Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 189
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[Page 189]
Road making Transport of stone, firewood, timber etc. in dhabeen. Water being laid on and tramway being constructed. Took a few interesting pictures.
Saturday 5th February
Went out again to Left Flank with General Hobbs, returning at 4.30 PM. Party came to Ismailia by launch. Rained heavily during journey. Dined at French Club, took train to TEL-EL-KEBIR, reaching the Station at 9.30 AM. Whole place under water. Men flooded out of tents. Mine is fortunately dry. Pile of papers received.
Sunday 6th February
Men drying bedding, clothes and tents. Letter writing all day and reading papers. Major Burgess detailed with Capt. Forbes to report to B.G.R.A. Ismailia for reconnaissance of Turkish Artillery positions, using Camel Transport.
Monday 7th February
On training area all day. All batteries doing good work and specialists well forward. Had dinner with General Hobbs at night, Major Marks accompanying me.
Tuesday 8th February
Made a reconnaissance during the morning of extreme southern portion of 3rd Brigade Training Area. Orderly brought me word that we were to proceed by afternoon train to Serapeum. (Brigade and Battery Commanders, Adjutants, range takers orderlies horses etc. By dint of a great deal of bustling we left Tel el Kebir at 5 PM, reached Camp Station Ismailia about 6.30, and there discovered no connection had been arranged for between Camp Station and Serapeum. On consulting the D.A.D.R.T. at Ismailia we found we could get no further till 10 AM tomorrow. We therefore all walked down to the French Club at Ismailia (of which all British Officers are made honorary members), and had dinner there. While at dinner Major Burgess and Capt. Forbes came in and told us of their experiences on Camels in front of our Canal line. We returned to the Camp Station after dinner and each man made up a bed for himself among bundles