Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 271
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[Page 271]
one of socks, and the other of handkerchiefs and ties, all very useful. Also received two letters from Alvord and one from Chris.
Thursday 7th December
Left HQrs. at 8 AM. Rode to Delville Wood. Sent Bligh back with the horses. Walked on through 37th and 39th Batteries. Saw Col. King at his Head Quarters, then walked on to 38th Battery at Flers. Work progressing satisfactorily on gun emplacements. Inspected site for 110th Battery. Found what appears to be a splendid deep "dugout", possibly a Bde H Qrs. judging by the number of Boche telephone lines leading to it. Getting this cleaned out for use of 110th Battery. Walked on to 112th, 38th, 44th and 40th Batteries. Heavily shelled during last night; one pit hit and four men casualties. Two men of 24th Bde H Qrs. also caught by shell in front of their telephone office. Lunched with Col. Waite. His battery deep dugouts well under weigh. With Col. Waite inspected his forward gun positions towards Factory Corner and then made a reconnaissance of country for future gun positions. Found one apparently suitable place for a 6 How. Batty. with German gunner dugouts already constructed. Came back through 112th present battery position. Called on Gen. Walker who today took over from General Cox. He has just received Corps instructions to the effect that the Division holding the line will have its own CRA, so from 11 AM tomorrow I hand over. This will give me more time to attend to School at Naours, also to keep in touch with batteries in the line, and arrange a new Camping area for wagon lines etc.
Friday 8th December
Under orders issued from Corps the CRA of the Division actually holding the line is now to control the Artillery, so at 11 AM today I handed over to 1st Aus. Div Arty General Hobbs here during morning. Discussed details re Artillery Schools, and Artillery work in the Front line. School arrangements have been beautifully bungled by Corps. No attempt has been made to provide necessary accommodation. In consequence the Division has now been asked to take the matter in hand.