to Egypt
Now, Italy had invaded Abysinnia in 1936 and had huge armies in Italian Eritrea and Libya. The Scots Guards were at the Egyptian/Libyan border in a holding position. That border had been defended against Italy long before the war started. It was obvious that they were hungry for land, and that they would make a push for Suez.
Our division was ordered to Egypt along with the 1st Aussie contingent from Gaza. It took us three days, two night to cross the Sinai desert to El Quantara. The roads were only tarmaced to about a mile outside towns and from then on it was rough, tossing about in the cabs of lorries. El Quantara is near Ishmalia on the banks of the Suez canal.
The Sweetwater Canal
We were heading for Tel el Kebir on the Sweet Water canal bank. There was no road bridge across the Suez and we were ferried across, two trucks at a time. It took for ever.Tel el Kebir was a small village. We put up tents and made camp. It was the beginning of a huge camp. It eventually had roads, and filters for the canal water etc. However, this was November 1940 and we only had water in 'Bowsers' - 2 wheeled water trailers holding about 220 gallons.
We stayed for about a month in Tel el Kebir. I remember we spent Christmas there. We put up tents and facilities, and generally got the place ready for more troops.