“Limber Competition”—­Won by “D” Sub-section (Drivers Harris and
   Collier, who also won a previous competition at Belah).

   “Action Competition,” under Sub-section Sergeants; points given for—­

     I. Control—­(A) Drill; (B) Led Horses; (C) Fire Orders, etc.

     II. Time—­taken from command “Action” to when led horses move
     back.

     III. Gun Handling, Concealment and Shooting (won by “D”
     Sub-section, under Sergt.  Pearse).

   “Belt Filling by Limber Drivers” (won by “C” Sub-section).

   “Stripping, Adjustment, Minor Repairs and Immediate Action” (1st,
   Lance-Corpl.  Salter; 2nd, Lance-Corpl.  Galway).

INSPECTION BY THE “C.-IN-C.”.

In consequence of the increased number of cavalry which had arrived in the country, the 7th Mounted Brigade now formed part of a Division, instead of being an independent Brigade, as heretofore.  This Division, which was commanded by Major-Gen. H.J.M.  MacAndrew, C.B., D.S.O., was at first styled the “2nd Mounted Division,” but, later on, it was altered to the “5th Cavalry Division,” comprising the 13th, 14th (the old 7th Mounted), and 15th (Imperial Service), Cavalry Brigades.

On June 27th, the Squadron paraded with the Brigade, in full marching order, for an inspection of the Division by the “C.-in-C.”.  They marched to the plain, north of Rishon-le-Zion, and were there duly inspected and “marched past,” after which units returned to camp, independently.  The “C.-in-C.” expressed his high appreciation of the new Division.  The next morning (June 28th 1918) a Divisional tactical scheme was carried out, and it was somewhat surprising to all ranks upon returning to camp, that orders were received for the Brigade to move that night at 01.00!

[Illustration]

PART IV.

MARCH TO THE JORDAN VALLEY.

Before proceeding with a description of the Squadron’s “trek” to the Jordan Valley, it might be desirable to enlighten the reader as to the actual position of affairs at the “front”.

[Illustration]

After the capture of Jerusalem on December 9th 1917, the Turk made one forlorn effort to re-capture it.  This attempt met with not the slightest success, and afterwards (in February 1918), he was driven down into the Jordan Valley, where he had to yield up the town of Jericho to us.  Since then (in March and April), two raids had been made into Turkish territory on the eastern side of the Jordan in the hills (in which the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, and Essex Battery R.H.A. participated), and on each occasion, the towns of Es-Salt and Amman were reached.  A large number of prisoners were taken, together with machine-guns and ammunition, added to which several bridges were