Item 03: Joseph George Burgess war diary, 1 January 1916-4 February 1917 - Page 190
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[Page 190]
27 Sept, 1916
El Hassaniya
I am having a big loafe to day, just lying in the shade of the old bivvie reading the papers brought by the last mail & smoking cigarettes. There are several rumours afloat concerning a move for us. Last night all surplus gear was handed in by the sergeants & all the dismounted men were packed off this morning. Salhia was favourite last night
for our destination stakes but Johno came back a few minutes ago & he says that we are going to Hill 70 then back to [Duiedah?]. There was also big talk of being equiped & trained for cavalry work. I wonder what it feels like to be swinging on to the end of a sword
It came out in orders a few days ago that there was no truth in the rumour which seemed prevalent that the ALH was to move to France. Why they should take the trouble to contradict a rumour which has stalked amongst us continually since our arrival in Egypt €“ now I cant for a moment imagine its one of the pleasant characteristics of our army.