Egypt 1914 - which British units?

[John_Hartley]

I know 42nd Division arrived in September 1914. Google also tells me that 2/Northamptonshire and 2/Devonshire were there at the time and were, presumably, replaced by the arriving Territorials, as they left Egypt in the October. But were they the only two infantry units there on "Empire duty"?

[Guest]

From the OH Other Theatres page 11 in the book or 33of 518 of the Disk

." The troops of the Force in Egypt in August 1914 consisted of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, "T" Battery RHA, 7th Mountain Battery RGA, 2nd Field Company RE, 2/Devonshire, 1/Worcestershire, 2/Northamptonshire, 2/Gordon Highlanders, with auxiliary services. "

Mike

[John_Hartley]

Many thanks, Mike.

I suppose my next question is did anything, other than 42nd Division, replace the four regular army battalions?

[Guest]

Will have a dekko later John. It's a matter of asking the disk, the right question.

Mike

[Jankers]

42nd was the only British Division which went to Egypt before the build up for Gallipoli, I don't know if any individual units did, or come to think of it if any Indian Divisions did..

[Steven Broomfield]

Don't have the details to hand, but India sent forces. If no-one gets there sooner I'll look it up when I get home.

[spof]

John

From the monthly general returns for August 1914.

Glen

[Guest]

I think the view in August was As long as Egypt was at peace with Turkey " the land problem belonged to a possible future. "

On 9th August orders received from WO London that two Infantry Divisions and a Cavalry Brigade would be sent from India. Late Maj-Gen Byng was informed the the Bikanir Camel Corps would also be sent to him. On relief by these forces, the British fighting troops and admin, would be sent back to England. Nine days later the new Sec State for War, Kitchener telegraphed that it had been decided the two Inf Divs would go to Marseilles without disembarking in Egypt. On 31st August the Egyptian Camel Corps was ordered to the Canal.

On 23rd Sept act of aggression by Bedouin. Kitchener was worried. but Maxwell not unduly anxious. Gets a bit complicated, but think the East Lancs Div arrived 27th Sept, plus some Yeomanry sent by Kitchener, and the Sirhand Bde ended up at the Canal also.

Or something like that

Mike

[Steven Broomfield]

On 19th September the 9th (Sirhind) Brigade from the 3rd (Lahore) Division was dropped off en route to France to protect the Canal (1st HLI, 1/1st Gurkhas, 1/4th Gurkhas, 125th Rifles). On 16th November the 22nd (Lucknow) Brigade arrived to replace the 9th (3rd Brahmans, 62nd Punjabis, 92nd Punjabis, 2/10th Gurkhas).

The Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade also arrived in November (Patiala (Rajindra) IS Lancers, Mysore IS Lancers, 1st Hyderabad IS Lancers).

10th and 11th Divisional Headquarters were formed in December/January.

(Source: Chris Kempton, Duty & Fidelity, The Indian Army August 1914-1922)

[John_Hartley]

Thanks to all.