Jan: Notice to embark for Egypt
The Brigade started the New Year in Mesnil-Domqueur, France, resting after a short period in the Front Line. On the 2nd January, they received warning that they would be rejoining they rest of the 53rd Welsh Division in Egypt. The War Diary states:
Received instructions from Hd. Qtrs., 53rd (Welsh) Divisional Artillery (WA/A/53),(3rd Army Q.C.1600) for preparation for embarkation to Egypt.
1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade War Diary, National Archives
Preparations for the move continued throughout January.
Feb: Brigade move to Egypt
The Brigade travelled to Egypt in 2 parties, the first leaving Mesnil-Domqueur in the 31st Jan and the 2nd on the 4th Feb. The transfer is described in full in the War Diary, but as an example, this was the itinerary of the first party:
MESNIL-DOMQUEUR – 30/1/16
Received message from Hd. Qrs., 53rd (Welsh) Divl. Artly (S.C.266) that 11 Officers, 158 Other Ranks, 6 two wheeled Vehicles, 34 4 wheeled Vehicles and 7 Bicycles will leave PONT REMY at 6 hours 1/2/16.
MESNIL-DOMQUEUR – 31/1/16: 7.30am
11 Officers, 158 Other Ranks, 6 2 wheeled Vehicles, 34 4 wheeled Vehicles and 7 Bicycles left MESNAL-DOMQUEUR by road to PONT REMY .
PONT REMY – 1/2/16
11 Officers, 157 Other Ranks, 6 two wheeled Vehicles, 34 four wheeled Vehicles and 7 Bicycles entrained PONT REMY proceeding by rail to MARSEILLES arriving there 3/2/16.
MARSEILLES – 3/2/16
Draft of 1 NCO + 20 Men of the 3/1st Welsh (How) Brigade RFA joined 1st party of Brigade at MARSEILLES.
8 Officers and 164 NCOs + Men embarked on H.M.T. ‘ANDANIA’, left MARSEILLES 5/2/16, arrived ALEXANDRIA 10/2/16 disembarked and entrained 11/2/16 arrived BENI SALAMA CAMP, WARDEN STATION, EGYPT, 11/2/16.
1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade War Diary, National Archives
The final group of men arrived at Beni Salama on 22nd Feb 1915.
The War Diary also gives an interesting insight into the logistical challenge faced moving the horses alone. The total number of horses that the Brigade took to Egypt was 361 (Headquarters -30, A Battery – 124, B Battery – 124 and Ammunition Column – 88).
Feb: Beni Salama Camp, Wardan Station
The Brigade now rejoined the 53 Welsh Division at Wardan on the fringe of the Libyan Desert.
A sadly depleted Force, the 53rd Division had arrived from Gallipoli on 19th December 1915 and was sent to Wardan about forty miles north of Cairo, where it was to refit and reorganise.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
It was a thoroughly uninteresting place, with a small native village on the far, or east, bank of the Nile, the railway line, the usual canal crawling with bilharzia germs, and nothing else but desert rising up to a ridge in front of us, some 3/4 miles from the camp.
We found two of our most cherished illusions as to deserts were wrong; we had thought the desert would be flat whereas it is generally an everlasting tumbled mass of sand dunes and hillocks; and we had thought it was always soft sand, whereas it varies and is generally fairly hard… Wardan was a mixture. We found places hard enough to make passable football grounds, and others as soft as treading in flour.
History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (TF) 1914-1918, Dudley Ward, Western Mail Ltd, 1927
At first the intense heat was very trying, especially after the cold and wet of the Western Front in France, and the Khamsin, a dreaded scorching wind which blows dust across the Desert, often forcing the temperature up to 130 degrees in the shade, caused everyone much discomfort. This wind is accompanied by swirling clouds of sand and dust which penetrate everywhere – nose, mouth, ears, food – and metal often became almost too hot to touch. Even the flies seem to suffer and clustered up in groups inside tents, bivouac shelter, or dugout.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
Some, however, found an aesthetic charm about the place: “You know the paintings you see of sunrise in the desert? – They are not half so gorgeous as the real thing… We crossed the canal at Wardan Station, secured some donkeys, and set off across the strip of desert that separated us from cultivation. We jogged along for about a mile, when we came to a rise in the sand followed by a sharp dip, and there we were, in as pretty a spot as you could wish to see, on both sides of us lay green crops of maize, the bersin (clover), groves of date palms and oranges, scattered sycamores, tamarisks and lebbek trees.
Away on the left, amongst the trees, a white domed tomb. As we jogged along a narrow path, we passed crops of broad beans. In the fields were goats, camels, donkeys and water buffaloes innumerable. We soon came to a village (Beni Salama) a mass of mud huts, with a big, insanitary looking pond in front of it. All the women fled, but the children swarmed round demanding cigarettes and backsheesh.
History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (TF) 1914-1918, Dudley Ward, Western Mail Ltd, 1927
Mar: Training, Inspections & Sightseeing
The War Diaries report that little happened in the remainder of Feb and Mar 1916. The only noteworthy incidents were inspections by the G.O.C. Forces of Egypt (General Sir John Maxwell) on 25th Feb and the Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force in Egypt on 30th Mar (General Sir Archibald Murray).
Everyone soon got acclimatised and training started in real earnest for desert warfare…… and there was a good deal of firing practice….. Visits to Cairo were permitted and sports of various kinds were indulged in amidst the strenuous training.. Recreation Tents and Marquees were erected for the men and a Canteen was organised for them, but there were many difficulties in the way of obtaining adequate stores therefor.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
Once again, additional detail is provided in the War Diaries, with the Headquarters 53rd Divisional Artillery reporting that Gun Practice commenced on 29th Mar and finished 1st May and the 1/1st Welsh (How) Brigade War Diary confirming almost 240 rounds (high explosive and shrapnel) being fired over 4 separate practices.
Apr: First Overseas Casualty
On 26th Apr 1916, the Brigade suffered its first overseas casualty.
Driver Stanley (Arwen) Anderson (No.688) was accidentally killed when his horse reared up and fell on him at Beni Salama. A court of enquiry was held into his death on 27th Apr 1916 at Beni Salama, chaired by Maj. G.R.S. Gardner of the 1/2nd Glamorgan Battery. There were 5 witnesses, 3 other ranks and 2 officers all of who gave statements including:
No. 186, Bombadier O. Hanney states: On the morning of 26th April1916 I was in charge of the Battery Staff of the 1/1st Glamorgan Battery RFA of which Number 688 Arwen Anderson was a horseholder. Coming home I saw the horse rear up and fall over backwards upon Anderson. Arwen Anderson had often been on the Staff before and was a good horseman. After the horse fell upon Anderson I saw him stagger to his feet but immediately fall down again.
Captain JS Clarke RAMC (TF) states:- I saw the deceased Number 688 Arwen S Anderson within a minute or two of the accident. He was collapsed. On examining his chest the condition was such as would be caused by a horse falling on him. He had minor cuts on his head. He did not rally from his collapse and died about 3.15pm on his way to the Casualty Clearing Station.
Service Record. 688, Dvr Stanley James Anderson. Ancestry.co.uk
The Court Of Enquiry concluded that no blame should be attached to anyone.
May: Brigade Renamed 265 Bde, RFA
In May, the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade was renamed 265th Brigade and the batteries were renamed A and B batteries.
May: Suez Canal Defences
On the 27th May, the Division was ordered to take over No. 2 Section Canal Defences from the 2nd Anzac Division…..
The Canal defences were divided into Nos 1, 2 and 3 Sections. No. 2 Section, commanded by General Dallas, extended from the northern shore of the Great Bitter Lake to a couple of miles south of El Ferdan.
History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (TF) 1914-1918, Dudley Ward, Western Mail Ltd, 1927
At the end of May, the Brigade was once more on the move and after a short stay at Moascar, near Ismalia, marched across the Canal at Ferry Post, and took over a section of the Defences from an Australian Battery.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
The newly named 265th Brigade was split, with HQ and A Battery based at Ferry Post and B Battery at Serapium. The War Diary recorded:
Beni Salama Camp, Wardan – 26/5/16
Recd. instruction from H.Q.R.A (53rd (Welsh) Divn. Artly.) Ref NoWA/A/250 d/26.5.16 that Brigade will move to ISMALIA on 29/5/16.
Beni Salama Camp, Wardan – 29/5/16
The Brigade consisting of 15 Officers and 3 Officers attached, 373 Other Ranks, 339 Horses with Guns and Vehicles (less 4 Guns + 4 Limbered Wagons loaned to 4th + 5th Australian Divisions) entrained and proceeded to ISMALIA (MOASCAR) arriving there 29/5/16.
Moascar – 30/5/16, 16:30hrs
‘B’ Battery RFA with Guns Vehicles + Horses (less 2 Guns + 2 Limbered Wagons loaned to the 5th Australian Division) proceeded by train to SERAPIUM arriving there 30/5/16.
Moascar – 31/5/16, 05:00hrs
Headquarters, ‘A’ Battery RFA and Ammunition Column with Horses Guns and Vehicles (less 2 Guns and 2 Limbered Wagons lent 4th Australian Divn) proceeded by road to FERRY POST arriving there 31/5/16
1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade War Diary, National Archives
“All these desert camps are much alike, in the routine of one’s daily life, at least. Moascar was unusually good, from the comfort point of view, in that we had practically unlimited tents. It was part of a higher policy to induce the enemy aeroplanes to believe there was a large force at Ismalia, and to this end a large number of tents were pitched…..”
….. at ferry Post “Mile upon mile of rolling sand hills, a burning expanse unrelieved by tree or bush – such was new home, some miles east of the canal…. The heat was intense and the flies were a pest….. Boils and blains added to the discomfort”.
History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (TF) 1914-1918, Dudley Ward, Western Mail Ltd, 1927
Major Sankey Gardner dies
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Certain changes took place while at Moascar: the Ammunition Column was abolished and a Divisional Ammunition Column was formed in its place. Reorganisation was carried on the basis of two 6-gun and one 4-gun howitzer batteries, the latter coming from the 265th Brigade, late the 1 Welsh How. Brigade, which now disappeared.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
It is thought that the Turks might become active once again at any moment and very careful watch was maintained. The O.P.’s were manned at “stand to” each morning and the Brigade spent the Egyptian Summer in some part of these desert defences, occasionally broken by a short relief at Ferry Post where the dust and heat of the Khamsin made bathing in the tepid water of the canal a great luxury.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
Accident on bathing parade
Bathing in the canal was not, however, without risk.
On the 22nd August 1916, 938, Dvr G. Stanley Bate lost his life in an accident. The Court of Enquiry sat on 23rd August at Serapeum, presided over by Major J.C. Rea of 266 Bde. 917, Sgt Gibbs gave evidence at the enquiry:
On the 22nd about 7.30am I was one of the bathing party that came down by train and proceeded to the Canal bank. I was undressing when I heard Dr Bates call out “Here’s a go” and I saw him dive into the water. One of my comrades called my attention to Dr Bates saying “Look at Bates”. I saw and immediately rushed into the water. Dr Casley joined me and together we brought Dr Bates to the bank. He did not speak for about two minutes and then said “I am finished” or words to that effect. At that time there was no sig of bleeding.
The water at the spot where Dr Bates dived was about two feet, six deep.
Service Record. 938, Dvr G Stanley Bates. FindMyPast.co.uk
The Court of Enquiry concluded that ‘Dr Bates was on duty & that the accident occurred through his own carelessness’. His service record states that he died of a Fractured and Dislocated Spine. Stanley Bates left his wife, Florrie – whom he married just over a year before – at home.
The Trek across the Desert
In November 1916, the Brigade commenced the long and difficult trek across the desert. Before leaving Ferry Post draught bars were fixed to the guns and first line wagons so as to make it possible to employ 12 horse teams four abreast…
From Ferry Post the Brigade marched to El Ferdan where it bivouacked for the night. The next day it crossed the Canal at Kantara and thus commenced the march northwards through the desert into Palestine which only concluded with the collapse of the Turkish Armies in the Autumn of 1918.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
To regain the Peninsula, the true frontier of Egypt, hundreds of miles of road and railway had been built, hundreds of miles of water piping had been laid, filters capable of supplying 1,500,000 gallons of water a day, and reservoirs had been installed and tons of stone transported from distant quarries.
Kantara had been transformed form a small canal village into an important railway and water terminus, with wharves and cranes and railway ferry; and the desert, till then almost destitute of human habitation, showed the successive marks of our advance…..
General Sir A Murray Dispatch, 1 March 1917
(Family of 1054, WG Wilson)
After a night bivouac at Kantara, the march was continued for some six miles to Gilban, and here orders were received to fix ‘pedrails’ (12 elm pads swivelled on chains round each wheel) to all guns and wagons, and to resume the march next morning to Pelusium, some ten miles distant.
Here forage rations were drawn, and the next day the Brigade, after negotiating the most difficult country, arrived in Romani. Driver and Gunners took it in turns to ride for half hour periods with ten minutes halt; officers took turns to walk so that surplus gunners could ride. Where possible, the men marched along the welcome wire-netring roads laid down by the Royal Engineers, but more often they were obliged to follow their guns over the soft sand at the pace of the 12 horse teams.
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
A stay of some weeks was made at Romani and in December 1916 re-organisation of the Brigade on a Camel Transport took place. Each Battery was allotted 37 riding and 96 draught horses, 17 camels, 7 drivers, 14 fanatis or water containers….
The stay in Romani had been marred by many sandstorms which made life miserable. The next move was to Rhaba
The Story of the Monmouthshire Artillery Volunteers, More & Phillips, Hughes & Son Ltd, 1958
Reorganisation and the End of the Brigade
In December, the artillery settled down to its final state. The 2nd Welsh Brigade, which had been numbered 266th, was renumbered the 267th and reorganised into a two-battery brigade, six 18 pounders to each battery. The 4th Welsh Brigade, had been renumbered 268th, and was now renumbered 266th, and was given two batteries of six 18 pounders and one of four 4.5 Howitzers. The 1st Cheshire Brigade had been numbered 267th was now renumbered 265th, with two 18 pounder batteries and one Howitzer battery. The 1st Welsh (How.) Brigade disappeared, one battery going to the 265th and one to the 266th (there were only two).
History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division (TF) 1914-1918, Dudley Ward, Western Mail Ltd, 1927