The History of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles 1914-1919

The (New Zealand) Canterbury Mounted Rifles, like other cavalry units, fought dismounted in the Gallipoli campaign and suffered horrendous losses there. After the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsular, the unit's remnants were refitted in Egypt and then committed to the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. They took part in the battles of Rafa, Romani and Gaza, and in the advance to Jerusalem and Jericho in 1918. Throughout their time in the desert, they fought in the mounted role for which they had