[1] HQ BTE occupied a garrison role while the Western Desert Campaign was fought against Italy and Germany during the Second World War.

[4] After the Second World War anti-British resentment escalated and there was rioting in Egyptian streets in February 1946.

Whistler's rank of major general was made substantive in February 1947, with seniority backdated to April 1946.

The Free Officers then concluded the Anglo–Egyptian Agreement of 1954, made during the month of October, with Great Britain.

It stipulated a phased evacuation of British troops from the Suez base, agreed to withdrawal of all troops within 20 months (that is, June 1956); maintenance of the base was to be continued; and allowed Britain to hold the right to return for seven years.