Nepean Times (NSW)
4 December 1915
Following are extracts from a letter received from Sapper George Burrows (son of Mr and Mrs E. C. Burrows), dated 17th October: —
I arrived safely in Egypt, and am camped at Zietoun Camp, about seven miles from Cairo, 1½ miles from Heliopolis, and next to Helmiah, on the sands of the desert. We pulled into the wharf at Suez on Wednesday morning, and had five hours' train journey to Zeitoun Station, and marched to the camp, which is about a mile distant. The train line follows the Canal for about 50 miles to within sight of the Bitter Lakes; it leaves it there and goes straight out into the desert, where, after travelling for about half-hour, we came into irrigation country. There I saw the finest corn and cotton fields in the world; for miles and miles we ran through corn-fields in most places 10ft high. The climate here is similar to Sydney's summer.
Our daily routine is as follows:— Parade 5.30 a.m. to 7.45, 9 to 11, 4 p.m. to 6, and very strict and particular, which is a good thing. It is a little bit hard to get used to marching through the dusty sand; you slip back and sink a couple of inches every step.
I walked across to Heliopolis yesterday. Six years ago, where this beautiful city is, was desert. As far as I can gather, the whole place was built by an American Syndicate as a winter resort, etc. The Palace Hospital, which was built for a Casino, is magnificent, and so are all the other houses. Millions must have been spent here. Every place is new, and there are so many beautiful places, all well finished off. The streets are wide and clean, and electric cars run all through the city and into Cairo. We walked across to Heliopolis and took the tram to Cairo yesterday afternoon (Saturday). I do not care much for the place; there are some nice buildings there also. Percy Seach from Penrith was on the wharf at Suez; he is returning home.
Somebody else came down to see me yesterday, while I was away, he would not leave his name — I think is must be Charlie Werner. We may be here for a month or two yet. [A letter written by Sapper Burrows four days later stated he was then off to the Dardanelles .-- Ed N.T.]. I met Cyril Worboys, who is a very nice chap; he arrived four days before us.
About 4000 reinforcements arrived during the last week from Australia. There are sappers resting here who have been at the front; they reckon it's alright over there.
Soldier Identified: Sapper George Burrows, Service No. 2021, 10th Reinforcements, 1st Field Coy. Engineers, A.I.F. — George Burrows went on to serve in World War II, Rank: Major, 60th Australian Corps Field Park Coy., Royal Australian Engineers, Service No: NX147965.
Brother: Corporal Henry John (Jack) Burrows, Service No. 2157, 4th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. Died of Wounds, 2 September 1918.
Brother: Private Norman Charles Burrows, Service No. 53688, 6th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, A.I.F. Returned to Australia, 5 July 1919.
Heliopolis, Egypt, c. 1915. An exterior view of the Heliopolis Palace Hotel with army tentage and ambulance wagons in the foreground. (Courtesy: Australian War Memorial)
Sources:
Soldier's Letter (1915, December 4). Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 2.
Heliopolis, Egypt, c. 1915. An exterior view of the Heliopolis Palace Hotel with army tentage and ambulance wagons in the foreground. Australian War Memorial
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