We have arrived somewhere…

HMT Haverford

On 3 March 1916, 25 Officers and 451 other ranks of the Cheshire Yeomanry departed from Devonport on board HMT Haverford. The ship arrived safely at Alexandria, Egypt, on 14 March 1916, where the men remained on board until the following day.

For those remaining at home, the safety of the men had been of great concern due to a persistent rumour. On this point the Mayor of Chester (Alderman J.M. Frost) wired to the Secretary of the Admiralty, Whitehall saying:

“Persistent rumours in Chester that Haverford, with Cheshire Yeomanry on board, has been torpedoed, and is causing widespread anxiety. Will you authorise contradiction of statement?” (Liverpool Echo, Tuesday 14 March 1916)

The happy reply was: “Mayor, Chester – Latest news: “All’s well” – Admiralty.”

This official news was supported by a further report, no doubt to the relief of those with loved ones overseas:

Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 15 March 1916  THE CHESHIRE YEOMANRY CANARD In reference to rumours about the Cheshire Yeomanry, the town-clerk of Chester has asked us to state that Mr. Arthur Boumphrey, of Lymm, Cheshire, has received a cablegram from his son, who is with the First Cheshire Yeomanry, stating that they have arrived safely at a port “somewhere”.

2nd Lt. Boumphrey

Arthur Boumphrey was a cotton broken and head of Messrs. A.B. Boumphrey and Co., of Liverpool and Manchester. His eldest son was Joseph Whalley Boumphrey (1884-1955, born Cheadle, Cheshire) and who was identified in the 1911 census as a Cotton Salesman. Joseph was a 2nd Lieutenant with A Squadron, Cheshire Yeomanry. In December 1916 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and the London Gazette notes that he was to be temp. Lieutenant from 1 August 1917. He was reported missing in the Western Theatre of Operations on 30 September 1917; taken prisoner he was repatriated on 14 December 1918. (See Lives of the First World War: Profile).

The Regiment remained on board HMT Haverford until 15 March, when it disembarked and entrained in open cattle trucks for Beni Salama. The Regimental War Diary says little on this, simply noting the safe arrival there at 6pm of the 25 officers and 451 men. Lt.-Col. Sir Richard Verdin in his history of The Cheshire Yeomanry adds some further detail on the journey:

After a five hour journey the Cheshire Yeomanry reached the village of Wardan near the Nile from which it made its way to Beni Salama nearly four miles away. There it found no preparations for its reception had been made. The men had to sleep the first night on the ground and eat the food which they were carrying with them, mostly iron rations. When tents were later provided, nine men were allotted to each and they were uncomfortably crowded.

After a week the dining area was given a roof, which helped keep the food free from the soft desert sand which blew in every direction whenever there was the slightest wind.

There were six Yeomanries at Beni Salama; Shropshire, Cheshire, Denbighshire, Pembrokeshire, Montgomeryshire and Glamorganshire. These had previously formed two Mounted Brigades, and on 20 March the two Brigades amalgamated forming the 4th Dismounted Brigade under Brigadier-General Herbert.

W.W. Gladstone in his history of The Shropshire Yeomanry (The Whitethorn Press, 1953) gives some insight into life for the Yeomanry in camp:

The men settled into a new routine: reveille was as early as possible, followed by physical drill, and breakfast at 7 a.m.; then there were route marches, tactical exercise or squadron parades, and lunch at noon; rest, or lectures until 4 p.m., then more squadron parades, tea at 5 p.m. and bed at 9 or 9.30 p.m.

It took a month for sun helmets and khaki drill to be issued; initially the men had to wear the same thick serge tunics that had been used in England, and entirely unsuited to the Egyptian climate.

They remained at Beni Salama until 18 April, when they left for Minia Camp, 150 miles south of Cairo.