Chronology of the 28th Battalion, A.I.F.
| 1914. | ||
| August | 4.— | Declaration of War. |
| 1915. | ||
| April | 1.— | Formation of the 7th Infantry Brigade approved and Establishments issued. |
| 16.— | Orders issued in Western Australia for formation of 28th Battalion of Infantry at Blackboy Hill. Necessary action taken the same day. | |
| 23.— | Lieut.-Colonel H. B. Collett appointed to command. | |
| May | 12. } 13. } | “A” and “B” Companies proceeded to Rockingham for advanced training. Returned 22nd May. |
| 27.— | Visit and inspection by His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia, Major-General Sir Harry Barron, K.C.M.G., C.V.O. | |
| June | 3.— | The King’s Birthday. March through Perth, fully horsed and equipped, with 1st Reinforcements. |
| 6.— | First Reinforcements embarked on H.M.A.T. “Geelong” at Fremantle. Sailed next day. | |
| 7.— | Visit and inspection by O.G. 7th Infantry Brigade—Colonel J. Burston, V.D. | |
| 9.— | The Battalion, less Transport details, embarked at Fremantle on H.M.A.T. “Ascanius” (A11). Ship steamed out the same evening. | |
| 24.— | East coast of Africa sighted—south of Ras Jard-Hafun. | |
| 26.— | Entered Red Sea. | |
| 29.— | Suez sighted. | |
| 30.— | Advance party landed and proceeded to Cairo. | |
| July | 2.— | Battalion disembarked and proceeded by train to camp at Abbasia. |
| 5.— | Inspection by Lieut. General Sir John Maxwell, General Officer Commanding in Egypt. | |
| 12.— | Sergeant Faulkner and Transport details embark at Fremantle on H.M.A.T. “Boonah.” Ordered that horses remain in Australia. | |
| August | 4.— | Formation of 2nd Australian Division in Egypt. |
| 8.— | Transport details rejoin the Battalion. | |
| 17.— | March to and occupation of Citadel of Cairo. First draft of reinforcements arrived and was taken on strength. | |
| 30.— | Evacuation of Citadel and march to Aerodrome Camp, Heliopolis. | |
| September | 1.— | Embarkation orders received. Transport to remain in Egypt. |
| 3.— | Entrained at Qubba Station. | |
| 4.— | Arrived at Alexandria. Embarked on H.M.T. “Ivernia.” Left harbour. | |
| 8.— | Arrived off Lemnos Island. | |
| 9.— | Entered Mudros Bay. | |
| 10.— | Transhipped to s.s. “Sarnia” and proceeded in direction of Gallipoli Peninsula. That night landed at Williams’ Pier and bivouaced in Waterfall Gully. Attached to New Zealand and Australian Division. | |
| 11.— | First casualty. Private F. T. Mitchell wounded. Moved up Chailak Dere and bivouaced between Bauchop’s Hill and Little Table Top—Rose Hill. | |
| 12.— | “Apex” salient taken over from New Zealanders. First casualty in action. Lieut. F. E. Jensen dangerously wounded. He died a few hours later. | |
| 13.— | First visit by Corps and Divisional Commanders. | |
| October | 4. } 5. } | Relieved by 25th Battalion. Moved to Lower Cheshire Ridge. |
| 30.— | “B” Company relieved by “A” Company 26th Battalion. | |
| November | 1.— | “C” Company moved to Taylor’s Hollow. |
| 2.— | “D” Company moved to Taylor’s Hollow. | |
| 3.— | 13th Battalion took over sector. 28th Battalion concentrated in Taylor’s Hollow as Divisional Reserve. For next five weeks main body engaged on works and Beach fatigues. | |
| 12.— | Moved to Happy Valley as support to 26th Battalion. Thus rejoined 2nd Division. | |
| 13.— | Visit of Lord Kitchener. | |
| 24. } 27. } | Period of silence. Australians withhold their fire. | |
| 27. } 29. } | Peninsula visited by a blizzard. Heavy snow and extreme cold. | |
| December | 4.— | “A” Company went into line on Russell’s Top. |
| 6.— | “D” Company went into line on Russell’s Top. | |
| 7.— | Headquarters and “B” Company proceeded to Russell’s Top. | |
| 8.— | “C” Company joins Battalion. | |
| 11.— | Received orders to embark on day following. | |
| 12.— | Relieved by 20th Battalion. Embarked, less M.G. Section, on “Osmanich” after dark. | |
| 13.— | Landed on Lemnos Island and marched to camp at Sarpi. | |
| 15.— | Marched to Z Valley, South Camp. | |
| 20.— | Lieut. G. D. Shaw and Machine Gun Section left Gallipoli Peninsula with last of troops, 3.30 a.m. Rejoined Battalion same day. | |
| 31.— | Advance Party left for Egypt. | |
| 1916. | ||
| January | 6.— | Embarked on H.M.T. “Ansonia.” |
| 7.— | Left Mudros Bay at 7.30 a.m. | |
| 9.— | Entered Alexandria Harbour. | |
| 10.— | Disembarked and proceeded by train to camp at Tel-el-Kebir. Transport rejoined Battalion. | |
| 15.— | Inspected by General Sir Archibald Murray, Commanding in Chief in Egypt. | |
| February | 3.— | Moved by train to Moascar. Thence marched to Staging Camp—east bank of Suez Canal and opposite Ismailia. 7th Brigade in Divisional Reserve. |
| 6.— | Moved back to Ferry Post to garrison Inner Defences of Canal. Relieved 30th Battalion. | |
| 28.— | Major C. R. Davies proceeded to Tel-el-Kebir to command 58th Battalion. Major A. W. Leane became 2nd-in-Command of 28th Battalion. | |
| March | 8.— | Relieved by the New Zealanders. Crossed Suez Canal to Moascar Camp. |
| 13.— | Transport details and horses entrained for Alexandria. Embarked on H.M.T. “Minneapolis” next day. | |
| 15.— | Battalion entrained for Alexandria. | |
| 16.— | Arrived at Alexandria at 6.30 a.m. Embarked on H.M.T. “Themistocles.” Left harbour same evening. | |
| 19.— | Arrived off Valetta, Malta. Received orders as to route. | |
| 21.— | Arrived in Marseilles Harbour. |