January 18th. Tuesday.
Found Berks Yeo. had come in during the night and were bivouacked next to us. Ld. Hampden9 (late Tom Brand) and Brigade Headquarters also arrived. Jack Wigan in command of Berks. Heard during day we were to go back to Hammam and 2nd. Mtd. Brgde. go through to Matruh. This is the absolute limit! One Squadron of Dorsets have taken our place at Hammam. The arrangements of the different moves are past belief.
January 19th. Wednesday.
Rode round posts with Ld. Hamden in morning. Went for a ride with H.J.W.1 & Guy2 to sea. Snelling dined with us.
January 20th. Thursday.
Latest report is we go back to Hammam, “B” Squadron remains at Matruh. 2nd. Mtd. Brigade go there with camel convoy. Very depressing! Bathing parade in afternoon but looked too cold to bathe myself.
January 21st. Friday.
Hundreds of camels are arriving to act as transport to the column going to Matruh. T.P. tells me we shall have to form mobile column H.Y., 2 Machine guns West. Drgns., 2 H.A.C. guns, 250 Infantry and 200 camels in case convoy is attacked. Had Satan3 put underground.
January 22nd. Saturday.
Rode out with Ld. Hamden to Gemeima where we had lunch with Berks Yeo. Afterwards watched some of their drill, Their numbers are very small. They got out to G. to water as there is not enough water here (Dabaa). Our well runs dry every day.
January 23rd. Sunday.
Church Parade. Watered Horses at wells one mile away, which have been a great find, as arranged to go over to Gemeima 5 miles away to give the Berks Yeo. a rest, they having had to dot his for 2 days.
January 24th. Monday.
Got wet through in morning. Received orders for Hodges to go through to Matruh to other Squadron. Am trying to arrange to bring “A” Squadron with me too.
January 25th. Tuesday.
Blew a gale during the night and woke up to find there was a sort of fog in room. Found it was fine sand, and everything was covered. Outside it was awful! Had great difficulty in getting to Camp and back. However tents still standing and horses too miserable to be any trouble.
January 26th. Wednesday.
Sandstorm and gale were over in morning. Moving heaven and earth to get Regiment joined up. Warned Convoy will start Friday. One or two heavy storms of rain in afternoon, and torrents about 7.15. Could not face trip to Camp, so sponged on Snelling for dinner. The poor patrols under Barnett4 and Gerald5 had wretched time, also night outposts. A camel came trough lines and very nearly caused a stampede.
January 27th. Thursday
After 3rd. attempt to get T.P. to send wire to G.O.C.6 suggesting allowing “A” Squadron to come with Hodges to Matruh, succeeded in getting leave to do so. General rejoicing!
January 28th. Friday.
Received orders to move next day. Busy making preparations.
January 29th. Saturday.
Reveille 5 a.m. Head of column moved off 8 a.m. A column consisted of Camels 1041, G.S. Wagons 61, Limbers 32, M.1 Guns 2, Ambulances 8, Vehicles 2 wheeled 17, Mules 302, Horses 1097, Officers 75, other ranks 1199. These consisted of 2nd. Mtd. Brigade Hdqrs. under Brig. Gen. Lord Hampden, Berks Yeo. (O.C. Col. J. Wigan) 1 Sqdn & Hdqrs Dorset Yeo. (O.C. Col. Sonter) 1 Squadron A Herts Yeo. & Hdqrs. Herts Yeo. (O.C. E.B.S.) 250 7th. Middlesex Regt. (Infantry) Details 14 Surrey Yeo. under Lt. Kidd ex M.F.H. 1 Sqdn. Westminster Dragoons (O.C. Lt. Harding) 26 Egyptian Sappers &c.
“A” Squadron were advanced guard.. Arrived Jellala 1st Bivouack about 4 p.m. Horses has to go some way to water where Gerald5 in command of left advanced troop rather unexpectedly found good supply of water.
January 30th. Sunday.
Reveille 5 a.m. H.Y. marched with main body. Managed to get water in middle of day rather to our surprise. Arrived at Faka [Fuka?] 4.30 p.m. and found no water. Camels never arrived till long after dark. Watered Horses & Mules from when they came in. Infantry so beat were left. Awfully cold at night Faka is on a large plain a high plateau on S. & W. about 2 or 3 miles off.
January 31st. Monday.
“A” Squadron were doing advanced guard. After about 2 miles came to the hills and had a lovely view of the long train which stretched for about 2 miles. Half way up the hill there is a crossing over Rly. or rather where the Kkedivial Rly. was going, but was never laid further than Fuka. Arrived Baggush 3.15 p.m. Found good supply of water. After putting down lines had a lovely bathe. Column arrived form Matruh at dusk. (H. Bilby & 2 troops D.L.O.Y.7 Australian trains, and Co. of Middlesex Infantry.) H.B. very fed up with Matruh and not at all encouraging. “Reported 5 of our men wounded week before in scrap. C. Bury8 & troop at one time in tight place. All reserves were called up before enemy retired.” Very bad reports on state of road next day. Much warmer at night. Slight rain. Grey Arab’s back on Spring.
Notes:
- 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)
- Probably Guy Nicholas Charrington (17th January 1889 – 16th January 1938.) Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – December 1918 (Egypt; Dardanelles; A Squadron – Western Desert; B Squadron – France; Egypt/Palastine.)
- Satan was Edward’s horse which had been transported to Egypt with the other horses.
- Ralph Francis Barnett (1882 – 1968) of A Squadron was in charge of the regiment’s horses which sailed in the S.S. Messaba. Five ships transported 3,000 horses. Barnett was appointed Lieutenant A Squadron, Hertfordshire Yeomanry, 1st February 1914. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – August 1918 (A Squadron – Egypt, Gallipoli, Temporary Captain 28th August 1915)
- 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)
- General Officer Commanding
- Duke of Lancaster’s Own Light Yeomanry
- Cecil Oliver Haigh Bury (16th November – 26th September 1967.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 2nd october 1912; Kieutenant 28th Novemebr 1916, with seniority 1st June 1916; captain 17th December 1917; resigned retaining rank 14th August 1920. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – February 1919 in Egypt, Dardanelles, Western Desert & Mesopotamia
- Thomas Walter Brand, 3rd Viscount Hamden (19th January 1869 – 4th September 1958.)
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