Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 108
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[Page 108]
Wednesday 19th May
Went in to Heliopolis Hospital. Doctor again examined wound in back and found it unsatisfactory. He probed it, and extracted two lumps of gravel that had not previously been noticed.
Thursday 20th May
Reading all day. Had dinner with Col Springthorpe at Mena Hospital, and gave the patients (about 300) an account of Gaba Tepe action from an artillery point of view. All seemed very interested. Got Col Springthorpe to call and see Mr Pengelly - he is not at all well, and is terribly afraid he has lung trouble.
I heard today that General Bridges had died as result of wounds.
Friday 21st May
Went into Cairo to have a few articles of kit repaired and get some signal message forms for my Brigade. Went to Hospital had wounds dressed and was discharged. Wounds will not be healed for perhaps 2 weeks, but do not now require much attention, and I am anxious to get back. Had dinner at Continental Hotel. Met Mrs Doctor Stokes and Mrs Major Sutton who commenced plying me with questions, so I had to tell them all I knew of Gallipoli. I have no end of letters and packages from wives for their husbands. Drew field allowance to date. Heard from Base office that to date 89 Australian officers have been killed. Stayed at Continental Hotel for the night.
Saturday 22nd May
Left Cairo at 9.30 AM, reached Alexandria at 12.35 PM. Went to Majestic Hotel for lunch and there met several officers I knew. Could not get much information about the front. Went aboard the "Derflinger" (A.10) at 4PM. Found she was carrying over 2000 troops, and unfortunately I am the Senior Officer on board so have to take up duty as O.C. Troops. Capt McLaughlin 1st Battery is on board, so I have made him Adjutant. Ship is a captured German prize N.D. Lloyd, and very comfortable. We shall be glad however to get back to Gallipoli.
Sunday 23rd May
Owing to delay in repair of a broken steam pipe, ship did not leave Quay till 2.30 PM. We are trying to evolve order out of chaos. Nearly every arm of the service represented by small squads.