Christmas - 1914 for the 8th Battalion.

While the Christmas Truce was taking place in the muddy fields of Flanders, on the other side of the world in the sands of Egypt things were very different. The 8th Battalion, of the Australian Expeditionary Army were spending their first Christmas away from home stationed at Mena Camp (with the rest of the 2nd Brigade), which was some 12 miles to the west of Cario and at the foot of the Pyramids.

Ron Austin in his book “Cobbers in Khaki” gives us this picture of Christmas 1914:-

“The 8th Battalion’s first Christmas away from home was a most forgettable one, as the Christmas dinner left a lot to be desired. Although the menu consisted of the “inevitable Stew” and rice and raisins, some of the men augmented the stark meal with buns, jams and oranges. After lunch some of the men climbed the Cheops Pyramid later had bread and jam for tea. Despite the paucity of the festivities, Private Taylor still described it as ‘a bonzer day.’ Cyril Bryant, a 24 old motor trimmer from Ballarat, dutifully wrote to his mother on Christmas Day,

“We had plenty of hard work to do, we go out in the morning at eight and come back at two and then we have the rest of the day to ourselves, that is, if we do not have to be on guard. It is very trying marching over the sand.
Just fancy mother, it is Christmas Day that I am writing this letter in Egypt, little did we know that I would be so far away from you this Xmas. We had a telegram from the people of Ballarat today, wishing as a merry Xmas. We get plenty of trench digging there…..they think there must be trouble with the Turks and the only way they can come is across the desert. I think we will be here for some time and then the France.””

Private John Pitt ‘D’ Company, 8th Battalion, (who was originally from England), in his own diary records this:-

Dec 24th Christmas Eve - on the desert, tucker pretty scarce.

Christmas Day - A lovely morning. 9 am Church parade. Issued with 2oz Havelock and tinned fish and fruit. In the afternoon we, being duty company, I was told off to go to the Garrison Military police barracks with 3 other fellows and an NCO (Cpl Craven) to fetch out a couple of prisoners to the 6th and 7th battalions. Also went to the Citadel, a poor Christmas day.

Boxing Day 1914 - Marching in the sand from 8 am till 3 pm.