Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 175
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[Page 175]
Sunday 19th December
Left Weymouth at 10.15 AM for Devonport. Reached there at 3.30PM. At once went aboard the "Ionic" a White Star Liner. She is carrying and English Battalion, (East Lancashires) 2 Corps of Engineers, a Field Ambulance, and our party consisting of about 60 N.Zealand and Australian officers and about 120 NZ and A. N.C.Os. Left wharf at 4.15. Tug caught us up later with our baggage, the ship being unable to wait at wharf because of falling tide. In the gathering dusk I noticed a destroyer convoying up, and we took our last look at England for perhaps a very long time.
Exceedingly glad to be once more on the move, notwithstanding the fact that my stay in England and France has been exceedingly enjoyable and interesting. Saw H.M.S. WARSPRITE in dock at Devonport. She has evidently been in Collision, for her bow is being repaired. She is a sister ship to the "Queen Elizabeth".
Monday 20th December
When I awoke this morning I found our Destroyer Escort had left us. A very beautiful day. Sea very calm. Have been sorting over my boxes today. I hear we shall probably call at "Malta. I hope so, for so far I have only seen this important naval station from the sea. A beautiful moonlight night. The famous Bay of Biscay is treating us handsomely. Ship exceedingly comfortable. Though my bed seems a trifle narrow after the beds in England. I have a nice comfortable cabin to myself. Commencing to read up my books and thus refresh my memory again for my Artillery duties. Lt Col Rickman of the East Lancs is O.C. troops. This Regiments band played for us very nicely yesterday afternoon as we dropped down Devonport harbour to Plymouth Sound, and also again this afternoon. Had a good look over the 4".7 gun placed aft. I think we could give a good account of ourselves if a submarine came around.
Tuesday 21st December
Another beautiful day. Spent bulk of the day in darning socks.
Wednesday 22nd December
All boat stations allotted in case of Submarine Attack. I am in command of boat No 15 with