At 3 a.m. we prepared to move. In the dim light the eternally-blessed
water camels could be seen wending their way towards our bivouac. As
before there was abundance of volunteers for this vital fatigue, but
most hearts drooped when it was found that the ration worked out to a
pint per man! Officers and N.C.O's. sadly but vigorously emphasised the
extreme urgency of preserving the water supply. Some resorted to drastic
action and insisted that no man should drink at all without first
obtaining permission of his officer, and on the day's business I am
inclined to think that these officers obtained the best results. The
Brigadier came to tell us we had done magnificently, but he said we
should have a worse day to-day; water was to be had at Katia--when we
got there. The men were also warned that it would probably be of little
use to drop out, in fact it might be extremely dangerous, for the
chances of being picked up were rather slight.
The cheery soul of the British Tommy, however, is proof against all
things, and he started out on this day's trip in the same spirit with
which he tackled all jobs during the war: "It has to be done, so do your
best and put the best face on it." The Fleur de Lys led out the Brigade
and trudged steadily through the soft sand in artillery formation. The
6th gradually got up into a position on our right, while the 5th and 8th
followed in support. The march forward proceeded monotonously in the
increasing heat, the men becoming more and more taciturn as the sun's
power gathered.
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