These diaries were written by an officer in the British Army tasked with supplying soldiers in South African and Egypt. The first diary records Robinson’s time at the end of the first Boer War, including his visit to Laing’s Nek, following the British defeat there in January 1881. In Egypt Robinson set up depots and sourced mules from Constantinople and Malta, and supplied food for the army then engaged in the Battle of Tel EL Kebir. On 13 September Robinson notes “Successful attack on Tel-El-Kebr this morning - Army routed - Hope it will be the final blow - Arabi escaped but his 2 Chief Generals taken wounded - 2000 Egyptians said to be slain & we 200 casualties”. 15th September: “En route to Zag-a-Zig passed position of the scene of Wednesday’s action - Ghastly enough - dead bodies of men & animals still about - Bedouins looking to their hearts content - Large quantities of Egyptian Command Supplies captured - & an immense stock of Arms & Ammunition”.