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Through Palestine with the 20th Machine Gun Squadron by Unknown
page 44 of 169 (26%)
Working hard during the night, the enemy built a breastwork on the top of
the hill, and the flash of their machine-gun fire could be seen directed
from that position across the front of the Mosque, apparently to prevent it
being occupied. About midnight Lieut. Price was walking along the line
having a look-out and had just passed his right-hand gun when he was
unfortunately hit by a bullet in the groin. Lance-Corpl. Grice at once had
him bandaged up and carried down to the dressing station by Ptes. Baker and
Roberts. To the sorrow of all his comrades, however, he died in the Field
Ambulance. He was taken to Ramleh, where he was buried.

Just after Lieut. Price was hit, Sergt. Hawkins, who had only arrived a few
days previously, but rendered splendid service on this his first day's
fighting, was wounded (he was afterwards awarded the Military Medal) and
Corpl. Franklin then came up to take charge. He reported the casualties to
Squadron Headquarters when S.S.M. Larwood came up and "took over," sending
him to resume charge of the led horses.

In the morning, before daylight, the guns were moved further up the hill in
line with the infantry (Scottish Rifles), who had arrived the previous
evening and advanced after dark. It was during this morning's operations
that Pte. Cowley was unfortunately wounded. The Turkish defenders of the
breastwork, after being submitted to heavy fire, came in under a German
N.C.O. and surrendered, upon which the infantry went up and occupied their
late position. The infantry soon had to fall back again, however, owing to
heavy shell fire, when the Turks re-occupied it. During the day there was a
certain amount of bombing and sniping on both sides, during which Pte.
Joiner was killed. He had been trying to account for the sniper himself,
and upon being ordered to go down the hill to see about the rations for his
sub-section he was hit as soon as he moved.

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