Item 02: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 1 January 1915-31 December 1915 - Page 38
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[Page 38]
1915
Jan. 20 Wed.
Great bustle & activity – Left for Cairo at 8.30 a.m. Final contingent to leave ship with the exception of small party of 10 who remain until all units disembark.
Run to Cairo took 3½ hrs. ( about 90 miles ?) – country very flat but extremely fertile – great irrigation system by use of Nile – Camels, mules & donkeys much in use as beasts of burden.
Arrived at camp about 2 p.m. Tram runs right out. – Over 20,000 men in camp - whole of First Expeditionary Force here – camp on edge of desert just clear of Nile Delta – pyramids tower up in background – pitching tents in afternoon.
Reported to Lieut. Col. Nash ( Atg. O.C.) for clerical duty after tea until 9.30 at Mena House, a very fine big hotel converted into Hospital for Troops which we are taking over.