Appointed colonel of the 12th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force, on 22 February 1916, Royston won the immediate affection and respect of his men, becoming a light horse legend at the battle of Romani on 4-5 August. In temporary command of the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, the 'massively built' 56-year-old Royston galloped around the battlefield with astounding energy and courage, reputedly riding fourteen horses to a standstill.
His nickname, ‘Galloping Jack’, would stick. Late in the first day’s battle a bullet lodged in Royston’s calf. Ordered by Major General (Sir) Harry Chauvel to have the wound treated, he galloped off before the dressing was completed, trailing strips of bandage. On the second day of battle Chauvel ordered him to hospital. Royston left within a few hours and the bullet stayed in his leg until his death. Next day the 1st L.H. Brigade was also put under his command for the Bir el Abd operation and on 9 August he took command of the 3rd L.H. Brigade. At the battle of Magdhaba in December he created another legend. Confronting several Turkish soldiers, he flourished his riding cane and ordered ‘Hands up’ in Bantu. The startled Turks dropped their rifles and surrendered.
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/royston-john-robinson-8290
“” Brigadier Ryrie was away in London and Brigadier Royston was temporarily in command of the 2nd. ‘Galloping Jack’ they called him, and he exhausted fourteen horses during the battle of Romani, several of them having been shot beneath him while he galloped up and down the firing line, exhorting his men to greater efforts. He would not get off his horse for the field dressing station men to bandage a flesh wound in his leg, but stayed in the saddle, watching the battle through his field glasses while they dressed the wound. Suddenly he stuck his spurs into his horse, and was away- yards of blood stained bandages streaming out behind him as he galloped, quite careless of the bullets all around. To one hard pressed as troop he yelled:”Stick to it lads. We’re winning. They’re retreating in hundreds” One of the Light Horsemen said afterwards that he had peered over the edge of the sand hole from which he was firing, ‘and there were the blighters coming in thousands.'” Light Horse- The Story of Australia’s mounted Troops” Elyne Mitchell p 48
