Item 01: Irene Victoria Read letters from her husband, 27 November 1914-1 November 1915 - Page 96
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[Page 96]
We arrived at Suez at 9 P.M. & anchored in the stream
Tuesday 12th January.
At Suez we encountered the usual collection of [indecipherable]boat men with their motley wares.
Left Suez 11 AM & had a clear run through the Canal – we hadn't to tie up once – but plenty of vessels proceeding in the opposite direction had to stand aside for us – apparently we took precedence over them though being a transport. Soon after entering the Canal we passed camps of Indian soldiers who were guarding the canal. Warlike preparations were in great evidence in the entrenchments earth works, barbed wire entanglements & sandbag redoubts. These works were situated about a mile apart on both sides of the Canal. From some of the officers we learnt that the Turks were only two days march from the Canal & an attack was expected at any time. As we passed each camp the sentries turned out & presented arms. On numerous occasions we had enquiries from the shore – Who are you? where are you going? are we downhearted?
It was a very different trip to the last one I had had through the Canal – no donkeys, & no boys running along the banks & turning somersaults, no mendicants – nothing but tall swarthy & exceedingly business like looking Indian soldiers.