One of the pictures of the Unit in camp with their horses, is marked “Porlock”, which accords with the service record dated 1914, and was the last. This is also consistent with his promotion to Lance Corporal dated August 16, 1914, apparent in the picture of him on his charger where his stripes can be clearly seen (figs 2a,b,c). He was then 23, and had declined the OTC to the dismay of his family. My father often remarked on the frustrations endured by the Unit as it was posted from place to place in Britain throughout the winter and summer months of 1914-1915, engaged in endless exercises and parades, whilst major actions were being fought in France, and I would remind him that in fact he owed his life to the mysterious ways of the Army, being saved from the disastrous battles of Ypres, Festubert, Aubers Ridge and Loos. He told me that after a written appeal to the War Office by their CO, the 1/1st WSY was abruptly dispatched to Gallipoli in September 1915. Their mounts were requisitioned by the Army, never to be heard of again, and Ray mourned the loss of his horse for the rest of his life. Attached to the 2nd Mounted Division (actually dismounted) the WSY landed at Suvla Bay in October and was in the firing line in November (Wikipedia). Although he spoke often, and with great feeling, of his involvement in the campaign, only 2 photographs have survived (figs 3a, b).
They landed at Suvla Bay in October (Wikipedia), and although he spoke often, and with great feeling, of his involvement in the campaign, only 2 photographs have survived (figs 3a,b).
