February 15th. Tuesday.
Rode out and watched 2nd. Mtd. Bgde. at Brigade Drill under Hampden1. Rode out E. to point 4 or 5 miles in afternoon.
February 16th. Wednesday.
Gen. Biscoe returned from Cairo with bad news we were going to return to “lines of communication” at Hammam and he was going himself – probably to England. Shall certainly apply for leave if this is true.
February 17th. Thursday.
Tom Drakes2 commands came back from Baggush looking very weatherbeaten and bronzed. They were rather bored, but otherwise well. The men were very badly fed. At Jerawala they collected about 25 bedouins going E. Saw Briscoe off in afternoon. Met Lord Lucan doing same. He tells me Jack B. is enjoying his life in S. Africa.
February 18th. Friday.
Hugh3 came back from leave with story that our Brigade was to be broken up. One Regt. to be attached to 2nd. Mtd. Brigade (Ld. Hampden1) and other to go as Divisional Cav’y. Rushed off to Hampden to urge our claims to go with him. Ten horses to S. African Infantry. Transport to other units &c. Heart breaking work!
February 19th. Saturday.
Nothing doing. Strong wind from N.W. Rode with Hugh3 in afternoon to see sea breaking over rocks by Pinnacle Post, W. of Matruh.
February 20th. Sunday.
Too windy for Church Parade. Dust storm in morning. Received order that H.Y. had to go to Cairo first opportunity to act as Divisional Cavalry to 52nd., 53rd. & 54th. Division.
February 21st. Monday.
Hugh W.3 and 40 men started at 3 p.m. for Gerawala. Expected to be out 2 days. Ordered to march S. from Gerawala and search country for 2 Turkish Officers and 15 Senussi’ reported 20 miles S. of G. Rode out with Hampden1 & Staff about 3 miles with Hugh. Gerald4 dined and we drank P.D.O.S’s5 health.
February 22nd. Tuesday.
Hear Regt. Hdqrs. will go home & Squadrons to 3 Divisions. Rode with Victor P.6 & W. latter taking photos.
February 23rd. Wednesday.
Rode with Gerald4 & Crutchley along coast to W. in afternoon. Bathed W. end of Matruh Bay. All units moved camp into inner defences except ourselves & H.A.C. Hugh’s3 party arrived in about 1.30 a.m. having failed to catch Turkish Officers but having done useful work in locating wells &c.
February 24th. Thursday.
Received definite orders that H.Y., H.A.C. (1 battery) & signal Troop, self O.C.7 column start for Dabaa on Sunday 27th. Bathed N. of bay with Gerald4 & others in afternoon.
February 25th. Friday.
Peyton8 inspected Hugh’s3 reconnoitring command Mounted and also our Camp. Former very flattering on work done.
February 26th. Saturday.
Struck most of camp. Dined with Ld. Hampden1. Heard news of Barram Fight.
February 27th. Sunday.
Bad sand storm in morning. “B” Squadron started with 1 Squadron Berk Yeo. under Major Foster for Baggush at 7 a.m. Rest of Regt. with H.A.C. started 11 a.m. Hampden1 saw us off. Arrived Gerawla 4 p.m. Found 20 starving refugees, last of bigger party ahead.
February 28th. Monday
Left Gerawla at 8 a.m. Found road quite sound where it had been impassable coming up. Arrived Baggush at 3 p.m. Found 1000 camels with our rations. They were a day late and had insufficient rations for our force for three days so decided to make long march 30 miles to camp 2 miles E. of Abu Gerab. Enjoyed bathe and will camp on green ground.
February 29th. Tuesday.
Reveille 4.30. Started 6.45. As Column was coming up hill out of camp saw horse fall. He got up after some time but later on collapsed so had to shoot him. Met 150 Australian Camel Corps near Fuka. When sun went down the smell of the numerous desert flowers was very strong. Arrived at camping ground in pitch dark at 7 p.m. Rather confusion at first but would have been much worse if I had not sent on advanced party. Some men & horses very tired especially my servant Price who had done practically no riding.
Notes;
- Thomas Walter Brand, 3rd Viscount Hamden (19th January 1869 – 4th September 1958.)
- Tom Drake (17th May 1885 – January 1954) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 10th September 1915 after service in the ranks of 14th London Regiment. Served 3rd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry October 1915 – March 1917 (M.B.E.); and machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) March 1917 – January 1919.
- Hugh James Wylde (16th April 1880 – 1961), Major to command A Squadron 25th August 1913. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 1914 – May 1916 (commanding A Squadron – Egypt; Dardanelles; Wesern Desert)
- Gerald Arthur Sheppard (21st November 1867 – 1932?) Edward’s brother. Served 2nd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry June – September 1915; and 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry September 1915 – November 1917 (Western Desert; B Squadron -France Egypt/Palastine)
- Phyllis D’Oyly Sheppard (nee Noble), Edward’s wife. 21st February was presumably her birthday.
- Victor Coupe Ponsonby (21st June 1877 – 22nd April 1966.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, C Squadron, Hertfordshire Yeomanry & Liuetenant 10th December 1914, with seniority 4th September; Captain 23rd July 1916, resigned retaining rank 22nd January 1921. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 1914 – 1919 (Egypt; Dardanelles – Dispatches)
- Officer Commanding
- General Sir William Eliot Peyton (7th May 1866 – 14th November 1931) Career officer who served as military secretary to British Expeditionary Force 1916 – 1918. Commanded 2nd Mounted Division in Gallipoli followed by August – December 1915 and Western Frontier Force in Egypt 1916.
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