Christmas at Abbassiah, 1915

Pte Bert Manderson and his youngest brother, Bill, before embarkation.

Bert Manderson's older brother Ern arrived in Egypt in time for the brothers to celebrate Christmas 1915 together.  On Boxing Day they had a photo taken with friends during a camel ride near the Pyramids. A few months later they re-embarked for France.  Greg Manderson tells the story of his grandfather's war with the aid of  Bert's diary.  You can read the full story here.

He was only nineteen: Private Will Manderson

Rod Martin tells the story of young Will Manderson, a 'Fair Dinkum', who enlisted at the age of 18, and who died at the age of 19.  His body was removed from its original burial site to the one above at Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy,  France.

Bert and Ernie Manderson occupy the camel on the right of the picture, taken in Egypt in 1915.  Courtesy of Greg Manderson. Click to get the larger picture