IT was a tough week for Warrington’s soldiers as the Guardian paid tribute to eight fallen and 24 injured troops in the Saturday, May 15 edition in 1915.

However, an uplifting account of a gruelling journey showed how the War also provided an opportunity for some to see parts of the world they would never usually experience.

Lance Corporal Reginald Hillier, from Lymm, was touring Egypt with the 6th Manchesters when he sent the following letter to his parents.

He wrote: “I carried my own rifle slung across my back and one on each shoulder belonging to fellows in my section who were absolutely done.

“We arrived at our camping ground, piled our rifles, unrolled our blankets, got down and slept as we had never done before after the 28 mile march over a rough road in full pack – it would make anybody sleep.

“It was 4.10am when we arrived on Tuesday morning and of course, we slept most of the day.

“On the Tuesday night each company lit a fire and sang until the bugle went for ‘lights out’. The sunset near the Pyramids was fine and the sight of a lifetime.

“We woke on Wednesday and it was a lovely day, not as hot as the day before and after breakfast we were given some time to do as we please.

“We had a good look around the place and came across the sulphur baths, we went for a swim there and it was grand.

“We were then told to rest as we would be leaving at 8.30 that night.

“It was a shorter halt until we came to the prisoners’ camp in Mardi, where we ate bread and cheese.

“From there, it was hard work but we marched straight through to Cairo in fine style, and reached the barracks, pleased with ourselves, but tired.”