Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 143
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[Page 143]
some days yet before these trenches can be placed in a Sanitary Condition. Visited Col Austin at Ordnance re extra Telephone switch boards. Badly needed. Our relieving medical officer was yesterday so ill that he was ordered off to Hospital and Capt Tozer AMC took his place. During the afternoon a high explosive shell burst in No 2 gun pit 7th Battery, wounding four men, two severely. Our casualties still go on mounting up. I have just heard that one of our gunners on loan to the Indian Mountain Battery was also wounded yesterday. Battle on the left still being vigorously pressed on.
From this extreme flank we can see nothing of the movement and get very little information. In any case we have our work cut out in our own zone. Received cable from Nell from Sydney dated 31.7.15
Thursday 12th August
A beautiful morning, heralded in by a Turkish gun trying to "wing" our captive Balloon used for observation purposes. Unfortunately for him the balloon is well out of range and he has already wasted about 30 rounds. Weather is gradually improving. The extreme heat of the day is gradually being reduced and the nights too are getting much cooler. No one will complain at the improvement. Enemy very quiet on this flank during the night, but cannot speak for the left. 7th Battery doing useful work on Contour 400 dropping shell within 3 yards of our own trenches in enfilade, destroying overhead cover and giving our bomb throwers a chance. S.M. Scarrot reported to me for duty as R.S.M. he is to take up work and Residence here at 9AM tomorrow. General Hobbs at my Head quarters. Informed me matters were ina satisfactory condition on Left Flank. Secured Turkish bayonet – hope rifle will follow tomorrow.
Major Su Vincent Welch 1st Field Ambulance presented me with the bullet which pierced my leg. He found it the morning after I was hit. Wrote Col Buckley London re switch boards. Stench from Lone Pine abominable. No1 6" Howr to be moved to new position so as to get more range.
Appended is casualty list from July 15th to August 11th 1915.
Headquarters
Lt Col Charles Rosenthal O.C. Wounded 20-7-15
7th Battery
No 1665 Gr McDowell A.R. Wounded 2-8-15
1614 Gr W. Hirst Killed 5-8-15
1601 B.S.M. Handford D.F. " 6.8.15
1662 Corporal Hanks G.K. Wounded 7.8.15
Lieut Ross P.J. " 9.8.15
No 2286 Bom Baynes E. Killed 9.8.15
1655 Bom McKinnon J.G. Wounded 11.8.15
1678 Br Dingwall A.F. " 11.8.15
1740 Gr Moore E.L. " 11.8.15
3822 Gr Thurwell S.O. " 11.8.15