Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 172
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[Page 172]
description. A number of land slides had taken place during the night and in consequence it was really unsafe to move along the trenches, one's head being often well exposed. Luckily no one was hit, though a good many rifle bullets passed by us. We returned tom Vermelles and had a good look at this town, the scene of much sanguinary fighting. The buildings are all shattered as the result of shell fire. Boarded the car here and reached home at 11.30, miserably wet and dirty. For at lEast 2 miles out of the 5 miles we walked, the water and slush in the trenches were well over the knees, and I was very thankful I had brought my trench waders with me. After lunch I went in General Cartwright's car to Bethune and had a good look at this very interesting town. The Central Square with its quaint tower, and the old church are places of interest. There are many very excellent shops and the inhabitants are doing a splendid trade with the Soldiers. On my return to Mazingarbe I received a wire from London ordering my immediate return to Weymouth.
Sunday 12th December
Had an early breakfast and then made preparations for my return to England. Said goodbye to all the officers and left in General Cartwright's car (kindly placed at my disposal) for Boulogne. On the way across, about 80 miles, I called at the HQrs of the Corps to which Gen Holland's Division belongs. The General Staff there under Brig Gen Montgomery were very kind to me and sent me off with a number of aerial photos of trenches inLoosarea, also maps etc.
We reached Boulogne at 4.30PM. I immediately reported to Embarkation Office and was informed a steamer was just about to leave with about 300 officers and men on leave to England. I accordingly got aboard. The run across country in their car was very interesting, the villages particularly being very picturesque. Women are now largely cultivating the fields and it was a Common sight to see women ploughing the fields nearLooswhile the enemy's shells were falling in the same field. The French are cultivating their land everywhere right up to the firing line. We left Boulogne at 5.15, convoyed across the Channel by a Destroyer. The night was very stormy and cold and I was very glad when we arrived at Folkestone. We left for London by train at 8.45 and arrived at Victoria Street Station at 10.45 PM. I then took a taxi to "Whitehall".