PalestineOn the 10 May the Regiment moved to the Assiout District for some seven months, taking over patrol duties riding camels, owing
to the shortage of water in the desert and the length of patrols being up to 5 days. Each squadron bivouacked at separate
locations in the desert and mounted camel patrols that successfully dominated the area. Soon after arrival forty volunteers
were sought from each of the sixteen Yeomanry Regiments making up the 6 Mounted Brigade to form a British battalion in The New
Imperial Camel Corps. Lt Ryan led the Dorset Yeomanry contingent.
On 25 March 1917 the Regiment, as part of the 6 Mounted Brigade under command of Brigadier Godwin, took part in the first battle
for Gaza which failed. On the 16 April they took part in the second battle for Gaza with eight British tanks in support, the
first time such machines were used in the Middle East. The attack again failed. Having suffered some 7,000 casualties, the
British force forces withdrew, with The Regiment retiring to camp at Abason, where The King of Italy awarded the Italian Bronze
Medal on five Non Commissioned Officers and men.
For six months the Regiment took its turn on patrols, reconnaissance and raids. On 23 May, The Regiment took part in an attack
on the Beersheba to Auja railway, destroying thirteen miles of track, six substantial arched bridges and the points and switching
gear at Asling Station.
On 28 June General Allenby took over command of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from General Murray. At this time the Turks
held well established lines of defence from Gaza to Beersheba.
General Allenby decided in order to capture Gaza he must first deny the enemy the wells at Beersheba, his main water supply.
Beersheba fell on 31 October to Mounted Troops, and on 7 November, the Turks started falling back from their positions at Gaza,
re-establishing a defensive line to hold positions at Junction Station on the Jerusalem to Beersheba railway.
General Allenby's troops duly captured Junction Station on 12 November, at the same time the Mounted Division was ordered to
march eastwards and capture Narneh village. 6 Mounted Brigade also captured Yebnah, but the Turks still held the high controlling
ridge from Katrah to El Mughar.
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