Through Palestine with the Twentieth Machine Gun Squadron

of Transport by Di

Aleppo with two troops "S.R.Y." to e

turn o

rt range

rigade for shorthand, en

ners leave

Brigade insp

on of horses: A.30,

er inspects animals an

. Dismounted party with surpl

ron moves

nder visits line

Brigade Educational Officer and p

old 19th Sq

proceed "homeward" ("d

mmander visits lin

O.R.'s to

centre of town, four guns in position, one sub

fteen O.R.'

amp in the ce

ven horses eva

, Desert Mounted Corps, Lieut.-Gen

inforcements ar

addocks formed by the Division to take the su

ection short-r

rses and 32 mu

h: four officers, 124

. Brigade in

ection short-

.00, one sub-section mou

on against further mass

ce scheme w

of summer

sional Ho

ule "Pansy," and had one limber and G.S. wagon in fin

four officers, 75 O.R.

horses and transport b

trength of one sub-section, took part in "march past".

quadron, is typical of the life in

October last. Trek-tired and weary, the Fighting Division under Major-Gen. H.J.M. MacAndrew, C.B., D.S.O., wound its lengthy column over the Kuwaik-Su Bridge and entered the ancient Turkish stronghold. Some of the units were at once stationed close to the town, taking over the barracks a

ality of

ired. Now followed a period even more difficult to put up with than actual war itself. A trek of over 400 miles in a space of two months, following that nightmare of a sojourn in the Jordan Valley, had reduced the vitality of both man an

at Mus

ome kind of Xmas dinner, and a pudding concocted from local ingredients. Followed special trains to the 'Palmtrees' Concert Party in Aleppo, and a fox hunt on New Year's Day. Whist drives and 'sing-songs' helped to break the deadly monotony of the long winter evenings, and during the day there was plenty to occupy one; roads to make in the mud, stones to be carted, buildings and shelters erected, and mo

the New

the former consisted chiefly of sweet Alicante, methylated cognac and Arak, one bec

as a punch mixer, and I know that among his favourite ingredients were oranges

ieut.-Col. Wigan, of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, and the direction of a Yorkshire vet. and a Captain of the Deccan Horse, the Old Year (and in some cases two Old Years) w

gade Rac

money back and a little over, which isn't the case with some totalisators that we know of! Several 'scurries' and mule races took place, and everyone enjoyed the fun thoroughly, especially the mules. The machine-gun element sprung a surprise on all by winning the Grand

adron camp

st Alepp

s held on March 8th, and a goodly representative gathering of the army and civilian inhabitants of Aleppo assembled. After this, race meetings were held regularly every alternate Saturday throughout the summer. The course was laid on fairly level ground, and at the start of the season had a thin covering of grass, which, unfortunately, soon was burnt up by the fierce sun and worn bare by frequent use, being replaced afterwards by litter. Though at first only a four furlong 'scurry,' the course has now been extende

ts at th

ho has hitherto been such a popular rider in the E.E.F. Major-Gen. Sir Harry MacAndrew, C.B., D.S.O., Lieut.-Gen. Sir H.G. Chauvel, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., have all, in turn, shown much interest in the races, and Gen. Geaffar Pasha, the Military Governor of Aleppo,

le cloths of brilliant hue are numerous, while the riders are a curious and a motley assembly. Some bare-foot, some booted and spurred (and a spur is a spur with an Arab, something after the implement mother marks the pastry with). Others are in long flowing robes with the burnous and kafeia of the Bedouin flying in the wind, some with knives, some with swords, some with pistols, and some

rld and his

ide grass track. Yes, there is plenty for the smart military policemen to do, and their burnished swords and bright shoulder epaulets flash in the sun as they 'chivvy' the crowd out of danger. In the officers' enclosure there are many strange types. Abdul Achmed Yussef is there with a scimitar in one hand like the Sultan of Turkey, and a huge white umbrella in the other hand, and on his head he wears a red tarbush. Iskanderianabedian is there with his fat wife, and two fat daughters, all the latter in black silk gowns and white silk stockings, and if the girls' ankles aren't as thick as

Rac

en't; at least two are and there's no stopping those two. No, they mean to carry on now; neck and neck they go, and soon they are round the distant corner, and thundering past the four furlong point. On they come shouting for Allah and Mohammed, and stan

ce our two orthodox men well in rear. This time the race is even more exciting, and as the post is neared the yells of defiance, the flowing robes, the waving ar

e Ag

sun sinks behind the Taurus Mountains, the shadows fall long and blue, and the high-up Citadel, flanked by mosques and minarets, becomes bathed in the orange light of the setting rays. As the last horse is led in, the crowd flows back

we attempt to pass the monotony of an enf

for the Christmas parcels, British books, local papers, and more than

T V

log

er "O.C." of the Squadron (now demobilized) will perhaps serve as a fit

le

10-

ar.

go to U.K. The 20th M.G.S. is to be disbanded, and the personnel to go to the 19th Squadron. We got orders yesterday to wind up the '20th' and send the personnel to the '19th' and I have to report to the 10th Cav. Bde. at Homs. Wha

e enjoying '

rs,

..

l of 28th July 1919. They will not be read without sincere regret by all those me

ir Henry

rom heart failure, resulting from burns, on the 16th inst. in Syria,

hlanders in 1884, being transferred to the Lincoln Regiment two years later. Entering the Indian Army in 1888, he joined the 5th Cav

gn as brigade transport officer in 1897-98 (dispatches and frontier medal with two clasps), and he served through the South African War in various capacities, gaining the South African m

n France secured four mentions in dispatches and the K.C.B. He proceeded to Palestine with the Indian Cavalry Corps, and served under General Allenby in his successful advance from the

and most dashing of our cavalry leaders in the war, and his untimely death is a severe loss to the Indian Army. He marri

imes," July

l Maca

y Petrol

o, F

c had been cleaned with petrol and was hanging in a room to dry when the general, wearing pyjamas, entered smoking a cig

e sun vaporised the petrol and thus rendered it so easily inflammab

Mail," Jul

h in

h With

Dec. 10

ia), the Valley of Adana, and Tarsus (which since the Allied occupation have been under the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force). The administration of Cilicia a

Jerablus areas, where the administration remains under the

Damascus, Homs, Hamah, and Aleppo, has been handed over to the Ar

yria, and the military administration of Syria by

the Members of the 20

t to the address of every member for verificat

ice

., Antringham Rectory, North Wa

ns, M.C., 63 Alleyn

Messrs. Cox & Co.,

M.C., Margaret Pl

kley, Grimsto

o Messrs. Sir C.R. McGrigor,

et, Brunswick Rd.

"Babworth," Watson Av

ell, Rolle Cottage

ouse, Headroomgate Rd.,

an, Brackenhurst Ha

Millman, Liske

"Homewood," Branksome A

or, Jingewick

/o The Bank of Montreal

Arden, "Mayhills," nr

er, 1221 13 Avenue, Wes

Sergean

rosby Rd., West

32 Trinity St., D

.M., "Denstone,"

M., Thorpe Farm,

Sutherland Rd.,

Grays Rd., Henley

artermaster

Spencer Rd., M

, See unde

.M., Pockli

arrier

Bo'ness Rd., Gra

gea

Steetley Farm, Whitwel

ower Hayford, nr.

., High Rd.,

ort), "Elmton," Ch

42 Blenheim Ga

rt), 14 King's Aven

Stores, Lower B

70 Olbury Rd.,

6 Springfield Rd., Gor

Low St., Carlton,

Sandhill St.,

rly Room), 6 Cu

. Megby, nr. M

Tredethy," Bod

ea," Penparke, Abe

scombe, nr. Croydon, Surrey (died at Ha

d Cottages, Churt,

er), Hermitage St.,

Nottingham Rd.,

ngham, Chippin

tle Hill Square,

., 79 Derby

om), 94 Highfields, Co

Ropery Rd., Gain

Rd., Mansfield,

West Calder

ort), 11 Canterbury Rd

3 Beacon Hill Rd

and Lance-

ork Terrace, Gai

ok House, West

Ashby Rd., Lo

Ebenezer Place, G

Park Terrace East

(Signaller

er Corporal), "Beaconsf

46 Healey St.

caster (kille

Corporal), 7 Ashmead Rd.,

., Syston,

2 Brandfield

oral), Sgt. 3rd M.G. Sqdn.

erton Mill Farm

, 13 Hyde Park

2 Surrey St.

rgrove Rd., Freem

The Bazaar, S

. Anne's Well R

aria St., West

r Corporal), 92 Coleri

en Victoria St.,

orporal), 56 Mar Hill

Queens Walk,

"Maesgwyn," Ton P

imrose Lane, off

y Villa," Roseh

angyfelach St.,

Aviary Mount,

King Barton S

illicent Rd., West

36 Castle Terr

34 Highcroft Te

tingham Rd., Staplef

ral), 1 Park Terrace, Hillin

26 Wharnclif

a Scotia St., Fa

Drake St., Gain

72 High St., Du

. Paul's Rd., Can

illaries Rd., Grave

Ball St., Wells

4 The Avenue,

Sherrard Rd., Fo

Common, nr. Dro

West St., Oun

n Barleycorn Hotel,

James St., Wal

orporal), Marylands, D

rgh Place, Heaton,

6 Canon St., Bel

efield Villas, Westbur

en St., Whittingtonoo

vat

os St., Port Ta

apel Ash, Wolve

High St., N

iddington St.,

mmon, Southwick, Tu

ion Rd., Laughto

nie Avenue, Melton

9 High St., Old

on St., Park Rd.,

arley Close, Ch

aller), 22 Dryburg

Hounds Hotel, Brynm

The Row, El

er,

one Terrace, Bunbu

r Farm, Briston, Melt

Green, Middleton,

' Place, Stockport, Ch

hn

aughton Villas, P

ill St., Kings

m Cottage," Carlto

6 High St., Wal

d Cottages, Claver

emoyne," Warwick R

4 Nursery Rd., C

Hollies," Swallow

ottage," Dysart, Fife

nes Park, nr. B

eppoch, Kardros,

Lane, Kiverton Pa

James' St., Grantha

Lomond," Cheltenham

sport), Flixton,

ith), "Holly Bank,

, 30 Moore St.,

ost Office, Har

Leeming St., M

berdeen Rd., Winson

ddle St., Wickha

Whitley Wood Lane

High St., Kim

tland Terrace, Me

Church House, W

mith), The Forge

Rice St., New

5 Dixon Avenue, C

Glen St., Pai

osina St., High S

aston Royal Far

Farm, Milton Damerell,

rl St., Lower Bro

lvedere St., M

27 Acres St.,

Seventh Row, As

2 Farnley Rd., S

., Bridgwat

Milton St., Midd

Merchant St.,

n House, Misterton

Gardens, North Down,

Carlton Rd., Snei

smith), 13 Artesia

Ealing Rd., S

8 Everest Rd.

k Villas, Gedling R

, Newlands Farm,

, Newlands Farm,

Hamilton Rd., L

House," Speedwell Rd.,

Wellgate, Kirr

ilway Terrace, Si

73 Sugarfield

44 Greaves Rd

Prospect Terrace

Capenhurst,

Shipstone St., N

h), 4 King Edward R

George St., Fi

ton-on-Severn,

Hertford St., C

ewcombe Rd., Hand

nhill Cottages,

Upper Bridge Rd.,

54 Cranmer S

astle Rd., Col

ffe Nurseries, Chris

n Terrace, Hutchin

hall Farm, Lower

The Dairy, Wo

Coleman, Forest Vi

uadron, M.G.C. (Cav

naller), 47 Alders

, Billingford,

aggholme Rd

oucester Rd., Bo

Gladstone St.,

St., Spring Bank, Hull (d

24 Hawksley R

obine Cossall,

lburn Place, Bo

Bridge St., Burd

., 73 Sleaford

na House," Furlong A

, Braunston

110 Percival Rd.,

East Side, Prender

arn, Wessington, n

Sharland Rd., Ma

10 Clark St.

Labden St., Lon

l Bishop, nr. Ratcli

wend," Chatsworth R

6 Barnby Gate,

Lower Herne,

randen St., Nott

3 Philip St., Patr

8 Seeley Rd., Len

10 Nolton St.,

ch St., Sutton-in

undel Drive, M

myth Cottage,

Eau Park Farm, Ki

e Eau Park Farm,

ters Arms, High St.

33 Princess Rd., Lowe

Westfield R

omwell Rd., Nottingh

High St., Batley

he Smithy, Carno

47 Chaplain

South Carlton, n

ton Green, Alfre

53 Heath St.

tham House, Munday

Didmarton, B

0 Braydon Rd.

4 Westfield Rd., Ca

J., Bridge

Winterton Rd.,

9 Brookdale Rd.

5 Blackfriar

4 Low St., Ke

e Rd. Fire Station,

9 Cornwall Rd.

40 Armagh R

olomew Cottages,

Paul's Terrace, H

3 P.O., Prince Geor

le Cpl.), Orchard

141 Glyn Rd.

Broad St., Tott

St. Anne's Well

Roebank St., Den

alls Cottages, S

s, J.,

Newcastle Hill

dhurst Rd., Sneint

0 Eldon St., Gr

t Farm, Llantwit

k St., Anderston, Glasgow

Charleston-by-

nce

ark Grove Rd., Le

Farm, Willey B

aumont St., Sn

eadgar, nr. Sit

ewton-on-Ous

dale St., Carr Vale,

ey Rd., Finstock

scombe, nr. Brookt

ord St., Man

St., Tibshelf, nr

Ivy Bridge, Bou

amrock St., New C

ton Rd., Porl

Chardstock, Ch

rgaret St., Hixbo

venue, Peel St., Nottingh

rry Terrace, Newto

Victoria House,

145 Princess

Abbott St.,

6 Church St.,

Cuckney, Man

alo," Mildmay Rd.

Upper Oxford S

Ewart Rd., Forest

e Cottage, Balfou

ield St., Cull

e Cottage, Great

Nottingham Rd., S

, 19 Lawrenc

257 Sherwood S

39 Eperns Rd.

ower Addiscombe Rd.,

ell Village, Carra

10 Leddard Rd., L

80 Culdrethal

hyburn St., Huckn

5 Rutland St.,

r), 49 Greet Rd., B

t Bank Place, F

, 28 South Par

Whitfield St., Fitz

Darrel Rd., R

West Lane, Sitt

orters Well, Ud

, Carlton, Notts. (killed i

House, Red Hill

Carleton-on-

ettleham Lodge

etchley St., Bluebe

32 New St., Che

3 Newmarket Rd.,

e Lodge, Scrooby

1 Kilbourne S

, Monaltrie R

ccleston, Am

Hope St., Brampt

Bloomsgrove St.,

Newport,

ingale Cottage,

., 29 Thorn

10 South Pa

rfs, Norton Canes

ton, Pennfields

H., 8 Camden

Rosemount, Po

ate Farm, Elham, nr

7 Old Paradise S

urch Terrace, T

dler), 20 Ducie S

Moorgate Hill,

s Head," Lillingsto

ham (taken prisoner 1-11-17, supposed wounded

's Head Place, Mark

Brunswick St.,

, 192 New Cit

er), 120 Nottingham R

8 Wanlip Rd.,

perative Yard,

. Peter's Rd., C

Thames St.,

0 Lee St., Hold

k Cottages, Commercial

1 Gedling Rd.,

Ryland Rd., Edgb

Plantation St.,

Crown Terrace,

rth Aston, nr.

Sedd St., Ratcliff

42 Stewart Ter

Hempshill Lane,

ney Place, Main S

A., Atworth, M

ton Rd., East B

7 Bishopbridge

Cottages, St. Osyth

Dulwich Rd.,

Blackstone S

rracks, Westcott, n

andon Buildings,

46 Brownlow R

ughton Rd., Dennin

7 Ortzen St.,

adiham Rd., Burnl

., West End

Methley St., Me

J., Avon's Da

rd Rd., Mansfield, No

er), 16 New Rd., Ridgw

cot Lodge Farm, Bu

Quarry St., Milv

son Terrace, Hawks

righton Rd., Bir

34 Church Square

olice Station,

Cottage," Griffiths

entre," St. Martin

, Pillford,

Whitwell, Ma

., Greenhead

, 61 Henderson

48 Park Rd., Le

Gordon Hill,

Gedling Rd.,

msford House, S

G., 9 Marden

rseshoes," Sco

ey,

ag's Head Hill, St

Warwick Villas,

, 16 Lothian

ner

ral Napier," Weedington

hool House, Ir

ock House, nr. B

), 86 Scott St., Ga

bottom Rd., Crosland

828 Argyle

ills Farm, Redhall,

6 Cannon St., Be

tall

Koro," Vallance Rd

North Junction St

ose Cottage, Gi

ot Buildings, Cinque

7 Brown's Rd.

J., 120 Lovatt

wer Addiscombe Rd

, 70 Oxford

ower Brook St.,

Pelham St., Br

sham, Yattendon

4 Bushy Park, Tot

Golden Dog's

, Barton, Mal

llets Green, Por

Chisholm Rd., C

Checkendon, nr

rfields, Bletc

., 41 The Hill,

se," Aixley, Corring

igh St., Mis

he following names have been received of those Members of the 20th Machine-

St. John

H.A. Pr

W.H.

. F. Carr.

G. Boak.

Cha

Gol

eath

ohns

. L

Mel

Mus

ampl

. R

Spe

tani

ude all the names in spite of every effort t

TNO

Alexandria on 21st November 1918 from Sm

oath": See Genesis, chaps.

tily brought up still more reserves. After fighting day and night against superior numbers, the 53rd Division was, finally, able to c

e Knights of St. John. It was de

the wars between the Franks and Saladin. During the Fr

aamah, see J

xix, 43; I Sam. vi; III Kings i; Jer. xxv

mzo, see II Ch

Samuel v; II Chron. xxvi, 6; Isaiah xx, 1; Neh. xiii, 23; Jeremiah xxv, 20; Amos i,

3; Jer. xxv, 20, xlvii, 1, 5; Josh. xi, 22, xv, 47; I Kings iv,

Josh xv, 11; II Chron. xxvi, 6. There

of Joshua xix, 46, one of the

; Acts ix, 36, x, 9. A house said to be that of Simon the Tanner can be seen in the town. In A.D. 1799 when Napoleon invaded Palestine, he marched 10,000 men across the desert from Egypt,

ders. It was re-built, however, but was destroyed again by order of Saladin in A.D. 1191. Of this church, two apses, two bays and the crypt still remain, and to-da

of Benjamin, see I Chron. viii, 12; N

of Roman times was more to the south-west. The Biblical references to Jericho are as follows: Deut. xxxiv; Josh. vi, 26; I Kings xvi, 34; II Kings

St. John,

II King

a, into which it flows. The Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground (Josh. iii, 14); our Lord was baptiz

ee Isa

ak between the Mountains of Galilee on the north and those of Samaria on the south. It has always been a great battlefield; in

Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And the Lord discomfited Sisera and all his chariots and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak". (Judges iv, 14, 15). See also Judges viii, 18; Psalms

l 16th 1799, called the Battle of Mount Tabor. Kleber with about 1,500 men kept 25,000 Syrians at bay; he was almost defeated when Napoleon wit

xix, 21,

mans Sheikh Abreik was the

he name of the Prophet Elijah. It was here that he was said to have sought shelter when Ahab was seeking his life. A monastery stands over what is thought was the spot, and was used as a hospital for the wounded when Napoleon was besieging Acre. After his withdrawal it was destroyed by the Turks and after

dges iv, 13

eached Haifa in A.D. 1170 and St. Simon Stock, from Kent, was their general in A.D. 1245. They w

re-taken from Saladin in 1191, and held for a century. It was here that the Knights of St. John, after they had been driven from every other part of Palestine, prolonged for forty-three days their gallant resistance to the Sultan of Egypt and his immense host; 60,000 Chris

illed Abel is alluded to by Shakespeare (I King Henry VI, I, 3). While other cities of the East, which were at one ti

e Syrians two and twenty thousand men"); II Kings vi, vii, viii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi; I Chron. xviii, 5 (accounts of batt

Damascus (Acts ix) in which connectio

uders entered the city and joined the furious mob of fanatics, who now, tired of plunder, began to cry out for blood. All through that awful night and the whole of the following day, the pitiless massacre went on. It is probable that not a Christian would ha

do as you please with the Christians, but the day of retribution will come. Not a Christian will I give up, they are my brothers. Stand back or I will give my men the order to fire". Not a man among them dared to raise a voice against the renowned champion of Islam, and the crowd dispersed. British and French intervention prevented a general massacre throughout Syria, and as a result of European pressure an enquiry was held on the Damascus o

1; also iv, 46,

d in the Bible (John vi, 23). The modern town is much smaller than was the

e "Sea of Chinnereth," and the "Sea of Chinneroth" (N

text above, it is called the "Lake of Gennesaret" fr

throughout the four Gospels. Some of the references are: Matt. iv, 13, viii, 24, 28, xiii, 1, xiv, 25, xvii, 27

ss at its greatest width and its ex

at a stream close to Jedeide is cal

the Bible to be on the northern border of the Promised Land (Deut. i, 7, iii, 25, xi, 24; Josh. i, 4, ix, 1). King Solomon's palace and temple were built of cedars and firs from Lebanon (I Kings ix, 19), also the se

endent province, governed by a Christian Pasha, nominated

the railway from Beirut to D

bout 16,000, nearly all of whom are Christians. During the massacre

k-The Great Temple of the Sun, Temple of Bacchu

9. It is the ancient Zobah, see II Sam. viii

,000) is the Ancient Hamath, s