Guest KevinEndon Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 The start of a thread on the military life of a soldier from Stockton Brook, Staffordshire, who served with the Staffs Yeomanry then the Imperial Camel Corps along with Col. T E Laurance.I was given a box full of Arthur Milwards life in service and I would love to share it with you.I will start with some photos of the box and some of its contents. I will over a period of time share his diaries with you, the photos with you and his military life after WW1 upto his death in 1971.Please feel free to PM me if there is anything that crops up in a photo which you would like more info on and if there is I will with pleasure give you the information.Please enjoy and stick with it, I can promise you it will be a brilliant read.Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 The Box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 This is the first page of the album which is massive it covers his yeomanry days and his life with the ICC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 Some more of the photos from the album and the Camel Corps old comrades association cards. There are quite a few of these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 12 November , 2006 Share Posted 12 November , 2006 The barrak is the camel corps newsletter Barrak is the order for a camel to kneel. The souvenir of Cairo is packed with postcards of Egypt of old. The programme in the top left is the sports day event 2 days before Christmas 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenbecker Posted 13 November , 2006 Share Posted 13 November , 2006 Mate, I am interested in Barrack issues I have missed over the years. I wrote to Rory a number of times untill his death and was a member of the ICC Assoc. IF you have any of these I have not listed I would very much like to see them. I have, No's 1 to 4 (originals printed during the war) No 36 May 1979 No 37 Dec 1979 No 43 April 1982 No 53 Dec 1983 No 63 April 1987 No 64 Aug 1987 No 66 April 1988 No 67 Summer 1988 No 68 Autum 1988 No 69 Dec 1988 No 72 Dec 1972 (this was the last due to the death of Rory). If you have those I don't have please let me know as I would like them very much. Also is it possible to get a photo of Arthur for my book on the Camel Brigade. Cheers S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 13 November , 2006 Share Posted 13 November , 2006 I have the following 5 January 1968, 6 August 1968, 7 Christmas 1968, 8 May 1969, 9 Christmas 1969, 10 March 1970, 11 August 1970, 13 October 1970, 14 Christmas 1970, 15 May 1971, 16 July 1971, 17 August 1971, 18 Christmas 1971, 19 March 1972, 62 Christmas 1986, 63 ½, May 1987 65 Christmas 1987, 70 Anzac Day 1989. I will scan and copy these for you. It will cost a fortune to post them all at once, would you prefer to be sent one a month or one every 2 weeks. PM me and let me know whats best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenbecker Posted 13 November , 2006 Share Posted 13 November , 2006 Thanks mate, If you would like anything I may have let me know. Cheers S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 14 November , 2006 Share Posted 14 November , 2006 This thread will come into action one the first day of 2007, where I will be placing each days events from 1916 ie. 1st July 1916 will be published on the 1st July 2007. Photographs which form part of the diary will be posted as well. Hopefully I can do the diaries and the album justice on here, it is a rare find and very very interesting. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 14 November , 2006 Share Posted 14 November , 2006 Going through the diary it has became apparent that the Welsh Fusiliers were out in Egypt. I dont know if they came across any fighting but certainly put on a brilliant show around the camps with their plays and musicals. More info will follow when the diaries come on line. The troops mentioned in the diary had to book a late pass to see the Welsh Fusiliers shows as they didnt start until 9pm and finished at 11pm. Reveille was always between 4 am and 7 at the latest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 14 November , 2006 Share Posted 14 November , 2006 E A Milward Imperial Camel Corps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 16 November , 2006 Share Posted 16 November , 2006 Just over 2 years in the life of L/Cpl. E.A. Milward are about to begin. I am going to take you through the trials and tribulations of life in the hot, dusty desert of Egypt, firstly as a horse rider with the Staffordshire Yeomanry and then with 10th Coy Imperial Camel Corps. I hope you enjoy the 2 years of hand written diaries which I have saved by placing them onto my computer. There will be photos, stories, romance and sorrow all rolled into this thread. Some of the diaries are fading and reading them is difficult, especially place names, so if you can help me decipher these I would be most grateful. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 16 November , 2006 Share Posted 16 November , 2006 Memoranda from 1915 Left Langley Park 1am. Wednesday Oct 27th. Very cold moonlight march to and entrain at Norwich. Last to leave headquarters. Arrived Southampton 3pm. Set sail 4.30. nice night, rough next day seasick 3 days very rough Sunday Nov 1st. Arrived Gibralter 6am Nov 2. Called in to drop mail but did not stop. Sailed along N Africa coast passed Algeria Nov 3 (7pm) all lit up very calm and warm. Passed Malta evening Nov 6. Had morse message from island warning us of submarines. Steamed forced speed all night went out of caure. Nov 9th had armed look out all round boat. Very hot in boats stables. Sighted Alexandria Monday 8th but kept on the move all night on account of subs. Tuesday morning steamed into Alex harbour, heard 3 or 4 guns fired over the water and saw smoke over the horizon. All afternoon and night unloading. Nov 10 Wednesday. Left for Chatby camp. 4 miles from dock led horses all day. Did nothing at Chatby but exercise two horses. Plenty of bathing at Chatby. Left Chatby 6pm. Nov 23rd (Tuesday) tiring train journey. Arrived Cairo 5am Wed. Unloadin in dark. Had tea and cake at Kasel Nib proceeded to Mena Camp 9am. Arrived at 2pm. Many thousands of horses to be ridden by natives. All sand, went round pyramids and Sphinx had a good time. Left Mena at 2 pm and entrained for Ajab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 16 November , 2006 Share Posted 16 November , 2006 Kev, just to mention after viewing the papers and items to E A Milward they are certainly emotive and you are doing a great job transcribing the details you could write a small book from the contents and again very interesting to view this collection, a very rare survivor mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Hesketh Posted 16 November , 2006 Share Posted 16 November , 2006 I shall be following this with interest Kevin. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted 16 November , 2006 Share Posted 16 November , 2006 Hi Kev, I am really looking forward to seeing the diaries transcribed after you showed me the originals the other day. I wished I had more time to look through the stuff but unfortunately work beckoned. I would be surprised if a collection as good as this relating to the Camel Corps exists anywhere else in the world. Liam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Here is a letter sent from Arthur to his mother in 1917. I thought the forum members would like to see the paper which the letter is written on. On the back of the letter is says, I am enclosing a few flowers which I found on the desert close to the coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Here are the flowers and the transcription of the whole letter, hope you like it. Church Army Recreation Hut ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE MEDITERRANEAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE I C C E E J April 8th 1917 Dear Mother, I received your letter of March 12th yesterday, many thanks for same and sorry that you have not yet had the photos, some other chaps sent some the same day and they have not been received so expect that they were on the boat that was reported sunk. Sorry to hear that you are all not very well, hope you are better by the time you get this. No the photo were not of myself, they were a few views of Hlarga, Cairo. Have you had that booklet yet, it was posted just after the photos. Sorry to hear that A ???? had been wounded, I did not know that he had enlisted. A.J. don’t worry that the photos were stopped by censor as they were not of military importance. The A A W you mention must be the censor’s signature. Is it too late to wish Nellie “many happy returns of the day” I knew it was somewhere about now but did not know the exact date. Isn’t it David’s birthday today too. I am enclosing a few flowers which I found on the desert close to the coast. They are not much but may prove interesting to Nellie. I think this is all now, hope that all your colds are better. Best love to Nellie Pud and Will your loving son Arthur. Please let me know if you receive flowers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 This does exactly what it says on the tin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 17 November , 2006 Share Posted 17 November , 2006 One of the signatures are of Brig Gen Bromley Davenport who features quite a bit in Arthurs diary early in 1916. Can any pal make out the other two on the left hand side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 19 November , 2006 Share Posted 19 November , 2006 ...... I.C.C. Reunion 1970. Coupe Alexandra anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenbecker Posted 21 November , 2006 Share Posted 21 November , 2006 Mate, This may help in Identifing soldiers in the 10Co 2Bn ICC. Here is my list of known soldiers that served in the 10th Company, it is by no means a complete list so any additions or subtrctions are welcome. Allridge William H. 50694 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2366) and Hussars (300018) Armitage Frederick 50591 Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1512) and Hussars Armstrong Joseph D. 50704 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2411) and Hussars Ashlin C.H.N. Lt OC 10Co 8-16 to 2-17 Ex East Riding Yeo (2876) to RAF Ballance Frank 50652 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo ( 3384) and Hussars Banks John 50606 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2060) and Hussars Bardwell Thomas Garnett Maj OC 10Co - 16 to - 16 Ex East Riding Yeo Barrow Alfred 50647 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3581) and Hussars (80585) Bennett David 50648 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3051) and Hussars (300367) nkg listed on the Jerusalem War Memorial Blackwell Victor 50650 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo ( 3231) and Hussars (300516) buried Damascus War Cemetery Bonewell Sydney 50599 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1486) and Hussars (H/50599) died in UK buried Hull Western Cemetery Boulton William 50603 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1719) and Hussars Bowes Arthur 50604 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1136) and Hussars Brain Jonathon H 50605 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2019) and Hussars Brereton Thomas 50638 L/Cpl 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3049) and Hussars Brooks Albert J 50651 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2950) and Hussars Brooks William 50033 Pte 8Co to Wo2 10Co (taffy) Ex Buckingham Yeo (1772) and Hussars (205494) Buttery Charles E. 50711 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (1488) and Hussars Caley Harold 50600 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1597) and Hussars Chapman Jonathon 50608 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1653) and Hussars Clark George Pawson 50581 Sgt 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1226) and Hussars and Lancers (50143) or (50651) in Bn roll buried Damascus War Cemetery Clarke Charles A. 2125 Sgt 10Co Ex 1/7 Manchester Regt (2125) Clarke William 2077 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo Collins Arthur I 50609 Sgt 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1306) and Hussars Compton Frank H. 50653 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3040) and Hussars to 2/Lt 6Bn Devon Regt Cook John William 50328 Pte 10Co to 3Bn HQ Sig 1-17 Ex East Riding Yeo (1516) Craggy John Stuart Worth 50580 Sgt 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (50380) reported MIA 27-3-18 NKG listed on the Jerusalem War Memorial Cullen Thomas W.A 50716 L/Cpl 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (1571) and Hussars (327183) Daines Aaron L. 50610 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (50559) and Hussars Davies William Thomas Lt 10Co Ex Sgt Shropshire Yeo (1374) and Lt Kings West Surrey Rgt to Kings Shropshire LI Dickson Richard M. 50655 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2233) and (300111) and Hussars later Royal Engineers (WR/193284) Dodgson Kenneth Veron Pte 10Co prom 2/Lt Devonshire Regt Dodgson William K 50611 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1520) and Hussars Donnelly 63013 Pte 10Co Dunning Edgar 50579 SSM 10Co Ex SSM East Riding Yeo (1390) and Hussars Earle George Henry 50723 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2519) and Hussars Eldridge 63604 Pte 10Co Ennis James Patrick 51191 Pte 10Co Ex Rhodn Regt + 1 London Regt (4365) and Hussars Fanthorpe Arthur 50613 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2028) and Hussars Fletcher Albert W 50657 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3074) and Spr Royal Engineers (WR/193242) to Worcester Yeo (300382) Fox Clifford J 50612 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1266) and Hussars Freeman John 50588 Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1472) and Lancers (50302) buried Suez War Cemetery Gould Frederick W. 50659 Sgt 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2957) later RE (WR/195811) Graham Benjamin 50598 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1622) and Hussars Gray William 50594 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1784) and L/Cpl Hussars Hand James 50660 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo ( 3032) and Hussars Hardy Alfred W. 50726 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2434) later RE (WR/193311) Harris George 3023 Pte 6Co (10Co?) Ex BSqn/Stafford Yeo NKG listed on the Jerusalem War Memorial Harrison Frederick S. 50614 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1550) and Hussars Hawkins Maurice 50589 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1337) and Hussars Haywood George W. 50727 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2403) and Hussars Hazelhurst Harry 50663 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3702) and Hussars Heath S 2/Lt 10Co Hewson George H. 50725 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2441) and Hussars Hobbins Samuel E 50699 Sgt 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (1426) and Hussars Holland Wilfred 51352 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (1805) and Hussars Howard Sidney Ikin 50616 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1800) and Lancers (50511) buried Damascus War Cemetery Hunter Jack 1167 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1167) and Hussars (327181) James James Sgt 10Co Jayes Frederick Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo Jervis Vere Pte 10Co Johnson Benjamin 50637 L/Cpl 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2968) and Hussars Johnson John 50668 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3569) and Hussars (300792) Jones Harry 50728 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2537) and Hussars Jones John William 2/Lt 10Co 5-18 Ex Kings Shropshire Lt Inf Keates Percy B. 50670 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2807) to Labour Corps (549249) Kennington Herbert 50730 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (55773) and Hussars (327175) Kidd Frederick 50669 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3276) to Hussars to MGC King Joseph Harry 50619 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2203) and Hussars (50619) Lake Albert R 50671 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2648) to Royal Emgineers (491884) Lamplugh Victor L 50582 Sgt 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1511) and Hussars Langham Harry P. 50585 Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1533) and Hussars (327171) Leaf Stanley 50590 L/Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1552) and Hussars Lear William W. 50620 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (?) and Hussars Longhurst Sidney J 50595 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1966) and Hussars to RFC (113215) Lyall Joseph A Lt OC 10Co 1-18 to 11-18 to T/Capt Ex 1/5 Norfolks Rgt Lyth Wilfred 50596 L/Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2065) and Hussars and Lancers 50664 NKG listed on the Jerusalem War Memorial Martin HC Lt 10Co May. Phillip 10Co Ex Rhodn regt + 1 London Regt Maynard Henry Robert 50601 L/Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1799) and Hussars and Lancers (50510) buried Damascus War Cemetery Mears Albert A 50674 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3482) and Hussars Melling Robert H 50732 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2838) and Hussars Milward Edwin Arthur 50673 L/Cpl 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2969) to Hussars Moore Lawrence 50593 Sig 10Co to 2Bn HQ Ex East Riding Yeo (2187) and Hussars (rory) Murfett Arthur Sidney 51266 Pte 10Co Ex Northumberland Fusiliers (292497) buried Jerusalem War Cemetery Mytton William Alfred 50675 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3353) and Hussars brother Thomas ICC Nottidge Thomas Lt 10Co Ex 2/Lt Life Guards to T/Capt Berkshire Yeo to Capt Saff Ogden Percy 50733 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2446) and Hussars Oliver John E 203639 Pte 10Co Ex 24Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers Outhwaite Reginald 50621 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1216) and Hussars Perry Kenneth 50597 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1441) and Hussars Pettit John AG 50736 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (1386) and Hussars Pickaver Horace 50735 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2188) and Hussars Rackham Valentine H 50585 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1596) and Hussars Richards Arthur 50738 Pte 10Co Ex Lincoln Yeo (2689) and Hussars (327179) Rimmington L/Cpl 10Co RAMC Robinson William 50623 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1431) and Hussars Schwartz Barnett CV 51283 Pte 10Co Ex Northumberland Fusiliers (6865) (292531) NKG listed on the Jerusalem War Memorial Scott John 50745 Pte 7Co (10Co?) Ex Lincoln Yeo ( 2487) and Hussars and Lancers (55772) buried Jerusalem War Cemetery Smith James 50408 Pte 10Co Ex Denbigh Yeo (1223) and Hussars Smith James W 50592 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1543) and Hussars Soper Victor E 703397 Pte 10Co Ex Rhodn Regt and City of London Yeo (2634) and 1 London Regt (7158) to Royal Engineers (WR/308312) Stanton William Oswald 50624 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1866) and Hussars Ex Lancers (50555) buried Damascus War Cemetery Steele Clifford MQ 50625 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1447) and Hussars Streeter Sidney Henry Lt 5Co to 10Co 4-18 to T/Capt Ex Sgt 2/4 Royal West Surrey Rgt (2678) prom 2/Lt to Capt Streetly George 50626 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1292) and Hussars Swaine FE 50586 L/Cpl 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (?) and Hussars Thomas Talieson 51356 Sgt 10Co Ex Sgt Welsh Horse (166) and Hussars Thompson Oliver 50627 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1996) and Hussars Traske George C 51194 Pte 10Co + 2Bn HQ Sigs Ex 1Bn Suffolk Regt (1768) and Hussars Trigg Arthur C 51385 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (2815) and Hussars Tyrrell Lt 10Co (MG sect) Waind William 50632 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2686) and Hussars Walker Bernard 50628 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1880) and Hussars Walker E 50787 L/Cpl 10Co Ex City of London Yeo Walker Eric N 50587 L/Cpl 10Co Ex L/Cpl East Riding Yeo (1201) and Hussars Wall Thomas H 50618 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (2202) to Stafford Yeo (301551) and RE (475857) Wallbank Alfred L 2/Lt 10Co Ex Sgt Worcester Yeo (3058) and Hussars Wallhead George 50703 Cpl 10Co Ex Lincolin Yeo (2445) and Lancers (55743) buried Jerusalem War Cemetery Washbrook Howard 50690 Pte 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3168) and Hussars (300463) buried Alexandria Hadra War Cemetery Watson Noel A 50584 Sgt 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1482) and Hussars Welton Frank 50629 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1982) and Hussars Whitehouse Ernest 50636 L/Cpl 10Co Ex Stafford Yeo (3072) and Hussars (300380) buried Damascus War Cemetery Whitelock WP 2/Lt 10Co Wilkinson AG Capt OC 10Co 4-17 to 12-17 Ex 2/Lt Border Regt to Capt MGC Witty Stanley 50631 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1698) and Hussars Woodruf John Elias 50630 Pte 10Co Ex East Riding Yeo (1697) + Gloucester Yeo and Hussars AKA John Woodup I am enjoying what ever you show, and look forward to more of his diary. Cheers S.B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 24 November , 2006 Share Posted 24 November , 2006 Taken from the first page of the diary. Some of the words are hard to decypher so feel free to put in the correct spellings for me. The letters in bold are the ones I am not too sure about. Ajab the last place god made. Arrived Ajab camp in the Jajourn oasis 3am. Pegged horses down, slept in lines cold and damp. No drinking water for weeks. Dec. 4th interpreters arrived with own syces. Was sent back to troop, I was put on piquet. Looked after the interpreter and taught him to ride, went back with troop and did squadron drill with them, did two stable guards before New Year. Had turkey’s and jolly good time at Christmas, were the only squadron who did not go on outpost before New Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 26 November , 2006 Share Posted 26 November , 2006 E.A. Milward. Found in the box of tricks within a large envelope were many sheets of A4 paper. There are not dates as to when they were written, it may have been written with the use of his diaries it may have been written at the time. Did they have lined A4 paper in 1915? Anyway I have transcribed these and will be taking you up to January 1916 when his diaries start. Enjoy. Late October 1915. Having been issued with new saddles, swords etc and taken over our horses again we were fully equipped for foreign service. I had been selected 9or otherwise) as interpreters backman and had two horsed to look after but no interpreter. This suited me perfectly as, being attached to Headquarters I had no other duties whatever. I was under orders from no one except the Squadron Sergeant Major. This let to a bit of a mix up for me on the boat later on, but I got over this alright as I will explain later. During Tuesday Oct 26 and the proceeding few days the whole regiment was busy preparing to move away equipment checked, medical inspection, preparing and getting used to transport mules who did not trust or seem to like the transport troops. This was mutual as the lads had not had mules before. However they ‘the mules’ were eventually persuaded not to kick out at everybody whilst being harnessed to the G S’ wagons, grooming them proceeded more peacefully and in fact by the time we were settled on the desert the men and later the mules even got so friendly as to kiss each other. Eventually we were on parade fully equipped, mounted and the order walk march was given by Col Bromley Davenport repeated by squadron leaders, troop officers, and at 1 AM on Wed Oct 27/1915. The Queens own Royal Regiment, the Staffs Imperial Yeomanry were on there way to Norwich station and lord knows where. Headquarters were the last to leave. Entraining went on smoothly and we arrived at Southampton about 3pm. Shipping the horses was not much trouble, those that would not walk up the gangway were slung aboard and lowered into the hold and by 4.30 everyone was aboard and the gangways taken away. Although I had had leave the previous week end no one could call Saturday afternoon to Monday morning leave – I had not told my parents that I had signed for foreign service and suddenly remembered that they knew nothing about my going abroad, finding a P C in my pocket I hurriedly scribbled a few lines but had no stamp. However, shouting at the dockers below asking for one they told me to throw the P.C down and they would post it for me. I heart later that the P.C reached home and have always wished that I could have thanked those dockers personally. Shortly afterwards the ship SS ‘NESSIAN’ a 10,000 ton cargo boat and before 5pm was on its way with 3 squadrons of Yeomanry but without some of Headquarters who sailed on another boat. There was no danger of air raids and all lights were burning as it was then approaching darkness, but as we were getting under way a navel vessel came close to and through a mega phone ordered the ships master to douse all lights. The rumour went round amongst the men that a German submarine had been sighted outside Southampton waters. From then on we sailed in complete darkness for the rest of the voyage. The night proved uneventful but during the next day the seas got fairly rough, quite a few fellows were seasick. The boat had not much ballast excepting the equipment, the horses and forage for them and as we approached the Bay of Biscay was being tossed about considerably and nearly all of us myself included succumbed to (mal de mer. Q) About the 30th we were all allocated rafts, (there were only a few boats) these were wooden affairs with life lines round the sides and each man except myself was given a space to hang on to (no seats on the raft of course). I being as I was the interpreters backman was the unwanted child I had had the same trouble over rations, but my appeals to the Quarter Master had overcome what every soldier knows (is) (as) a natural reluctance and part with anything, least of all food. Early November 1915. Eventually I dodged the issue by keeping out of sight during boat drill. (the following in scored out) The biggest trouble to horses at seas is constipation. A horse cannot for some reason be sick and the poor devils must suffer quite a lot. Quite a number were slung on deck for a time. (Back to the main tale) Horses at sea have a rotten time, they cannot be sick as humans can, so are fed on bran mash which is purely a mixture of bran and water, this helping to keep the bowels open. Even so we lost about a dozen which were thrown overboard. All the horses were slung in individual stalls with head facing inboard and it was quite a sight to see their heads swinging backward and forwards with the roll of the boat. Some were slung up on deck for a few hours at a time to exercise on mats but this could not be done until we were nearing Gibralta and the sea for calmer. The manure and rubbish from the boat was of course thrown overboard and as this floated one could observe a tail of rubbish behind the ship way back to the skyline. What a wonderful trail this made for any submarine which happened to surface luckily very few Germans were at sea in 1915. We sighted Gibralta at daybreak and what a sight it is standing out with daybreaking in the background slowing down just outside the bay at 6am to drop mail to a small steamer we left Gib behind in calm seas and beautiful warm weather. Excepting roll calls and inspections, looking after the horses feed water etc we had a wonderful few days passing along the North African coast. Algiers 7pm all lit up and arrive outside Malta Nov 6th. We were all hoping that we would have called at this island but no luck. Instead, a morse message was received advising of a submarine in the vicinity. we noticed the increase in the beat of the engine, the old boat started to vibrate and we were told that she was steaming all out, possibly 10 knots and had changed course from then on most of us lay on decks all round with rifles loaded and orders to fire at anything showing within range. Only a few boats had guns of any sort and what we could have done to a sub is anybodies guess unless a sub surfaced or shown a periscope within rifle range. There was no radio in those days as we know it now, although the boat could have had Marconi (sparks) although I doubt it. The horses were having a bad time owing to the terrific heat below decks but not much cold be done about it except to bring the worst ones up on deck for a few hours at a time. Alexandria was sighted on Monday 8th Nov but the boat was kept on the move all night. Gunfire and smoke were seen over the skyline next morning when we were steaming into Alex where we docked about noon. The wealthiest amongst us dropped the usual pennies in the water while we waited to dock. It’s always been a source of wonder to me how those gippos could swim and dive. Well the cooks tour part had come to an end. It has been really enjoyable and being paid for it too ¼ day less stoppages 14/2 a week allowance and my parents left me some times with nearly 4/- all my own “per week”. We were all afternoon and most of the night unloading even managed to get 2 hours doss on the Quay side after we had learned to put our heads under cover to avoid the sting of the mosquitoes. Wed Nov 10 we saddled up and moved off through Alex leading our horses which were unfit to be ridden. Arriving at a camp (Chatby) between the road and the sea about 4 miles the other east side of Alex. We pegged the horses down fed them and ourselves and got down for the night. It was here that I heard from the Parsons batman (servant) that my brother who was valet to a Mr Sidebolton officer in Command of the Regimental Scouts was in hospital in England. He had been taken ill the day before we left England. It was also here that we had news of the Lincoln Yeomanry being shelled by a submarine. Quite a few horses were killed and men wounded. I believe that the damage done was indescribable the sub keeping astern out of the range of rifle and machine was able to fire at will. Whether it had no torpedoes or could not get near enough to fire them was of course unknown. The Lincs passed our camp after we had been there a couple of days and they indeed looked in a very sorry state. The other regiment of the brigade the East Riding Yeomanry must have been all right as we heard or saw nothing of them until later. We had a great time at this camp. Bathing in the sea and at night visiting Alexandria. Money there was none after the first day but that was not too much of a hardship. A railed in tramlines ran past our camp and what a sight it was to see a tram load of us. We filled the inside of the trams, hung on to the side, sat on the top, the front and the rear. If the driver objected too much one of our lads took his place and then it was a none stop run into town. How there was no accidents was a mystery but we all managed and arrived. There were no Military Police then in those days and it was commonplace to see a Sharri being driven by a tommy or an Aussie with a load up or even see a race between a couple. Of course we mostly had to walk back but who cared. Thy Gyppos have every course to hate us. We left Chatby camp by train Nov 23rd arriving Cairo 5am the following Tues. Unloading in darkness calling at Kas El Nib for tea and cake then on our way to Mena where we arrived at 2pm and pitched tents and fixed horse lines to us just arrived in Egypt the weather was glorious and we revelled in the sun. I have some more info from the end of November 1915 then December which I will transcribe and post next Sunday, hope you are enjoying this. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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