1st Field Squadron - Engineers

1st Field Squadron Engineers

Shoulder patch

Hajleh. A view of the pontoon bridge by means of which the first crossing over the Jordan River was effected. AWM B02735

Brief History

In 1914, World War 1 was declared and the Engineers 1st Field Company was deployed to Egypt. On 25 April 1915, it was a part of the lead element of the Australian and New Zealand forces to land at Gallipoli. The leading boat had scarcely touched the beach when Sapper Fred Reynolds of 1 Field Company was shot and killed before he was able to jump over its side. He is officially the first Australian soldier to be KIA at Gallipoli on that historical morning. After the Gallipoli campaign, 1 Field Company returned to Egypt where it conducted training and received reinforcements.

While 1 Field Company was training in Egypt in late 1915, its second element was raised as a mounted unit to support the 1st ANZAC Mounted Division (Light Horse) with the nomenclature of 1st Field Squadron. This unit saw action in Egypt, Sinai and Palestine. It supported the famous Australian mounted infantry charge at Beersheba.

Nine members of this unit died while posted to it.

Squadron personnel

• Edward Henry Hanrahan

Battle Honours

• Egypt
• Sinai
• Beersheba

Individual Honours

• 1 x Military Cross
• 4 x Distinguished Conduct medal
• 1 x Military Medal
• 1 x Mentioned in Despatches

Notes

Content for the history and honours sections has come from a combination of Wikipedia and the Australian War Memorial websites.