On July 17th, “No. 2” Section relieved “No. 1” in the line.  “No. 3” took over the inner defences, and “No. 1” became Divisional reserve.  Lieut.  E.B.  Hibbert (who left in February 1918 for leave and a course in the United Kingdom) returned on July 25th and took command of “No. 3” Section.  On August 3rd “No. 3” Section relieved “No. 2”, the inner defences being taken over by “No. 1”.  A few days later “No. 3” Section was withdrawn from the posts and camped close to Brigade Headquarters to be employed as Mobile Reserve for the outer defences, but owing to shortage of personnel in the posts, the guns had to be mounted in their previous positions at night.

THE “VALLEY” A DEATH TRAP.

The “Valley” soon began to affect the health of the Squadron.  All kinds of fever became rampant, particularly malaria.  Men would suddenly become sick, or collapse in a fainting fit, their temperature quickly rising to 104 deg. or thereabouts!  Doctors and medical orderlies were much overworked, and became almost unable to cope with the “rush”; men had to be undressed and tended on the spot by their own comrades, who sponged them down in order to reduce their temperature.  The Squadron’s thanks are due to Pte.  Ineson, who, as its own medical orderly, was untiring in his attention to the sick.  Undoubtedly, but for his efforts, the list of men admitted to hospital would have been considerably larger.

During July, the O.C. (Capt.  L.F.  St. J. Davies, M.C., who soon returned, however, although not quite recovered), and 38 men, were admitted to hospital.  On August 10th, Lieut.  Wilgress and Lieut.  Hibbert went to hospital.

When the Squadron left the Valley on August 15th (being relieved by the 21st Squadron), the total casualties were three officers and 113 O.R.’s.  Fortunately, a number of reinforcements had arrived, including many from Yeomanry regiments recently dismounted.  The first halt was Talat-ed-Dumm, where the 17th Squadron was passed at 02.30 on its way down to the valley.  A better camping site was available than the last time, when we camped here.

The following evening the march was continued, and Jerusalem was passed through at midnight.  The next morning the Brigade arrived at Enab, having watered at the troughs at Ain el Foka, on the way.

KHURBET DEIRAN

The same evening the Brigade moved via Latron, Barriyeh and Naane to Khurbet Deiran arriving at 07.30 the next morning, the rest of the day being spent in laying out the new camp.  That day Lieut.  Cazalet returned from hospital and temporarily took command of “No. 2” Section (while Lieut.  Kindell went on a course at Zeitoun), afterwards taking over his old section ("No. 1").