Major E.B. Sheppard's Diary, 16th - 24th February, 1915

16th Feb.

We had a field day with the Indians (Cavalry) to-day. The Brigadier was still sick so Gurney1 took the Brigade and I had the Regiment (2 Squadrons). We had to cross the Sweet Water Canal by 2 bridges. After we had got over I am afraid we had 1 or 2 squadrons of Westminsters “scuppered” but our mission of blowing up a Railway Bridge may have been achieved. I have not heard the decision of the Umpires yet. It was a futile scheme. The latest news is that we go back to Abbassia on Saturday. We had a picnic lunch afterwards by the side of the Canal that was most enjoyable. Lovely sun not too hot sheltered by trees some sort of cedars I think grown to prevent the sand blowing in to the Canal. There is a brute of an Arab pony, belonging to the Squadron that has gone off to the desert, that has the reputation of having killed 2 men already. To-day he went for a man and shook him “like a rat”. I made certain he would get killed. However he was not badly hurt and I wanted to have the brute shot before he did any further damage, but there are all sorts of formalities to go through before you can do anything like that.

17th Feb.

Had a glorious bathe in the afternoon with Victor Ponsonby. Very difficult to believe that some of the men were off to see battlefield and dead Turks. Everything seemed so peaceful. Reports say Turks gone back a long way and we shall probably go back to Cairo on 20th.

18th Feb.

“B” Squadron arrived back about 3.30 p.m., having been away 4 days and marched about 150 to 180 miles. The horses were really very fit on the whole. They seem to have been well done by the Indian Troops they went with. They first marched to Kantara which is about 20 to 25 miles North if Ismailia. They there joined up with Indian Division and set out for Katia which is about N.W. Directly they got into the place they were to bivouac in, a staff officer came and told them to dig a section of trenches 4’ 6” deep and man them with 50 men. They saw no Turks but found a lot of buried shells, &c. It was fearfully deep sand and they say it was marvellous how the Gurkhas marched all day in it, and then dug trenches and did night outposts. They found plenty of water of sorts for the horses and I believe the Indians drank it but they carried water for our men on camels. There had been 200 Turks the day before at Katia they say but as usual we were sent out too late. When they got back to Kantara they ( the Officers) got baths and breakfast either with the Indians or on H.M.S. Doris2. I saw Knowles3 and Douglas Pennant4 when they got back. They both enjoyed the experience though of course the latter is an old hand. Knowles is very pleased they have made him a Lance Corporal.

19th Feb.

We had a Brigade Drill and while we were out they shifted the tents. If {It?} appears General Wilson5 (G.O.C. here) was very annoyed because they were not all in line. As we came in in the dark and probably shall be leaving here in a day or two it seemed rather unnecessary to us. I hope it does not mean we are in for a longer stay here.

20th Feb.

Gurney1 and Reg Halsey6 left on leave so I am Temporary Acting Col. The Brigade (less squadron D.L.O.Y.) marched out towards Tonssoun. E had to cross the Sweet Water Canal by pontoon which took about 1½ hours. The Westminsters had 1 Squadrons Advance Guard otherwise we had a most dreary march out. Had lunch about 10 miles out. Coming back we had to send 2 Squadrons as scouts to find D.L.O.Y’s who had taken up position somewhere to attack our mule transport. We had a most difficult country to get across, bogs and cultivated ground with occasional sandy patches. However we managed to get through all right and appear to have given satisfaction to the Brigadier. It is practically certain we return to Abbassia on Tuesday. Gurney has gone to Alexandria to meet Secretary of Abouki. Reggie Halsey is probably going home to settle financial matters in connection with his step-daughter’s death.

23rd Feb.

We left Ismailia in 4 trains. The 1st train in which Headquarters and “B” Squadron went had had to be ready to load at 4 p.m. but did not start till 2 a.m. Six of us dined with General Watson7 and Staff. The journey was accomplished without any hitch and we arrived at daybreak at Abbassia. We were very glad in some ways to get back.

24th Feb.

I never enjoyed a good hot bath more than I did this morning on reaching barracks. I have gone in to the upper rooms next to Gurney’s room. It is much quieter as people are not continually walking past. We are settling down again to the usual barrack life but I think our Brigadier means to make things hum. We now hear that the General at Ismailia misread his orders and we ought to have moved against the Turks. If this is true it is most annoying!

Notes:

1 Major Samuel Gurney Sheppard, (23rd March 1865 – 21st August 1915), second-in-Command and Edward’s brother.  Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry August 1914 – Augusr 1915 (Egypt; Gallipoli – Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel when he replaced Lt/Co Harrison to command 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry 19th January 1915.)   Killed in action 21st August 1915 in attack on Chocolate Hill, Gallipoli.

2 HMS Doris an Eclipse Class Second Class Cruiser. 5,600 tons, was launched 3rd March 1896.  It was sold for brakeup 1919.

3 possibly james Knowles (23rd June 1875 – 29th may 1940.)

4 Hon. Archibald Douglas-Pennant (25th may 1881 – 3rd April 1971.) Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 26th March 1915 after service in ranks since August 1914 and service with Royal Scots 1898 – 1903. Served 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry March – August 1915; in Staff Appointments September 1915 – November 1917 (A.D.C. 22nd September 1915 – 15th July 1916; employed Ministry of Munitions July 1916 – November 1917); 6th Reserve Regiment of cavalry November 1917 – February 1919.

5 presumably Sir Henry Wilson (1864-1922)

6 Reginald Halsey (10th August 1873 – 30th May 1927) , Captain.  Served Hertfordshire Yeomanry Depot August – September 1914; 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry September 1914 – November 1915 (B Squadron – Egypt; Dardonelles); March – August 1916 (D Squadron – Mesopotania) and April – August 1918 (B Squadron – Egypt/Palestine)

7 Major General Sir David Watson,  (7 February 1869 – 19 February 1922)

 

This page was added on 03/05/2015.

Add your comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!