IT WAS most interesting to see the postcard in the Hereford Times of the Herefordshire Regiment at the First Battle of Gaza.

Your readers might like to have further details of the Regiment's service in the First World War.

The 1st/1st Battalion fought in the Gallipoli campaign, landing at Suvla Bay on August 9, 1915 with 53rd (Welsh) Division. After the withdrawal in December that year, then less than 100 strong, the Battalion went to Egypt.

After reinforcements the Battalion was involved in the defence of the Suez Canal at the battle of Rumani in July 1916.

Subsequently the Battalion took part in the Palestine campaign under General Allenby, to drive the Turks out. The Battalion was at all three battles of Gaza, and also at Beersheba, reaching Jerusalem in December 1917.

In June 1918, after the Battle of Tel Azur, the Battalion was sent to France for the last months of the war. In 34th Division, they fought at third Battle of Ypres, and the Marne.

Following garrison duties in Germany after the war ended, the Battalion returned to Hereford on May 23, 1919.

During the war, 227 officers and 495 other ranks were killed, while 46 officers and 974 other ranks were wounded.

The Regiment was awarded 16 Battle Honours and individual awards for gallantry were: five DSO, nine DCM, 15 MC and 15 MM, and two Croix de Guerre.

The Herefordshire Regiment, which became the Herefordshire Light Infantry, was one of three English Territorial Army County Regiments, and the only one to be given the honour of becoming 'Light Infantry'.

Herefordians can be proud of their Regiment's outstanding record not only in the First World War, but the Second World War also.

MAJOR JAMES HEREFORD,

Hon Curator of The Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum,