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The Imperial Camel Corps in World War I From the diaries of a Bay of Plenty camelier
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Treasure in a tan plastic suitcase?
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Camel Corps on the move Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine
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The Imperial Camel Corps What was it? Part of the EEF, or Egyptian Expeditionary Force An international unit Formed early 1916 Brigade status late 1916 2,800 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 1918. 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.
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Arnold Henfrey Watson, 1916 1882-1960 Image: Tauranga City Libraries, thanks to Watson family
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Troop Transport 70, the Waihora Left Wellington at 9 pm on Tuesday 5 December 1916 Image: http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmnzt.htm#41http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmnzt.htm#41
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Arnold Henfrey Watson on his camel, c. 1917 Image: Tauranga City Libraries, thanks to Watson family
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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?
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James McBey, ‘The Long Patrol: Drifting Sands’ Imperial War Museum. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 1438)
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Camelier’s equipment Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine
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“A beast of burden” Kia Ora Coo-ee, 15 th July 1918, page 13
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Watering camels Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine
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Washing camels, 1917 Image: www.delcampe.net
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“Prepare to mount.” Image: Robertson, With the Cameliers in Palestine
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“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
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After the air raid, Sheikh Nuran, June 1917 Image: National Army Museum of New Zealand
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Cactus hedge, Gaza From Powles, The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine
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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
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General Chauvel Image: Australia in Palestine
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Mick Barker looking down old well Arnold’s diary, 7-8 October 1917
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Kia Ora Coo-ee cover, 15 th June 1918 By G. W. Lambert
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“Kangs” (Australians) Sketch by Arnold Watson. Courtesy of Watson family
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Flowers of Palestine Arnold’s diary, 7-11 January 1919
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Flowers of Palestine Arnold’s diary, 12-15 February 1919
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Beetles of Palestine Arnold’s diary, 16-19 February 1919
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Beetles of Palestine Arnold’s diary, 20-23 February 1919
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Locust or grasshopper Arnold’s diary, 29 April-2 May 1919
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Grasshopper Arnold’s diary, 19-22 May 1919
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Butterflies and insects Arnold’s diary, 8-11 June 1919
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Moth and butterfly Arnold’s diary, 12-15 June 1919
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James Neil McCarroll C.O., Auckland Mounted Rifles Image: Powles, The New Zealanders in Sinai and Palestine
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Aotea Convalescent Home Image: Bowerbank, The War Effort of New Zealand
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Nurses, Aotea Convalescent Home Image: Kate Booth collection, courtesy S. Arabin
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Tennis at the Aotea Home Image: Kate Booth collection, courtesy S. Arabin
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Ulimaroa Left Suez at 6 pm on 30 June 1919 Image: http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmnzt.htm#41http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmnzt.htm#41
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And what happened to the 3,000 camels? The End
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Links Imperial War Museum film of the Camel Corps http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022564 http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022564 Tauranga Memories summary http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/1 274-arnold-henfrey-watson-1882-1960 http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/remembering_war/topics/show/1 274-arnold-henfrey-watson-1882-1960 E-books of the diaries, and other related documents, including transcripts, on Tauranga Memories http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/en/site/all/documents/related_to /topic/1274-arnold-henfrey-watson-1882-1960/ http://tauranga.kete.net.nz/en/site/all/documents/related_to /topic/1274-arnold-henfrey-watson-1882-1960/
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