Entraining camels

In his letter of 9 July 1916 Athol wrote that he was sent to Shellal to collect 58 camels and accompany them back to the Imperial Camel Corp base at Abbassia, Cairo.

This is a journey of about 900km and these days takes about 12 hours by train. The line follows alongside the Nile the whole way from the Aswan Dam to the capital. I did wonder how one got a camel onto a train. These images give the reader some idea. No doubt this was a tricky task.

 Camels Entrained

Ref: Australian War Memorial image J00419

You will notice that the camels are secured by chains and ropes and in open wagons.

The wagons are marked with E.S.R - the acronym for the Egyptian State Railway.

This image is undated but believed to be taken at Abbassia.

Wagons of Camels

Ref: Australian War Memorial image J00451

The AWM caption for this image reads: 'Entraining Camels at Abbassia.

In the background is the nurses quarters of the 4th Australian General Hospital'.  No date indicated.

Camels on a Train in Palestine

Ref: Australian War Memorial image J06033

The AWM caption notes that this image, dated 1915, shows entrained camels at Deir el Belah after the second battle of Gaza (donated by Col A J Mills). They were packed in very tightly weren't they?

Abbassia Landscape with Cameleers

Ref: Australian War Memorial image H02695

This image gives an idea of the landscape just beyond the edges of Cairo/Abbassia.

The men are members of the 4th ICC battalion, Anzac Section.

In the centre is Capt. Oliver Hogue (died of illness is March 1919).