Statue of Rameses II, Memphis, Egypt, 1942 (c)

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

A view of the colossal statue of the Nineteenth Dynasty Pharoah Rameses II, Rameses the Great, originally located in the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis near Giza.

Newly arrived service personnel in Egypt generally spent time acclimatising in the Nile delta area before moving out into the desert. During this time they visited the ancient monuments along the river. They were joined by soldiers on leave from the front line, who were keen to visit and photograph Egypt's historic landmarks.

The Sharpshooters arrived in Egypt in late 1941 and took part in the successful campaign to oust German and Italian forces from North Africa. The unit moved on to Sicily and mainland Italy, returning to the United Kingdom in time to participate in the Normandy Landings in June 1944.

From an album containing 182 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).