E A Milward

[Guest KevinEndon]

Fri 2nd June 1916.

Reveille 4 am. Move off 5.30 had nice cup of tea 6 o’clock. Arrive in camp 8.30 feed 9.00 stables 9.30 rifle inspection. Parcel from home. Wrote home.

Sat 3rd June 1916.

Reveille 5. Saddle cleaning 6.30 feed 8 am. Saddle inspection 10 water 10.30 late pass. 3 short plays at YMCA a very good Welsh Fusiliers concert 9-11pm Egbikia Garden.

Sun 4th June 1916.

Reveille 7 did nothing all day but clean personal thing stayed with feed.

Mon 5th June 1916.

Reveille etc as usual camel went sick on parade came in grooming.

Tue 6th June 1916.

Reveille 5 am. Ceremonial parade 6.30 (4 companies). Grooming 9.30 water 12. Signalling 4pm.

Wed 7th June 1916.

Parade 6:15 advanced guard scheme. Groom 9:30 rifle inspection 12 signaling 4 pm

Thurs 8th June 1916.

Reveille overhaul saddled 6:30 Breakfast 8, grooming 9:30. Parade 8 move off 4 pm. pitch camp 6:30 jolly good night formed 4 company square.

Fri 9th June 1916.

Reveille 3:45 made tea move off 5. formed advance guard. Arrive in camp 9am. water and groomed 10 am. Rifle inspection.

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sat 10th June 1916.

Reveille 5 grooming 6:30 feed 8am. Saddle cleaning 9.30 inspection 11am.

Sun 11th June 1916.

Reveille 7 feed and parade breakfast etc as usual. On church parade. Bought regimental badge on square cloth to send home 15 pts = 3/-

Mon 12th June 1916.

Parade full marching order 5.45. Ceremonial parade and march past rehearst for Gen inspection. On guard watered 10

Tue 13th June 1916.

Rev 3.45 Full marching order and parade 5 am. Saddle up. Inspection by General Murray 10th complemented as the smartest.

Wed 14th June 1916.

Rev 4.45 Parade 5.45 for scheme on desert. Breakfast 9.30. Grooming 10.30. 8 men per section out grazing 9.30. had a good time. on guard 2 ½ hour Barracked and tied camels down.

Thurs 15th June 1916.

Loosed camels 4am. cooked mutton chop for breakfasts. Rigged then up with blankets. Saddle up and came away 2pm. Very hot.

Fri 16th June 1916.

2 sections shooting rev 4am. did nothing until breakfast. Groom and water 9.30 rifle inspection

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sat 17th June 1916.

2 sections shooting I did badly (30:1 above average of 29) grooming and tent inspection had late pass saw through mosque.

Sun 18th June 1916.

Reveille 7am. nothing doing all day.

Mon 19th June 1916.

Small section scheme. Grooming etc 9.30 signalling and lecture water 10.35

Tue 20th June 1916.

Small scheme on deserts. Breakfast 9. Parade 3.30 full kit move off at 4. do ten miles on desert and pitch tent.

Wed 21st June 1916.

Rev 4am. March about 12-4 miles pitch camp loose camels for grazing cook breakfast return journey commence 4pm pitch camp about 6.30.

Thurs 22nd June 1916.

Arrive in Abassia 7am. Feed and breakfast groom and water 9.30 very hot. Had issue of shorts and braces.

Fri 23rd June 1916.

Rev 5am. Signalling 6.30-7.30 Groom 9.30 Loosening and on camel lines 10.30-11am Hot work. On guard ration fatigues (camel lines)

Sat 24th June 1916.

Reveille 5am. 9 company left for Nile, guard kept look out for them borrowing? our things lost saddle several feed bags etc.

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 25th June 1916.

Reveille 7am. Water 10.30 Letter from N Crisp and Nellie (St Annes View) very hot.

Mon 26th June 1916.

Grooming and water. Parade for 2 days and march 4 pm move away 4.30 10 mile march.

Tue 27th June 1916.

Reveille 4 am. 12 mile march and breakfast move away again 4pm 10 mile march nice journey.

Wed 28th June 1916.

Reveille 3 am 20 mile march turn out graze 11 mile march at night arrive Abassia 6.30

Thurs 29th June 1916.

Reveille 5.30 nothing until feed 9.30 Grooming 10.30 Rifle inspection on night camel guard.

Fri 30th June 1916.

On guard, very hot, pay 2.30, no grooming.

Sat 1st July 1916.

Groomed 4.30 breakfast on fatigue 9.30 hut inspection 11.

Do you believe in luck or fate, while 20,000 men are losing their lives and 60,000 are losing limbs Milward has a hut inspection at 11am.

Kevin

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 2nd July 1916.

Reveille 7 Breakfast 8.45. Water 10.30 Posted letter home.

Mon 3rd July 1916.

Reveille 6am. Section mounted parade. Move away 4.30. 4 section on its own about 5 mile march very hot

Tue 4th July 1916.

Rev 6 am feed and turn out did not move until 3.45 6 company, rest 9 miles away and camped for night good time.

Wed 5th July 1916.

Rev 4am. Arrive in camp 7.30 Grooming 10.30 Water 9.30 Rifle inspection on camel line guard.

Thurs 6th July 1916.

Camels went out grazing not much to do clean lines up

Fri 7th July 1916.

I mess orderly and on rations fatigues, camels return 4.30 very hungry

Sat 8th July 1916.

Grooming 6.30 General fatigue cleaning up lines to 9.30 hut inspection 4

[mastermindmichel]

I just found this topic, Kevinaka1888, and I have been having a great time reading it. It provides a lot of insight...

Thank you very much for sharing this, and keep up the good work!

[ShirlD]

[

Sat 1st July 1916.

Groomed 4.30 breakfast on fatigue 9.30 hut inspection 11.

Do you believe in luck or fate, while 20,000 men are losing their lives and 60,000 are losing limbs Milward has a hut inspection at 11am.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

One side of the Mediterranean is camels, heat and sand, the other is mud, misery and death. It does make you think .

Cheers

Shirley

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 9th July 1916.

Reveille 7am Feed 7.30 church 9.30 water 10.30 on pass from 1pm to 12 am visited zoo well worth seeing went Ezhekia Gardens. Listened to band 9pm to 11 Welsh fusiliers very good.

Mon 10th July 1916.

Rev 5am Fill tanks etc 6.30 grooming 9.30 parade for march 3.30 pm move away 4 travel to pyramids and camp between them went in one worth seeing temple of sphinx.

Tue 11th July 1916.

Rev 4 move to Abassia and climbed pyramid (unreadable) temple of mesha, gesha moved to Nile back 4.30 Remises and (unreadable) on the way camped among frogs.

Wed 12th July 1916.

Rev 4.30 did 10 mile march and camped on Nile bank went in river very good. came in through Cairo causing a stir very tired after most interesting march since I came to Egypt.

Thurs 13th July 1916.

Rev 5 am. grooming 6.30 water 9.30 prepared to move.

Fri 14th July 1916.

Nothing doing but pack kitbag and cleaning up. Plenty to do. Pay

Sat 15th July 1916.

Grooming 6.20 and water 9.30 ready to move. away 3.30 and move away from Abassia through Cairo and travel over 400 miles south.

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 16th July 1916.

Arrive at Oasis junction 8 am. about 5 mile north of Luxor. Saddle up and proceed to camp, rest all day. we travelled over 125 miles across desert.

Mon 17th July 1916.

Reveille 6am. Groom and breakfast 7am. Water 8.30. Lot of trouble in getting the camels to drink. Move away for 100 mile march at 4.30

Tue 18th July 1916.

Camp after 13 ½ miles travel on guard touch of tooth ache reveille 2.30 am Tuesday 18 mile before breakfast sandstorm buried in move away 4.30

Wed 19th July 1916.

Rev 2am. Got ear full of sand in sandstorm which caused it to ache, did thirty five miles today and found water at night and buckets each for camels

Thurs 20th July 1916.

Rev 2am did 20 miles rough rocky district about 12 miles through gorge down hill all the way.

Fri 21st July 1916.

Arrived at camp watered camels and moved in Sherica at night got a jolly good feed. Decent camp tonight

Sat 22nd July 1916.

Rev 4 trekked from Sherika to Karrgh very nice place

[Julie w]

Ma

Cheers

S.B

hi,i am trying to find any info about my great uncles,they were out in egypt where they were boxing champs.they served in the welsh fuseliers,there names were peter lloyd rhys lloyd and ambrose lloyd.ambrose died in egypt,but the other two brothers returned home to wrexham,with the stories about being the boxing champs,if you have anything it would be lovely to know,thanks julie

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 23rd July 1916.

Reveille 6 paraded

Memo.

Very hot wind and therefore dusty otherwise all right.

Mon 24th July 1916.

Parade sick had ear syringed out which made toothache worse if anything could no sleep at all or eat.

Tue 25th July 1916.

No sleep all night. Paraded sick, doctor tried to draw tooth but failed. Face started to swell. Felt ill all day, temperature height.

Wed 26th July 1916.

Face swollen, paraded sick, sent to Thericu hospital, couldn’t open mouth wide enough to have tooth drawn, good food in hospital but could not eat, poorly after temperature 102 degree.

Thurs 27th July 1916.

No sleep all night, tooth taken out hurt a bit. Sent F, PC home felt pretty bad all day.

Fri 28th July 1916.

Temperature normal. Very uneventful the usual things etc.

Sat 29th July 1916.

Feeling lot better temp normal not so hot very windy and dusty.

[Guest KevinEndon]

I have finished off the year, where you see XXXXX it means I cannot translate the words as they have faded beyond recognition

Sun 30th July 1916.

As usual, very hot and dusty, issued with cigarettes.

Memo.

Very good food in hospital well looked after.

Mon 31th July 1916.

A lot better. Started on swished egg in milk and brandy. 2 time a day.

Tue 1st August 1916.

Have got to see dentist and have teeth drawn when he comes.

Wed 2nd August 1916.

Dentist arrives but no tools. No wind temp 113 degree at 4 pm. Heat stifling.

Thurs 3rd August 1916.

Same thing etc. Saw dentist says he will draw teeth tomorrow by gas cannot open mouth properly.

Fri 4th August 1916.

2 teeth drawn by gas. Things as usual.

Sat 5th August 1916.

Usual routine. One tooth drawn, pretty windy.

Sun 6th August 1916.

Nothing happens, very hot getting sick of hospital all right but monotonous.

Mon 7th August 1916.

Feeling bit washed out. More teeth out today. No teeth out after all, could not open mouth wide enough.

Tue 8th August 1916.

Heart that 10th Coy I.C.C. has gone to Ismalia (Suez) am left behind.

Wed 9th August 1916.

Very hot today feeling lot better things as usuall. Man died xxxxxxxxxxx

Thurs 10th August 1916.

Wrote home. Blinding sandstorm could not see 100 yds.

Fri 11th August 1916.

Had 1 tooth out by gas, no pain xxxxxxa bit.

Sat 12th August 1916.

Had 2 teeth drawn xxxxx no pain. Very windy and hot.

Sun 13th August 1916.

xxxxxx and getting fat service out xxxxx hospital at night. Should go to xxxxxxxx by train

Memo.

Heard of fighting on Suez and prisoner taken. Unsure if 10 company is in it.

Mon 14th August 1916.

Things as usual, feeding extra and putting on weight. Mosquitoes troublesome all night.

Tue 15th August 1916.

Discharged from hospital tomorrow. Very hot indeed no wind, about 115 degrees in shade. Man died xxxxxxxxx

Wed 16th August 1916.

Could not go to Abbasia today at headquarters xxxxxxx(another day in bed)

Thurs 17th August 1916.

Things as usual read to go tomorrow.

Fri 18th August 1916.

Got in hos. coach very comfortable started from Sherica 9am arrive Gara 8 pm missed train. R T O put me up for the night.

Sat 19th August 1916.

Started away by L Railway 5 xxx and from Oaisi. I at 10am arrive Cairo 9pm. Abassia by xxxx. (last ½ piaster) and was sent to Y R with 1 blanket.

Sun 20th August 1916.

Rev 7am. Paraded sick and got 2 days light duty. Nothing to do all day. xxxxxxxxxxx all night.

Mon 21st August 1916.

Bayonet fighting pretty rough time. Still no letters.

Tue 22nd August 1916.

Went riding easy time. Getting jolly good food and putting on weight.

Wed 23rd August 1916.

Signalling class before breakfast. Inoculated for cholera.

Thurs 24th August 1916.

Signalling class and grooming.

Fri 25th August 1916.

Section drill and grooming.

Sat 26th August 1916.

Grooming before breakfast. Hut inspection at 11am.

Sun 27th August 1916.

Nothing doing all day.

Mon 28th August 1916.

Signalling and grooming. Rifle drill at 4pm.Went Heliopolis.

Tue 29th August 1916.

Firing on Range. Very bad shooting all round, after breakfast firing until 1pm.

Wed 30th August 1916.

Firing until breakfast, finish rest of day.

Thurs 31st August 1916.

Signalling etc water. Inoculation for cholera.

Fri 1st September 1916.

Signalling and grooming. Diarrhoea all day. On guard

Sat 2nd September 1916.

Handed camels over to A.R. did nothing until 6pm. Paraded with all kit at 6 and went to Cairo caught 8pm train arrived xx junction at 7.30 next morning.

Sun 3rd September 1916

Stayed at Qora all day and night (nice camp) good shower baths but a terrible lot of mosquitoes (no diarrhoea lot better).

Mon 4th September 1916.

Entrained at 8.30 for Karga. Very hot uncomfortable ride arrive xxxx 8.30pm and after meal went to bed.

Tue 5th September 1916.

R5 grooming parade 6.30 breakfast 7.30. Rifle inspection went xx in the swimming bath large one.

Wed 6th September 1916.

Came away from Sherica 6.30 very nice camp at Merick with small bath 12ft by 6. Was put on guard at night put in for xxxxxxxxxxx

Thurs 7th September 1916.

On guard feed camels etc. nothing to do all day went to bed early, felt a xxxx (rifle inspection)

Fri 8th September 1916.

5am reveille went straight away and Sheria for 3 days forage and ration native camel transport arrive back 11am. Wrote home very dusty.

Sat 9th September 1916.

Grooming 6.30 tent inspection 10am.

Sun 10th September 1916.

Nothing doing all day. On line guard night.

Mon 11th September 1916.

On patrol at 2 pm went about 18 miles and camped outside Oasis (5 men on patrol) very rough going.

Tue 12th September 1916.

Saddled up 4.30 and moved into oasis. Turned camels to graze and had breakfast. Got plenty of dates and milk from x went outside oasis at night.

Wed 13th September 1916.

Left oasis at 1pm came straight back after staying about 1 hour on the way for tea. Arrived at 1 packet of papers and letters.

Thurs 14th September 1916.

Grooming and water patrol of 12 men and officer went out for 6 days toward Dakla (on night guard) good war news. run xxxx in Dakla but no xxxxxxxxx

Fri 15th September 1916.

Not much doing on guard. Very dusty night.

Sat 16th September 1916.

Grooming 6am breakfast 7 grooming 9 washed the camels in well. had tabac and cigarettes issue. Very windy night (sandstorm) wrote home.

Sun 17th September 1916.

Started on patrol 7.30 very short journey but hot arrived near 1pm. had a good time and plenty of dates, oasis good water and about 20 mile from camp. Camped for the night outside oasis x camel to water xxxxx not very windy.

Mon 18th September 1916.

Packed up and went into oasis 5.30 had a jolly good breakfast, moved off. xxxxx other patrol 11am arrived at well 2 mile of x at 1pm. Moved into camp at 5pm. After having a good time.

Tue 19 September 1916.

Grooming etc pretty hot troubled with mosquitoes on night guard.

Wed 20 September 1916.

Cleaned lines etc. Warned for patrol 2 section arrived from Sherica and camped for night.

Thurs 21 September 1916.

No patrol. No grooming, no2 section left for 6 days patrol. Water and grazing xxxxxxxxx left Dakla, Lovat scouts leave for Salonica.

Fri 22 September 1916.

Parades as usual.

Sat 23 September 1916.

Tents cleaned up and inspected.

Sun 24 September 1916.

Nothing doing all day, visit by adjutant x a few swords.

Mon 25 September 1916.

Rev 5.30 grooming grazing etc. Afternoon parade ordered.

Tue 26 September 1916.

Grooming grazing and signalling. Football.

Wed 27 September 1916.

Physical drill exercise groom and water and grazing. Rifle inspection on night guard.

Thurs 28 September 1916.

On guard cleaning up lines etc very hot but getting cold at night.

Fri 29 September 1916.

On patrol arrive oasis 12 after nice easy ride moved out of oasis for the night heard gazelles calling.

Sat 30 September 1916.

Started back 9.15 and camped for the day 3 miles from camp arrive in camp 6pm 2 letters.

Sun 1st October 1916.

Nothing doing. Football Fifes Forfar 2 CC 1. CC ought to have won but bad ref.

Mon 2nd October 1916.

Grooming and water etc. grazing. Physical exercise 6am. On guard camel line, cold night.

Tue 3rd October 1916.

Big 4 days patrol went out small mail in but no letter for me xxxx of guard at 7pm

Wed 4th October 1916.

All day holiday nothing doing small football match, CC3, Devons 1.

Thurs 5th October 1916.

Grooming and grazing etc. On guard 7pm.

Fri 6th October 1916.

On guard, put on mess orderly but kicked about it and got taken off. Come on guard 7pm.

Sat 7th October 1916.

Went on patrol 8am reached oasis about 2pm had a good feed turned camel out to graze etc. (Oasis xxxxxxxxxxxxxx).

Sun 8th October 1916.

In oasis when patrol (6 days) arrived, officer and 10 men about did guard for the lot.

Memo.

Patrols going out from Kharga and Mehirirck armoured cars going to Dakla to set photos, patrols should do about 150 miles.

Mon 9th October 1916.

xxx by patrol left 6.30 our patrol (4 men) returned 10am stopped for meal on the way and arrived camp 5.30 mail and letter and photo (Nellie).

Tue 10th October 1916.

Mess orderly. Put lines down outside camp for day use. On night guard.

Wed 11th October 1916.

General holiday. Guard grazed camels. Came off guard 7pm.

Thurs 12th October 1916.

Grooming and water and grazing. 2 good corporals leave for on guard again (new section)

Fri 13th October 1916.

On guard nothing doing all day, wrote home. On mess orderly, big patrol returns.

Sat 14th October 1916.

No grooming, extended lines outside camp, grazing etc.

Sun 15th October 1916.

Went on patrol 9.30 am camped for night outside oasis, very hot plenty of mosquitos and flies.

Mon 16th October 1916.

Up after gazelles. Saw one but missed it by few feet, moved further away from oasis, shot at geese but missed.

Tue 17th October 1916.

Went after gazelles but saw none, moved away at 11:30. Arrived camp 5pm.

Wed 18th October 1916.

Grooming, grazing etc. Signalling 4.30, on guard.

Thurs 19th October 1916.

On guard, cleaned up lines etc. Camel guard 7.

Fri 20th October 1916.

Grooming, xxxxxx new, xxx 140 xxx captured by armoured cars and 1st company and xxx at Bukla.

Sat 21st October 1916.

Nothing doing, softball, 1st section 8 Machine gun 0. akla occupied entirely xxxx retreat xxxx taken.

Sun 22nd October 1916.

Was ordered out at 2.30 along with 1 C and 3 more men to meet remount camels and escort to Kharga, went about 10-5 miles from camp and camped for night.

Mon 23rd October 1916.

Searcged with telescope but saw nothing. Moved another 11 miles and camped . Shot a hawk, wings 12 inches long (each saw nothing all day. About 16 men left for Ouara for xxxxxx

Tue 24th October 1916.

Moved in towards camp after breakfast. Stopped for xxxxxxxx

Wed 25th October 1916.

Was put on mess orderly but had to go out along with 1 other chap on day patrol, arrived back about 5pm. after visiting several oasis and passing through Meherick village (on guard).

Thurs 26th October 1916.

On guard, easy day. Came off guard 7pm. had parcel from home.

Fri 27th October 1916.

Grooming, grazing etc. xxx was very good, wrote home.

Sat 28th October 1916.

Grooming, grazing etc.Went to Kharga by train, came back same night, xxxxxxxx

Sun 29th October 1916.

Nothing doing all day, on day patrol return 5pm. after decent time. Went on guard 7pm.

Mon 30th October 1916.

On guard pretty easy day. Came off guard 7pm.

Tue 31st October 1916.

Wed 1st November 1916.

Rev. 4.30, saddle up and breakfast 5.30. move away 6am. arrive x grooming xxx dinner, finish for day.

Thurs 2nd November 1916.

Physical drill 6am. general fatigues 6.45 feed 7.15 breakfast 8.15 grooming, nice bath about 10 min walk. 80 new camels arrive kicking xxx

Fri 3rd November 1916.

Rev 5.30 roll call 5.45 parade 6.15 fatigues in lines, grooming 9am. On fatigue, wrote home.

Sat 4th November 1916.

Grooming and grazing. Major Bardwell leaves for Abbassieh (hurrah). Concert at night.

Sun 5th November 1916.

Watering camels 10.30, nothing doing all day.

Mon 6th November 1916.

Physical drill 6am. Feed 7.15 breakfast 8.15 grooming 9.30 drill rifle 3.45 pm.

Tue 7th November 1916.

Physical drill, grooming etc. Very hot but cold at night, drill dismounted 3.45 on night line guard 6pm.

Wed 8th November 1916.

On guard. Camels out grazing. Pay out 11.30 am. Had a good dinner first since we came to xxxxxxxxx

Thurs 9th November 1916.

Mounted drill, grooming, grazing etc. Drill dismounted 3.45.

Fri 10th November 1916.

Drill mounted 6.30. Grooming etc.xxxx and tabac issue. Signalling 3.45 pm.

Sat 11th November 1916.

Grooming etc. Volunteered for escort to men going to Asxxxx

Sun 12th November 1916.

Went on patrol as escort to native travellers. 1 coy and 4 men did 20 miles and camps night had plenty of eggs.

Mon 13th November 1916.

Moved away and did about 90 miles, had plenty of eggs, also plenty of mosquitoes, had to walk all day natives very slow.

Tue 14th November 1916.

Did not go any further with natives, turned camels out to graze. Had an easy time.

Wed 15th November 1916.

Started back, went through natives village arrived Macherick 5 pm. Had a good nights rest plenty of wind no mosquitoes.

Thurs 16th November 1916.

Woke up about 6.30 had breakfast and moved away 9.30 arrived Khaxx 12.30. Had orders to follow section which had gone on to Dakla xxx days ago.

Fri 17th November 1916.

Moved away with 4 section 8am. Arrived at water xxxxx 20 miles. With a good officer had tea 6.30 camped for the night. Rough ground all day.

Sat 18th November 1916.

Reveille 5.30 had breakfast and moved away 7 am. did about 25 miles and had dinner, moved off 2pm. Camped for the night 4.30. Very cold (good going all day).

Sun 19th November 1916.

Moved away as yesterday. Officer shot at sand grouse hitting 1, stayed xxx for tea and did 1 hour march after. Expecting to see xxxxx tomorrow.

Mon 20th November 1916.

11am Passed section of Australians with convoy and 40-50 prisoners. Moved xxx before arrived xxxx for camels (12 noon) edge of oasis. Stayed 2 hours (camels grazed) Moved off xxx pm arrived Jerida first village in xxxx 3 pm, watered camels.

Tue 21st November 1916.

No one at Jerida, but armoured cars. Groomed and watered camels. Plenty of mosquitoes, plenty of good water but none near to camp.

Wed 22nd November 1916.

Had diarrhoea very badly. Saw doctor and had xxxx of castor oil. Felt a little better at night.

Thurs 23rd November 1916.

Ordered to rejoin section about 40 miles away, don’t know the xxxxx but must follow xxx started about 11am and kept going until 5pm. Had tea after doing about 25 miles xxxx

Fri 24th November 1916.

Continued journey after breakfast. Saw xxxx village arrived close to xxxxx hills most beautiful place I’ve seen in Egypt, nice lake etc. got off track about 5pm camped at night.

Sat 25th November 1916.

Went about 35 miles and got back on track. Had breakfast and came on found section about xxxx hot spring have had bath first hot bath in Egypt.

Sun 26th November 1916.

On lookout on hill over camp. Did nothing else xxx better, very hot, plenty flies.

Memo

Rejoined section on 25 after being away for a fortnight , camels being ridden ever day with full marching order, went very well xxxx

Mon 27th November 1916.

Nothing doing all day but sleep, plenty of flies. On piquet at night.

Tue 28th November 1916.

Returned to camp was put on grazing guard. Had swim in icy cold water and shot 1 duck. On piquet look for possible xxxxxxxx

Wed 29th November 1916.

xxx return to camp 6.30 did nothing but washed clothing and have bath, wrote home.

Thurs 30th November 1916.

On guard on hill over looking camp. No 3 section arrived in xxx to relieve us. Ordered to move away tomorrow morning.

Fri 1st December 1916.

Reveille 5.30 pretty cold, move away 9.30 after breakfast. Stopped for lunch 12 move away 2pm. Stayed for the night at xxx village 15 miles from Jenida.

Sat 2nd December 1916.

Rev 6 mover away 8am. Went straight into Jenida and put lines down. No tents so put xxxxx up. Camel went into xxx lines with xxxx

Sun 3rd December 1916.

Reveille 6.30 feed 7.30 breakfast 8.30. Line inspection 9 watering camels 9.30, dinner 12. Camp guard 5pm.

Memo.

xxxx fine place but very cold and windy at present. No on here but 10 Coy to a x light cars for forage purposes.

Mon 4th December 1916.

On guard 5am-7am, 11a-1pm. Very rough and cold during night but got hot in day time. Just xx leave for xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tue 5th December 1916.

On camel guard, not much doing, handed pay book in for pay.

Wed 6th December 1916.

Went out after last camel someone found it xx in pond, grooming xxxx my camel in sick lines, ordered on 5 days patrol round villages in Jahta.

Thurs 7th December 1916.

Moved away 8.30 arrive xxxxxx about 2pm saw xxxxxxx went on xxxxxxx (3 miles). Stayed the night with 4 men at x got a rotten camel.

Fri 8th December 1916.

Mover off after breakfast to Masara (3 miles) had tea with xx and oranges. Went on to Rashida, coffee with (H) went on to Rashida. Had a feed (H)dinner and went to Muxxx stayed night.

Sat 9th December 1916.

xxxxxxxxxxxx had eggs, dates, oranges etc. Went on to Bukhulu had xxxx (H) Moved away had tea at well (eggs) and went in towards xxxxxxx stayed the night.

Sun 10th December 1916.

Went to xxxxxxxx breakfast had dinner and stayed until 4pm moved away through x and stayed night on desert.

Memo.

Never had so many eggs before as on this patrol.

Mon 11th December 1916.

Moved off after breakfast arrived Belal 12 noon had x with Honidure off towards had dinner and moved into Sxxxxxx saw movies about x all x body with all the patrol had

Tue 12th December 1916.

Was ordered to parade sick. Paraded sick and along with another man was put into solitary confinement, 2 others being put on duty. (half camp down with malaria) spent a whole day on my back. Doctors don’t know what the trouble is.

Wed 13th December 1916.

Rose in time for breakfast. Skin as yesterday, put lotion of xxxxx and methalated alcohol on affected xxxxxx idle job this.

Thurs 14th December 1916.

Messed about all day doing nothing, wrote home and to J U.

Fri 15th December 1916.

Skin a little better today, told to return company which we did after tea, feel better for rest.

Sat 16th December 1916.

Grooming etc. Put on camp guard 24 hrs at 9pm in place of sick man.

Sun 17th December 1916.

xxxxxxxxxx nothing doing. Came off guard 5 pm.

Mon 18th December 1916.

On grazing guard, General Watson arrived to claim Dakla British territory, on line guard again (no boots).

Tue 19th December 1916.

On line guard. Lt Gen Watson hoists flag and proclaims Dakla British territory. All xxxx by men there. Nothing doing afterwards. Gen goes shooting, came off guard 5.

Wed 20th December 1916.

Exercise and grooming, grazing. Parade dismounted drill and watering. General returns 5pm.

Thurs 21st December 1916.

Exercise groomian and grazing. Gen Watson returns Cairo. Dismounted drill. Football match, Signals 4 ICC 4. Warned for patrol.

Fri 22nd December 1916.

Went on six days patrol. 1 Cpl. 8 men went to xxx 1pm. had dinner and on to Masard, had tea with xx camped for night 2 miles further on.

Sat 23rd December 1916.

Started away about 9, went to Mut qualaman and xx camped xxxxx x after a good dinner of eggs etc.

Sun 24th December 1916.

Moved into Nushia and on to Bukla had coffee with Omxxxxxxx. Went into old abandoned camp at Bier El Deneera and stayed the night.

Mon 25th December 1916.

Moved away from Bier el VIA Birbayia Rahida and Hunduxx. had a good feed of rice and eggs etc. Rather rough wind but calmed down at night pretty good Xmas considering.

Tue 26th December 1916.

Moved away 9am went north of x stayed on desert for dinner (1-2pm) stayed outside Birlat for tea. Got nothing from natives but wood, good nights sleep.

Wed 27th December 1916.

Woke up at 10am. Had breakfast moved away (12n) had a cup of tea on the way. Called at XX village 2.30 pm. Arrived camp.

Thurs 28th December 1916.

Feed 7.30 church parade 9.15 dismounted and bayonet drill 3.15.

Fri 29th December 1916.

Physical drill 6.30 feed 7.30 mounted parade 9.15. new officer takes charge of Co. (bit of a rotter). Watered. Foot hurst a bit.

Sat 30th December 1916.

Physical drill 6.30 feed and grooming 9.30 fatigues cleaning up lines, ration fatigues 3pm, line guard 5pm.

Sun 31st December 1916.

On guard very cold at night inspection camel and xx C/o Dakla. Finish guard 5. Had plum pudding very nice.

Memo

2nd complete year in Army.

Have had to take the pencil out will send it in next parcel. Rifle number Z50870.

Innoculated twice on boat for Cholera (2/11/15 and 8/4/15)

Ditto for Therro typhoid 15 and 26/4/16 at Kargit

Vaccinated for first time 11/5/16

Innoculated for Cholera at Abbrassia 23 and 31/8/16.

Mon 1st January 1917

Physical drill 6.30. Small advance guard, theme xxxx saw officer Lt. W Bailey actg O/C 10 Coy bit of a rotter. Watering 3 pm. Received this diary.

Tue 2nd January 1917

Busy day, drill physical exercise 9.15, grooming 10 am, filling sand bags until 11.45. Dinner. Rifle and bayonet inspection 3 pm followed by bayonet drill. Two Australian light cars arrived for patrol duty.

Wed 3rd January 1917

R. 6am. Physical drill 6.30 feed 7.15 breakfast 7.30. Blankets fumigated 9.15. Drew 5 days xxx and filled water tanks and feed bags. Several men run up for being unshaven. ½ day off but on xxxxx. On night guard (camel lines) getting quite regimental.

Thurs 4th January 1917

On guard good job. Camels watered 1pm,line guard to be dismounted by Coy S.M. (New officer all right) Letter from Will.

Fri 5th January 1917

Wrote home. Physical drill as usual, exercise 9am follow by grooming and sand bag filling. No 1 excused sandbags and finish dressing camels owing to shortage of men (4 men and 2 corporals only fit for duty) Saddle cleaning 3 pm. 2 light cars go through xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Oasis.

Sat 6th January 1917

Physical drill 6.30, kit inspection 10am. Half my things missing or unserviceable. Easy day.

Sun 7th January 1917

Feed 7.30 Breakfast 8.15 Tent inspection 10am. Had a easy day, washed a lot of dirty clothes, wrote home.

Mon 8th January 1917

Physical drill stayed in bed until feed (very tired) exercise , grooming and sandbag filling etc. Went on fatigues carting sandbags on camel 9-11am, water 1.30pm.

Tue 9th January 1917

Rev 6 physical xxxxx exercise and grooming, sandbags 11-12. Pay 3 pm 10/ wrote home and x.

Wed 10th January 1917

Rev 6 phys drill 6.30 feed and exercise, Sandbag filling 10.30-12. Rifle and bayonet inspection 3pm followed by bayonet drill, Wrote Grocott.

Thurs 11th January 1917

Physical drill 6.30 Parade advance guard scheme 9.55 Sandbag filling 10.30 ½ day off patrol brought in 2 native rifles captured from native (6ft long) silver inlaid, on camp guard 3rd relief pretty warm night.

Fri 12th January 1917

Heard gunfire for the 1st time at Dakla. On guard watched men filling sandbags and building xxxxxxxxx water 11, loading practice 3 pm. Came off guard 5pm.

Sat 13th January 1917

No drill, feed 7.15. Breakfast 7.45 Exercise 9.15 saddle cleaning 10.15. On feed guard half day xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx warmer today. Boxing ring erected bit of a football match,

Sun 14th January 1917

Rev 7, feed 7.30 nothing doing all day but camp inspection. Boxing 3.30 4 round contest decided on points 2 matches.

Mon 15th January 1917

Physical drill exercise and camel xxx dressing. Boxing xxx contests. Football No. 1 -4 Machine Gun 0.

[Guest KevinEndon]

Wed 17th January 1917

Physical drill 6.30, feed 7.15 No parade, struck tents and sprayed with creosote. Had to dip shirts in petrol and wash same. Football. Signals 2 10th Coy 2. Pitched tents 3.30.

[Juliet Ashmore]

Wha hooooo he's back !!

So pleased to hear he's still going about his day to day routine.

I was quite surprised to read that he had been vaccinated for cholera and Typhoid epecially as my Granny tells me many men died of this as well as Malaria. Apparently Edward Jenner ahad vaccinated against Cholera 1796 and Dr John Snow subsequently observed that Cholera was spread from drinking water. We have seen in E A Milwards Diary that they had really bad (although treated) drinking water)

Google says Typhoid vaccines widely used by the Military by 1915

Another problem faced by the military of all the belligerent nations was that many war zones became more favourable to malaria epidemics because:

Quote from The Western Front Association "Malaria infected soldiers from malarious countries were introduced in large numbers into an area where there was a potential for the transmission of malaria. In the same area there were large numbers of non-immune soldiers who were highly susceptible to the disease. After the end of the Great War, returning British soldiers who had served in malarious areas 'introduced' malaria, to Southern England and 500 cases of malaria occurred in the civilian population.

The hugely disruptive effect of war could be highly favourable to the increase in mosquito numbers. The normal man-made, or natural, means of mosquito control were interrupted, and huge numbers of water-holding excavations and containers were created that were favourable for mosquito breeding. Domestic animals, which normally provided the preferred feeding sites for mosquitoes, were distributed elsewhere or destroyed, and the huge numbers of potential human feeding sources took their place."

Anyway glad to see him back and will be keeping track of hom and his Camels

Juliet

[Guest KevinEndon]

Thurs 18th January 1917

Physical drill, feed, exercise 11am, rapid loading practise. Big fight on Suez 160 casualties in camel corps. Bayonet charge rumour about going to the Suez in a fortnight. Went on camel guard 5pm.

[Guest KevinEndon]

Fri 19th January 1917

Pretty bad night with camels, one went magnoon. ???? Good day on guard company shifted lines. Boxing on points 2 contest to 2 rounds by Earl and C/o came off guard 5pm.

Sat 20th January 1917

Physical drill and feed. Exercise water 11am. Half day buckshi.

[Juliet Ashmore]

Kevin I have the photos of my 2 Great Uncles in the Staffs Yeo - there are some interesting ones which really do compliment EA Milwards story

Juliet

[Guest KevinEndon]

Post them on here Juliet, it all adds to the thread, making it more interesting rather than just day to day entries.

Kevin

[Guest KevinEndon]

Sun 21st January 1917

Rev 7 feed 7.15 Tent lines inspection 10am. On fatigues sawed down 2 young trees and brought them in by camel. On feed guard. Letter from home. Football 3pm Signals 0 10 Company 1.

Mon 22nd January 1917

Physical drill and exercise xxxxxxxx dressing. Parade 3pm dismounted drill.

Tue 23rd January 1917

Physical drill, exercise and feed etc, Mange dressing. 3pm dismounted drill got off it to play football for section No. 1 – 3 No. 2 – 1.

Wed 24th January 1917

Went out with C/o and Mr xxxxxxx to fix targets for filed firing 9-11 am. Half day Buckshi, wrote home and J.W. Water 11am.

Thurs 25th January 1917

Filed firing 9am. No. 1 Section advanced across ½ mile firing at intervals did pretty well. Stayed behind to refit targets for No.2 . On guard (main).

Fri 26th January 1917

No2 Section went firing, nothing doing on guard. Came off guard 5pm.

Sat 27th January 1917

Physical drill 6.30, feed 7. Exercise 9am. Water 11. Half day buckshi on feed guard.

[Juliet Ashmore]

Here are some contempories of E A Milward

Left Pte C H Archer (Charlie) and Right L/Cpl F A Archer (Jack)

Both of 1/1st Staffs Yeo Burtonians D Squad

[Juliet Ashmore]

And general photos from Egypt

General Allenby presenting Honours to Staffs Yeomanry Dec 1917

[Juliet Ashmore]

Sports seem to play a large part

Divisional Boxing Ring a Burton boy wins the final

1st prize team for Best Turned Out in Brigade Sports (at 9.5 kilos) - not sure what weight is referring to perhaps the wagon

[Juliet Ashmore]

In Camp

A few shacks in wet weather

At Belah Feb 1918 Some of the Burton Boys

some of the Boys

Charlie clipping one of his mules

[Juliet Ashmore]

At War

New Akir taken by staffs Yeoy Oct 1917

Old Akir taken in a charge by staffs Yeoy Oct 1917

Soldiers Graves near Gaza

A disabled Tank near Gaza

Ramleh Church where several of the Staffords rest

[Juliet Ashmore]

Charlie and Jack after being in Egypt a while

Charlie

Jack

They certainly look a lot leaner. Can anyone tell me by looking at Jacks cap if he had transferred to the MGS by now?