Shortly after the departure of the "S.N.H.", the "S.R.Y." were called upon
to assist in an attack on the other side of the Jordan. This operation was
pushed right into the enemy country, past Es Salt, which is the most
difficult ground imaginable for cavalry, but, circumstances developing in
an unexpected manner, a withdrawal had to be made. This movement was
accomplished in a truly splendid fashion. The affair, however, was not
carried out without casualties, unfortunately, and the "S.R.Y." had to
mourn the loss of Capt. Layton, one of its most prominent Squadron leaders.


ARRIVAL OF INDIAN TROOPS.

The absence of the "S.R.Y." left the 7th Mounted Brigade with only the
B.H.Q. 20th M.G. Squadron, Essex Battery, Cav. F.A. and M.V.S. But it soon
became known that Indian Cavalry Regiments had arrived from France, and
were to take the place of the regiments that had been dismounted for the
M.G.C., and also to increase the number of cavalry in the country. An
advance-party at length arrived in the Brigade, consisting of an officer
from each regiment that was to join it, and these proved to be the "20th
Deccan Horse" and "34th Poona Horse". Soon afterwards the regiments
themselves arrived by train, with their horses. How these regiments would
settle down in this country after their experience in France was at first a
subject of interest to the Squadron. But the surroundings resembled, in
some respects, their native India, and they were soon "at home". They only
needed to forget the cramped warfare of the trenches in France and to
practise real cavalry tactics again, to become a true part of the "E.E.F.".
It was also evident, from the brightness of their steelwork, that they
would be second to none in any _ceremonial_ parade.

Training continued, and the Squadron was getting very efficient, both in