t by shell splinters. Pte. Heathcote was killed by a shell
at 10.30 whilst attending one of the wounded mules here; Pte. Rush was hit
in the shoulder, an hour afterwards, and was taken to the Field Ambulance.

A SAD CEREMONY.

Upon the second (and last) night at Tahta, a very pathetic, but stirring,
burial-ceremony was held at about 21.00, which those privileged to attend
will remember to the end of their days. The ground selected for the burials
was a little gully running off the main wadi. Dead animals, horses, mules
and camels lay all around; upturned wagons and limbers were to be seen
everywhere. During the deep roar and vivid flashes of our guns, just to the
rear, and the sharp crack of bullets striking the rocks just above, the
solemn and earnest words of our Chaplain could be heard. Above all, the
full moon, bathing the gully in a bright light, combined to make a fitting
background for the laying-to-rest of those who had been called upon to make
the "supreme sacrifice".

On leaving Tahta the Squadron marched on foot to the vicinity of El Burj
(guns on packs), arriving before daylight (November 30th). Here they stayed
for the day, in reserve, cleaning guns, etc. At 18.00, that night, they
moved nearer El Burj in support of the Australians, arriving about 21.00.
Nothing happened; but the Squadron stayed all night and the next day. That
night they moved into El Burj; next morning (December 2nd) they returned,
and found their horses awaiting them. Headquarters, "A," "D" and "E"
Sub-sections now re-joined "B" and "C" Sub-sections and transport. It was
not likely that the Squadron would be required again in the Tahta district,
except in an emergency, as the country was quite unsuitable for cavalry
tactics; as it turned out, they were not destined to do any more fighting
for a long time to come.

But the British advance had by no means been stopped, in spite of the check
in the hills. The absence of roads and shortage of water here, made
operations exceedingly difficult, and it was decided to attack the Turkish
positions covering Jerusalem, from the south-west and west, instead of from
the north-west. The troops were moved into position, and the main attack
was launched at dawn on December 8th. This attack was immediately
successful and resulted in the surrender of Jerusalem by the Turks to the
60TH DIVISION on the morning of Sunday, December 9th. Thus, after four
centuries of conquest, the Turk was ridding the land