Egyptian Labour Corps

Egyptian Labour Corps
Active	1914–1919
Country	Egypt
Allegiance	British Protectorate
Branch	Army
Type	Labour
Role	Support
Size	55,000 labourers
Nickname(s)	ELC

The Egyptian Labour Corps (also known as the ELC or Labour Corps) was a group of Egyptian labourers who worked for the British Army in Egypt during the First World War's Sinai and Palestine Campaign.

At the beginning of the First World War Britain set up the Protectorate of Egypt and imposed martial law, at the same time giving a solemn pledge to defend Egypt and not call on the Egyptian people to aid them in the conflict. They had become subject to British Rule in the 19th century when their country was invaded and occupied by the British. However, the British quickly realised that they desperately needed the support of Egyptian labour in a land which was so inhospitable to Europeans.

Companies of the Egyptian Labour Corps were supplied to work on construction of railways and roads. They worked to manage sanitation, were employed as stevedores and on wharf construction. They loaded and unloaded lighters, carried stores for supply depots and loaded lorries for the ASC. They laid the pipelines, built the railway embankments and helped lay the track, loaded and unloaded the trains, manned the surf boats, stowed or discharged the cargoes of surf boats from supply and store ships, and were employed everywhere on conservancy duties.

They constructed the duplication of the Zagazig to Ismailia section of the railway from Cairo to the Suez Canal, built out into the Sinai desert metalled roads and laid water pipelines. About 100 miles (200 km) of railway, road and pipelines were laid in a few weeks for the forward defence of the Suez Canal before it was extended eastwards into the Sinai. They also assisted in horse and camel hospitals, and travelled to Akaba to assist Lawrence in his work for the Arab Revolt.

...
Wikipedia