By Nick Lock

26 March 1917 - First battle of Gaza, Palestine, 1917

The 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions RWF were pre-WWI Territorial Force Battalions recruited in Flintshire, Anglesey & Caernarvonshire, and Montgomeryshire & Merionethshire respectively. All three Battalions served in 158th Brigade or the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division. 158th Brigade was the only Brigade of the 53rd (Welsh) Division to be committed to the 1st Battle of Gaza. The attached map shows the attack route for 158th Brigade left lower centre of the map. The 5th, 6th and 7th Battalions successfully took their objective by noon. The Turks in Gaza were on the point of surrendering when the British high command, due to much confusion decided to order a withdrawal. The three battalions had 692 casualties during the day.