Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 411
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[Page 411]
Thursday 18th April
Again the enemy has shelled with gas and we have suffered further casualties in the Brigade including 7 more officers. The officers comprise Col. Morshead and his Adjutant, and the 33rd Battn is now exceedingly weak. I have therefore sent forward the 36th less one company to take over from 33rd. Col. White becomes Commandant of the town and the remains of the 33rd have been taken out by motor lorries to Bove where they are being billeted, bathed and fitted out with fresh clothing while their own is being fumigated.
General Montgomery, M.G. General Staff to Gen. Rawlinson called to see me, expressed his thanks for the work of the Brigade in the sector which has been very valuable and much appreciated, and his regrets at our heavy casualties from gas. The Army Commander has evidently been pleased with our work. Staff of 58th Division doing all they can to help us re bathing, billets and clothing.
Major Grant placed temporarily in command of 33rd Battalion.
Division informed of our total casualties.
During the day I called on General Monash and arranged with him details of our move into his area and our location therein. All satisfactorily fixed up. Bde H Qrs. will be at Frechencourt.
Battle up north appears to be now more or less Stationary, and our troops reinforced by French appear to have held the enemy up.
Enemy bombing continuously during the night. No damage at Blangy-Tronville.
Friday 19th April
Advanced parties of 23rd Bde. 8th Division called re new relief. Col. Anderson Morshead (a connection of our Col. Morshead) is to take over the defences of Villers Bretonneux while his G.O.C., General Grogan, will take over our HQrs. at Blangy-Tronville. Strangely enough I took over from Gen. Grogan at Brune-Gaye at the end of last year.
Heard today that Major Garling, 4th Aus. Div Arty had been killed in action.
Saturday 20th April
During the day the 34th and 35th Battalions were relieved in Bois L-Abbe – and marched to FranVillers and Lahoussoye respectively.
At night the 36th was relieved and at 11 PM commenced its march to Lahoussoye. Machine gunners are to be relieved tomorrow night and will then rejoin the M.G. Battalion and be billeted at Bonnay. The 9th F. Ambulance and train Co. both rejoined our 3rd Divisiion today. I formally handed