Early this morning Major O'Brien was at PORT TEWFIK awaiting the disembarkation of the South African troops who were coming to swell the S.A.A.F. strength in the field. Although the S.A.A.F. draft were scheduled to disembark at 0900 there was little sign of help (or life!) from the Movement Control Officials on the quayside and it was not until 1300 hours that the various contingents had been sorted out and the South African Air Force personnel were available for transport to the transit camp.
By strange contrast with the thousands of Imperial Troops which disembarked and remained awaiting transport in comparative silence and a spirit of disinterestedness, the South Africans, a relatively small group, were soon celebrating their arrival on strange soil in song and merriment. Someone produced a guitar, another the inevitable mouth-organ and soon the dockside reechoed to the sound of sturdy voices hurling forth South African ditties as a challenge to the future.
The troops were conveyed to the transit camp pending their removal to their various units. The help received at this camp from a South African, Captain Francis in charge of the South African section was most gratifying.