Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 53
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[Page 53]
Received two letters from Nell yesterday and one from Alvord. Nell's last letter acknowledged receipt of ?20 sent to her. An old letter from Mr Baron received also one from Mr Philp in England. He wants to join us as a gunner if he can get across here.
Camp is full of small mule and donkey teams and wagons, doing all the transport work for the troops. Train lines are laid through the camp for supply of materials, etc, and various macadamised roads are also being made. The camp is a huge show. The Accommodation House at foot of Pyramids, known as Mena House has been turned into a Hospital, and all Australian nurses are stationed there. The large swimming pool is made available for troops, 100 swimming at a time. Hope to find time in a few days to visit both Mena House and the Pyramids. We never expected we should get into this part of the world. I understand we are to stay here till March, certainly till the cold weather is over at the front. Just killed a fine healthy specimen of a mosquito.
Monday December 14th
Very cold night. Beautifully fresh morning. Strenuous work all day getting tents for Units, having some erected and getting in stores and vehicles. It will take a few days to settle down. Majors King and Rabett also Lt Olding called along to see me. I have not yet had time to look at the old battery. Infantry are moving out in the mornings now to the accompaniment of their Bands. Lecture tonight by Major Hughes on "Artillery Tactics".
Tuesday 15th December
Again very cold crisp night. Went into Cairo with Major Browne to see about 8th Battery vehicles and B.A.C. vehicles. Had lunch at Kan el Nil barracks. Afterwards visited three shops to arrange for enamelled mess kit, it having been decided that all officers shall join in a Brigade Mess. Shops close from 1PM to 3 PM, so we did not quite complete our task before returning to camp. Had an Arab guide with us, the son of the Sheik of Mena Village right against our camp. He explained many things to us, incidentally telling us of his approaching marriage, and the customs in connection therewith. These guides are evidently feeling the loss of trade in connection with tourists, there being no "Season" this year. We are trying to learn Arabic.