4th April 1916

A type of rail motor used to convey stores across the desert railway, at

the Serapeum Railhead, 1916.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - J02685]

April 4th

Left Tel-el-Kebir in train at 7am arrived at Serapium the sight of our new camp. Slept on Platform in evening.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

April 4th.

4th. Bde. moved from Tel-el-Kebir to Serapeum West and proceeded to complete its establishment by drafts from Light Horse and Infantry.

The supply of Equipment was slow and the ground was unsuitable for training being soft sand practically impassable for manoeuvre.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 11th F.A. Brigade]

Tuesday 4th April

Over at Camp Site with Capt. Forrest at 6.30 AM. Got hold of Engineer Corporal and a few men of Artillery advance parties. Laid out all Brigade boundaries. First train bringing Div Arty came in about 9 o’clock, two others later. Balance of H Qrs. and Horses arrived at Serapeum late last night and were sent over to Canal siding this morning. Our H Qrs. established this morning close to Gen. Cox’s H Qrs. Light Horse Brigade left Serapeum West about noon.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]