Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 331
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[Page 331]
Monday 9th July
Gen. McCay arrived from 1st Anzac. In the evening he went to Corps Head Quarters, Ballieul to dine. Col. Rabett whose Brigade is leaving tomorrow for DUNQUERKE dined with us. I promised to do what I could to get his brother attached to his Brigade. Informed that Gen. MacLagan is to be the new Commander for 4th Aus Div and will arrive about the end of this week. I shall be delighted to welcome him both as a keen soldier and an old friend. Gen. Gellibrand and Col. Foote are going over to England to join Gen. MacCay's staff, the latter to be made a Brigadier General.
Tuesday 10th July
Ceremonial Parade held at 10 AM at which Gen. Godley, Corps Commander presented Military ribbons, V.C., D.C.O's, M.C's, Military Medals and D.C.Ms. About 2500 on parade. Gen. MacCay attended. Gen. MacCay left for Boulogne. We provided his car. In the afternoon I had a powwow with all officers of 4th Aus Div Artillery and gave them final warning that any officers found unsatisfactory in their work, either due to negligence or incompetence, would be recommended for removal from Artillery and if necessary the A.I.F.
Wednesday 11th July
The 10th and 11th Brigades together with "A" Echelon D.A.C. moved out, passing starting point at DE SEULE corner at 6.10 AM. Generally the whole show was uniformly very fair. Garling Battery was perhaps the best turned out. The Boche intermittently shelled this corner while they were marching past, but luckily all shells were "plus". Received letter from Gen. Birdwood late last night, re 4th Brigade staff, and replied this morning. I also wrote him re MacNaghten and enclosed Gen. Grand's letter stating he had again succumbed to his old failing. Apparently he still remains unreliable.
Thursday 12th July
In company with Capts. Craig and Maxwell we inspected left sector of our front, examining communication trenches supports, front line, wiring, and finally Subsidiary Line. I am hoping to be able to take the Corps Commander in detail round the front so that he may get some idea of the work done by 4th Aus Div I hear however that he is off on leave tomorrow and will not return till after the 20th, the date on which we are to be relieved in the line. Ballieul badly shelled today and bombed last night. Gen. Gwynne to lunch – he says Corps HQrs. is to move to Fletre.