January 1st. Saturday.1916.
“A” Squadron inlying picquet. Hugh1 rode part of the way out W. to see where our post was to be but I sent him back in case his squadron was called out. On way home a Sergt. came galloping up to say the picquet was called out but I understood him to say he could not find it. I galloped on Satan2 the 2 miles hard as I could, but he more or less broke down ¼ mile from home. It appeared they had to go out as before 15 miles in case a party in cars trying to find breakage in telegraph wire was attacked. I found the Squadron was nearly ready but at first Hugh could not be found. They had a long weary ride and returned about 8.45 p.m.
January 2nd. Sunday.
Hugh1 left for Cairo to see dentist. Got wet through riding with Gerald3. It poured with rain all night. Unfortunately we were finding the outposts. I much appreciated my comfortable room.
January 3rd. Monday.
An awful day! Having poured all night it poured all day too. The whole place was under water. Moved the men’s tents and horses W. about 200 yards to a dry spot.
Poor Gerald3 was “Orderly Officer” and worked like a hero shifting the horse lines. We were also doing all the patrols. Felt more of a brute than ever having a comfortable room. G.3 & I knocked the Dr. and Geoffrey at bridge. The cars could not move out. Flint put his collarbone out riding into a hole covered with water.
January 4th. Tuesday.
Another awful day but not so bad as yesterday. Retrieved a lot of stuff out of mud, spending most of the day cleaning kit &c. Heard we were ready to move to Hamman if trains could get through. At present they cannot.
January 5th. Wednesday.
Another beastly day! Strong N.W. wind occasional heavy showers. No trains running. Having awful luck at bridge with the Doctor. Wrote P.D.O.S4 (No 7)
January 6th. Thursday.
Poured with rain, thunder and lightening during the night. The men had a wretched time. However the water seems to run away better now. No trains through now. Only “bully”5 and biscuits for rations. Weather looked more settled in afternoon.
January 7th. Friday.
Still showery but not so bad! Ground drying up well. Gave Percy Woodland who is a Capt. in Armoured Motors a mount on the brown horse I took over of Flint’s6. He was delighted with ride. Hugh W.1 arrived by train about 9 p.m. having been about 12 hours on road.
January 8th. Saturday.
Lovely day. Received orders to be ready to entrain at 7.45 a.m. Sunday, but having made all arrangements it was cancelled, or rather postponed till Monday. Having struck our E.P.7 Mess tent, dined in open. Very heavy dew.
January 9th. Sunday
Started for ride on camel with Strange but he was recalled. Gave a small purse to be raced for by Coastguard
1st. Race Camels round a mark about 1 mile. Desperate race up to ¼ mile from home when one fell.
2nd. Race. Flat race, 8 starters. Easy win.
3rd. Race. Straight ½ mile for Camels. Won 3 lengths. Favourite ran out as in 1st. race as he wanted to go home. Tremendous amount of shouting.
January 10th. Monday.
Entrained for El Hammam at 8 a.m. Had very pleasant journey for 3 hours in cattle trucks mostly, or anyhow open trucks. Met a party of 5th. Essex at one station who provided us with beer. Arrived about 1 p.m. Rather disappointed at the look of the place. The trees that they talked about, were about half a dozen palm trees. Very bad watering arrangements. Found only junior temporary Col. Gibbons in charge of 5th Essex. He lives at Dunmow and shot with P. Carrs when I was there. Dale Wormesley’s boy also here. The Staff Capt. is a Solicitor at Malden. I thought I recognised his face. Aerodrome next door with 2 aeroplanes. One pilot is a Dutch Boer.
January 11th, Tuesday.
Gen. Daniell arrived also Col. Ferguson Davie. The former is O.C.8 Troops and the latter I/C9 Communication. The former tells me I am O.C.8 Hammam only when he is away apparently, so it looks as if there may be a good bit of overlapping. Rode four miles to the sea, and had a glorious bathe in the bluest of blue water. Ordered to send Squadron 6 a.m. with Jennings Bramley.
January 12th, Wednesday.
Started out 6.15 a.m. with Squadron, Col. Davie, Jennings Bramley (Intelligence) and ½ doz. of his Scouts & police for Zawict (10 miles) where collection of Bedouins reported, and where they wanted to post a proclamation. Had been 1200 day before but all had gone when we arrived as usual. Someone in office where proclamation was drawn out probably gave show away. We went on about 4 miles further on in formation from Aeroplane which dropped message at Zawict. Searched largest Bedouin Camp took 3 prisoners. Got back at 3.45 p.m. Col. F Davie told me afterwards he had been told to take 1 Coy. Of Infantry & 3 Squadrons so as I said he evidently realized 1 Squadron of Herts were equivalent of that amount of ordinary troops.
January 13th. Thursday.
Horrible sandstorm and beastly day altogether. Wrote letters and played bridge. Very cold at night.
January 14th. Friday.
Squadron training in morning. Got rid of one of the beastly dogs in desert. First tried to ride him down with sword finally Steel shot him with revolver.
January 15th. Saturday.
Charington10 & Gerald3 with 50 men started 9.30 a.m. for el Alameru Station 20 miles W. They have to go next day 20 miles S.S.W. to make aerodrome and escort petrol supply for long air reconnaissance from
January 16th. Sunday.
Two aeroplanes started off at 11.15. Sent note to Guy to tell him we were under orders for Dabaa on way to Matruh. Then returned at 5 p.m. having found our party. Guy’s note reports “Going awful, kept waiting so long for returning aeroplanes would not get back till past 9 p.m.”
January 17th. Monday.
Reveille 5 a.m. First train left at 9 a.m. Left transport, mess &c. to come on by 11 a.m. train which picked up Alamein party. One horse took us 20 minutes to box! Arrived Dabaa 1 p.m. and found Dudley Pelham with his Aust’n. Light Horse waiting to entrain in our train back to Cairo having come through from Matruh. Our camp nearer to Dabaa than before. Had to leave enough tents at Hammam for in coming Squadron, so were very short. Got room for self and Doctor in Coastguard Station. Alamein party and details arrived very late having to wait for passenger train. Contradictory orders keep on coming in Cairo first ordering one move, then West Force another. Guy’s party had terrible ride home in dark night before, not arriving at Alamein till 10 p.m.
Notes:
- Probably 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)
- Edward’s personal horse brought from England along with the other horses.
- 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.
- Bully beef – corned beef
- George Gordon Flint (1889 – 1953?) Served 2nd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry September 1914 – October 1915; 1st/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry October 1915 – Augustl 1916 (A Squadron – Egypt; Western Desert); 3rd/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry/ 6th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry December 1916 – 1918).
- External pole
- Officer Commanding
- In charge of
- 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.)
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