The First Battle of Gaza

26th March 1917


Troops of our Brigade the day before the attack.

Our Brigade forming up behind ridge prior to the attack. We were up and over the top before we knew where we were. The boys went over as if it were a field day as you will see by the following pictures.

One of the lines of attack. In the far distance you can see our objective. You can see what a vast plain we have to cross before getting at grips with the enemy. The dull object standing above the skyline just above the thirteenth man from the left is the mosque ---- It was about 1000 yards from there that I was hit in the ammunition pouch.

Troops of artillery forming up.

This is some of poor Walters Company. It was the Captain of Walter's Company and most of our Battalion that lead the final charge.

This is the rear of the leading Battalion. You can see ------ ------- what sort of equipment we wear into action and on the mules are Lewis Guns and Ammunition.




To the Glory of God
In memory of the Officers, NCOs & Men of the 161st Infantry Brigade who fell in the Assault and Capture of the Green Hill Ali-El-Wontam and Labyrinth ------ Operations. GAZA. March 26/27 1917

Four thousand allied troops lost their lives during the First Battle of Gaza



Lionel was wounded at the First Battle of Gaza. THe bullet did not cause to much damage as it hit his ammunition pouch. He kept the bullets that saved his life.





Same Address

29th March 1917

Vear Mother + Father

You will be ????? to know we have been in action again. But thanks to God I am well except for a little wound in my left thigh. I was hit two days ago but have only just got into hosphital. Edgar was alright when I saw him last. Wallie I believe has been wounded. My wound is very very slight + I don't suppose I shall be in here long. I hope this will find you both in the best of health.

When you write to Fred tell him I have not forgotten him but I answered his letter but it was never posted. I will write to him later on. I hope I shall get your letter as usual. Well dear Mother + Dad I am afraid I can't write any more at present.

Best love to you + may God bless you.

I remain
Your Everloving Son

Lionel
xxxxxxx



The following is an account of the First Battle of Gaza by Pte C. Grange. The account was published in the "Stratford Express" newspaper. Pte C. Grange was in the same company as Lionel King.

Holy Land

Perhaps many of your readers who have relatives and friends in Essex units would like to hear news of their boys who are fighting in the Holy land. Unfortunately, the news at present isn't going to be cheery, as ever so many of West Ham's boys now lie asleep on a green hillside in Palestine. Previous to the action which took place on about Monday, March 26th, we had trekked across endless deserts, marching day after day for weeks. Finally we reached a spot about three miles from the town of --------. The latter was a Turkish position, well fortified in many places. Strong redoubts dominated a huge wide, open plain, which gave no cover. Across this plain, against mighty odds, the Essex boys advanced. The leading battalions consisted of many men from Manor Park Ilford and Romford districts, followed by battalions well known to Stratford and Walthamstow. The whole force moved up under a murderous heavy fire from the strong Turkish redoubts, and in spite of the terrible conditions, lack of food and water and exhaustion, not one man faltered. We gained our objective towards evening and, utterly famished, gasping for water, we flung ourselves into the enemy's trenches and consolidated the position. Nightfall came, with all it's horrors. Dead and wounded were strewn on that hillside when the Turkish half-moon rose and shone on that ghastly scene. God it was terrible! Turkos and British both were too exhausted to carry on, and a parley was made to remove the wounded. All that night remnants from an Essex unit assisted to carry the wounded away. Dumps were made for the dead and pilled up for burial. Just after midnight we evacuated the hill, and retired. However, operations were again resumed next morning. The units who were acting as reserves in the previous day's attack moved up again. So the ------- and the --------- went through the whole action again. Needless to say, we suffered rather heavily. About midday I stopped a bullet in my chest and crawled to an advanced dressing station. A camel carried me away from the line, and later, by a series of intervals of a few miles, ambulance mule wagons, camels, stretchers, etc, I arrived here in this clearing station, where I met scores of Essex lads having their wounds dressed, all cheery as ever. Well I've tried to give you as I saw it all. Please tell West Ham people that Palestine is not Holy; on the contrary, it is full of blood, machine guns, shells made at our Woolwich probably, and, well it's not a land of milk and honey. All the boys were magnificent, splendid and I only wish that my poor uneducated brain could describe the sacrifice and heroism of Essex troops. Good luck to your paper. Now for a clean up, a nice bed, and clean sheets, operating tables and, best of all, English nurses, white ladies who speak English.

CON GRANGE

Base Hospital, March 30th, 1917.



 The First Battle of Gaza

All pictures (unless stated) on this site are the property of Christopher John King (Lionel's Son). If you wish to use any of the information on this site could you please contact Matthew Francis King (Lionel's Grandson) at mattzippyking@aol.com. Thank you.