'Village Patrol', Dorsetshire Regiment, Palestine, 1936

Photograph, Palestine, 1936.

The Dorsetshire Regiment was involved in security operations in Palestine in 1936, patrolling and providing escorts for convoys along important supply routes like the road between Jerusalem and Jaffa. Other activities included locating arms and ammunition caches and disrupting the smuggling of weapons.

British military operations in Palestine during this period were mainly directed against militant Arab groups which were opposed to continued colonial rule and mass Jewish immigration. Violence reached a height with the Arab Revolt (1936-1939). The counterinsurgency warfare that characterised this conflict proved to be a severe challenge. British forces were often frustrated in their attempts to defeat an elusive enemy who used tactics of sniping, planting bombs, mounting ambushes and sabotage.

The 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, deployed to Palestine in 1936. The unit sailed to Alexandria, acclimatised and trained at the Sidi Bishr camp, and then moved on to Jerusalem and Jenin.

From an album of photographs associated with Ernest Edward (Ted) Senior, Dorsetshire Regiment, 1936-1945.