(Then) Major Royston on ‘Bill.’ John Robinson Royston was born in South Africa in 1860, served in the Zulu and Boer Wars and in 1916 was sent to Egypt where he became Colonel of the 12th Australian Light Horse. His bold personality won him the admiration of his men and his courage at the battle of Romani in August 1916 gained him the nickname “Galloping Jack.” A massively built man, he was promoted to Brigadier-General but abruptly left the Light Horse in October 1917.john robinson royston, light horse, galloping jack, aif, a.i.f, ww1, world war 1