
A New Zealand Camel Company was formed in July 1916 within the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade, a British formation which formed part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and fought in Sinai and Palestine. Cameliers fought in a manner similar to mounted riflemen, carrying out long-range patrols in the desert and occasionally engaging in combat. A second New Zealand Camel Company was formed in October 1916. The New Zealand companies were disbanded in July 1918 and reorganised into a horse-mounted 2nd New Zealand Machine Gun Squadron.
Name | Unit attached to | Campaigns | Dates | Further information |
---|---|---|---|---|
15th New Zealand Camel Company (initially 1st Coy) | Imperial Camel Corps Brigade (a) 3rd Battalion, December 1916–August 1917 (b) 4th Battalion, August 1917–June 1918 | Sinai, 1916 Palestine, 1917–18 | August 1916–June 1918 | Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand; Unit diaries at Australian War Memorial |
16th New Zealand Camel Company (initially 2nd Coy) | Imperial Camel Corps (a) 3rd Battalion, December 1916–May 1917 (b) 4th Battalion, May 1917–June 1918 | Sinai, 1916 Palestine, 1917–18 | November 1916–June 1918 | Unit diaries at Archives New Zealand; Unit diaries at Australian War Memorial |
See also: New Zealand and the Imperial Camel Corps article.
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