Men of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) survey storm damage in a camp in Egypt, 1942

Photograph compiled by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, North Africa, 1942.

British camp in the desert showing storm damage. The soldiers, two wearing blankets, are identified as Samuel L Buxton, John Aitken and Robert (Bobby) Gale.

The Sharpshooters' war diary entry for 16 October 1942 refers to a 'heavy gale and rain storm' at the camp at Khatatba in which 'considerable tentage was blown down', with cleaning up taking place over the next two days.

Major Robert Gale died on 10 July 1944 during heavy fighting near Eterville in Normandy. Major John Aitken (Military Cross) was killed during a reconnaissance patrol near As in Belgium on 20 September 1944. Both officers were recipients of the Military Cross.

In September 1942 the Sharpshooters, having suffered heavy casualties in the Western Desert campaign, were withdrawn from the front line. The regiment was moved to Mareopolis and then to Khatatba where the unit was re-equipped, trained and reinforced.

In early 1943 the regiment was moved to Cowley Camp at Mena, near Cairo, where it undertook training until July 1943 prior to Operation HUSKY, the amphibious operation to invade the island of Sicily.

From an album containing 205 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).