Item 02: George R. Faulkner war diary, 16 March 1916-5 July 1916 - Page 40

[Page 40]

Battle of Telekebar

Original trenches still to be seen at Telekebar

The English history in connection with Egypt really started in 1881 – When Mahommed Ali started his reign of extravagance – the National debt of Egypt at the time amounting to about £3,000 000 – but this was soon increased as Ali thought it was such a simple & convenient way to borrow large sums & just pay small sums of interest annually for such – he thought nothing of building Mosque's – Palaces etc. On one occasion a Princess advised him she intended to visit Egypt & would like to visit the Pyramids, Ali set about & built a beautiful road from Gezirch Palace to the Pyramids in 3 days by forced labour – when the National debt got to 93 millions England thought it was time she looked to some securitys – together with other little facts such as Consuls & other Officials who used to generally die of Appolexy, together with rebellions & massacres. An English party came to Alexandria but were not strong