The Imperial Camel Corps in World War I From the diaries of a Bay of Plenty camelier

Treasure in a tan plastic suitcase?

Camel Corps on the move Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine

The Imperial Camel Corps What was it? Part of the EEF, or Egyptian Expeditionary Force An international unit Formed early 1916 Brigade status late ,800 men and 3,000+ camels 4 companies to a battalion, each with 6 officers, 169 ‘other ranks’ 4 battalions 1 st & 3 rd from Australian Light Horse, 2 nd from British regiments, 4 th from ALH & New Zealand Mounted Rifles (15 th & 16 th Coys). Disbanded mid And what was it for? Formed initially to clobber the Senussi (a camel- mounted, Ottoman- sympathising tribe) To help protect the Suez Canal for British interests To help scotch the ambitions of the Ottoman Empire once and for all, first in Sinai and then in Palestine.

Arnold Henfrey Watson, Image: Tauranga City Libraries, thanks to Watson family

Troop Transport 70, the Waihora Left Wellington at 9 pm on Tuesday 5 December 1916 Image:

Arnold Henfrey Watson on his camel, c Image: Tauranga City Libraries, thanks to Watson family

Camel care Hard physical labour Being bombed and shelled Battles, e.g. the 3 battles of Gaza, and many skirmishes Sickness Consolations: friends – art – and the Aotea Home. What was it like to be a camelier?

James McBey, ‘The Long Patrol: Drifting Sands’ Imperial War Museum. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 1438)

Camelier’s equipment Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine

“A beast of burden” Kia Ora Coo-ee, 15 th July 1918, page 13

Watering camels Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine

Washing camels, 1917 Image:

“Prepare to mount.” Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine

“I’ll hit you on the nose, if you don’t put your head down.” Kia Ora Coo-ee, 15 th June 1918, page 19

After the air raid, Sheikh Nuran, June 1917 Image: National Army Museum of New Zealand

Cactus hedge, Gaza From Powles, The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine

Friends and contacts Contacts with: Men in the same unit Men in other NZ units Men in Australian or British units Men from the same Troop Transport Men from the same district Editorial staff of Kia Ora Coo-ee Patients/staff of hospitals Patients/staff of Aotea Home Letters and parcels to and from: Friends and family at home in New Zealand The Paengaroa & Pongakawa Patriotic Society

General Chauvel Image: Australia in Palestine

Mick Barker looking down old well Arnold’s diary, 7-8 October 1917

Kia Ora Coo-ee cover, 15 th June 1918 By G. W. Lambert

“Kangs” (Australians) Sketch by Arnold Watson. Courtesy of Watson family

Flowers of Palestine Arnold’s diary, 7-11 January 1919

Flowers of Palestine Arnold’s diary, February 1919

Beetles of Palestine Arnold’s diary, February 1919

Beetles of Palestine Arnold’s diary, February 1919

Locust or grasshopper Arnold’s diary, 29 April-2 May 1919

Grasshopper Arnold’s diary, May 1919

Butterflies and insects Arnold’s diary, 8-11 June 1919

Moth and butterfly Arnold’s diary, June 1919

James Neil McCarroll C.O., Auckland Mounted Rifles Image: Powles, The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine

Aotea Convalescent Home Image: Bowerbank, The War Effort of New Zealand

Nurses, Aotea Convalescent Home Image: Kate Booth collection, courtesy S. Arabin

Tennis at the Aotea Home Image: Kate Booth collection, courtesy S. Arabin

Ulimaroa Left Suez at 6 pm on 30 June 1919 Image:

And what happened to the 3,000 camels? The End

Links Imperial War Museum film of the Camel Corps Tauranga Memories summary arnold-henfrey-watson arnold-henfrey-watson E-books of the diaries, and other related documents, including transcripts, on Tauranga Memories /topic/1274-arnold-henfrey-watson / /topic/1274-arnold-henfrey-watson /