le was sufficiently astute to keep free
from ordinary military "crime." Nevertheless, his presence in the ranks
was a continual menace to the preservation of order and to the peace and
property of individuals. Experience later proved that to the failure to
thoroughly clear up the situation whilst in Egypt, and to the inability
of certain officials in Australia to recognise that the good name of
Australia's volunteer army required to be jealously guarded, may be
attributed many of the troubles and prejudices which hampered the Force
during the remainder of the war and were so costly to the taxpayer.

There were other men whose services it seemed unwise to retain. A few
existed in every unit. They were constitutionally unfit for active
service and, whilst not requiring medical treatment, were unlikely ever
to become fit. It was useless evacuating them to hospital because they
always turned up again in a few days or weeks marked "Fit." To deal with
them a Medical Board, composed of experienced officers, was assembled.
After an examination of the individual, the Board recorded its opinion
and, if it was adverse, he was sent down the Line of Communication
either for return to Australia or for employment as a "B. Class" man.

During the first week in March the camp at Ferry Post began to get
uncomfortable. The heat was increasing and the desert winds brought the
"khamsin" or duststorms. For hours on end the air would be laden with
the flying sand which got over and into every object in its path. Early
one morning 500 men of the Battalion were called out and, armed with
shovels, proceeded to uncover the railway track which had been
completely submerged during the night.

The "move" commenced on the 5th March. On this date Brigade Headquarters
and three battalions marched back to Moascar where a divisional camp
existed. From that date for several days there was a continuous stream
of troops crossing the pontoon bridge. After a lapse of several months
the New Zealanders were encountered again as they came over to the east
bank to relieve the 2nd Australian Division.

On the 8th March the 28th joined the rest of the Brigade after a rather
trying march in great heat--the last portion being through heavy sand.

It was directed that before embarkation all troops were to be
reinoculated against paratyphoid. This unpopular action was duly taken.

By the addition of reinforcements, which had dribbled in, together with
officers and