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Page 4
On arrival at Alexandria we made arrangements for the disembarkation
of all our sick, Lieutenant-Colonel Beach superintending their
transport. We left soon after by rail for Heilwan, arriving after
nightfall. A guide was detailed to conduct us to camp, and we set out
to march a couple of miles across the desert. It was quite cold, so
that the march was rather good; but, loaded as we were, in full
marching order and soft after a long sea voyage, it was a stiff tramp.
In the pitch dark, as silent as the grave, we stumbled along, and
finally arrived at the camp outside Heliopolis, a place known as the
Aerodrome.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland and Major Helsham were camped with their
Ambulance close by, and with most kindly forethought had pitched our
tents for us. We just lay down in our greatcoats and slept until
morning. Our Brigade was camped just across the road, and formed part
of the New Zealand and Australian Division under General Sir Alexander
Godley.
Training soon began, and everyone seemed full of the idea of making
himself "fit." Our peace camps and continuous training at home look
very puny and small in comparison with the work which now occupied our
time. At manoeuvres the number of troops might be anything up to
thirty thousand. To march in the rear of such a column meant that each
of the Ambulances soon swallowed its peck of dirt. But with it all we
were healthy and vigorous. As an Ambulance we practiced all sorts of
movements. Under supposition that we might have to retreat suddenly,
the whole camp would be struck, packed on the waggon and taken down
the Suez road, where it was pitched again, ready to receive patients;
then tents would be struck and a return made to camp. Or we would make
a start after nightfall and practise the movements without lights; the
transport handling the horses in the dark. Or the different sections
would march out independently, and concentrate on a point agreed upon.
It was great practice, but in the end not necessary; for we went, not
to France, as we expected, but to Gallipoli, where we had no horses.
However, it taught the men to believe in themselves. That period of
training was great. Everyone benefited, and by the beginning of April
we felt fit for anything.
We were exceedingly well looked after in the way of a standing camp.
Sand of course was everywhere, but when watered it became quite hard,
and the quadrangle made a fine drill ground. Each unit had a mess
house in which the men had their meals; there was an abundant supply
of water obtained from the Nile, so that shower baths were plentiful.
Canteens were established, and the men were able to supplement their
rations. The Y.M.C.A. erected buildings for the men's entertainment,
which served an excellent purpose in keeping the troops in camp.
Cinematographs showed pictures, and all round the camp dealers
established shops, so that there was very little inducement for men to
leave at night. A good deal of our time was occupied in weeding out
undesirables from the Brigade. Thank goodness, I had not to send a man
from the Ambulance back for this reason.
Apart from the instructive side of our stay in Egypt, the sojourn was
most educational. We were camped just on the edge of the Land of
Goshen; the place where Joseph obtained his wife was only about a mile
away from my tent, and the well where the Virgin Mother rested with
our Saviour was in close proximity. The same water wheels are here as
are mentioned in the Bible, and one can see the camels and asses
brought to water, and the women going to and fro with pitchers on
their heads. Then in the museum in Cairo one could see the mummy of
the Pharaoh of Joseph's time. All this made the Bible quite the most
interesting book to read.
The troops having undergone pretty strenuous training, we were
inspected by Sir Ian Hamilton, who was to command us in the
forthcoming campaign. Then, early in April, the commanding officers of
units were assembled at Headquarters and the different ships allotted.
Finally, on the evening of the 11th April, our camp was struck, and;
we bade good-bye to Heliopolis. The waggons were packed and the
Ambulance moved off, marching to the Railway Station in Cairo.
Nine-thirty was the time fixed for our entraining, and we were there
on the minute--and it was as well that such was the case, for General
Williams stood at the gate to watch proceedings.
The waggons with four horses (drivers mounted, of course) were taken
at a trot up an incline, through a narrow gateway on to the platform.
The horses were then taken out and to the rear, and the waggons placed
on the trucks by Egyptian porters.
We had 16 vehicles, 69 horses, 10 officers and 245 men. The whole were
entrained in 35 minutes. The General was very pleased with the
performance, and asked me to convey his approbation to the men.
Certainly they did well.
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