NAM.1990-11-13-1-11

Camp at Sheikh Zawand. Photograph of a group in camp at Sheikh Zuweid. From album of 516 photographs; first of three photograph albums compiled by Brig John Gilbert Browne (b 1879), 1916-1919; associated with 14th (King's) Hussars, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Pictured are: General Sir Archibald Murray (Commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF); Major General Sir Arthur Lynden-Bell (Chief of the General Staff, to Murray (and later Allenby) at GHQ, Egyptian Expeditionary Force); General Harry Chauvel (then commander of the ANZAC Mounted Division). Sheikh Zuweid is a Bedouin town in the North Sinai Governorate of Egypt near the present day border with the Gaza Strip. Following the EEF’s victory at Romani in August 1916, British forces advanced and had further successes at the Battle of Magdhaba (Dec 16) and the Battle of Rafa (Jan 17). The newly formed Desert Column then encamped at Sheikh Zuweid as they prepared for an assault on Gaza. It is therefore likely this photo is taken in February or March of 1917 in preparation for the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917

World War One, Egypt and Palestine (1914-1918)