Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 954

Berks Royal Horse Artillery€” - continued.

He discovered his mistake when they came round with their everlasting clamour for "backsheesh". This word became very well known to the Berkshire lads before they had spent a week in Egypt. Eight days were spent at Chatby, Alexandria, in organising and fitting out, with due regard to the change in climatic conditions. The heat had little effect on the men in reality , but dysentery very soon claimed a few victims. High spirits prevailed on the move up to the Suez Canal, as here was a chance for real action. It was in February that the Turks had attacked the canal and failed, and it was supposed that they would soon make another attempt. It was in vain, however, that the Battery sweated and waited through the red-hot days of May and June. Luckily there were trees providing shade from the relentless sun, and the canal always offered a cooling plunge, but even then the sweltering heat got many a man under. On three successive days the thermometer registered 124° in the shade, and that was never again equalled during the battery's stay in Egypt, but was surpassed at Aden and on the Red Sea.

The Aden Operations.

The next chapter in this history will attempt to describe the Battery's visit to Aden. Attempt is a just word, for only by talking to the men and listening to their descriptions could one form any idea of their experiences in that sun-scorched corner of Arabia. Their opinions would make interesting reading, but Mr. Editor would hardly admit them into this narrative. On June 14-15, 1915, the Turks rowed across from Sheikh Said and attempted to land in Perim, but were driven off. Coincident with this the enemy displayed great activity in the hinterland of Ade. Ali Said Pasha moved his troops from the Yemen border across the mountains towards Lahej. They were several thousand strong, with 20 guns. The British force was driven back and Sir Ahmed-bin-Fadthl, K.C.I.E., the Sultan of Lahaj, was killed. On July 15th a retreat was begun and the Turks followed up to the Aden lines. On July 8th General Sir Alexander Wilson received orders that from the Suez Canal Defence Force two batteries of artillery and one infantry brigade were to proceeded [sic] "urgently" to Aden. Accordingly B Battery, H.A.C., the Berkshire Battery R.H.A.(T.), and the 28th Brigade (51st and 53rd Sikhs, 56th Rifles and 62nd Punjabis) were despatched from Suez. Other troops despatched to Aden included the South Wales Borderers (Brecknockshire Batt. T.F.), the 60th and 89th Punjabis, the 109th Infantry (Indian Army), the 126th Baluchistan Infantry, and the Malay States Guides.

[photo, view] GENERAL VIEW OF ADEN. The Berks R.H.A. first discharged their guns against the enemy near here.

[photo, view] THE CAMEL MARKET, ADEN. The Berks R.H.A. encamped close to this spot.

The First Time in Action.

The Battery embarked on the S.S. Mashobra at Port Suez, and the five days' journey to Aden was passed along with music and song, for if the days were hot the evenings were delightful, and the prospect of doing something at last had raised everybody's spirits. At Aden ships cannot get into the quayside and all unloading was done into lighters. This tedious work lasted for nearly two days, and then Aden welcomed the gunners by means of a dust storm. Within two days of landing the Battery had its first taste of fighting. The task set the body of troops, under the command of General Younghusband, was to relieve the large village of Shiekh Othman, some eight miles from Aden, which had been occupied by Turks and Arabs. They were pushed out on July 21st and a running fight ensued, during which the Battery managed to get in some three or four hundred rounds from its 15 pounders. That day w ill not easily be forgotten. A pitiless sun burnt down and the heat of the ground came through one's boots. Water was scarce, and it was not until after dark that parched lips and swollen tongues were relieved. This was the first experience of that particular hardship which was destined to be the chief of all, during the Battery's soldiering abroad. It w as impossible to advance into the desert beyond Sheikh Othman, and the force therefore made good the ground that had been won.

Pestilential Aden.

The Battery found itself secreted in a compound, shaded by date-palms, and where the sun and dust were less formidable enemies. Their troubles were yet to begin, however. First came the flies, in countless thousands. It was "some" entertainment to watch a fellow eating bread and jam, or any similar concoction favoured by the winged pests. Hard on the track of the flies came their natural successors, malaria, dysentery, septic sores and a dozen other complaints that sent 50 per cent, of the Battery into hospital. "B" Battery, H.A.C., who were near neighbours, fared even worse. They had about 30 so-called fit men ...