On April 1st, orders were received that the Brigade would move, the next
day, back to the area previously occupied at Belah! They duly arrived, and
the Machine-Gun Squadron took over identically the same camp as before,
except that the "lines" were 100 yards further south. A few days after
arriving here, rumours got around that several units _were to be
dismounted_! Up till this time it was thought that this was the last thing
that was likely to happen after their success in the last operations, and
the knowledge of the country and open warfare that the troops had thereby
gained. Unfortunately, the rumour proved to be only too true, and _two
regiments in each Brigade_ were ordered to hand over their horses and
proceed to the base. Here they underwent a course of training for the
Machine-Gun Corps, after which they embarked for France, formed into
Machine-Gun Battalions. The 7th Brigade having only two regiments, lost
only one--the South Notts Hussars, that being the junior. At least two
"graves" may be seen at Belah, each bearing an inscription headed by
"R.I.P." and a broken spur! Also an "IN MEMORIAM" to the lost horses of the
South Notts Hussars and the Warwick Yeomanry! The mock-ceremonies, however,
were carried out _in all sincerity_, as, who was there who did not feel
that he had lost a true friend, in being parted from his horse?

On April 7th, the 20th Squadron lent its horses to the Warwick Yeomanry to
take them to the station, and on the 8th, to the "S.N.H." for the same
purpose. Ill-luck, however, attended these regiments. After going through
their course of training they embarked at Alexandria, but they were no
sooner out at sea than their vessel was torpedoed and sunk! Many lives were
lost, including Lieut. Morris, who will be remembered by all for his
activities in the theatrical line, as, under his able direction, the
"S.N.H. AND THE 20TH COMBINED CONCERT PARTY" provided us with a very
excellent performance at Gaza.