Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 377
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[Page 377]
his Brigade Major called and went through details of relief set down for nights 1st/2nd January. Arranged details for guides to meet his C.Os. on 31st inst. Gen. Monash rang me up re posting of Lt. Tedder to this Bde. He told me it had been ordered by Corps HQrs. Possibly he is a son of Col. Tedder of Sydney. This Subaltern has not done well in 5th Division and is now to be given a chance under another commander.
Excellent progress made on wiring at Chapelle D'Armentieres during last night. Further work will be done tonight.
Arranging details for Schools to be commenced as soon as we go out of the line. Still more snow – but temperature much warmer.
Friday 28th December
Divisional Commander arrived during morning with Major General Kennedy and Col. Ross of U.S.A. Army. I went through the details of my whole Brigade front for their information. Col. Ross in particular seems a keen capable man. He comes from 78th Division while the General comes from 79th Division. Major Pain round the line examining new work – especially wiring. Dined with 10th Field Ambulance.
Saturday 29th December
With Major Pain visited new line for wire East of Cross Cut. Work is to commence tonight and two companies of 11th Brigade are assisting. Bitterly cold weather with much snow.
Sunday 30th December
Attended Church Parade at Steenwerck and afterwards General Birdwood presented medals and ribbons to officers & men. Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatches – London Gazette Supplement dated 28th December – wrote letters during afternoon.
Monday 31st December
With General Kennedy and Col. Ross USA Army visited the whole of our Subsidiary Line, three front line posts, trench mortar positions and a field Battery. I think they were interested in all they saw and in all they were told. Accompanied them to Divisional HQrs. at Steenwerck in late afternoon. Dined with Madame Plouvier at the Chateau which is Divisional HQrs., and there saw the old year out and the new year in. One of 11th Brigade bands played for some time. Informed by General Monash that I have been awarded Belgian Croix de Guerre.