Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)    

The Charge at Huj      

Wikipedia: The only mounted troops in the area were 170 yeomanry - two full squadrons and two half squadrons from the Worcestershire and Warwickshire Yeomanry - part of the British 5th Mounted Brigade in the Australian Mounted Division. The squadrons manoeuvred under cover to a forming up point 1,000 yd (910 m) on the British right. Advancing under cover of the terrain they got to within 300 yd (270 m) of the position, drew their swords and charged. The Warwickshire Yeomanry squadron attacked the main force of Turkish infantry, then turned and attacked the gun line. The regiment's other half squadron and the Worcestershire Yeomanry squadron attacked the guns from the front, while the remaining troops attacked an infantry position located at the rear behind the main force.

The German and Austrian artillerymen carried on firing until the horsemen were around 20 yd (18 m) away then some took cover underneath their guns. Those who remained standing were mostly stabbed by the swords of the attacking British, while others running away from the guns escaped injury by lying on the ground.

The only officer of the Worcestershire Yeomanry to escape uninjured Lieutenant Mercer described the charge; Machine guns and rifles opened up on us the moment we topped the rise behind which we had formed up. I remember thinking that the sound of crackling bullets was just like hailstorm on a iron-roofed building, so you may guess what the fusillade was....A whole heap of men and horses went down twenty or thirty yards from the muzzles of the guns. The squadron broke into a few scattered horsemen at the guns and seemed to melt away completely. For a time I, at any rate, had the impression that I was the only man left alive. I was amazed to discover we were the victors.

All three charges were successful and the main force of infantry withdrew leaving the guns undefended apart from their crews. The yeomanry captured seventy prisoners, eleven artillery guns and four machine guns. British casualties amounted to twenty-six men dead, including three squadron commanding officers, and forty wounded, 100 horses were also killed in the charge.

War Diary: At 6am after a cold night`s rest the Brigade drove the Turks’ rear guard of 3000 men back 7 miles to their artillery post and Kofkhah was captured. At 1.15pm the Col decided to attack to capture the enemy gun position and a huge depot of ammunition and stores. Major Albright and 160 Worcs, followed by the Warwicks Yeomanry, attacked under enemy fire from 4 field guns, cleared the Ridge of gunners. Men of the Warwicks were mown down but carried on and Major Albright wheeled his Squadron to the right and continued the charge. Only Lt Parsons and Pte J Williams returned unhurt and walked back to the crest. Major Toby Albright was much loved and never cruel. Sgt Allen, a Yeoman since 1896 was found dead by the guns, still grasping the sword thrust up to the hilt in an Austrian gunner. Sgt Harrison was another pre-war gunner. Major Wiggin was killed near the guns. 65 horses killed, 17 NCOs killed and 35 wounded.