Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 372
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[Page 372]
Saturday 8th December
Line Battalions relieved last night. We are now on our last 8 day period. With Major Dunlop again inspected all Transport. The 34th and 36th still the weakest. The 33rd and 35th super excellent and the Machine Gun Co. Excellent. Visited range at Pont Nieppe and had a personal "series" with the Vickers guns.
My groom suffering from Trench fever and has been evacuated.
Sunday 9th December
Accompanied ASC officer in his usual weekly inspection of Transport, harness and horses. Visited all Units.
Majors Hawley and Blake to lunch with us. Miserable wet day. News of dreadful disaster at Halifax, Canada received. Three thousand tons of T.N.T. exploded in a ship as a result of a collision and country for many miles devastated, while thousands of lives lost. Wrote letters.
Monday 10th December
Accompanied General Birdwood round both Battalion fronts of our sector, returning to Camp at 5 PM. He informed me among other matters of interest that he had recommended to the Australian Government a substantial increase in the salary of Majors and Brigadier Generals. Boche "Gothas" dropping bombs in afternoon.
Tuesday 11th December
Major Pain arrived yesterday to take up duties of Brigade Major. Going through records with Major Wootten. Recorded my vote in the Referendum concerning Reinforcements from Australia. Preparing Brigade Defence Scheme.
Wednesday 12th December
Took General Smith (5th A.I. Brigade) round the sector. His Brigade is to relieve ours on 14/15th and 15/16th.
More "Gothas" over during the afternoon, bomb dropping. One was brought down in flames by two of our planes.
Two of my Battalions on being relieved in this Sector are to be a Reserve for the defence of Armentiere. The Commanders concerned to day got in touch with their opposite numbers. Major Wootten left to take up duties as GSO II 5th Aus Div Major Hamilton OC Div. Signal Co. called re Brigade or Divisional Signalling School for coming month.