This Day in History: 1915-11-09

The 2^nd Battalion embarked in Marseilles for Egypt, having served on the western front in France since 12th November 1914. In early 1915 the Turks and their Arab allies had deployed a force of some 14,000 men from Palestine against Egypt. Although their attack on the Suez Canal had been defeated  there were indications that further attempts to disrupt the Canal would be made. It was against this threat that the 2^nd Battalion was initially based at Kantara, some 20 miles south of Port Said. A move to Ayun Musa south-east of Suez took place at the end of December. The Battalion was to enjoy a three month period of relative peace with the tasks of static guard duties on the Canal, reconnaissance and patrolling.