in their rear. TheBluff was at this moment occupied by one troop, less than twenty strong, underLieutenant L. J. Henderson,’ and the extreme right post of Abu Tellul byLieutenant King with a similar force. The two adjoining posts on the main ridgewere manned by Bourne’s regimental staff and a handful of details. As day brokethe Germans marched in force on the little garrisons under King and Henderson.and at the same time assailed the posts further to the west. Bourne’s orderswere that the ground must be held at all costs, and the isolated parties ofQueenslanders fought

doggedly in the face ofirresistible odds. King was killed while directing his men, but his gallanttroop fought on and the Germans did not enter the post until every man hadbecome a casualty. Henderson’smen on The Bluff showed the same fine tenacity. Their young leader fellseverely wounded, but continued to direct the unequal fight, and with onlythree men who were not killed or wounded kept the enemy outside the sangars.This heroic remnant were still on their ground when the fight closed…..

This exciting little fighthad some features which gave it an interest far beyond the destruction of a fewhundred enemy troops. It was the last deliberate offensive attempted againstthe British in Palestine;and it was the only occasion in the campaign in which German infantry were usedas stormtroops. It had, therefore, significant effects upon the two rivalarmies. All through the campaign officers going to Palestinefrom France were disposed tobelittle the fighting qualities of the Turks, and to declare that the Britishin the Holy Land were very fortunate not to beopposed to Germans. The fact that a force of German infantry about a thousandstrong had been so decisively beaten by a brigade of light horsemen in positionwas not in itself remarkable. But the Australians were none the less elated atthe result. They found on this day, as they had discovered before the attackwas made, that

the German, althoughincomparably superior to the Turk as an offensive fighter, was very inferior asa rifle shot to his despised ally. The constant sniping duels between the lighthorse and the Turks were evenly matched affairs, in which excessive keennessand exposure on either side always ended in disaster. But Australians snipingGermans quickly learned that they could move with relative safety into theopen, and rely upon their quicker and straighter work to beat the enemy.Another point arising out of the attack, of considerable interest and value tothe British, was the additional evidence it provided of the discord in theenemy\'s camps. The captured German officers complained bitterly that in theassault they had been betrayed by the Turks, who were to have attackedsimultaneously on the Mellahah front and against the bridgeheads east of Jordan. Theyspoke very frankly and in terms of disgust of their allies, and made no attemptto conceal their chagrin at the result of their first essay in PalestineMoreover, the Australians were flattered by the statements of both German andTurkish officers that they had been assured by their German Intelligence thatthe light horsemen and New Zealanders were resting at Bethlehem, while theposition which they were to attack was held by Indians and a few Britishyeomanry.

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