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Chapter 4
The Blockade against the Senussi,
January - May 1915
On January 14 the Regiment, less first-line transport with the Q.M. and 20 men which were entrained for Warden, marched out of Heliopolis-polis and bivouacked that night at the Barrage. Warden was reach-ed on the next day and camp pitched on the desert side. On the 19th "A" Troop of "A" Squadron under Lieut Mack was detached to guard the fresh water canal at a spot between Xer Teiria and Alquam.
A refresher of mounted braining similar to what we had been through a year before was carried out, but there were many gaps in the ranks. The days were bright and the nights icy cold as is usual in Egypt. The want of fuel was keenly felt and the officers gave their issue to the men, using buying kerosene and Primus stoves for the necessary cooking in their messes. We were reinforced by Lieu Snow and 51 other ranks on February 8, and lieut Mack's troop rejoined. Details had been left at the Aerodrome camp under Major Vernon and the Regiment was kept up to strength by drafts from there.
Orders were received on February 12 to take up a line at short notice on the edge of the desert and the agricultural lands of the Nile Valley several miles south of Wardan. H.Q.Section and "C" Squadron entrained for Benibazar; "A" Squadron's destination was Semalut, "B' Squadron camped in the market square and was the centre of much interest to the inhabitants who evidently had not seen any British cavalry before. On the 13th R.H.Q. and "C " Squadron moved to Bahnasa and on the next day the disposition was as follows: "A" Squadron, two troops at Shusra on the Yusef Canal and two ad Semalut; "B" Squadron, H.Q. and two troops at Exsert Bushra Bey, one troop at Fashn, one at Mazura Bridge; one troop of "C" Squadron with one machine gun was posted to