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[page 19]
1916
watch Saqula Bridge, under Lieut Garbett; the remainder of the unit at Bahnasa.
Our orders were to stop all communication between the Senussi, on the desert side, and the native population of the Nile. There was a danger of the Senussi making raids, and the Regiment covered a front of nearly 50 miles by patrols day and night. There were also political reasons for our presence in these parts, Nationalism being very strong among the wealthy Pashas. On the 22nd "A" Squadron moved to Exbit Sidouan and the machine gun crew was moved from Eaqula Bridge to Mazura Bridge, relieving the 2 L.H.machine gun which returned to Minia.
The water in Yusef Canal was not very appetising, many dead dogs and donkeys floating by, and each native village was drained into the canal, yet the health of the men remained good. No one was allowed to bathe as the bilharzia worm was a constant source of danger. The horses did well on patches of grazing and the green berseen which was issued with Indian corn and maize.
"B" Squadron concentrated at Ex Bushra, marched 15 miles to Sandafa and bivouacked on the eastern bank of Babr Yusef Canal on the night of March 8/9. The troop under Lieut Garbett at Saqula was relieved by the Lincolnshire Yeomanry and it relieved "C" Squadron at Bahnasa. At this time Lieut G. Mills became quartermaster, vice Lieut Lindsell (the original No.1 of 1 L.H.) who returned details at the Aerodrome. On March ( the Regiment less "A"Squadron march to Ezbet Road Pasha Shersi and bivouacked there on that night. Next day we moved on south and took up the following line:- "B"Squadron at Hassan Pasha; the Regiment less machine gun section, two squadrons and two troops at Nazeet el Abid. On the 19th Captain Stuckey with 56 reinforcement arrived, Capt. Stuckey returning to the detail camp a week later. For the remainder of March 1 L.H. continued to blockade the agricultural lands and patrolled well out into the desert. the rumours being that Turkish officers were crossing the Red Sea and thence by canal getting into communication with the Senussi, but none were