m. and then Company Commanders were summoned to a
Conference with the C.O. to receive orders to get ready at once to
march--backwards not forwards! The Anzacs carefully reconnoitring in the
night had finally entered El Arish, and saw no one there except the
native villagers. So "the stunt was a wash-out," the bird had flown.
The 42nd marched back on December 21st to El Mazar, and faint rumours
began to drift about that day that we were to leave Egypt. General
Douglas commiserated with us for not having had the pleasure of a good
scrap! "But," he said, "never mind lads, you will get more than you want
very soon." Now, what did that mean? Profound speculation as to the
probabilities can easily be imagined. France, Salonica, trouble in
India, Mesopotamia and even an advance into Palestine (scouted as absurd
by most people) were freely discussed. The main consideration just at
present, however, was that the Christmas of 1916 was going to be spent
under much pleasanter conditions than the previous one on Gallipoli, and
concurrent with rumours about fighting there were more substantial
rumours about turkeys, plum puddings and beer. I am glad to say all
three materialised, and these together with Christmas Carols by the
divisional band contrived to produce a Yuletide feeling. In fact
everyone had as good a time as could possibly have been expected in the
desert. Luckily the parcels from home, including comforts from various
institutions, etc., also arrived in time.
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