Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 503
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[Page 503]
Great Britain has even been a Champion of right as against wrong, and her Dominions have ever and will ever rally round her in time of trouble.
We can fully sympathise with you in the troubles and sorrows you have suffered, but, thank God, the enemy has been decisively beaten and your country and France are both now free, free to reestablish your towns, your industries and your homes.
I am pleased to hear your reference to the British Navy. We shall never know just how much it has performed, but this we assuredly know, that but for its unceasing watchfulness the British Army could not have been maintained in Europe nor the American Army landed here.
I had the proud privilege recently of spending a short holiday with the Grand Fleet, and witnessed such a sight as I never expected to see, and certainly will never see again – the surrender of the German Fleet, the final admission of all of the superiority of the British Navy.
I thank you for your kindly references to our Australian Army. When war was first declared our country at once decided to give all the assistance possible and I think we may today fairly claim that the Australian troops have been of sterling value.
We have in the first place contributed a Battle Cruiser, 3 light Cruisers and several Destroyers, all of which are serving with the British Fleet. We have contributed over 350,000 men and 800 nurses who are distributed through all theatres of war. We have maintained 5 Divisions in Europe and 2 Mounted Divisions in Palestine – all voluntarily – and every penny of the cost is being borne by Australia.
We have fought in Egypt, Palestine, Gallipoli, France and Belgium. In your country we have taken part in much hard fighting notably at Messines and Passchendaele. It was my privilege to have at one time under my Command for a period of 3 months, six batteries of Belgian Field Artillery, and they always did their work most ably and gallantly.
Many brave lives have been lost, but we all feel that no sacrifice is too great to ensure our old time liberties being maintained.
The troops you see here to day represent but one battalion