WW1 Australian medal Private R. Gregg of the 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps, who was awarded the Military Medal at the Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe. British War Medal (1914 – 18), impressed named 2591 PTE R. GREGG. CML. CPS. A.I.F. Which comes with extracts service records.

Richard Gregg was born about 1879 in Brunswick, Victoria. Pre-war he was working as a labourer when he enlisted into the A.I.F. on 2/2/1916 being assigned to the 18th Reinforcements, 8th Light Horse Regiment. He sailed for Egypt in July 1916 and was taken on strength of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment on 12/8/1916. He was quickly posted to the Imperial Camel Corps on 9/9/1916 to serve with the 11th Company. He was tried by Field General Court Martial on 22/4/1917 in that he was A.W.O.L. from 25/3/1917 – 31/3/1917 when the battalion was on a line of march. He received 60 days confinement which was amended to 60 days of Filed Punishment No. 2. Further charged in February 1918 when at Abbassia base camp with 1. Breaking out to Cairo; 2. A.W.O.L.; 3. Drunkenness when apprehended by the MP’s the same day. His personal records show he was awarded the Military Medal on 26/11/1917, the war diary records it being awarded for the two-day action at Khuweilfeh (Battle of Tel el Khuweilfe) on 6-7 November. The award list of the battalion shows Captain E. W. Dixon (11th Coy.) received a D.S.O., the citation reading: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, the enemy in turn counter attacked on the flank of the battalion. He at once grasped the situation, took command of more than 200 men of various units, and held on to a portion of rising ground which was vital to the whole position. Having driven off the attack, he remained in command of the hill for two days, the retention of which vital point was almost entirely due to his personal example and courage’. 11 M.M.’s, were awarded to the 3rd Battalion I.C.C. for the action, with 8 awarded to 11th Coy. of which Gregg was serving. As the E.E.F. advanced out of the Sinai and into Palestine, the change in terrain led to the disbandment of the ICC. In June 1918, the Australian troops were used to form the 14th and 15th Light Horse Regiments. He was transferred to the 15th Light Horse on 1/7/1918. He was hospitalised with pleurisy shortly after, with his next of kin being informed, he was dangerously ill, however he pulled through and on recovering was posted to 8th Light Horse in September 1918. Bad luck wasn’t finished with him yet as he was hospitalised with a fractured skull on 14/11/1918 when his horse slipped and fell on him. He still managed to play up though, as he was charged with bringing intoxicating liquor into hospital. He returned to Australia in January 1919 for discharge 16/5/1919.