Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 166
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[Page 166]
cut off) and a Sewerage System is installed. A Capt Heslop, 21st London Regt (Territorial) is also billeted in this house and fills the appointment of "Town Major", a multitude of duties being allotted him. The 1st DA is commanded by Brig Gen Cartwright D.S.O., and has with him as his staff the following officers: - Brigade Major, Capt Rory Dougall, Staff Captain, Capt Pile and A.D.C. Lt Umreville. The 1st Division is commanded by Major General Holland C.B. M.V.O, and forms part of 4th Army Corps under Lt General Rawlinson. This Corps forms part of 1st Army commanded by General Sir Douglas Haig.
The 1st Divisional Artillery comprises the 25th Brigade, O.C. Col Scott, 26th Brigade O.C. Col Hinton CMG, 39th Brigade O.C. Col McNaughton DSO, and 43rd (How) Brigade OC Col Sharp C.M.G. Attached are two 6" Howrs. Heavy Artillery controlled by Corps consists of 9".2 guns and Howrs, 8" Howrs, 6" guns, 4.7 guns and 6" Howrs.
This Division has extreme right of line (excepting another Division at Arras, the French holding a portion of front in between) and British troops hold from the position through YPRES almost to the coast, the Belgians holding but a small sector.
Officers and men are generally billeted in brick buildings until recently occupied by miners, a few still remain, together with women and children notwithstanding constant shelling by the Boche. Head Quarters Divisional Artillery are housed in a very nice two story residence recently occupied by a doctor, while Divisional Headquarters are located in a magnificent Chateau owned by a wealthy mine proprietor whose income I am informed reaches £300,000 per annum._
Brigade Major during afternoon explained on the map the disposition of the enemy's and our own trenches, specially with relation to the recent advance and capture of Loos.
On my return to my Billet after dinner I was held up by three sentries in succession and had some difficulty in establishing my bona fides until I communicated by phone with the Div Arty Bde Major. Had an excellent night's rest, sleeping in a very oldfashioned bedstead.
Sunday 5th December
After breakfast General Cartwright left to inspect D.A.C. while Brigade Major conducted me round some of the Batteries. Visited two 18pr batteries of 25th Brigade, and inspected gun emplacements and dugouts generally. Men billeted.