Memorial to Major Wroughton Berks Yeomanry

He is also remembered on two village memorials (Chaddleworth and Brightwalton) and at Eton.

 

Philip Wroughton

 

Hi Owen

I think this photo of Philip Wroughton's initial battlefield grave completes the circle and takes you back to the start point.

I will post something about the Berks Yeomanry at the 2nd Battle of Gaza in a little while as you requested.

Regards
Andrew

 

16th April 1917.
1/1st BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY
O P E R A T I O N O R D E R S No.1.
1. ENEMY. Enemy forces are estimate at about:
1500 - 2000 Cavalry
60 - 70 Guns
20,000 - 25,000 Infantry holding an extended line from SHEIRA, HAREIRA to GAZA.
2. INTENTION. The G.O.C. Eastern Force intends to occupy the MANSURA SHEIKH ABBAS ridge on the first day.
3. ROLE. The role allocated to the desert Column is:- (a) To demonstrate against HAREIRA in such a manner as to prevent the enemy from detaching troops towards GAZA on the first day. (b ) To protect the right flank of the 54th Division which will be attacking SHEIKH ABBAS.
4. DISPOSITIONS. To fulfil this role:-
(a) The A. & N.Z. Mounted Division is to move forward against HAREIRA from SHELLAL to threaten that place, to block the road from BIR SABA, and to cover the WADI GHUZZEE from SHELLAL to KARIM ABU EL HISSEIA.
(b ) The I.C.C. Brigade remain at ABASAN EL KEBIR.
5. 6th Mounted Brigade will concentrate at TEL EL JEMMI about 0100 on the first day.
On a move being ordered, the Regiment will parade in Light Marching Order in Mass, S.E. of the horse lines
Turn out 2100. Parade 2115.
On section of the 17th Machine Gun Squadron will be attached to the Regiment and will march in rear of the 2nd Squadron
6. WATER. Horses will be watered at KARIM ABU EL HISSEIA. Horses of the Brigade are not permitted to water at TEL EL JEMMI.
Men. The drinking water ration, will be 1/2 gallon per man per day which will last from noon to noon and will be drawn at SHEIKH NAKHRUR.
Units will draw water at SHEIKH NAKHRUR on indent signed by an officer, shewing number for whom water is required. If water guards are ordered to be left at TEL EL JEMMI, soft horses should be selected.
On orders being received to move, Corpl Post R.A.M.C. and one Other Rank to be detailed by O.C. "A" Squadron, will report to the Regimental Orderly Room for orders.
7. SUPPLIES
1. Supplies will arrive at TEL EL JEMMI at 1200 daily.
2. All men will move with 3 days rations, Iron Rations, and the unconsumed portion of the day's ration.
3. Forage for the following day will be carried.
4. On orders for move being received the Quartermaster, No 1601 S.Q.M.S. Beard L.H. and No 1631 S.Q.M.S. Dormer will report to the S.S.O. Imperial Mounted Division.
5. No 2739 S.Q.M.S. Hunt P. will be responsible for the Rations and Forage to Squadrons
8. ADMINISTRATION
(a) The D.A.C. Wheeled Echelon will park at I in GOZ EL TAI
( b ) Ammunition can be drawn at the following dumps:-
SHEIKH NEBHAN & DEIR EL BELAH.
Each R.H.A. wagon also carries one box S.A.A. Mark VII.
9. FIELD AMBULANCE Field Ambulance will be located at Divisional Headquarters at TEL EL JEMMI.
10. LIGHTS No lights are admitted between sunset and sunrise, unless otherwise ordered.
Regt History
During the day (19th April) the Berks Yeomanry were in reserve and there was any amount of shelling and rifle fire. The Bucks Hussars and the Dorset Yeo were with the Berks Yeomanry as normal. In fact a squadron of the Bucks was placed under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Wigan at the last moment before the attack by the Berkshire Yeomanry was ordered. This was C Squadron commanded by the Major the Hon FH Freddie Cripp

Corporal CC Martin (A Sqn)
"..my word! what a ride, talk about excitement, with shrapnel bursting all around. In ten minutes we had mounted, ridden two or three miles, dismounted and were in the firing line. What a din. Every available rifle and machine gun was going all out to cover our advance.

"We arrived just in time for the Turks were attacking and probably would have driven the (fifth) Brigade from their position. After a short time during which we gave 'Johnny' a good battering as he retired to the cover of gully etc."



Cavalry Journal 1936. Yeomanry at Gaza.
The situation of the Worcestershire Yeomanry, indeed of the 5th Mounted Brigade was very critical when an urgent message was sent to the 6th Mounted Brigade. Looking south-westwards from the Atawineh Ridge across two miles of level ground towards the Wadi Munkheileh. The writer could see the latter enveloped in clouds of black smoke from the shell which were bursting over it. Suddenly he saw a sight which thrilled him: out of the wall of smoke which hid Munkheileh there emerged a mass of horsemen which gradually opened out in to extended order and filled the foreground. It was the Berkshire Yeomanry led by their CO Lt Col JT Wigan, and C Sqdn Bucks Yeo. Disdaining to dismount, for they knew it was only a matter of minutes, the yeomanry galloped on, here and there a horse and rider coming down as they covered the two miles between the Munkheileh and the Atawineh Ridge. Dismounting the yeomanry came in to the advance at once and after driving the Turkish front line of the Turkish advance, they effectively re established the broken line. Capt O Teichman

Regimental History
Withdrawal - At 7.30 p.m. orders were received for the two Mounted Divisions to retire and occupy a line from Dumb-Bell Hill (on the edge of Sh. Abbas) , through Munkheileh to the Wadi at Hisseia. This withdrawal was not followed up by the enemy to any large extent, but "A" Squadron, Dorset Yeomanry, were kept busy for some time covering the retreat of the 12th A.L.H Regiment [4th ALH Bde] Teichman Cavalry Journal. The retirement of the Imperial Mounted Division was to have commenced at dark but the difficulty presented by the removal of the wounded delayed it until about 8.00 p.m... Gullett

Major Wroughton killed in action leading his Squadron. "..he was badly wounded. being carried out with a red cross on the stretcher. Right in front another shell burst and finished him off." Fred Marshall.

 

Thank you so much Owen

Here are two photographs taken in April 1960 commemorating Philip Wroughton and the fallen of D (Wantage) Squadron of the Berks Yeomanry

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