Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 376
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[Page 376]
Units preparing for Christmas dinners. Signal Section at Brigade HQrs. had theirs tonight, so as to permit of Brigade HQrs. staff having the same room tomorrow night. G.O.C. Division approved suggestions re wiring.
Tuesday, 25th December
This makes the fourth Christmas day I have spent away from Australia. The first at Mena, Cairo, Egypt, the second in mid Mediterranean, the third frozen up at Pommiers Redoubt, Somme, and this the fourth here at Erquingham, Armentieres.
This morning the Brigade Major and myself visited the scene of last nights wiring and found splendid progress had been made. Then called on three line, and the reserve Battalions to see how the men's Christmas dinners had been arranged. All were well supplied with no end of luxuries. Gen. Monash rang me up re works on late Sector. He informed me General Birdwood was coming round tomorrow and asked me to clear up if possible the suggestion that Brigade when in the line in the last Sector had not worked as they should. Gen. Grimwade and his Brigade Major called during the afternoon just to wish us good luck. Col. MacCartney dined with us tonight and generally we had a very happy meal. Our Mess Secretary (the French interpreter attached to the Brigade) had secured some poultry and most of the members of the mess had gift parcels from England. So after all tonight the war was forgotten. A piano had been secured and after dinner we had a good sing-song.
Wednesday 26th December
General Monash called to see me during the morning. He discussed our future movements and incidentally told me what my own personal immediate prospects were for promotion.
Major Williams (C.R.E.) called re sapper materials. Gen. Birdwood called at 10.30. I discussed with him our works during the period we were in last Sector. He accompanied me through the whole of the Subsidiary Line and everywhere he found men very cheerful. I showed him new wiring at Chapelle Armentiere. Brigade Major round the line with Lt. Col. McCartney. Heavy fall of snow last night, today the ground is well covered everywhere – typical Christmas weather.
Thursday 27th December
Asst. Brigade Major went round part of Right Battalion Front. GOC of 171st Brigade (Gen. Longbourne D.S.O.) and