Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 393
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 393]
Tuesday 5th March
Raiding parties clearing up in their camps. With Brigade Major I visited them. They are all in splendid spirit. Advance parties from 6th Brigade arrived to reconnoitre positions. Prepared Honors and Awards for officers and men who did best work in the raids. Visit from Representatives of British Press.
Wednesday 6th March
At 10.30 AM Gen. Birdwood presented twenty four Military Medal ribbons to selected NCOs and men as immediate reward for good work in raids. Col. Milne had a nice ceremonial parade arranged with his captured machine guns and rifles, much in evidence. Later General Birdwood addressed the parade.
I then accompanied General Birdwood round the front line four sector, or rather the support line. He took with him Messrs. Murdoch and Gilmore Australian Press representatives. We visited both line Battalion Commanders and Ultimo Crater. During the afternoon the 15" of Heavy Artillery destroyed the famous Warneton Tower, which has for so long been used by the Boche as an O.P.
Thursday 7th March
In morning with the Divisional Commander inspected my Brigade Group Transport as it marched along the Ballieul Road. It made a splendid showing and the Divisional Commander was very enthusiastic about it. In afternoon Gen. Paton, 6th Brigade with his staff arrived at our forward Brigade HQrs. Our two rear Battalions were relieved during the day and the remainder of Brigade units at night, relief being completed and command passing about 11 PM.
Division provided us with a car and we reached our temporary HQrs. at midnight.
Friday 8th March
Visited DHQ and had a conference with G.O.C. re training, destruction of property etc. He then handed over to G.O.C. 2nd Aus Div and left for Nielle Blequin. With my staff I watched entraining of Battalions at Steenwerck and then with them journed by rail to Desvres. Division had arranged for a car to meet me there, and we arrived at our new HQrs. about 8.30. A fine old Chateau at Henneveux.