Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 17
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[Page 17]
and take on men here in their places.
Saw Colonel McLagan at Port Melbourne Railway Station.
Battery at Battery drill – B.A.C. fitting Harness. Head Quarters doing similar work. Gunners training in laying. Horse died during last night.
Friday 9th October
At Head Quarters in the morning re Gee's promotion; extra Head ropes, Ammunition, etc. Capt Johnston, State Veterinary Officer accompanied me back to boat and inspected our Horses under Quarantine Regulations. Major Robertson promised to inspect and brand "Jack" today. Voucher not yet through. Wrote pencil note to Nell to that effect. Capt McLellan performed Post-Mortem on Horse, discovered cause of death to be Septic Pnuemonia. He has kept feet and intends illustrating to shoeing smiths the construction of bones of foot - as a guide to shoeing. Obtained 20 lbs plasticine and have commenced model of Country for instructional purposes.
Battery at Battery Manoeuvre. Col Hobbs and Major Anderson inspected all teams of battery, Brigade A. Column and Head Quarters Horses. Gunners at gun drill and thoroughly cleaning ship. Coaling operations have been continuous for a week but finished today. Everything is covered with fine coal dust. Bringing in Beach Sand for sandbaths for Horses.
Exercised 24 men at 300x,x 400x at Rifle Range.
Saturday 10th October
Cleaning Harness during morning for all hands. Myself a Model. Afternoon making gun emplacements. Intend to make 4 complete during hours of darkness as Practice for Officers and men. Horse reported missing from Head Quarters lines for 2 days. Arranged for search parties. Col Merrington and Lieut Chambers from "Omrah" called and invited us to Church Service on Sunday morning. Also invitation from local Anglican Vicar to early 7 AM Communion. Heard of big disturbance in Melbourne tonight between military and Police. Several of our officers asked leave to go to St Kilda dancing pavilion. Wanted me to go but I concluded it is no place for an old married man. Instead I walked along Beaconsfield parade from ship to St Kilda and back again – about 6 miles. Left ship at 8 PM and returned at 10 PM. Road very beautiful. Bitterly cold night. On my return to ship I was introduced to a friend of Mr Darcy the 4th officer, I discovered him to be an old Geelong friend (Mr Brown) of 20 years ago. Letter from Colonel Burns re travelling Kitchen. He promised to donate ?10-10-0 Hope to raise full amount required viz ?360 –