Summary
A photograph showing four soldiers on camel back. An encampment can be seen in the background, made up of tents and personnel.
Part of a brown cardboard album containing 294 black and white family snapshots which includes family portraits, photographs from World War I in Egypt and England, wedding photographs, etc. The place depicted is most likely Egypt during World War I, circa 1916-1918 and the men part of the Imperial Camel Corps stationed there.
The Imperial Camel Corps (or ICC) was formed in January 1916. They were recruited from a number of Australian Infantry Battalions recuperating after Gallipoli. Four battalions were formed consisting of two Australian, one British and one a mixture of Australian and New Zealanders. They were formed to deal with the revolt of pro-Turkish Senussi tribesmen in Egypt's Western Desert. The camels themselves were recruited almost solely from New South Wales, although the men came from all states. The battalions fought alongside the Australian Light Horse Units at sites such as Romani, Magdhaba and Rafa. The ICC was integral to the British war effort until June 1918, when it was largely disbanded and the Australians re-assigned to the 14th and 15th Light Horse regiments. The members of the Camel Corps were seen as rough characters, and when it was first formed many commanders found it an opportunity to offload some of their less desirable members. They were however a resourceful and effective company. The ICC kept their fellow soldiers, especially those of the Light Horse in feed and water. Often they would carry goods 80 kilometers to their destinations.
Description of Content
Four soldiers can be seen riding on camel back in the foreground. Behind them is an encampment made up of tents and personnel in a desert environment.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph.
