Item 06: General William Holmes correspondence, 1900-1915 - Page 53

[Page 53]

H.M.A.S. "Australia"
Rabaul
4. p.m. 13th September 1914

Sir,
Following your orders I reported with my Company on board the "Sydney" at 7.a.m. on Monday last.
The Captain informed me that the Rear Admiral had issued orders for twenty five men to be landed at Cape Gazelle and 25 at Herbertshohe to locate the Wireless Stations.   As there was  no information about the  Gazelle station, and the Captain of the "Sydney" deciding to land all my stores with Lieutenant Commander Finlayson and twenty five of his men at Herberrtshohe I requested to be allowed to take which appeared to me to be the more difficult task i.e. location of Kabakaul (Cape Gazelle) station.    I sent   Webber, the Gunnery Instructor (Beatty) with his twenty five men to search for the Beretawl station (near Herbertshohe).

Lieutenant Commander Finlayson had instructions from the "Sydney" to support him if necessary and when we had sent word back from both places our stores and week's provisions would be forwarded to the "Sydney" party.   Each member of Number 4 Company took with him one days rations.
At 6 a.m. Friday I was transferred to "Warrego" with 15 men and Midshipman Buller to the "Yarra" with the balance of my half company, Webber remaining on board "Sydney" with the left half company.
The whole

The Commanding Officer
Naval Brigade
H.M.A.S. "Berrima""